I’ve devoted several recent editorials to the changes you’ll soon see in The Lookout. Our first revised issue will debut in just two weeks, on November 12. I’d like to take this opportunity to tell you just how significant I believe these changes will be.

While The Lookout has long focused on discipleship and personal spiritual growth (its tagline was “The Growing Christian’s Weekly Resource”), we’re sharpening our focus to provide a resource that will equip every member of the local church to be a disciple and a disciple maker.

We know we’re not the only ministry with this commitment. You don’t have to look far to find a plethora of publications and conferences focusing on discipleship. Still, we believe The Lookout has a unique place in the hearts of our churches and church members, and we want to be faithful stewards of the trust placed in us. Students of Scripture have used our publication for decades to study the Bible and draw near to God. We want to help those faithful disciples—and thousands more—draw even closer to Christ, fulfilling his Commission and reflecting his character in their daily lives. Here is how we hope to accomplish this goal.

Study through the entire Bible. If you follow our weekly Bible study plan, you will have studied the entire Bible in a six-year period. Dr. Mark Scott, director of preaching and professor of preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College (Joplin, Missouri), writes our weekly Scripture commentary, providing understanding and insight into biblical truth. Dr. David Faust, former professor and university president and currently associate minister at East 91st Street Christian Church (Indianapolis, Indiana), brings his unique brand of wisdom and application to the lesson commentary in his weekly column, “Engage Your Faith.” Whether you study in a small group, a Bible fellowship or Sunday school class, or on your own from week to week, we want to help you understand and apply “the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27, American Standard Version).

Veteran curriculum writer and Christian educator Jim Eichenberger will provide study and discussion questions for each lesson, helping classes, small groups, and individual students express biblical truth in daily life.

Next week I’ll share several more ways we want to help you grow as a disciple.