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Features

Precepts for Living®  is designed to help you grow in your knowledge of God’s Word, both in your personal study and in Sunday School lessons. Based on the International Uniform Bible Lessons series, Precepts® is full of helpful features to take you deeper into the Scripture, from background overviews to in-depth Greek and Hebrew studies. Here are some of the features you’ll find:

 Download a Sample Lesson (PDF)


Engaging the Theme

Thematic essays written by scholars and pastors provide an overview of each quarter’s theme, putting each lesson into a unified context.

Black History

Each quarter features a profile of a significant figure in African American history, whose life reflects the qualities of the quarterly theme. The Scriptures in Precepts for Living honor our heritage and connect to history.

Contextualized Illustrations 

Full-page artwork brings the Scriptures to life. Precepts for Living’s illustrations distinctively portray people of color in the biblical experience, helping African American and urban readers visualize Bible characters and events in a way that’s relevant to their cultural context.

Teaching Tips

Each lesson in Precepts for Living includes a page of teaching tips designed by teachers for teachers. Every week, you’ll find valuable ready-to-use educational aids including:

  • Words You Should Know: Vocabulary from the lesson Scripture with matching terms in biblical Hebrew and Greek.
  • Teacher Preparation: A unifying principle to tie the lesson together, with useful tips for preparation throughout the week.
  • O-P-E-N Model: UMI’s own pattern for instruction, a ready-made lesson plan for engaging the students’ interest in exploring and applying God’s Word.
  • Worship Guide: Weekly plans for studying the Scripture, lesson theme, songs, and devotional reading.
  • Say It Correctly: Helpful pronunciation guides for those complex biblical names.

Aim for Change

The big picture of each passage of Scripture and its application is summarized in one simple sentence, targeting the Bible lessons toward knowledge, attitude, and action development.

In Focus

An original story opens each week’s lesson, illustrating how the Bible applies to real-life concerns. Realistic characters, thought-provoking conversations, and relevant life situations connect to show that the Bible speaks meaningfully to everyone.

Parallel KJV and NLT Scripture Text

Whether you prefer the traditional phrases of the King James Version or the up-to-date language of the New Living Translation, Precepts for Living has what you need. Both versions of Scripture are presented side–by–side so you can compare and contrast each translation, providing a balanced understanding of the biblical text.

Bible Background

Background information helps expand your knowledge of the Bible and its world. “The People, Places, and Times” further examines the historical settings and important characters of the Bible, while “Background” explains the passage’s place in Scripture and important doctrinal themes.

Discussion and Application

Thought-provoking, open-ended questions let you “Discuss the Meaning” with your Bible Study group or Sunday School class. To help you connect the message to life, “Lesson in Our Society” and “Make It Happen” provide specific goals for application. This helps make sure you don’t just engage your head, but also your hands and your heart.

More Light on the Text

“More Light on the Text” is in-depth analysis for when you want to further explore the Scripture passage. Written by experienced Bible scholars, this section explores the passage’s themes and meanings with Greek and Hebrew word studies and detailed exegesis.

Daily Bible Readings

Reading guides from the International Uniform Lessons provide a convenient plan for reading your Bible throughout the week. Every day’s passage of Scripture connects to the theme of the week’s lesson, helping you understand the Bible as a whole.