The Series That Transformed How Catholics Read the Bible

The Great Adventure™

Millions Reached

Helping Catholics unlock a deeper understanding of all 73 books of the Bible.

A New Way to Read Scripture

Connecting Scripture through 14 narrative books and 12 color-coded time periods.

30+ Years of Impact

A proven framework for understanding salvation history for decades.

How the Bible Timeline® Learning System Works
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The Great Adventure Bible Timeline® Learning System provides a framework for understanding the Bible as one unified story. It begins with the 14 narrative books that form the foundation of Scripture’s storyline, following the major events of salvation history from Creation to the early Church. These events are then organized into 12 time periods, helping readers see the progression of God’s plan throughout Scripture.

The remaining 59 books of the Bible are then placed within this timeline according to where they fit historically and thematically. This allows readers to understand the context of the prophets, wisdom books, and letters, revealing how every part of Scripture connects to the overarching story of God’s covenant and plan of salvation from Adam and Eve to Christ and the Church.

SEE THE NEW BIBLE TIMELINE: STORY OF SALVATION BIBLE STUDY

The Most Popular Ascension Bible Study

The Great Adventure Bible Timeline study, The Bible Timeline: The Story of Salvation, has been newly updated to take you on a journey through salvation history. Experience more than 50 remarkable biblical locations around the world alongside a team of trusted Catholic presenters, bringing the story of Scripture to life like never before.

Prompted a Global Podcast Phenomenon

See How the Great Adventure Changed Fr. Mike Schmitz's Life

The Great Adventure Bible Timeline Learning System is the foundation of The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) podcast. With more than 1 billion downloads and recognition as the #1 religion podcast in the world, it has inspired millions to discover the Bible in a whole new way, revealing the story of salvation through a clear, engaging, and easy-to-follow framework.

COMPREHENSIVE CATHOLIC BIBLE STUDIES

The Great Adventure Bible Studies

The Great Adventure Catholic Bible studies are easy to use and perfect for parish Bible study groups, small gatherings with family and friends, or personal study.

Begin with Unlocking the Mystery of the Bible to discover the “big picture” of Scripture. Then, dive deeper with The Bible Timeline: The Story of Salvation to explore the story of salvation history.

From there, continue your journey through Scripture with studies focused on individual books of the Bible.

Shop All Great Adventure Bible Study Starter Packs

Explore The Great Adventure Bible Studies Starter Packs

Perfect for Bible Study Leaders

Explore The Great Adventure Bible Studies Starter Packs

The Great Adventure Bible Studies Starter Packs include everything you need to begin leading a small group study.

Each Starter Pack includes all the components for one study in a convenient bundle. Every pack includes a workbook with discussion prompts, reflection questions, opportunities for further study, and more. You’ll also receive online access to the video sessions and a DVD set with all the videos, giving you flexible options for leading your group.

Additional study materials, such as charts, bookmarks, or companion books, may also be included depending on the specific study program.

EXPLORE

Begin Your Journey Through Salvation History Today!

Are you ready to begin your first Great Adventure Bible Study but aren’t sure how to lead a small group? Click the button below to learn more. We provide the resources, guidance, and support you need to confidently lead your group every step of the way.

Lead a Small Group

Frequently Asked Questions

About The Great Adventure

How do I start a Catholic Bible study?

Starting a Catholic Bible study is simple with one of Ascension’s Great Adventure Bible studies. Whether you’re starting a small group with friends, family, or fellow parishioners, you can get started with a few simple steps.

First, choose a Catholic Bible study that fits your group and its interests. Then, gather a few people who want to grow in their knowledge of Scripture and deepen their Catholic faith. Decide when and where you’ll meet, invite participants, and order the Bible study materials you need.

You don’t need a large group to get started. Even a small group can become a meaningful Bible study community where participants encounter God through Scripture and grow together in faith.

Learn more about how to start a Catholic Bible study here.

Which Bible study should I start with?

If you’re new to Bible study, The Bible Timeline: The Story of Salvation is a great place to start. This 24-session Catholic Bible study gives participants the big picture of Scripture by showing how the people, places, and events of the Bible fit together, helping them better understand and read the entire Bible.

If you’re looking for a shorter introduction to the story of salvation, consider Unlocking the Mystery of the Bible as your first study. This 8-session study provides an overview of the Bible and helps participants understand how its key stories and themes fit together, perfect for beginners. 

From there, explore the rest of The Great Adventure Bible studies, which dive deeper into the individual books of the Bible.

What is The Great Adventure?

The Great Adventure is a brand of Bible studies and resources developed with renowned Catholic Bible teacher Jeff Cavins and built around the Bible Timeline learning system. It helps people understand Scripture as one unified story of salvation.

Rather than studying individual books of the Bible in isolation, The Great Adventure brand and the Bible Timeline system help participants see how the people, events, and covenants of Scripture connect to one another. Ascension offers a variety of Great Adventure Bible studies, allowing groups to explore both the big picture of Scripture and individual books of the Bible.

Does Ascension offer other studies other than The Great Adventure Bible studies?

Yes! In addition to The Great Adventure Bible studies, Ascension offers a variety of Catholic studies designed to help individuals and groups grow in their understanding of Scripture and the Catholic Faith. These studies cover a range of topics, including Catholic beliefs and practices, spiritual growth and devotionals, Theology of the Body, and more.

Can you do a Bible study on your own? 

Yes! You can do a Bible study on your own. While many Ascension studies are designed for small groups, they can also be completed individually. Studying on your own allows you to move at your own pace, dive deeper into Scripture, and grow in your understanding of the Catholic Faith.

If you choose to study on your own, we recommend purchasing the program’s workbook and online access to the study videos. You can also access the study videos with a premium subscription to the Ascension app.