Unlocking The Bible David Pawson

A Practical Guide to Using the Unlocking The Bible Series

David Pawson produced one of the more thorough Bible study series available, and it still gets referenced in many church settings years after it wrapped up. The core format pairs a video lecture or teaching segment with a companion workbook that walks through the book of the Bible being studied. Most people grab it for small group use or personal study, though the material spans everything from Genesis to Revelation depending on which volume you pick up. The series is structured around exposition-style teaching. Pawson works through a biblical text systematically rather than hunting for illustration-first preaching angles. Each session typically runs 30 to 45 minutes of content, and the workbooks break into reading assignments, discussion questions, and application prompts. If you are running a group, the standard cadence is one session per week over the span of the entire book being covered. I have used this material in a couple of different contexts over the years, mostly with adults who wanted something that felt substantial rather than decorative. The workbooks are where most people actually do the work. The videos draw you in, but the reflection questions force you to sit with the text instead of sliding past it. I learned that the hard way when someone in my group kept skipping the workbook sections and showing up to discussion unprepared. It turned the whole session into a lecture instead of a conversation. I started requiring the workbook to be finished before the group met, and participation improved noticeably after the first two weeks.

One thing beginners miss: the workbooks assume you will read the biblical text itself before watching anything. Pawson references specific verses throughout, and if you are not tracking along in your Bible, you will lose context fast. Some people try to watch the video first and then do the workbook. That order actually works better for a second pass, but if this is your first time through a particular book, reading the chapter or passage beforehand saves a lot of confusion later.

How to Use the Series Effectively

Start by committing to the full arc. The biggest mistake people make is jumping into a single session or two because it seems convenient. The value comes from working through the book in order, because Pawson builds theological threads across chapters. You can skip around if you need to, but you will notice the gaps immediately. Here is a practical breakdown of the process I use:

• Week 1 setup: Pick your book and order the materials early. Availability varies depending on which volume you want. Some titles print intermittently, so lead time matters if you are buying physical copies.
• Individual prep (30 to 45 minutes): Read the assigned Bible passage, then complete the workbook section before watching the video. Note anything that does not make sense. These notes become your discussion contributions.
• Video session (30 to 45 minutes): Watch with the Bible open. Pause if he references a cross-passages you have not read. Write down two or three things you want to bring up in discussion.
• Group time (45 to 60 minutes): Use the workbook questions as your guide. Do not try to cover every single question. Pick the ones that generated the most friction or interest during individual prep. Let people talk past each other a little. The best discussions happen when someone challenges an interpretation, not when everyone agrees politely.

Time estimates are rough. A typical session runs about two to two and a half hours total when you include prep and group time. If you compress it too much, you lose the part that actually changes how people read Scripture on their own. I ran into a specific problem a few years ago when using the series on the book of Romans. Two people in the group had deeply held but mutually exclusive views on sanctification, and every discussion on Romans 6 and 7 became a stalemate. The workbook questions did not help because they assumed a shared framework that we clearly did not have. Here is what I ended up doing. I stopped forcing the discussion questions and switched to having each person read the same passage aloud slowly, then paraphrase it back in their own words before offering interpretation. It took longer. We spent extra time in those sessions. But it shifted the dynamic from debate to listening, and we actually made progress for the first time. Pawson's teaching leans Reformed at times, and some of his stronger claims will rub certain traditions the wrong way. Acknowledge that upfront if you are leading a mixed group. It saves a lot of tension later.

Where the Series Falls Short

The material is solid but not flawless. Here are the real limitations I have encountered: Pedagogical pace: Pawson moves methodically, which is great for depth but sometimes frustrating if you want quicker takeaways. A contemporary leader looking for punchy, ready-to-apply sermonettes will find this slower than what they are used to. The payoff is cumulative understanding, not instant soundbites. Theological assumptions: Certain volumes, especially those covering Pauline theology, carry distinct Reformed leanings. That is not inherently bad, but if your group holds to a different tradition, you will notice where Pawson brushes over alternative readings. I recommend keeping a second commentary handy for those moments rather than letting one perspective dominate without challenge.

Availability: Some volumes are out of print or only available through third-party sellers at inflated prices. Digital versions exist in certain regions, but licensing restrictions vary. If you are planning a long-term group commitment, check stock status before you invest time in the curriculum. Starting a ten-week series and then discovering a key volume is unavailable is a reliable way to derail a group. No built-in follow-up framework: The series gives you the study material. It does not provide discipleship tracking, integration into broader church programs, or structured pathways for new believers. If you pair this with a mentoring system or a clearer follow-up plan, the results improve. Without that, people tend to absorb content and then drift.

Alternatives Worth Considering

Depending on your situation, other resources might fit better. For groups that want more conversational material and less exposition-heavy teaching, the N.T. Wright study guides or the Bible Project video series paired with a simpler workbook can cover similar ground faster. If your audience needs something more accessible for new believers, Jack Hayford's study guides or the Explore the Book curriculum from the Church of the Nazarene offers gentler entry points. For academic audiences or leaders who want deeper scholarly engagement, the Anchor Yale Bible Commentary set or the New International Biblical Commentary series will give you more granular material, though you will need to do more synthesis work yourself. The Pawson series sits in a middle lane. It is detailed enough to reward serious engagement but accessible enough that laypeople can participate without a seminary degree. That is its strength and also its limitation. It assumes a certain baseline of commitment. If your group lacks that, the material will feel heavy. If your group has it, the material holds up well.

Bottom Line

Use the workbook as the primary tool, not an afterthought. Prep before you meet. Let discussion breathe. Accept the pacing. Pair it with a second perspective if your group is theologically diverse. And verify availability before you commit to a full sequence. When those conditions are met, the series delivers real value. When they are not, you will spend more time managing the process than studying the text.