Gale Newman was born and raised in Turlock, California. He attended U.C. Berkeley on an athletic scholarship. After graduation, he attended Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. From that school, he received a Masters of Divinity degree and a few years later, a Doctor of Ministry. He has served churches in Oregon, Indiana and California. While serving those churches, he instituted home Bible studies, believing them to be essential for Christian growth. During those years, he noticed a need for more material that could be used in those settings. This study is an attempt to meet that need. Dr. Newman has three sons, Eric, Andy, and Brian who live in different communities around America.