Bible Studies

Food plays a huge part in our church lives, whether it's through the breaking of bread or a bring-and-share meal. But it can be a little-considered subject, despite the Bible and Christian history having much to say about it. BRF's Lent book for 2009, Fasting and Feasting sees Gordon Giles guide us through daily Bible readings for the Easter season around the theme of eating and food. It examines the importance of the Eucharist and its roots in the Jewish Passover, as well as containing thorough group material and suggestions for an 'Agape' (fellowship) meal. Fasting and Feasting is ideal for dedicated followers of BRF's popular Bible readings and reflections for Lent. It's suitable for groups, with emphasis on sharing meals and fellowship. Those who have enjoyed Gordon Giles's writings in New Daylight, Quiet Spaces and his other books will enjoy this latest offering. Gordon Giles is a vicar in Enfield, north-west London. He was previously based at St Paul's Cathedral, where his work included musical and liturgical responsibilities. He has also written O Come, Emmanuel, The Music of Praise and The Harmony of Heaven for BRF, and contributes to New Daylight Bible reading notes and Quiet Spaces journal

For anyone interested in faith and film This study uses The Kings Speech to explore the message of speaking up People will find this a pressure-free way to study that Bible in a group Based on the Oscar winning film 'The King's Speech', this is the Lent course to help you find your authentic identity and voice in Christ. 'Finding A Voice' brings together words from the Bible, the story and characters from the movie and the fears that can drive us to withdraw from everyday life. Starting with sequences from the multi Oscar and BAFTA winning movie, 'Finding a Voice' explores the ways in which, like Colin Firth's 'Bertie', we too can face up and overcome our terrors to find our true and authentic self. A short introduction begins each film related Bible meditation with notes, discussion points and further Bible passages provided for reflection through the week. Hilary Brand's imaginative approach includes suggestions for an after-Lent follow-up and full notes for leaders. Each of the five sections of the course is adaptable to private devotion or weekly group engagement. With a compelling and popular film as its point of reference, this is the Lent resource for those who love film but might not otherwise consider a course of Lent Bible study.

Were all familiar with the Christmas story, but do you know the story behind the story? Tucked away in the Bible, hundreds of years before Mary, Joseph and the birth of Jesus, is the story of a girl called Ruth. It's a story that rings true to our world a story of sadness and tears, even of death, but also a story of where hope can be found in the darkest places. A story that points us forward to the promise of a king. Finding Hope Under Bethlehem Skies takes us on an Advent journey through 25 daily reflections. Each day has a short devotion, a suggested prayer and links to a response song. Come along to Bethlehem and discover the hope that shines brightly even on the darkest of nights.

A daily Lent course for all the family, with stories, activities and reflections. Each week leading up to Easter focuses on a particular Bible passage about being called to follow Jesus. For all the family. The format provides a new activity for every day of the week but the daily suggestions could also be selected and rearranged to provide a single weekly study or family prayer time, depending on what suits your family best

The author looks at what it meant to Isaiah and his readers to live in exile and how God used him to encourage and teach his people.

John Owen said, as he set out to write his classic treatise on the Holy Spirit, that he found it, 'A work too great and difficult for me to undertake and beyond my ability to manage to the glory of God, or the good of men, for who is sufficient for these things?' Alasdair Heron called the Holy Spirit 'the most elusive and difficult of all themes in Christian theology'. 'Truly,' writes Simon Ponsonby, 'attempting to write a comprehensive study, which is accessible, biblical, theological, historical and practical, on the Person and Work of the Spirit, feels a little like climbing the Everest of Christian belief.' And yet he has done just that. Marshalling the prolific references in Scripture; the metaphors of wind, water, oil, fire and dove; the multiplicity of terms, types and titles; the many insights from the church fathers, reformers and more recent theologians, Simon Ponsonby presents us with a dynamic and accessible picture of the One who is God with us, working in and through us, shaping us into the character of Christ and equipping us for the adventure of serving others. The result will stimulate both head and heart, as it presents a dynamic picture of the One who is God with us, working in and through us, shaping us into the character of Christ and equipping us for the adventure of serving others.

Want an accessible overview of the Bible? This DVD helps you understand themes through the Bible You can help a small group of newer Christians find their feet in faith The book God's Big Picture by Vaughan Roberts has been a valued resource for individuals and churches in giving a simple but thorough overview of the Bible. This DVD course provides a new resource to accompany the book. Using the same simple thematic approach the DVD has nine 12 minute high quality videos presenting the content of each chapter of the book. There are free downloadable leaders guide and members notes for each video. Unit 1: The Pattern of the Kingdom Unit 2: The Perished Kingdom Unit 3: The Promised Kingdom Unit 4: The Partial Kingdom - People, Rule and Blessing Unit 5: The Partial Kingdom - Place and King Unit 6: The Prophesied Kingdom Unit 7: The Present Kingdom Unit 8: The Proclaimed Kingdom Unit 9: The Perfected Kingdom

Uniquely presented, this history of the Bible draws together story and scholarship with lively accounts of the people, powers and incidents involved in bringing the Bible, the language of the people, to the English. Informative, thought-provoking and very readable, this is a book that will help you discover the story behind the world's bestseller. It tells how the Bible was created, how it became a best selling book and the effects it had on those who encountered it. Through a discussion of democracy and literacy, learning and communication this book shows how the Bible is, above all, about freedom and why Ghandi described God's book as 'containing enough dynamite to blow all civilisation to pieces'.

For anyone struggling in life Sheila Walsh offers a lifeline though the storms you face Find ways to hold on to the things most important Are you struggling today? Do you look back and long for what used to be, or are you looking ahead and have no idea what's coming? Are you stuck in the middle of a mess because life has not turned out as you expected? When you run to God for answers, do you often feel like you aren't getting them--or at least aren't getting the answers you want? Are you holding on . . . but not sure how much longer you can? In times of not knowing, Sheila Walsh offers a lifeline of hope. With great compassion born of experience and hardship, Walsh comes alongside the hurting, fearful, and exhausted to remind us that we serve a God who is so much greater than our momentary troubles, no matter how insurmountable they feel. She doesn't offer a quick fix. She offers a God fix. Sharing from her own painful struggles and digging deep into biblical stories of rescue, hope, and miracles, she gives you the strength to keep going, to keep holding on to God in a world turned upside down. The accompanying study includes 10 lessons to help individuals or groups dive deeper.

It's obvious from the bookshelves and the big screen that heaven is on everyone's mind. All of us long to know what life after death will be like. Bestselling author John Burke is no exception. For decades, he has been studying accounts of people who have had near-death experiences (NDEs). While not every detail of individual NDEs correlate with Scripture, Burke shows how the common experiences shared by thousands of survivors clearly point to the God of the Bible and the exhilarating picture of heaven he promises. Imagine Heaven is an inspirational journey through the Bible's picture of heaven, colored in with the real-life stories of heaven's wonders. Burke compares gripping stories of NDEs to what Scripture says about our biggest questions of heaven: Will I be myself? Will I see friends and loved ones? What will it look like? What is God like? What will we do forever? What about children and pets? This book will propel readers into an experience that will forever change their view of the life to come and the way they live life today. It also tackles the tough questions of heavenly reward and hellish NDEs. Anyone interested in NDEs or longing to imagine heaven more clearly will enjoy this fascinating and hope-filled book.

From the monastic devotion of the church fathers and mothers to the spiritual disciplines we espouse today, the church has always searched for ways to deepen discipleship and to grow in Christ. In this book, the author delves into the source material, exploring Peter’s transformation from fisherman to apostle through the power of relational encounter. Jesus leads Peter on the journey of a disciple, reshaping the inner person, bringing Peter face- to-face with his shadow self. He is re-formed into “the rock” as his expectations and responses are challenged, leading him into a deep relational trust of Jesus aligned with his kingdom. The Jesus-way of discipleship is relational, personal and accessible. As readers are empowered to see their own journeys in the light of Peter’s, they will recognize their disappointments and unfulfilled aspirations as invitations into the reshaping and healing of their own hearts. This is a powerful resource for all who desire to grow in Christ, as well as those involved in the discipling of others. Review This is a rich guidebook for the journey of spiritual formation. Drawing on his profound knowledge of the Middle East and his love of Scripture, Mike Kuhn will challenge, encourage and embolden you on the path. Read and learn. Read and grow. PERRY SHAW, PhD Morling College, Sydney, Australia The author takes readers on a profound journey, compelling them to reflect on their spiritual life using Peter's own narrative as a paradigm. The reader cannot but engage with the depth of Peter's experiences, the failures and the triumphs. GRACE AL-ZOUGHBI Arab Baptist Theological Seminary, Beirut, Lebanon Mike Kuhn challenges us to push back against cultural and religious influences that have distorted our view of ourselves and of what God is doing in his world; to take a fresh look at who we are, honestly acknowledging the "shadow-self" and to humbly submit to the redemptive work - the shaping - that God wants to do in our lives in order to bring us to the "real-self" that God uniquely created each of us to be. JON WOODROOF, PhD Sedona Systems, Tennessee, USA

Want to learn more about God? Incomparable offers short looks at different names of the Creator You'll discover more about God's character than ever before There is no greater pursuit, no greater journey, and no greater joy than discovering the extraordinary character of God. Incomparable explores sixty names and descriptions of our creator. Each chapter is filled with profound Biblical insights and revelations that will inspire and enrich your faith. Selah moments allow for a time of reflection and worship. And practical applications connect each truth with your daily life. Throughout, Incomparable unfolds the greatest wonder our minds and hearts will ever contemplate. Immerse yourself in His character. Delve into the depths of His presence. And experience a God that is truly beyond compare.

SECONDHAND.

Schmidt recognizes clearly the new uncertainties and guides the reader through the complex questions involved in considering some of the central problems of Old Testament study. One of the most readable books of its kind, it begins with a brief survey of the history of Israel and the parts of the Old Testament; three major sections which follow are devoted to the Pentateuch, Prophecy, and Wisdom and Cultic Poetry

DRAW STRENGTH AND HOPE FROM THE SON OF GOD Jesus is a wounded Healer - His ability to heal our wounds flows from the fact that He Himself experienced our wounds. The God we see in Jesus did not study our sufferings from a distance in a cold and detached way, but wrapped Himself in our flesh and felt what we feel. These five insightful fifteen-minute sessions will increase your awareness that Jesus is committed to us and can relieve and support us through the pain we experience in life. You will also see afresh that God can turn what is meant for evil into good. Presented by CWR's Chief Executive Mick Brooks at Wintershall Estate in Surrey with footage from their famous Life of Christ open-air production. THIS RESOURCE PACK INCLUDES: One DVD with five sessions entitled: Jesus: His Wounds Answer Our Wounds Jesus: 'Why Have You Forsaken Me?' Jesus: Misunderstood and Criticised Jesus: Living Through Loss and Grief Jesus: Resurrection Hope One booklet with discussion starters, prayers and five weeks of daily Bible-reading notes based on Every Day with Jesus - Healing Wounds written by Selwyn Hughes. (Personal copy recommended for each participant.)

SECONDHAND

Drawing upon ten years of research experience, the master scholar James D. G. Dunn presents a book on a major issue in the study of Christian origins: what were the attitudes toward Jewish law within earliest Christianity? This volume not only gathers the author's significant contributions to date but also includes new material. Divided into nine parts, it is set in the wider context of a living dialogue and debate. The introduction maps out Dunn's extensive work in Pauline and Markan studies. The final chapter, "The Theology of Galatians," serves as a summary of Dunn's current position on Paul and the law and brings the volume to a convincing conclusion.

For individual and small group study This Lent study by Tom Wright brings thoughtfulness and accessibility You'll discover a closer understanding of the Gospel of Mark Tom Wright's Lent for Everyone: Mark gives you 53 easy-to-follow daily devotionals for private study or group exploration by Christians of any tradition or denomination. Each devotional of no more than 3 or 4 pages includes the whole of the relevant Bible text making Tom Wright's easy-to-carry book an all-in-one Lent study course. In his familiar, comfortable style Tom Wright guides with clarity and confidence through the whole of Mark's gospel. Supporting references from the Psalms and complementary gospel of John help you understand Jesus' life, death and resurrection in the context his time, today's world and God's eternal plan. This Lent, 'The Big Bible: Big Read 2012' focuses Christians and non-Christians on Lent for Everyone: Mark encouraging more people to read and discuss the Bible together more often and in more and more communities. As a whole church resource, 'Lent for Everyone: Mark' follows the designated Lectionary readings for Lent 2012, year B and uses Tom Wright's own translation of the gospel. 'The trouble is that it is so good the reader will find it hard to stop at the end of each day's reflection, but will want to read on.' (Church Times)

Have you ever heard people say that they think very highly of Jesus but don’t agree with some of the teachings of the Bible? In this typically clear and warmhearted book, John Chapman shows that if we are to trust in Jesus we must also trust in Jesus’ own view of God’s word. He also explains how to read and explore the Bible to get the most from it. Another pearl of biblical wisdom from John Chapman.