“The letter to the Romans is a book that repeatedly changes the world, by changing people” says Timothy Keller, best-selling author and pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan. Here he explores the letter’s powerful place in church history, and explains how it has also profoundly influenced him.
Why should Christians study the book of Romans today? All I have to do is point to history.
Saint Augustine, the fourth-century bishop of Hippo (in what is now Algeria), was converted by reading the book of Romans – a passage from Romans 13. Augustine had a Christian mother, but he turned his back on her faith. He sought truth elsewhere, decided to live however he felt, and fathered a child out of marriage. But while living in Milan, he heard the preaching of Bishop Ambrose, a towering figure in the church. And he found himself unable to shake off what he had heard:... continue reading
1 Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord;
2 Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.
3 If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand?
4 But with you there is forgiveness,
so that we can, with reverence, serve you.
5 I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,
and in his word I put my hope.
6 I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning,
more than watchmen wait for the morning.
7 Israel, put your hope in the Lord,... continue reading
As we dip into chapter 11 of Luke’s Gospel, the antagonism between Jesus and His opponents is ratcheting up, notch by notch. How will God’s chosen King respond to living in a society increasingly opposed to Him? And how should His followers live in such a society, then and today?
33 ‘No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light. 34 Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are healthy, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are unhealthy, your body also is full of darkness. 35 See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness. 36 Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be just as full of light as when a lamp shines its light on you.’ Luke 11 v 33-36... continue reading
In keeping with our Epic Explorers week - we've got an 'Explore / Search' quiz for you. Enjoy!
Who was the first grandchild in the Bible?
Who did the Lord command to send a man from each tribe up to explore Canaan?
In which book does the writer 'explore by wisdom all that is done under the heavens'?
"Concerning this _______, the prophets ... searched intently and with the greatest care"
Saul's attendants search for someone who can comfort Saul by playing which instrument ?
Who sent people to search carefully for the child ruler born in Bethlehem?
Mary and Joseph anxiously searched for Jesus. Where did they find him?
We're really excited about Epic Explorers, the brand-new addition to the Christianity Explored range, specially designed for 4-11s. We'd like you to get excited about it too - tell your friends, your church's childrens worker, the person who runs the school CU - so we've made a desktop wallpaper for you...
Here's the wallpaper and it's available for your desktop, laptop, tablet and even mobile phone. Enjoy!
1024x768 | 1280x1024 | 1366x768 | 1680x1050 | 1920x1200 | 2560x1440 | iPad | iPhone
How to change your wallpaper: The wallpaper you need will vary , depending on your monitor size, screen resolution and a few other considerations. You can click here to see what your resolution is. Generally you set one of these are your wallpaper by clicking on the link to download the image, then right-clicking on the image (once it’s open) and selecting “Set as Background,” “Set as Desktop Background,” or something similar.
Over the past two years, the team at desiringGod.org has published a series of ebooks made available to their readers free of charge. Check out the list here and download a few (or all of them!) to enjoy!
Adventure Island is the setting for the Epic Explorers course, the brand new resource exploring who Jesus is and what he came to do. Here's a whislte stop tour around the island...
Arriving at Breathtaking Bay (Mark 1:1, 16-34) children will...... continue reading
Continuing the theme of youth and children's ministry on the blog this week, why not take an hour to listen to this seminar with Josh Cousineau and Nate Morgan-Locke, from 2013 The Gospel Coalition National Conference.
This week on The Good Book Blog we’ve been looking at the new Christianity Explored resource for children, Epic Explorers. So this week’s round-up has a focus on youth and children’s work:
1. St. Helen’s Training: Children’s Work (Parts 1 & 2)
Two new training videos on children’s work from St. Helen’s Bishopsgate.
2. Children Desiring God
In case you haven’t seen it before, a website with ‘God-centred resources for training the next generation’.
3. Youth and Children’s Work Short Course
An introductory course from The Good Book College.
4. The Good Book Company: Audio Resources
Main session and seminar recordings from Growing Young Disciples and the Bible-Centred Youthworker conferences.
5. How to Teach Children and Youth the Gospel Story
A video on youth and children’s work from The Gospel Coalition.
Found something that you think should make it on to the On to a Good Thing round-up? Send it to: ontoagoodthing@thegoodbook.co.uk
Mel Lacy, Director of the Theology for Youth & Children's Ministry at Oak Hill College, recently interviewed Tamar Pollard at the Bible Centred Youthworker Conference about Epic Explorers
