Here's a sneak preview of our great new graphic novel, Light in the Darkness. To pre-order your copy, click this link: Light in the Darkness
1. 10 Quick Responses to Atheist Claims
Professor John Lennox gives us 10 quick responses when discussing our faith with an Atheist.
And while you're at it, you might want to condsider this book we've recently relased: Engaging with Atheists
2. How to get the best from your small group Bible study
Five ways to be get the most out of studying the Bible together
3. What matters most to you?
Unplanned, Unprogrammed, Unplugged. Some thoughts on relationships from the desk of Tim Chaliies
4. Do you sometimes forget important stuff?
Reminders of important things can be helpful...
5. What are you looking for?
What is the point of life? Our friends at Desiring God discuss this frequently asked question. And lets be honest, any article that references Naco Libre is an article worth reading...
6. And finally...
Our video of the week, ‘Introducing How Christmas Cards Change Lives’:
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
The cross ... Scandalous? Absurd? A mistake?
The Cross and the crucifixion of Christ are central to the Christian faith. At the cross God exposes our deepest need, meets it fully and enables us to live transformed lives.
In his book Cross Examined, Mark Meynell takes a familiar and ancient story and without watering down or changing it, brings it to life for a modern audience.
Read more and get the ebook HERE for just £5 until midday on Tuesday. Use code cee1014.
Do you ever doubt the strength of the Lord?
Probably not when you’re in a Bible study and you’re asked a theological question but on those days in between church and home group, do you doubt he can act?
Can God really sort out the wars? The injustice? The hunger? The persecution in the world? Can he really bring the promised peace?
Is he really sovereign over the chaos – the floods, the accidents, the abuse? Will there be true perfection one day?
Can he heal the brokenness in your life? Enable you to conquer that persistent sin? Can he truly bring to completion the work he has begun in each of us?
Will evangelism ever be complete? Will his gospel ever reach the farthest corners of the world? Will his Kingdom ever fully come …?... continue reading
"Christmas is just for children."
You often hear this said by bored teenagers and adults as they move beyond the Disney-fied storybook versions of the first Christmas that fill our bookshops at this time of year.
But of course it is not. Each year we apply ourselves as a creative team to thinking how we can keep the Christmas story fresh for those beyond the childhood years. This year we have been thrilled as we have worked on the "prequel" to The Third Day - our graphic-novel style realisation of Luke 22-24.
Light in the Darkness has the same gritty, contemporary feel that is so far removed from the graphic versions of the Bible already available. This resource will introduce the biblical account of the first Christmas to a new audience in a fresh way, powerfully capturing the joy, pain and emotion of Luke 1 and 2.
The depths of what Luke records for us in these chapters has come across to us in a powerful way as we have thought our way through them, working out how to illustrate them. The pain of childlessness for Elizabeth and Zechariah; the bewilderment and confusion over the angelic messages; the joy and happiness over the children; and the theologically rich songs that are sung throughout.
We're just putting the final brushstrokes to the colour but look out for this stunning new resource when it appears in early November.
Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father – to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.
Revelation 1:4-6
This is an extract from the recently published Engaging with Hindus.
I was born in India but when I was eighteen, I went to Kenya to be married. In 1966 the whole family left Kenya and came to Britain. We found it very difficult coming to a strange country and adjusting to the different lifestyle.
I was a practising Hindu but was finding that Hinduism did not satisfy me. I started searching for an answer to my difficulties. One day I shouted out to God: “Please come and help me”.
Shortly afterwards, a friend suggested I try the Radha Soamis (a popular spiritual path led by Gurinder Singh Dhillon). My whole family went to their headquarters at Beas in the Indian Punjab. I took an oath not to eat meat or eggs. The Master gave me a mantra on which to meditate. I repeated it daily for two and a half hours but still didn’t have peace and security. Then I began to think: “I became a Radha Soami to receive peace. If I haven’t got it, I have been cheated.” I asked God: “I do all the correct things. Why haven’t I got peace?”... continue reading
We live in a world where Christianity is being marginalised more and more and fewer and fewer people have any intention of going to Church. Indeed many people these days only ever use Christ's name as a swear word. A few vocal atheists are keen to sow doubts about the existence of God in the minds of believers. And how many of us have been drawn into that arena of self questioning? I know I've been there.
It can also seem like many other Christians are full of faith and never struggle with doubt - making it hard for those of us who do admit to it. Doubt is not exactly a cheery subject, but reading Martin Ayers' book, Keep the Faith, left me cheered. God is surely ruler of all and his sovereignty is never in question.... continue reading
Scalia defends keeping God, religion in public square
Brazil’s evangelicals become a political force to be reckoned with
Baghdad Hits Crisis Point Amid IS Threat
Church of England vicar denies backing ‘anti-Semitic hate-fest’ in Iran
Prof Brian Cox: 'There’s a naivety in saying there is no God’
Disclaimer: The Good Book Company is not responsible for the content of external sites and does not necessarily agree with the content of articles listed.
A. Choosing (what version?)
For most internationals (except university and post-grad students), a simplified translation of the Bible is best. The NIV may be suitable for students who have reached an advanced level of English (roughly corresponding with British university entry level). Otherwise, think about using one of the following:
Advantages
