The Good Book Company

There’s something wonderful, and weird, about watching more than 400 11-14-year-olds sit in a church and sing about Christ.

Weird, because this isn’t meant to happen anymore. The statistics about 11-14s leaving the church are startling, and depressing. More are leaving than ever before. That matters because they are part of the church of today, as well as the church of tomorrow. Yet here were hundreds of them—normal, fashionably-dressed tweens and teens—at Sorted:Nano, a morning event held at St Helen’s Bishopsgate in central London.

I will plant her for Myself in the land;
I will show My love to the one I called ‘Not My loved one.’
I will say to those called ‘Not My people,’ ‘You are My people’;
and they will say, ‘You are my God.’

Hosea 2:23

After becoming a Christian in my second term at uni, the first question I asked myself was “What am I doing here then?” I’d given my life to Christ. Should I then leave university and go on the mission field?

Lady Huntingdon was a highborn woman with significant means at her disposal. At the time of her life and death, in the early eighteenth-century, religion was utterly despised by the privileged upper classes. It was a thing for the small-minded ‘little people,’ as it’s often thought of still today. Lady Huntington was an exception. She became a Christian upon hearing George Whitefield speak in 1739 and threw herself wholeheartedly into supporting his preaching campaigns.

How David Moyes and 'the god squad' infuriated a former team-mate with their Christian faith

Billy Graham Plans to Lead His Largest-Ever Crusade

Supreme Court rules that God is above the law

Saudi Arabia to punish men for converting woman to Christianity

Archbishop of Canterbury found religion ‘boring’, he admits

Church school demand triggers middle class ‘rush to the font’

Efrain Rios Montt and the dark side of born-again Christianity

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.

Are you a hero or a zero? A success or a failure? A winner or a loser?

Meet an ordinary man called Gideon; aka "Loser Boy". He's the weakest son of the least-important family; and he's hiding in a winepress - a hole in the ground - hoping no one notices him. Not much of a hero. But he's a man that God uses to his honour and glory. It's a great story. A true story. And one that has masses to teach us and our young people today. Which is why we're so excited to be launching a brand new book for teenagers this week all about the actions of God in the life of Gideon: Hero by Jonty Allcock.

Here's a sneaky peek at the start of chapter 4:

Here’s a verse to burst an idol-bubble…

It’s only months after Jesus’ resurrection, and weeks after his ascension. Peter and John are hauled up before the court that sentenced their Lord to death, and defend their public claims about the resurrection.

“When they [the religious elite] saw the courage of Peter and John and realised that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus” (Acts 4 v 13).

I don’t want to be known as unschooled, uneducated. I don’t want to be noticed for my unacademic ordinariness. Not many of us do. Education matters… doesn’t it?

This week we're thrilled to be launching a third book in our new series, Questions Christians Ask: Marcus Nodder's, What happens when I die?.

If we're honest, most of us wonder. The majority of us know what it is to be bereaved and to think about where our loved one has gone. Many of us will have pondered our own future. What will it be like to die? Will we recognise our loved ones? Are there rewards in heaven? Will we see our pets again? Are ghosts for real? These are just some of the questions that flit through our mind - and some of the questions that are tackled in this great new resource from The Good Book Company.

Here's what the book says about the important question of whether we go straight to the Lord's presence when we die or whether we experience soul sleep ...

“I can’t do this any more.” I said, and I really meant it.

I’ve been battling illness for nine years. And can see the next 20, 30, even 40 stretching ahead of me. I’ve fought as hard as I can, but I’ve no reserves left. It’s too hard.

“I can’t do this any more.”

That’s how I was feeling a couple of weeks ago when I read a news report about a new name that’s joined the “Right to die” campaign. Paul Lamb is so severely disabled that he has only a little movement in his right hand. He's added his name to the appeal against the verdict given last August in the Tony Nicklinson case. The case is being heard this week by the Court of Appeal.

1. New TGBC Social Media Designs

We've totally revamped the designs for our social media platforms. See the designs and like us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter (UK and US). Subscribe to our YouTube Channel. And subscribe to The Good Book Blog.

2. Are you a Christian?

Three tests from Pete Woodcock to see whether you're a Christian or not.

3. 12 Things to Do After Graduating

An article with tips on what to do after you graduate.

4. 10 Ways to Fight Like a Christian

J.D. Greear shares ten ways that we can handle conflict well.

5. And finally…

Our video of the week, 'Visit us at CRE 2013'. From today until this Friday, The Good Book Company are at the Christian Resources Exhibition at Sandown Park. Come and say hello!

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