Good Book Author David Robertson will be engaging in friendly dialogue at the local launch of his new book in Dundee next week.
Engaging with Atheists aims to give Christians the confidence to talk about the good news of the gospel with their friends and others who deny the existence of God.
David, who has recently been appointed the Moderator of the Free Church of Scotland, will discuss atheism and belief in God with Gary McLelland, the Education Policy Office of the Humanist Society in Scotland.
This FREE event, with refreshments included, takes place at the CLC Bookshop, Nethergate in Dundee next Tuesday 18th November at 7.30 pm.
Everyone is welcome to attend.
How much time do you spend worrying what the future holds? The look of the future often affects how we feel currently. A bright future helps us feel content whereas an uncertain future can bring the opposite feelings.
If you are worried about your future… if you can't quite see how the future is going to make a difference to the here and now … or if you simply want to get more excited about where you will spend eternity ... then have a read of Stephen Witmer's, Eternity Changes Everything.
In this book, Witmer lifts up our eyes to see beyond the “now” that presses in on us to what is eternal. More than that, he lifts up our eyes to see the eternal God in the magnificence of his redeeming purposes. What encouragement this brings to the spiritually weary and what challenge it brings to those tempted to fall sleep amid the buzz and plenty of our modern world! This treatment of deep, biblical themes is fresh, pastoral and stimulating.
Read more and get the book HERE for just 99p/$1.50 until midday on Monday. Use code hece1114 at the checkout.
Coping with different personalities in a small group
When small groups of children contain big personalities, even the best-prepared Sunday school or Bible club sessions can be quickly de-railed! How do we manage the different characters in our group so that everyone goes away feeling valued and having learned something? This extract from a leader’s training session in the Epic Leader's Guide offers some advice. You’ll probably recognise some of these characters from the adults in your home group too!
Chatterbox Charlie
Very talkative and dominates discussions.
• Sit next to "Charlie" to reduce eye contact.
• Ask: “What does someone else think?”
• Ask "Charlie" to summarize the discussions, so that he has to listen to the others’ contributions.
• Talk to him privately about the problem.
• If you have lots of “Chatterbox Charlies”, then have an item that group members must hold, or cards they must hand in, before they can speak.
Debater Dani
Always presents opposition, and challenges every point.
• It can be intimidating for others but at the same time can help produce a “proper” discussion – so aim to direct "Dani" rather than shut her up!
• Ask for other suggestions.
• Break into pairs so that everyone has the chance to express a viewpoint.
• Set a group rule that it’s ok to disagree but you can’t talk over each other and can’t put down those with different ideas.
• Make sure you stick to main point – have a question time towards the end of Epic Explorers.
Voiceless Vic
Quieter and rarely contributes.
• Try to get to know "Vic". His silence could be because he is shy or because he doesn't want to be there or because he doesn't understand. Equally, he may be a heavily “auditory” learner, and will learn without having to contribute.
• Give "Vic" chances by asking: “Does anyone want to add anything?” Direct questions sometimes help.
• Sit opposite "Vic" to maximise eye contact.
• Take time to chat outside the discussion group and learn interests, so you can “pitch” questions and illustrations that interest him.
• Personal encouragement can make all the difference – both outside of group time and in thanking him for contributions.
Read more on Distracter Dom & Churchy Casey in the Epic Leader's Guide
This week on the blog we’re launching Epic Explorers, the brand-new children’s edition of Christianity Explored. Here’s a preview of pages from the Epic Explorers Logbook for 8-11 year olds. As with the adult Christianity Explored course, Epic Explorers aims to get children looking at the text of the Bible for themselves as they discover the wonderful truth about Jesus.
It's Quiz Time, on the theme of Remembering in honour of Remembrance Day yesterday. Enjoy!
Who was it, upon their release from prison, who did not remember Joseph's kindness to him?
"And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob." This sets the scene for which OT book?
“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy." is which commandment?
"So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you", what should you do?
Who said “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
Who was it that Peter, James and John ask Paul to remember on his mission to the Gentiles (the very thing he was eager to do!)?
"As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy." Who is Paul writing to?
Here's a sample from Epic Explorers, the brand new children’s edition of Christianity Explored:
Click on the image to enlarge
1. Eternity Changes Everything ebook just 99p/$1.50 till midday Monday
Get the ebook version of Eternity Changes Everything for just 99p in the UK and just $1.50 in the US!
2. A Man’s Greatest Challenge
Tim Challies reviews A Man’s Greatest Challenge by Dai Hankey.
3. 12 Ways to Make (and Keep) Friends
David Murray looks at these tips on "how to make, cultivate and keep friends".
4. To End All Wars
A new video from Glen Scrivener.
5. And finally...
Our video of the week, the ‘Light in the Darkness Teaser Trailer’:
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
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.
Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and illness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.’
(Matthew 9:35-37)
Jesus has come into a world where heaven and earth have been separated by sin, leaving the earth under the shadow of death. The “gospel of the kingdom” is the glorious news that heaven and earth will be reunited under God’s rule, bringing salvation to those who believe it. The problem is, there’s only one of Jesus, and still an awful lot of needy people under the shadow of death.... continue reading
What sometimes leaves you feeling unable to cope?
Perhaps it's disappointments or doubts. Possibly loneliness or grief or maybe just a lack of motivation.
Many things are capable of getting us down and casting doubt on our faith and our view of God. Where is our passion for the Gospel? How often have you asked (or thought) is God enough?
With honesty and humility, Ray Galea reflects in his book, God is Enough, on ten psalms that have helped him put God back in the centre of his life. Ray reminds us of the many reasons we have to join with the psalmist in saying, "Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you".
Read more and get the book HERE for just £5 using the code gie1114 at the checkout.
