So, how is your prep going? Easter is nearly upon us and quite a few of us have a talk to give ... the kids' club session, the youth group Easter get-together, the lunch club for the retired with the pause for thought at the end or, of course, the Good Friday reflection or Easter sermon itself.
Is it going well?
Somehow life in the run up to a big church celebration can feel a little out of control. The kids are running riot. The commentary on Matthew has mysteriously disappeared. The glue for the visual aids is proving bizarrely ineffective (except when accidentally applied to one's forehead). Inspiration on how to tell the Easter story slightly differently this year is pretty non-existant. All those good intentions to get ahead with the talk prep are fully out of the window. 16 people have decided to call you with a pastoral crisis just as you were about to start typing. The washing machine has decided the kitchen floor would look so much better if it were under 2 inches of water. Your prayer life has become about as vibrant as a bunch of watercress a week past its sell-by date. And in the middle of all this, we have to find the strength to tell people the most important thing they will ever hear ...... continue reading
"I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one – I in them and you in me – so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me."
John 17:20-23
In the week before Easter, be encouraged knowing that Jesus was praying this for all Christians on the night before he died. We can be sure that God will do it.
At an Easter reception in Downing Street on Wednesday night, UK Prime Minister David Cameron made a bizarre claim: “Jesus invented the Big Society 2,000 years ago. I just want to see more of it”.
In case you’ve forgotten, the Big Society was one of the buzzwords of the Conservative party’s 2010 general election campaign. The policy put a renewed focus on community action, giving local governments more power, supporting community groups and encouraging volunteering. The aim was to create a “Big Society” that takes power from the hands of politicians into the hands of people.
So did Jesus invent the Big Society?... continue reading
This week, 5 members of The Good Book family have been enjoying Together for the Gospel - a biennial conference for pastors and Church leaders in the US. What have they enjoyed most? Here's what they are rejoicing in as they begin their journeys home ...
Tim: Meeting fantastic and enthusiastic American Christians who are eager to reach out with the gospel in a wide range of circumstances.
James: Hearing about the impact that our resources are having all over the USA and beyond.
Brad: Seeing Sam Allberry (author of Is God Anti-Gay) on the Q+A panel with Al Mohler and Russell D. Moore, talking about how to engage with the people and the biblical debates surrounding homosexuality in our churches and society today.
Abi: To see people excited about our resources and seeing fruit from using our resources in their churches.
Carl: Having meetings with some great future authors (watch this space) about some really helpful gospel-centred future books (watch this space again). Also, bacon and maple syrup for breakfast!
Enjoying some great teaching at Word Alive this week? Coming up to join in the fun next week? Then do pop along to the bookstall and say "hi" to Andy or Timmy. They would love to meet you. And there are some great deals on a selection of our products.
Militant atheists should 'get over it' and accept UK is Christian
Christians form human shield around church in 'China's Jerusalem' after demolition threat
Mickey Rooney: An evangelical at the end?
Indian elections: what could they mean for minority Christians?
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.
Children are full of questions. Sometimes their questions are endearing; often they’re annoying. But when it comes to the Bible, our children’s questions should encourage us; it shows they’re thinking. Maybe Easter is a time of year that gets children you know asking: How do we know Jesus really rose from the dead? It’s an important question. After all, Paul wrote that “if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith” (1 Corinthians 15:14).
It’s a question that Inspector Smart, detective with the Jerusalem Bureau of Investigation, sets out to answer in two exciting new storybooks for children, written by Tim Chester and Michael Tinker.
Inspector Smart and the case of the Empty Tomb by Michael J Tinker is a colourful illustrated book for 4-7 year-olds. Inspector Smart is given a puzzling new case; Jesus has died and been buried in a cave, but now his body has gone. Smart sets out to find out what’s happened by interviewing Bible characters such as the Roman Centurion, Mary Magdalene and Thomas.... continue reading
You may well have heard of William Tyndale, the man who translated the Bible into English in the 16th century, losing his life in the process. But standing behind him, largely unknown, was Henry Monmouth. This was a man who shared Tyndale’s vision, partnered with him and, to put it bluntly, paid the bills. Monmouth put Tyndale up while he worked on his translation, and then used his business connections to smuggle the English Bible around the country. Monmouth is an example of what John Rinehart calls a “Gospel Patron”.
Gospel Patrons are men and women who do not take centre stage of the gospel story, but who play a vital role nonetheless. Rinehart’s book of the same name takes a look at how God has used such people to change the world, and how we can become those kinds of people too.... continue reading
1. Compelled by Joy ebook - just £5!
Get the ebook version of Compelled by Joy by Michael Green for just £5!
2. Together for the Gospel Live
Watch the live stream from the Together for the Gospel conference in Louisville, KY.
3. Free ebook: Love to the Uttermost
Free devotional readings for Holy Week from John Piper.
4. My Shelves are Full of Mentors
Kyle Worley looks at 3 suggestions if you’re struggling to find a mentor.
5. Six Lessons in Good Listening
Six lessons in good listening from David Mathis.
6. And finally...
This week's video of the week, ‘Inspector Smart Tour Promotional Video’ from Michael Tinker:
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
