“Why do you come to church?” I asked one Sunday a few years ago. They may not have been particularly old but I felt sure each child would have their reasons and I was intrigued to hear what they might be. Each of them had made a profession of faith, appropriate to their age – they certainly weren’t on the fringes – so I was curious to discover what they thought being part of church was all about.
And so it went on …... continue reading
One of my favourite titles for God is The Promise Keeper. I use it often when writing for children, and The Promise Maker too. Because the Lord both makes and keeps promises.
The Old Testament is infused with God's promises to send the Christ, the anointed one, His chosen King. And in the New Testament we meet those faithful believers who are waiting for that promise to be kept. One of them is Simeon.
Simeon trusted God to send His Christ, and was faithfully awaiting that day. But the Lord, in His grace, also made an extra promise, just for Simeon - that Simeon himself would see this Christ with his own eyes. God didn't have to make this promise. It was a loving, generous gift to an old man.... continue reading
1. The Book of the Covenant E-Book Deal
Until midday on Thursday, the e-book version of The Book of the Covenant is available for just £1 in the UK and $1.99 in the US.
2. 5 Tips for Effective Public Scripture Reading
Bobby Giles shares 5 tips for reading the Bible in public.
3. 7 Ways to Create a Reading Culture in Your Church
Mike Leake at Servants of Grace looks at 7 ways to create a reading culture in your church.
4. How to read a Christian book
A helpful article from The Briefing.
5. St. Helen's Training: Bible Overview, Part 3 and 4
Part 3 and 4 of the St. Helen's Training Bible Overview.
6. And finally…
In case you missed it before, our video of the week, 'Bake through the Bible Interview':
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
Christians are people of the new covenant made by Jesus’ work on the cross. But what exactly is a covenant? And how does Christ’s new covenant fulfill all the other covenants that God made with his people in the Old Testament?
This is a thoroughly enjoyable and extremely well written book. It has a fluidity to it that makes it hard to put down! It is a thrilling read as it clearly unpacks the concept and significance of God’s covenantal relationships with his people through the biblical narrative. Above all though this book will warm your heart and encourage you spiritually as it helps you to rejoice in the God of the covenant and leads you to the Lord Jesus.
Read more HERE and get the ebook version for just $1.99 until midday on Thursday. Simply use the code botc1013 at the checkout.
It's been a great service. Matthew 28:18-20 has been read. The preacher has reminded the congregation of the awesome gift of grace that Christ has lavished on his people. Forgiven people have praised God for the fact they have been cleansed, washed whiter than snow. It's a truth more powerful than any fairy story. It's a wonderful narrative that has the ultimate happy ending for those who are in Christ. And then it comes. The call to action. The call to get out there and tell others of God's wonderful mercy.
Instantly, the congregation divides into 7 camps. There's...... continue reading
I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus. I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.
Philemon v4-7
Why not take a moment to pray that you - and your brothers and sisters in your local church - will grow in that same faith, love and eagerness to work together for the sake of the gospel?
As the presenter on BBC Radio Four put it, when it comes to where humans come from, evolutionists are having to “rethink what we thought we knew”.
The discovery of the skull of a human (or human ancestor, depending on how you choose to label it) in the Republic of Georgia, is being seen by some scientists as evidence that humans are all descended from a common ancestor. This overturns the prevailing theory of the last forty years, which was that there were several human-type species around, out of which humanity evolved.
So Justin Webb, interviewing one of the scientists who had been analyzing the skull, really wasn’t exaggerating when he spoke of the science community needing to rethink what they thought they knew. And in saying that, he pointed out a nuance in how science is “done” which is rarely mentioned in school lessons or in Richard Dawkins’ books.... continue reading
Faith groups raise lobbying Bill concerns with PM
New legal battle over gay adverts on London buses
Challenges for the gospel: Christian witness and the future of Anglicanism in Sydney
Rand Paul warns of war on Christianity
Q&A: Billy Graham's Warning Against an Epidemic of 'Easy Believism'
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We got around to 1 Timothy 2 v 8-15 at homegroup recently, and it was an educating experience for me as a leader. The passage has been a battleground for alternative interpretations over the last 30 years, so I was interested to discover how influenced my group members have been by these views, when our church's preaching and practice has been uncompromisingly complementarian (women and men are equal, but have different roles) for the last 30 years.
We had a great time talking about how men should pray, not fight. We had a good discussion about the particular issues the women in the group faced on the clothing v godliness issue. I spent a long time on these two questions, secretly hoping that the discussion over verses 11-15 would be squeezed a little shorter.
We had 20 minutes of slightly confusing discussion, which raised more questions than it was able to answer, but my issue as a leader was: how do I land the study in an encouraging and substantial place, rather than leave group members going home with their heads reeling in confusion. Three big points occurred to me:... continue reading
Her hands trembled as she typed the words. She took a breath and paused before pressing "enter". But soon her question was visible to all ..."Do you like me?"
She had been bullied at school that day. She had been bullied the night before over social media. And within minutes the barrage of abuse began again. "As if". "I hate you". "No-one will ever like you". The comments came thick and fast. Some in English, some in the new text speak that those of us in our 40s are largely too old to comprehend, but all laced with hate. Soon she was in tears. Soon she was curled up on her bed repeating the words of torment to herself: no-one will ever like me.
It's not new for teenagers to be cruel to one another. It's not new for human beings to be mean. That has been going on since the fall of Genesis 3. It's moderately new for that cruelty to take place in cyberspace - a medium that never sleeps, never leaves space for respite. But what's really new is the way a small number of young people are using cyberspace to induce a context for virtual self-harm.... continue reading
