Bøger udgivet af BRF (The Bible Reading Fellowship)

Where do we turn when our world is falling apart?It takes courage to hope; to stand in our confusion and grief and still to believe that 'God is not helpless among the ruins'. Guided by Habakkuk and his prophetic landmarks, we are drawn on a reflective journey through the tangled landscape of bewildered faith, through places of wrestling and waiting, and on into the growth space of deepened trust and transformation. As you read, discover for yourself the value and practice of honest prayer, of surrender, of silence and listening, and of irrepressible hoping.

If faith is 'being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see' what does that look like in practice today? In a world that is largely unsure and uncertain, how do we gain our confidence?Faith in the Making recognises the problem and seeks the answer in the list of faithful heroes found in Hebrews 11. This accessible, devotional resource will inspire individuals and groups to live more confidently for God in today's world. Heroic faith is far more attainable than we often think!

Read this book, see the potential and seek to age in the light of your Christian faith.

This challenging book sets out what is involved in being a Christian minister - its joys and difficulties, its responsibilities and privilege. It discusses the call to and the work of ministry; the breadth and nature of the task. How to Be a Church Minister will prove to be immensely useful across a wide spectrum of church traditions, both to those already in ministry and to those contemplating the vocation.

Around the world the cross is, arguably, the one universally recognized symbol of the Christian faith. This book tells the stories behind forty crosses from a wide diversity of cultures and Christian faith traditions, and promotes discussion and debate on why this single, historical event continues to exercise such an influence worldwide.

50 themed assemblies for instant use Straightforward and easy to use with minimal for 4ΓÇö11s preparation, this resource is an essential tool for teachers or church visitors leading Collective Worship in school assemblies. Organised by general themes, Christian calendar events, national days and other annual events, each assembly provides ten minutes of material including a reflection, Bible passage and a closing prayer.

In this engaging book, Graeme Goldsworthy reflects with clarity and practical insight on reading and using the Old Testament. By showing us how Jesus is central to the Old Testament''s message, he encourages us to reinstate it as essential and transformative to our lives, churches and mission in today''s world. The author asks important questions: Where is Jesus in the whole biblical storyline? How does the kingdom of God relate to him? In what way is he central to the divine revelation? This is a must-read for those who wish to transform their biblical understanding.

Like the seasons themselves, our lives are variable and can change in a moment. In Seasoned by Seasons, Michael Mitton acknowledges this and offers Bible reflections for the variety of life''s seasons: spring, the season of emerging new life; summer, the season of fruitfulness; autumn, the season of letting go; winter, the season of discovering light in the dark. What can we learn, and how can we be encouraged in each season of our lives? This book will empower you to discover for yourself the truths and messages of scripture, and might well change the way you view life''s changes.

Why do pilgrims walk so much? What do they learn? What lasting good does it do? In Pilgrim Journeys, experienced pilgrim and writer Sally Welch explores the lesstravelled pilgrim routes of the UK and beyond, through the eyes of the pilgrims who walk them. Each chapter explores a different aspect of pilgrimage, offering reflections and indicating some of the spiritual lessons to be learned that may be practised at home. This absorbing book shows how insights gained on the journey can be incorporated into everyday life, bringing new ways of relationship with God and with our fellow Christians, offering support and encouragement as we face lifeΓÇÖs joys and challenges.

There is a need in todayΓÇÖs church to relate scripture and prayer in such a way as to enable us to speak GodΓÇÖs words after him. This book takes a simple lectio divina approach developed in the sixteenth century by Martin Luther and offers practical guidance to pray in this way. Beginning each time of prayer with a Bible passage, Luther would meditate on it with four ΓÇÿstrandsΓÇÖ in mind: teaching, thanksgiving, repentance and supplication. Then he would pray, having his thoughts shaped by his reading, praying GodΓÇÖs words after him, confident of GodΓÇÖs grace. Praying the Bible with Luther explains this method, demonstrates it and encourages readers to follow his example, helping us to turn scripture into prayer and to pray it into our own lives today.

Every page in this book has been designed to help you mark a very important journey. Step by step it will help you to learn all about belonging to God¿s family. So it¿s about you and God. You can fill in the pages by yourself, or with the help of a grown-up. If you are using this activity book as part of your church¿s Welcome to the Lord¿s Table programme you will have the opportunity to offer it at your first Holy Communion as a sign that you belong to God and are part of his family.

Welcome to the Lord's Table is a fully revised edition of a highly successful programme, used in many churches and denominations throughout the UK. Rewritten for a new generation, it has been brought up to date, fully reflecting changes in both church process and church culture over recent years. New illustrations and new content will enhance the book's appeal and usefulness.Aimed primarily at church ministers, children's workers, parents and teachers who want to enable children aged 7 - 9 to participate fully in eucharistic worship, the introductory chapters explore the background to the question of preparing young children for Holy Communion, give guidance on preparing the congregation, training leaders and involving the family, and include a guide to using the programme. The programme itself comprises eleven flexible teaching units and is designed to last approximately three months overall, with the children receiving Holy Communion towards the end of the programme.Each unit begins with leader's personal reflections to help prepare those who are leading for the task ahead. These are followed by sections on aims and objectives, resources and preparation, teaching, activity, Bible reading, focus on church, prayer and worship.

How people engage with God today and how the church can help

With moving vulnerability and without denying the difficult reality of the situation, Rachel Boulding suggests a way to confront terminal illness with faith and hope in a loving God.

Combines stories that have been written to read well aloud with tools for groups to share them effectively.

Surveying the life and times of Aidan of Lindisfarne, this book draws insights into missional approaches to inspire both outreach and discipleship for today¿s Church. As in his previous BRF book, Hilda of Whitby, Ray Simpson shows that such figures from past centuries can provide models for Christian life and witness today. An author and speaker on Celtic spirituality with a worldwide reputation, he combines historical fact with spiritual lessons in a highly accessible style.

The Bible - especially the New Testament - has plenty to say about resurrection and heaven, but many Christians struggle to make sense of what it actually means in practice. David Winter¿s accessible book explores the biblical teaching on what happens after death and considers what difference this can make to our lives here and now. He also shows how we can present what we believe about eternity as a source of hope to our sceptical, anxious world.

A practical resource for those leading Collective Worship in primary schools Collective Worship for Primary Schools contains 50 assembly outlines, each based on a key theme and including an interactive game, a thought for the day, a Bible story, questions, a reflection time, a prayer and a music suggestion. Each school month has been matched to Christian festivals, topics and themes, as well as exploring traditional Christian values, such as caring for the poor and speaking out for others, in the context of school issues. Cultural issues and world focus are also included. An appendix provides a suggested calendar of assemblies to use throughout the Christian year and a list of themes linked to world international days or other significant events for the school year.

This book approaches dementia from a number of angles: biological, psychological, sociological, and theological

A series of essays by different contributors exploring what Messy Church brings to the wider church, how these different forms of church community can coexist, and what this might mean for the future of the church.

In popular culture there is a perceived conflict between science and faith, yet in many ways scientific understanding can enhance faith. Messy Church Does Science offers Messy Churches the tools to use science to explore aspects of the Christian faith; demonstrate that science and faith are complementary; and enable children and adults alike to appreciate the wonder of creation. Ten sizzling sessions provide inspiration for the Bible-based activities element of Messy Church.

This unique and ground-breaking book is a summons to a subterranean spiritual adventure, an odyssey of the soul. Its aim is to invigorate and inspire a search for something deeper in the spiritual life, and links us with trusted spiritual guides to support us as we progress in a journey of discovery. We will mine the rich seams of Christian spirituality, risk the depths, face the darkness and make astonishing, transformative discoveries.

Coming up with craft and activity ideas to explore a Bible story is one thing; but when it comes to sharing that story in the gathered celebration, many Messy Church leaders struggle to find the right language and approach. The parables that Jesus told intrigued, inspired and engaged the crowds in his day, combining everyday imagery with surprising twists that prompted all ages to wonder and discover the treasures of the kingdom of heaven for themselves. This resource aims to recapture that storytelling style for Messy congregations today.

Musings of a Clergy Child was written when Nell Goddard was a Theology student at Durham University. She grew up as the daughter of two ordained priests, who have had jobs ranging from Oxford chaplain to academic theologian to priest-in-charge of a central London parish. She is passionate about justice, ethics and feminism and is a co-founder of a Christian social justice society at Durham University, which is part of the national movement, ''Just Love''.

Journey with the prophet Jonah... Written by someone with experience of pioneering mission, reflecting on the Jonah story in the light of his experience, Stepping into Grace finds powerful connections between the call and mission of Jonah and the mission context of our own time. Using the narrative thread of the biblical story to explore themes of ambition, vocation, spirituality, mission, leadership and personal growth, it argues for a ministry rooted in grace, where who we are becoming in Christ provides a foundation for our participation in the mission of God. This unique journey takes us to a place of grace where the work of God, in shaping who we are, finds space alongside what we feel called to do.