This site endeavours to collect together theological material of practical import to Christians where, in many cases, the material is not readily available on-line or in print.
During the lock-down period and now when meeting together is difficult, listening to sermons on-line has been a huge blessing to many. Some are listening to expository, biblical, sermons for the first time. Here are 300 or so sermons in MP3 format for you to listen to at home. There are also some MP4 format videos to download. The sermons were mainly preached in or near Liss (Hampshire), Lee Mill (Devon) or Ashford (Middlesex), UK.
New Books available from Covenant Books UK on Amazon
1 Samuel - 36 Small Group Discussion Bible Studies, (2021)
Each study in this phenomenally good value for money manual is designed to take less than an hour if done in a group of around half a dozen people. Larger groups will tend to take longer. Regular, weekly, small group meetings can easily cover 1 Samuel in about a year, allowing for holidays.
All participants may have their own copy of these notes, which have spaces for writing in the answers to the questions. This encourages regular attendance by group members. The leader uses the same study material, but will need to do some preparation beforehand. Song suggestions are included with each study. Sometimes there is a piece of optional homework to do.
Back in the Garden of Eden, God's first covenant was quickly broken (Hosea 6:7). In the wilderness (Deuteronomy 1:26) and all through the time of the judges, Abraham's descendants failed repeatedly to be faithful to God (Judges 2:11). In the promised land, the Old Covenant was still being written when the people started worshipping a golden calf (Exodus 32:4). It is around 1105 BC and a fresh covenant is needed, one that finally gives Israel a king. But, first a new prophet and priest is required - Samuel. 1 and 2 Samuel are about how Israel's failing leaders under the Old Covenant, the judges, are replaced with a king. First, Saul, a king who does not love God is given as a chastisement to the people. Then, David, a king after God's own heart (1 Samuel 13:14), is appointed, a covenant king whose reign typifies much of King Jesus' future reign.
Many Amazon users can read the Kindle version free. Everyone can get the Kindle version for £1.29.
The normal paperback version is available from here, and is posted very quickly.
A preview is available here.
A kindle version is available from here, which I think is dirt cheap; every member of a Bible study small group can have one 😁.
Here is the table of contents to whet your appetite:
1 Samuel 1 - Introducing Samuel
1 Samuel 2:11-3:1a - Dishonouring the LORD
1 Samuel 3:1-4:1a The Word of the LORD
1 Samuel 4 - Blackmail and No Glory (Part I)
1 Samuel 4 - Blackmail and No Glory (Part II)
1 Samuel 5 - The LORD vs Dagon
1 Samuel 6:1 - 7:4 - The LORD vs Israel
1 Samuel 7:2-17 - Spiritual Break-through
1 Samuel 8:1-22 - Exposed!
1 Samuel 9:1-27 - Introducing Saul
1 Samuel 10 - Still Introducing Saul
1 Samuel 11 - The Kingship Renewed
1 Samuel 12 - Faithfulness
1 Samuel 13:1-22 - Helplessness
1 Samuel 13:23-14:23 - Jonathan and Saul
1 Samuel 14:24-52 - 1 Samuel 14 Continued - The Curse of Saul
1 Samuel 15:1-35 - Saul's Disobedience
1 Samuel 16:1-13 - David's Shepherd Heart
1 Samuel 16:13-23 - David and the Spirit
1 Samuel 17:1-31 - David and Goliath Part I
1 Samuel 17:31-58 - David and Goliath Part II
1 Samuel 18:1-30 - Saul vs David
1 Samuel 19 - Saul vs David Continued
1 Samuel 20 - Covenant Commitment
1 Samuel 21:1-22:1a - Desperate David
1 Samuel 22:1-23 - David the Imperfect Saviour
1 Samuel 23:1-7 + Psalm 54 - David the Betrayed Saviour (Part I)
1 Samuel 23:7-29 + Psalm 54 - David the Betrayed Saviour (Part II)
1 Samuel 24 - David Tested in the Desert
1 Samuel 25 - David Tested Again
1 Samuel 26 - David Déjà Vu?
1 Samuel 27:1-28:2 - David Digs a Hole
1 Samuel 28:3-25 - Saul and the Word of God
1 Samuel 29 - David 'Off the Hook'
1 Samuel 30 - David: Sorted
1 Samuel 31 - Saul: Sorted
Through these discussion Bible studies you will discover the structure of Ephesians, its theology and application. The 11 separate studies are designed for small groups to use, perhaps on a week-day evening. Most small group Bible study notes have far too much material in them and take hours to do; these don't. They require a time slot of an hour, or less, unless the group is large. All participants may have their own copy of these notes, which have spaces for writing in answers. This encourages regular attendance by group members. The leader uses the same study material, but will need to do some preparation beforehand. Both modern and older song suggestions are included. Some recommendations for extra reading by John Stott, Jim Packer, John Paton, William Hendriksen and Don Carson are given. Bible quotations are from 1984 New International Version. These studies have been "tested", so to speak, on at least two local churches 😁).
Preview the newly published studies here. Many Amazon users can read it free. Everyone can get the Kindle version for 99p.
The normal paperback version is available from here, and is posted very quickly.
A kindle version is available from here, which I think is dirt cheap; every member of a Bible study small group can have one 😁.
Here is the table of contents to whet your appetite:
Ephesians 1:1-16 - God's Will for Us in Christ
Ephesians 1:17-23 - Understanding the Gospel
Ephesians 2:1-10 - Understanding Grace
Ephesians 2:11-22 - Unity in Christ
Ephesians 3:1-13 - The Mystery of the Gentiles
Ephesians 3:14-21 - Paul's Second Big Prayer
Ephesians 4:1-16 - Growing Up
Ephesians 4:17-32 - Loving Our Neighbours
Ephesians 5:1-20 - How to Live
Ephesians 5:21-6:9 - Family Life
Ephesians 6:10-24 - The Full Armour of God
It has become popular for churches to study some psalms over the summer. However, the 26 later psalms, 120 to 145, rarely get covered, so this book endeavours to provide pre-digested Bible studies that anyone with a little Bible knowledge can lead with confidence. The songs of ascents are mainly short psalms, but contain a wealth of wisdom, theology and worship. The eight last Davidic psalms are also made thoroughly accessible. The agonising Psalm 137, 'By the waters of Babylon', is also included. Each study should take less than an hour unless the group is too large or chatty! The studies are God-centred and 'applied' to make sure that the group members understand, worship and grow in their faith-lives.
Preview the expanded and improved 2nd Edition here. Many Amazon users can read it free. Everyone can get the Kindle version for 99p.
The normal paperback version is available from here, and is posted very quickly.
A kindle version is available from here, which I think is dirt cheap; every member of a Bible study small group can have one 😁.
Here is the table of contents to whet your appetite:
1. Psalm 120 - A Cry of Distress 3
2. Psalm 121 - Speaking to One Another... 4
3. Psalm 122 - Church Peace 7
4. Psalm 123 - Humble Prayer 8
5. Psalm 124 - What Might Have Been 10
6. Psalm 125 - Two Kingdoms, Two Destinies 12
7. Psalm 126 - Then and Now 14
8. Psalm 127 - God the Builder 16
9. Psalm 128 - Blessing Your Family, Church and Humanity 18
10. Psalm 129 - The Alternative to Receiving God's Blessing 20
11. Psalm 130 - True Fear of God 23
12. Psalm 131 - Mind Your Own Business 25
13. Psalm 132 - In the Name of David's Greater Son 26
14. Psalm 133 - Precious Unity 29
15. Psalm 134 - 24/7 Worship: Mystic Sweet Communion 33
16. Psalm 135 - You Can Only Trust Him If You Can Praise Him! 36
17. Psalm 136 - A Big Thank You 38
18. Psalm 137 - Praying for Enemies 41
19. Psalm 138 - God's Goodness to the Lowly 43
20. Psalm 139 - The Omni-God 46
21. Psalm 140 - The Just God 49
22. Psalm 141 - Lead me not into Temptation 52
23. Psalm 142 - A Cave Prayer 56
24. Psalm 143 - Meditation and Prayer 59
25. Psalm 144 - Part Your Heavens, LORD 62
26. Psalm 145 - The ABC of Praise
This serious and reverent book takes a look at a much neglected subject in the Bible: Humour.
The reaction of many people to the suggestion that the Bible might talk about heaven, hell, sin and humour
is like that of John McEnroe: "You canNOT be Serious!"
But, if we fail to spot the humour in the Bible we will misunderstand it, misinterpret it, and misapply it; that is, we will do the wrong thing.
So this book helps us to tune in to biblical humour so that we can understand the Bible properly when it is being humorous.
But beware: Biblical humour if often unlike our own humour and, furthermore, when the Bible is humorous it is often at its MOST serious.
Although not exhaustive, this book covers the whole Bible.
The kindle version is available from here, which I think is dirt cheap.
The normal paper version is also available from here.
Here is some of the table of contents to whet your appetite:
1. Introduction
2. Humour in the Pentateuch
2.1 Genesis
2.2 Exodus
2.3 Leviticus
...
7. Humour in the Apocrypha (included by way of contrast!)
...
10.6 Revelation
Many Evangelical Christians will benefit from having a better, more detailed, and applied understanding of biblical covenant theology. God's covenants affect you, your family, and ultimately everybody. But making the connection between scripture and actual day-to-day Christian living needs popular wrong ideas to be challenged, a logical explanation of a biblical covenant theology, and helpful advice on how to trust and obey God's covenants in the Bible in 21st Century.
The kindle version is available from here.
The black and white version is also available from here VERY cheaply!
The full colour, larger print, version is available from here.
Here is the table of contents to whet your appetite:
Part I The Argument
1. Introduction
2. New 'T-Total' Christians
3. What is a Covenant?
4. Are the Old and New Covenants the same as the Old and New Testaments?
5. How Not to Do Covenant Theology
6. How Many Covenants Are There?
6.1 God's Covenant with Creation
6.2 God's Covenant with Abraham
6.3 God's Covenant with David
Excursus on the Chronology of the Davidic Covenant
7. How Long Does it Take to 'Cut' a Covenant?
8. Are God's Covenants Everlasting?
9. How Do We Know Which Covenants Apply to Us?
10. All Five Covenants Feature a Fall, Judgement and Salvation
Excursus on The Meaning and Mode of Christian Baptism
11. Must we keep the Ten Commandments?
12. What are the Covenant Signs and Seals?
13. With Whom does God Make Covenants?
Excursus on The Subjects of Christian Baptism
Excursus on the Purpose of 'Paidobaptism'
14. What is Church?
15. Is Covenant Theology Christ-centred?
16. 'Faith' - The Right Response to God's Covenants
Part II The Application
17. Problems Solved by Covenant Theology
17.1 The Sabbath
17.2 Parenting
17.3 Subjects of Baptism
17.4 Church Membership
17.5 Teaching Your Children to Pray
17.6 Infant Death and Salvation
17.7 Sunday School
17.8 Prodigals
17.9 Reversing National Spiritual Decline
17.10 The Language of Evangelism
17.11 Theonomy/Reconstructionism
17.12 Health, Wealth and Prosperity
17.13 Anti-Semitism
18. Terminology
This site endeavours to collect together theological material of practical import to Christians
in cases where that material is not readily available on-line or in print.
Bible Study Ideas
Links to Other People's Stuff
Viv Rees Professional Piano Accompanist
Gerald Yuen (thousands of useful links)
David Anderson's witty parable about the rumour that Richard Dawkins actually exists.