Bible-centred resources for gospel growth Small Group Bible Study Daily Bible Reading Discipleship & Training Outreach & Evangelism
Resource Guide
Welcome Tools to get the job done Uncage the lion!
Baptist preacher Charles Spurgeon once remarked that ‘the gospel is like a caged lion. It does not need to be defended, it just needs to be let out of its cage’. That is the fundamental thinking behind everything we try to do at The Good Book Company. We try to create products that put the Word of God to work in people’s lives to bring them to Christ, or help them grow in Him. So, whether you’re a senior pastor, a humble Bible-study group leader or leading a wild group of teenagers on a Friday night, we want to help you stay energised and effective in the work of the gospel. After 20 years developing quality, practical materials for gospel work in the UK, we humbly thought it was the right time to offer a selected range of our resources to our brothers and sisters down under. This catalogue, and the
website where you can order, is just the start of what we pray will be a fruitful partnership in the work of the gospel for the years ahead.
Our materials do not compromise on the essentials of the historic Biblical faith and, at the same time, are accessible and practical for the times in which we are living. We hope that we are able to offer great resources at great prices with an efficient service to help churches and individuals grow more like Jesus, and to communicate effectively the wonderful gospel of God’s grace to others. Look inside for the full range of ‘lion-hearted’ resources for gospel growth, and let God’s powerful Word loose in your life, your home group, your church and among your nonChristians friends.
Tim Thornborough, Publisher
How to Order:
About the Good Book Company
www.thegoodbook.com.au
The Good Book Company has been in operation since 1991, striving to produce Bible study, training and evangelism resources which are faithful to God’s inspired Word. Our aim is to support and encourage the spread of the gospel by providing resources that help Christians grow in their understanding and love of the Lord Jesus Christ. We have grown out of the resurgence of Bible-based reformed evangelicalism in the UK. We aim to be faithful to the historic truths of the Christian faith, but present the gospel of grace in fresh, innovative and culturally relevant ways. Materials that support our hearing, understanding and application of the Scriptures to our Christian lives and witness is at the heart of our vision for supporting churches in their ministry. We are particularly strong in daily Bible reading resources, outreach, Bible study and youth work. Our business is built as a Christian ministry, not as a commercial organisation, and it is our hope that we can be of help to you in the work of the gospel.
admin@thegoodbook.com.au
Don’t Trust Us! Review Us! Our website is teeming with customer reviews left by those who have used our resources. Whatever the opinion, we value feedback so that we can develop our products to serve you better. And they help us keep ourselves in check - ‘as iron sharpens iron’. We hope you’ll find these reviews helpful as you consider the best resource for your situation. Log on to find out more.
www.thegoodbook.com.au 2
Resources for Gospel growth
Small Group Bible Study Page 4
Daily Bible Reading Page 7
Discipleship & Training Page 10
Outreach & Evangelism Page 12
‘Odip eugait ip eraeseq uametuer sim vero dui te te dit ad eu feui blandiatummy nonsequis am niam adip ero ea feuis nosto con ullum amcommy nonulluptat wisl et wisciduisci blamet aliqui eugiam num quation sendre voloreet aciliqu amcommy’. Name name, church, etc
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small gr Bibl Small group Bible study
Building Bible-shaped lives
Series editor Tim Chester speaks to Emily Robertson about the thinking behind the creation of the Good Book Guide range, and why it’s so important that we don’t see Bible study as an end in itself.
ER: How did the idea for the series initially come about? Tim: In a nutshell, we felt there was a need for something that was simple to use, but still took the Bible text seriously, so the Good Book Guides have less text and more questions.
Underlying the Good Book Guides are some convictions about the Bible. We don’t believe the Bible is open to a variety of interpretations. The meaning of a Bible passage is determined by the human and divine authors. It’s not determined by the reader. We need to ask ‘What does this passage mean?’ not ‘What does this passage mean to you?’ We also believe the Bible is God’s Word for us today. That means studying the Bible must lead to action. Bible study isn’t an end in itself. It’s about knowing and serving God better. The value of Good Book Guides is not whether they lead to good Bible studies, but whether they lead to Bibleshaped lives. What do you think are the main features of Good Book Guides ? Tim: Each study starts with a ‘talkabout’ question that opens up the topic. There’s usually no
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right or wrong answer to this question. This means anyone can answer the question which gets people into the swing of contributing.
Then the main chunk of the study is the ‘investigate’ section. These get people into the text. That’s the key thing. The important thing is good questions that open up discussion. When it comes to application we have a combination of ‘apply’ questions for group discussion and ‘getting personal’ boxes for individual reflection. We also include some ideas for prayer because we want groups to get in the habit of praying in response to God’s word. Why do you think they are so popular? Tim: I hope people appreciate their biblical faithfulness and incisive application. But I suspect people also like them because they’re easy to use. The leader’s notes provide a summary of the key issues in the passage and guidance on questions. They’re fairly comprehensive so I hope they give leaders confidence even if they don’t see themselves as gifted Bible teachers.
What do you think sets them apart from other Bible studies? Tim: One thing is the ‘Why?’ question. A lot of people approach the Bible asking two questions: ‘What did it say then?’ and ‘What does it say today? But there’s a key question that belongs in the middle: the ‘Why?’ question. Why did the author say this? Why did he say it to these people? Why does he say it in this way? If we don’t ask the ‘Why?’ questions then we usually end up drawing rather random parallels between the situation then and now. Only by asking why it was written then can we really understand how it applies to us today. Some Bible studies take the Bible seriously but are somewhat heavy. Others are easy to use but don’t push groups towards a real engagement with the Bible. I want the Good Book Guides to be both: easy to use and interacting seriously with the God’s word.
As well as being series editor of the Good Book Guides, Tim Chester is part of the Crowded House, a church planting initiative in Sheffield, England, and is the author of a number of books including The Gospel-Centered Church.
group le study Small group Bible study
bible study resources
features W W extensive leader’s notes at the back W W optional extras to adjust the length of your study W W a strong focus on practical application
NEW
Series editor Tim Chester ensures that each session not only seeks to uncover the meaning of the passage and see how it fits into the big picture of the Bible, but also leads people to apply what they have learned to their lives. Ideal for small groups, or individual study.
NEW
Hebrews: Consider Jesus
u l G id
$8
es
An expanding and flexible range of Bible studies with a strong focus on application.
Al
GOOD BOOK GUIDES
Colossians: Confident Christianity
Justin Buzzard
Mark Meynell
Jesus Christ is at the centre of the Bible’s message and God’s plan for the universe - and at the centre of human history. But is He at the centre of our existence - our hopes, priorities and dayto-day lives? The letter to the Hebrews helps us leave behind our limited views of Jesus by explaining to us the supreme greatness of Christ Himself.
Many of us feel timid about our faith in Christ, and there are many who offer us a way to grow and become effective as a believer. How are we to assess their claims? In his letter to the Colossians, Paul shows that there is only one way to achieve true Christian growth - through a fresh understanding of who Jesus is and what He has done.
8 studies.
6 studies.
9781906334420
9781906334246
‘Our group Bible-study materials offer more than a set of carefully crafted questions. The extensive leader’s notes aim to develop the background understanding of the whole group, and grow a prayerful supportive, gospel-centered community around the word of God.’ Tim Thornborough, Publisher
see the rest of the range on page 6
email: admin@thegoodbook.com.au Web: www.thegoodbook.com.au
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small group u l G id
$8
es
Al
Small group Bible study
Old Testament Studies
David: God’s True King
Ruth: Poverty and Plenty
Psalms: Soul Songs
Psalms: Work Songs
Ezekiel: The God of Glory
6 studies
4 studies.
6 studies.
6 studies.
6 studies.
9781904889984.
9781905564910
9781904889960
9781905564675
9781904889274
Zechariah: God’s Big Plan for Struggling Christians 6 studies. 9781904889267
New Testament Studies
Topical Studies
Mark 1-8: The Coming King 10 studies.
Contentment: Healing the Hunger of our Hearts
9781904889281
8 studies.
Mark 9-16: The Servant King
9781905564668
7 studies.
Women of Faith from the Old Testament
9781904889519
8 studies.
Romans 1-5: God and You 6 studies. 9781904889618
9781904889526
Biblical Womanhood 9 studies. I9781904889076
1 Thessalonians: Living to Please God 7 studies. 9781904889533
2 Timothy: Faithful to the End
Meeting Jesus: Women of Faith from the New Testament 8 studies. 9781905564460
7 studies. 9781905564569
The Holy Spirit
1 Peter: Living in the Real World
8 studies.
5 studies.
9781905564217
9781904889496
1 John: How to be Sure 7 studies.
Man of God 10 studies. 9781904889977
9781904889953
Revelation 2-3: A Message from Jesus to the Church Today 7 studies. 9781905564682
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I Believe: The Apostles’ Creed 10 studies. 9781905564415
d
daily devot DAily devotional reading
for adults
Explore
1-year subscription: $30
Daily reading notes to help you understand clearly the message and challenge of God’s word. features WW Reliable - clearly-applied biblical teaching covering the whole Bible WW Manageable - a suggested 15 minutes per study with optional cross references WWFlexible - dated and numbered so you can go at your own pace WWIncisive - clear and careful teaching within the context of the whole Bible
Single issue: $8 (plus Shipping + Handling)
Explore gives you the opportunity to delve into areas of the Bible that have perhaps eluded you for years: the laws of Leviticus; the wisdom of Proverbs; the meaninglessness of Ecclesiastes; the pain and suffering of Job; the terrifying apocalyptic imagery of Revelation. Explore shows how the Old and New Testaments are linked and how God’s promises of salvation for His people are fulfilled in Jesus Christ. It also challenges the reader every day to be more like Him. Each issue contains three months of daily readings.
Explore - Time with God Tim Thornborough Price: $5
Helping Christians develop a daily Bible reading habit! Using the Explore daily reading notes format, this stand alone resource is designed to help Christians develop the discipline of a regular ‘quiet time’ so that they can grow and mature as a Christian. 20 studies. 9781905564927
‘I’m thoroughly enjoying using these notes each morning. I can sit with a coffee, my Bible, and Explore to make a God-focused start to my day. Thought provoking and insightful notes in fifteen–minute manageable chunks. Thanks.’ Jen Page, GBC customer
email: admin@thegoodbook.com.au Web: www.thegoodbook.com.au
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y
y bible ding DAily devotional reading FOR 14 - 18s
Engage
1-year subscription: $35
Single issue: $9 (plus Shipping + Handling)
Engage helps young people handle, question and explore God’s word. features WWwhole Bible covered in five years WWinterviews with real-life Christians WWsections tackling tricky questions WWarticles on apologetics and doctrine WW toolkit for training young people in handling the Bible.
Engage Bible notes have been written to help young people understand and apply God’s word. They also seek to address relevant issues in teenagers’ lives and provide a Bible reading resource that is engaging and long-lasting.
FREE Engage Sampler This free sampler includes four studies taken from the full 128-page issue. Please order as many as you need.
Don’t Panic! Martin Cole & Andrew Rycroft Price: $6
This short book has been written to encourage young people to keep their eyes fixed on God as they study for exams. Includes Bible studies, articles on coping with stress, puzzles and exercises, a study timetable and a weekly prayer diary. 9781905564552
FOR 11 - 13s
Discover
1-year subscription: $30
Single issue: $8 ((plus Shipping + Handling)
Discover aims to build young lives firmly on the gospel and a growing knowledge of the Bible. features WW bursting with puzzles and top teaching WW encourages prayer, action and further thought WW each issue contains 3 months of dynamic discovery from God’s word
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Discover aims to build young lives firmly on the gospel and a growing knowledge of the Bible. Great writing and illustrations help to explain the meaning of each passage; difficult words and ideas are explained and there are plenty of puzzles to keep interest alive.
Discover Trial Issue - with prayer guide PRICE: $2
Ideal for giving a flavour of the way Discover connects with young lives. 9781873166918
youth &
Youth & Children
FOR FAMILIES
Table Talk 1: The Book of Beginnings
Table Talk 3: Comings and Goings
9781873166925
9781873166970
Table Talk 2: Miracles and Dreams
Table Talk 4: Travels Unravelled
9781873166949
9781873166772
More issues available online
Table Talk
1-year subscription: $30
A book of daily Bible times for families to use together features WW designed to help families read the Bible together WW each day’s focus is on just a few verses WW suitable for children aged 4 and upwards
Single issue: $8 (plus Shipping + Handling)
Many parents struggle to read the Bible consistently with their children – but help is at hand. Table Talk is designed to form the basis for a short family Bible time – maybe just five minutes at a mealtime. It includes a simple discussion starter or activity that leads into a short Bible reading, and can be used alongside XTB.
FOR 7 - 10s
XTB 1: The Book of Beginnings
XTB: Easter Unscrambled
9781873166932
9781873166895
XTB 2: Miracles and Dreams
XTB: Summer Signposts
9781873166956
XTB: Christmas Unpacked
XTB 3: Comings and Goings
9781873166901
9781873166888
9781873166253
XTB 4: Travels Unravelled 9781873166109
More issues available online
XTB - Explore the Bible
1-year subscription: $30
Daily Bible reading notes designed to help 7-10 year-olds get into the Bible for themselves features WW packed with puzzles, pictures, prayers and solid teaching WW designed to help children engage with the Bible text WW each issue includes a free item eg: prayer journal
Single issue: $8 (plus Shipping + Handling)
XTB encourages children to understand, apply and pray through the Bible in an accessible and thought-provoking way. XTB also links in with Table Talk, our Bible reading resource for families – so you can use the two books together, or on their own, whichever suits you best.
email: admin@thegoodbook.com.au Web: www.thegoodbook.com.au
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discipleship & & training Discipleship & Training
The GospelCentred Church
A Few Good Men Richard Coekin
Steve Timmis & Tim Chester
PRICE: $16
In the Bible we find men who faced the same struggles that men often face today: immoral culture, costly decision, sexual temptations, sin and guilt, pluralistic unbelief, fear and worry. This book will help men gain a deeper understanding of their triumphs and failures, and inspire them to follow the true hero of this book, Jesus Christ.
Price: $8
Gospel ministry is much more than simply evangelism. The principles contained in this workbook articulate what a true gospel ministry might look like. Ideal for small group study. 9781873166871
9781905564590
Just Love
Workers for the Harvest Field
Ben Cooper
Editors: Vaughan Roberts & Tim Thornborough
Price: $16
This book was born out of the author’s own struggle with the question, ‘How can a God of love act in judgment?’ Cooper tackles the issues with intellectual rigour, and with the skeptical non-Christian in mind, as well as the Christian struggling with the idea of a God of love who punishes sin.
Price: $20
This book describes full-time gospel ministry and answers questions that those who are considering it may have. How do I know I’m called? Is this the right thing for me to do? What particular role am I best suited for? 9781905564309
9781904889540
training
Learn2Lead A modular training course designed to help local churches prepare people for leadership in the church. features WW excellent blend of content, application, principle and practice WW comprehensive leader’s notes in the tutor’s manual WW stimulating prompts, case studies and questions Ideal for all those involved in training Christian leaders, Learn2Lead is an alliance between students (from the congregation) and tutors (from the local church). Each of the five sections works
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Each track (1-5): $12
Tutor Manual: $45
as a stand-alone module as well being a component of the main Learn2Lead course. Visit the website to find out more. www.thegoodbook.com.au/learn2lead Tutor Manual A practical and comprehensive guide to leading the course. 9781905564699
& training
Discipleship & Training
Listen Up! A Practical Guide to Listening to Sermons Christopher Ash Price: $3
‘Consider carefully how you listen’ says Jesus in Luke 8 v 8. The fact is, there is more involved in listening to God‘s word than you might think, but this short, easy-to-read book by Christopher Ash makes it much more achievable. Listen Up! contains practical hints and tips for healthy listening, as well as advice on how to respond to bad sermons and how to encourage our Bible teachers to give sermons that will really help us to grow as Christians. A fantastic new resource for new and not-so-new Christians alike. 9781906334673
Rock Solid 12 Gospel Truths to Live By Tim Thornborough & Trevor Archer Price: $16
This popular resource is ideal for all those wanting to get to grips with the 12 great themes of the Bible that together form the crux of what it means to be evangelical. Featuring articles, Bible studies, discussion questions, historical sketches and modern testimonies, this is a book to work through, treasure and pass on. Topics include: the unique supremacy of Christ, the depravity of sin, the penal substitution of Christ, justification by faith alone, the sovereignty of God the Father, the centrality of bible teaching, the necessity of holiness. 9781906334680
Get into the Bible John Richardson Price: $5
A thoroughly readable overview of the themes and storyline of the Bible as a whole. It also shows you how various approaches to Bible study can help or hinder your spiritual growth.
God, Sex & Marriage
Revelation Unwrapped
John Richardson
Price: $9
Price: $9
Sets out to show how the book of Revelation may be understood without resorting to fanciful interpretations. See how John’s vision uses familiar Old Testament imagery to make sense of Christian experience in every age.
An exploration of the Bible’s teaching on sex and marriage through the exposition of a single chapter, 1 Corinthians 7. 9781873166703
9781873166086
email: admin@thegoodbook.com.au Web: www.thegoodbook.com.au
John Richardson
9781873166703
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hristianit Christianity Explored is ideal as a way of introducing people to Jesus, or as a refresher course for your home group or entire congregation. By focusing on Mark’s Gospel, the course allows people to explore God’s word for themselves and is clear about the seriousness of sin so that people can grasp the wonder of God’s grace.
Leader’s Edition
Study Guide
Price: $14 Required reading for every leader. Features comprehensive training material on how to lead effectively and evangelise faithfully.
Price: $7 A guide for each participant. It includes a brief introduction to the course and to Mark’s Gospel, outlines all 14 talks, and features Bible studies to work through each week.
9781904889328
9781904889335
How to Run the Course
Price: $20 Essential for overall course leaders. Includes sample invitations, feedback forms, visual aids and a CD-ROM featuring written transcripts of all 14 talks. 9781904889304
Christianity Explored Evangelistic Book Price: $12 This jargon-free introduction to Jesus is a real page-turner. Funny and full of compelling illustrations, this book is perfect for anyone investigating Christianity. 9781904889342
DVD Series If You Could Ask God One Question Price: $12 If you could ask God one question, and you knew that He would answer, what would it be? The most common responses to this question have been brought together in this engaging, humorous and jargon-free book which is ideal for giving people who would like to spend more time thinking these questions through. 9781904889458
Price: $95 Vital for anyone who wants to run the course without delivering a ‘live’ talk. 9781904889441
Christianity Explored DVD Starter Pack Price: $176 Includes everything you need to run your own course and is 20% cheaper than buying the included resources separately. • How to run the course (x1) • Leader’s Guide (x3) • Study Guide (x9) • DVD series (x1) 9781905564323
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ty Explo Promotional Material
Our posters, postcards and banners have been specifically designed to help you promote your Christianity Explored course. Each design includes space for you to include your course details.
Posters A2, A3, A4
Postcard Invitation Pack
Church Banner
Price: $6 each Eye-catching posters in three different sizes, beautifully produced and all featuring the space to add your own course details at the bottom.
Price: $12 for 50 Postcard-sized invitations with space on the reverse to add you own greeting and course details.
Price: $235 Size: 3ft x 15ft This large, full-colour PVC weatherproof banner is an eye-catching way to let people know about your course.
9781904889403
9781905564828
9781905564828
CY
Evangelistic tracts
The youth version of Christianity Explored, this is the evangelistic course for young people in the 21st century.
Ideal for giving away to anyone investigating Christianity
The Real Jesus Price: $12 for 10
Ideal for using with youth groups, CY is designed to present the gospel clearly and effectively to young people. The Leader’s Guide contains everything the leader needs to run the course, including talk outlines and advice on getting started. The User Guide features Bible studies, summaries of each talk, cartoons and room for answers.
Leader’s Guide Price: $22
Study Guide Price: $6
9781905564446
9781905564439
See the Discipleship Explored course on page 11
9781904889885
The Real Easter Price: $12 for 10 9781906334642
The Real Christmas Price: $12 for 10 9781906334307
English Made Easy An easy-to-read and understand edition of the Christianity Explored course. Ideal for those with English as a second language, or with low levels of literacy, the English Made Easy Edition is easy to read and understand without being patronising.
email: admin@thegoodbook.com.au Web: www.thegoodbook.com.au
Leader’s Guide Price: $14 9781904889359
Study Guide Price: $5 9781904889366
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iscipleship Explo
Discipl
Enables new Christians, and those needing a refresher, to explore what it means to be a disciple of Christ features W Wan eight-week journey into Philippians W Wideal for new Christians W WBible reading plan built in W Wbrand new DVD now available!
Participants are taken on a life-changing journey into Philippians as the eight interactive sessions bring them to the heart of what it means to be a Christian. Carefully-crafted Bible-study questions, detailed guidance for leaders, and day-by-day Bible reading notes for participants are all included.
Leader’s Edition
Study Guide
Price: $14 Essential for every leader. Includes weekly Bible studies (complete with answers), talk outlines, and training material and how to lead effectively.
Price: $7 This course guide is for each participant on Discipleship Explored. It features Biblestudy and discussion questions to work through week by week. on the course, and a daily Bible-reading plan to encourage regular study.
9781904889632
CB C
ia prod u ed
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ed t-list Shor o 2 ft he year
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Starter Pack
DVD
Price: $132 20% cheaper than buying everything separately, the Starter Pack includes everything you need to get started with Discipleship Explored. • DVD (x1) • Leader’s Edition (x3) • Study Guide (x9)
Price: $60 A great addition to the Discipleship Explored series, the DVD - written and presented by Barry Cooper - is shot on location around the UK - and is vital for anyone who wants to run the course without delivering a ‘live’ talk.
9781906334406
9781906334321
p
lored marriage
pleship
outreach & Evangelism
Preparing for Marriage
A marriage course which explains the gospel as the model for marriage features WW structured in four parts WW designed to be run in a variety of settings WW talk downloads available on website
Leader’s Guide
Study Guide
Peter Jackson Price: $12
Peter Jackson Price: $6
9781905564224
9781905564897
Preparing for Marriage seeks to show that a relationship with God is the very best basis on which to build a life, and helps churches which are preparing couples for marriage get on with one of our primary tasks teaching the gospel to those who are lost without Christ.
parenting Putting Parenting to Bed
A Bible-based parenting course for ordinary people from any background. features W Wmade up of three sessions W W based around three key principles drawn from the Bible W W ideal for churches trying to build bridges with the local community
Leader’s Guide
Study Guide
Ann Benton
Ann Benton
Price: $14
Price: $7
9781905564224
9781905564897
This Bible-based parenting course is great for any church trying to build bridges and share the gospel with the local community. As well as liberating confused parents to enjoy their children and the adventure of raising them, this course aims to make people think about the bigger questions of life.
‘Ann Benton brings a wealth of Biblical wisdom, as well as a great deal of sound common sense to this subject. Over the years I have learned a great deal from Ann’s seminars on parenting, and also from her examples as a mother.’ Sharon James, author & conference speaker.
email: admin@thegoodbook.com.au Web: www.thegoodbook.com.au UK Head Office: The Good Book Company Limited Elm House Elm Road New Malden Surrey KT3 3HB ENGLAND
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Gospel resources for growing Christians
‘The Good Book Company has a solid commitment to the Bible, a deep love for the Saviour and a refreshing ability to engage with contemporary culture.’ Steve Timmis, pastor and co-author of Total Church
Serving Australia: The Good Book Company Ltd. 140 Albany Road Stanmore 2048 New South Wales T: (02) 6100 4211 E: admin@thegoodbook.com.au
www.thegoodbook.com.au