Search results for ""brf""
BRF (The Bible Reading Fellowship) BRF Advent Book Embracing Humanity
Seeing humanity in a new light God became flesh at Christmas. But how does God, who created all things, live within the limitations of humanity limitations that humanity itself often resents and tries to transcend? And what does it truly mean to be human? As contemporary society grapples with questions of identity, justice and medical ethics, Embracing Humanity deftly explores how different aspects of being human are both inhabited and transformed in the incarnation. Through the lens of Advent and Christmas, Isabelle Hamley guides us through daily reflections and prayers, encouraging us to meditate on being human in the light of God''s choice to reach out to us in Jesus.
£9.99
BRF (The Bible Reading Fellowship) The BRF Book of 100 Prayers
Prayer is at the heart of BRF’s work, and this special illustrated anniversary collection is a celebration of prayer for BRF’s centenary year. It can be used in a range of different settings, from individual devotions to corporate worship. Including sections on prayers of preparation, seasonal prayers, and themed prayers for special times and hard times, it is the perfect daily companion to resource your spiritual journey. Part 1: Approaching God Part 2: Prayers for the journey Part 3: Seasons of the Christian year Part 4: Together through the generations Part 5: How should we live?
£12.99
BRF (The Bible Reading Fellowship) The BRF Book of 365 Bible Reflections: with contributions from BRF authors, supporters and well-wishers
The Bible is at the heart of BRF’s work, and this special anniversary collection is a celebration of the Bible for BRF’s centenary year. Bringing together a fantastically wide-ranging writing team of authors, supporters and well-wishers from all areas of BRF’s work, this resource is designed to help us go deeper into the story of the Bible and reflect on how we can share it in our everyday lives. Including sections which lead us through the Bible narrative as well as thematic and seasonal sections, it is the perfect daily companion to resource your spiritual journey. Contributors include: Ian Adams, John Bell, Inderjit Bhogal, Amy Boucher Pye, Stephen Cottrell, Steven Croft, Mark Greene, Isabelle Hamley, Bob Hartman, Bev Jullien, Krish Kandiah, Paul Kerensa, Ann Lewin, Bex Lewis, Chine McDonald, Lucy Moore, Rob Parsons, John Pritchard, Jennifer Rees Larcombe, Pam Rhodes, Margaret Silf, Jo Swinney, Stephen Timms, Graham Tomlin and Justin Welby.
£14.99
BRF (The Bible Reading Fellowship) BRF Lent Book: Loving My Neighbour: A Lenten journey
It’s never been more important to understand how much God loves us and how much he wants us to love each other. Loving My Neighbour takes us on a journey through the challenging terrain of how we can truly love one another, individually and in our communities. Daily Bible readings and reflections from Ash Wednesday to Easter Day explore how we can love in truth, love the vulnerable and the suffering, embrace difference, care for our world, and love ourselves as God loves us. Holy Week brings us back to reflect on Christ on the cross, who loved us to the very end.
£9.99
BRF Messy Parables 25 retellings for all ages Messy Church
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.
£9.99
BRF (The Bible Reading Fellowship) St Aidan's Way of Mission: Celtic insights for a post-Christian world
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.
£8.42
BRF (The Bible Reading Fellowship) Sharing the Easter Story: From reading to living the gospel
In this year’s BRF Lent book Sally Welch explores two questions: What is the Easter story really about, and how do we share it? Through each week of Lent, a different aspect of the Easter story is examined: repenting, changing, hoping, trusting, forgiving, loving and sacrificing. Within each week, the days are focused on what we need to do in order to share the story: listening, understanding, reflecting, living, telling, sharing and becoming. Each day offers a Bible passage, followed by a reflection and prayer activity. Suggestions for group study and group study questions are also included.
£9.04
BRF (The Bible Reading Fellowship) Messy Easter: Three complete sessions and a treasure trove of ideas for Lent, Holy Week and Easter
Three complete sessions for Lent, Holy Week and Easter, together with a wealth of activities to extend the range of excitingly messy activities for your Messy Church – creative prayers, games, food crafts, and ideas for organising an Easter trail. Craft templates and a session planning grid are included. Messy Church is a way of being church, for families and others. It is Christ-centred, for all ages, and based on creativity, hospitality and celebration. It is primarily designed for people who don’t already belong to another form of church – no matter how ‘messy’ they feel their lives are. Research has shown that 40% of Messy Church families have had little or no prior contact with church and 61% of Messy Church families wouldn’t otherwise be at church. BRF supports a global network of around 4,000 Messy Churches in six continents.
£9.04
BRF (The Bible Reading Fellowship) A Calendar of Carols
Christmas is a musical destination as well as a spiritual one, yet when we reach the newborn Christ child in the manger, what do we see? What music do we hear in our hearts as we join our songs with those of the angels?In 25 short chapters, each concluding with a specially written prayer, Gordon Giles explores the spiritual and biblical allusions to be found within our best-loved Christmas carols.A Calendar of Carols can be used either as an Advent calendar up to Christmas, or more flexibly over the Christmas season and into January.
£9.99
BRF (The Bible Reading Fellowship) Working from a Place of Rest: Jesus and the key to sustaining ministry
Exhaustion, burnout, tiredness, even breakdown... sadly, such conditions are all too common these days, not least among those involved in some kind of Christian ministry, whether full-time, part-time or voluntary. In striving to do our utmost for God, we can easily forget that there were many times when Jesus himself was willing to rest, to do nothing except wait for the Spirit's prompting, so that he demonstrated the vital principle of 'working from a place of rest'. Drawing on extensive experience of training and mentoring across the world, Tony Horsfall reflects on the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman to draw out practical guidance for sustainable Christian life and work. As he writes: 'Come and sit by the well for a while. Take some time out to reflect on how you are living and working. Watch Jesus and see how he does it. Listen to what the Spirit may be saying to you deep within, at the centre of your being; and maybe, just maybe, God will give you some insights that will change your life and sustain your ministry over the long haul.'
£9.99
BRF (The Bible Reading Fellowship) Celtic Prayer – Caught Up in Love: Wisdom for living from a modern Celtic community
Even the most committed pray-ers can get stuck in a rut. Loved and familiar ways of praying can become dry and stale and it can be difficult to rekindle the spark, especially if you’ve only ever known a handful of ways to pray. But help is at hand in this wide-ranging and exciting new collection from the Community of Aidan and Hilda. Edited by David Cole, with contributions from 30 members of the dispersed community, Celtic Prayer – Caught Up in Love explores 20 different ways of praying from the Celtic Christian tradition. Accessible and inspiring, it will refresh your spirit and draw you deeper into knowing God. ‘This book is the antidote to desiccated prayer. A book of fresh and new ways to commune with the Divine when your prayer life might have become dry and lifeless.’ Nicolette Rodden, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusivity Coordinator for the Community of Aidan and Hilda
£12.99
BRF (The Bible Reading Fellowship) Living Differently to Make a Difference: The beatitudes and countercultural lifestyle
Few would doubt that we live in a wounded and broken world. But God has sent a Saviour, Jesus Christ, who calls us, in the beatitudes, to live an authentic, countercultural lifestyle. By being different we can make a difference, becoming the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Through living the beatitudes, we could make the world a better place.
£9.04
BRF (The Bible Reading Fellowship) Stories for Interactive Assemblies: 15 story-based assemblies to get children talking
Fifteen easy-to-tell stories combining biblical teaching with contemporary storytelling. Set within the world of the classroom, each story has its roots in one of Jesus' parables. Primary children will recognise themselves and their classmates in the stories and relate to the underlying message that is the essence of the parable. Each assembly outline is topped and tailed by a theme to help direct the teacher towards the main teaching objective of the story, and a prayer or reflection and suggested song to close the assembly if desired. Each unit also contains a teacher's page giving the Bible reference for the original parable and information to link the teaching to PSHE/Citizenship and the National Framework for RE or local SACRE guidelines.
£8.42
BRF (The Bible Reading Fellowship) Messy Crafts: A craft-based journal for Messy Church members
This book is a craft book with a difference! As well as bulging with craft ideas to inspire your creativity at Messy Church, it is also a journal to scribble in, doodle on and generally make your own. The intention is that it will become a scrapbook of conversations, messy moments and prayers - a part of everyday life at home where you can sketch in your own ideas, list useful websites, make notes, reflect on spiritual moments, and journal your Messy Church journey.
£7.78
BRF (The Bible Reading Fellowship) On the Way to Work
Does your work give you a sense of purpose? How do you feel when work serves up difficulties and problems? How do we work well? Is there a God, and might God have something to say about the way we work?Weaving together biblical perspectives with academic research and his own experiences of working in different settings, Chris Gillies lays the theological foundation for work, moves on to examining biblical role models from both Old and New Testaments, and concludes by exploring common issues we wrestle with in our work, from money matters or managing and leading others to knowing if we're in the right job or simply doing the right thing.
£12.99
BRF (The Bible Reading Fellowship) Death and Life
As a society we aren't good at talking about death, and as individuals we may try and avoid thinking about it. But death is part of life, and we must all face it eventually. For Christians, dying and death are not the end but a transition point in a story that continues. Reflecting well on our own mortality can help us to make peace with the prospect of death and to live more fully in the here and now.This research-based book includes all you need to plan and deliver a course enabling people old or young, healthy or frail to prepare practically, emotionally and spiritually for their last months on this earth. The course covers six topics: Legal practicalities; Life stories; Funeral planning; Physical aspects of dying; Spiritual aspects of dying; and The life to come. It also offers a range of materials on the theme of living well in the light of mortality: a creative workshop, sermon starters, Bible studies, meditations, and a set of prayer stations which combine to form a
£22.49
BRF (The Bible Reading Fellowship) Holding Onto Hope: 40 days of God’s encouragement through art and reflections
A 40-day journey exploring the themes of hope and new life through vivid biblical images, Holding onto Hope can be used through Lent or during any 40-day period. We start with how all creation praises God, from the flowers of the field to the streams in the desert and the trees clapping their hands. We then explore the agricultural pattern of sowing, growing and harvesting before moving to the gracious promises and invitations God makes to his people, such as how he writes eternity onto our hearts. Next come compelling images of God as our help and refuge, including God being our shade and rear guard, before seeing how God changes his people – he clothes us, renews our minds and strengthens us. Finally, we focus on our new life in Christ through images such as new wineskins, the imperishable seed and the city to come.
£12.99
BRF (The Bible Reading Fellowship) Bible in Ten: Any book of the Bible cracked in ten minutes or less
Bible in Ten is for everyone who wants to be connected with all that is unexpected, beautiful and astonishing in the Bible. It tells the stories of success and failure, suffering and hope, home and exile, and a love that is stronger than death. Here are 67 short, sharp snapshots covering every corner of a book that people sometimes don’t know quite as well as they think they do. It’s a way into a volume that is often on the shelves but far less frequently taken off them. The Bible is packed with advice, stories and promises that cry out to be heard. This book gives people a real chance to take the words off the page and into their own world.
£12.99
BRF (The Bible Reading Fellowship) The Christmas Story: for families to share
Explore the story of the first Christmas together as a family! The Christmas Story is written for parents, grandparents and carers to share with their children through an interactive family Bible and prayer time. Each section provides a brief comment on the passage, questions to discuss, a visual aid to encourage engagement with the story, an activity idea, a prayer idea, a key verse and an Old Testament story link. Praise for The Easter Story: ‘A superb resource. If I were still a minister of a local church, I would ensure that every family in my church received a copy!’ Paul Beasley-Murray, Church Matters 'A little gem which brings the Bible to life, introduces creativity and encourages family prayer.' Elizabeth Hogg, Transforming Ministry
£4.96
BRF (The Bible Reading Fellowship) At Home and Out and About: 52 biblical contemplations on faith, hope and love for a re-emerging world
Across a year’s worth of weekly reflections, Gordon Giles focuses on objects, scenes, activities and places, drawing out spiritual insights to help us reflect on what we have learned as we venture out again after months of restriction, absence and anxiety. From Easter, through the changing seasons to the following Easter, we are led to consider: What is it like spiritually to stop wearing masks? What does a beach say to us after coronavirus? How has Zoom affected us during lockdown and how do we now relate to technology as a medium of fellowship? Where is Christ amid our restrictions and our releases?
£9.99
BRF (The Bible Reading Fellowship) Images of Grace: A journey from darkness to light at Easter
‘At the heart of the Christian message is a collection of abstract nouns: love; sin; forgiveness; grace. It is quite difficult to explain what the gospel message is without using some or all of those words. But the problem with abstract nouns is that when we use them, we assume that the person we are talking to understands them, and not only that, we assume that they have the same understanding of the word that we do…’ Lent is traditionally a time of repentance, fasting and prayer as we prepare to celebrate our salvation at Easter. Through daily readings and reflections from Ash Wednesday to Easter Day, Amy Scott Robinson explores different biblical images of repentance, sin, forgiveness and grace, bringing them together in Holy Week as a lens through which to view Christ’s work of reconciliation on the cross. ‘Amy is an expert storyteller, a well of emotion and reflection, and a follower of Jesus with a deep, genuine hunger for the reality of God.’ Adrian Plass, author and speaker
£9.99
BRF (The Bible Reading Fellowship) Holy Habits Group Studies: Fellowship: Leader's Guide
Holy Habits is an initiative to nurture Christian discipleship. It explores Luke’s model of church found in Acts 2:42–47, identifies ten habits and encourages the development of a way of life formed by them. The habits are: Biblical Teaching, Fellowship, Breaking Bread, Sharing Resources, Serving, Eating Together, Gladness and Generosity, Worship, Prayer and Making More Disciples. This Bible study group material has been developed to help churches and individuals explore the Holy Habits through prayerful engagement with the Bible and live them out in whole-life, missional discipleship.
£7.78
BRF (The Bible Reading Fellowship) Holy Habits Group Studies: Prayer: Leader's Guide
Holy Habits is an initiative to nurture Christian discipleship. It explores Luke’s model of church found in Acts 2:42–47, identifies ten habits and encourages the development of a way of life formed by them. The habits are: Biblical Teaching, Fellowship, Breaking Bread, Sharing Resources, Serving, Eating Together, Gladness and Generosity, Worship, Prayer and Making More Disciples. This Bible study group material has been developed to help churches and individuals explore the Holy Habits through prayerful engagement with the Bible and live them out in whole-life, missional discipleship.
£7.78
BRF (The Bible Reading Fellowship) How to Read the Bible: so that it makes a difference
How to read the Bible? And how to apply it? To read and engage with the Bible, we first need to understand the story, the styles of writing and the approaches we find in the text. Michael Parsons encourages readers to look at the whole biblical storyline before demonstrating ways of approaching individual texts. Topics along the way include understanding different genres, the importance of narrative, imaginative reading, praying the Bible, difficult passages and what to do with them, and how to apply scripture to our own lives. ‘Michael Parsons is passionate about the Bible – and it shows! He is also passionate about helping people engage with the Bible in ways that draw them into personal and transformative encounters with the God revealed in its pages. This book is bursting with resources to help us understand what the Bible is, how to read and study it for ourselves, and how to know God better as we do so; it is a richly rewarded read!’ Mags Duggan, author and speaker
£9.04
BRF (The Bible Reading Fellowship) Turned by Divine Love: Starting again with God and with others
This book, the fruit of prayer, theological reflection and rich human experience, evokes fresh praying and thinking about all the key relationships in our lives, beginning with God. Drawing on the rich Christian traditions of both east and west, it speaks of theology and spirituality, to the head and the heart. It is a book of hope, encouraging us all to make a fresh start with God and, entering more fully into the relationship of love to which he invites us, to go out and to witness to this love. In this unique bringing together of the riches of the Christian east and west is the call to hear God’s gracious voice today. ‘This wonderful little book weaves together depths from the Christian tradition, the experience of Bishop John and practical spirituality for readers: a perfect companion for meditation throughout the year, certain to inspire and challenge in equal measure.’ Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury ‘This beautifully written book is an invitation to a deeper discovery of who we are and who God is. Amid our brokenness and longings, we are invited to see in new ways and to glimpse afresh what it means to be people of relationship, made in the image of God who is love and with whom there are endless new beginnings.’ Rachel Treweek, Bishop of Gloucester
£9.99
BRF (The Bible Reading Fellowship) Facing Death
This collection of 18 undated reflections draws comfort and encouragement from the Bible and from the author’s own experience for those going through life-limiting illness and for their family and carers. 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. Facing Death grew out of the overwhelming response to Rachel’s Bible notes in New Daylight (May–August 2016). Readers recognised in her comments her courage to be authentic in the face of terminal illness, her appropriate vulnerability and her faith.
£5.90
BRF (The Bible Reading Fellowship) Jesus said, 'I am': Finding life in the everyday
Drawing on the imagery of the Hebrew scriptures, Jesus identifies himself as the ‘I am’ of Israel’s narrative. Through sensitive retelling, thoughtful discussion and creative exercises, Andrea Skevington shows the transforming power of Jesus’ words. Jesus Said, ‘I Am’ integrates faith and imagination, story and study, helping the reader towards a well-grounded and more profound faith.
£9.04
BRF (The Bible Reading Fellowship) Tell It Together: 50 tell-together Bible stories to share
Storytelling is a vital skill for everyone in ministry of any kind. Everything we are and everything we do revolves around the big story of God's love for us and how we respond to it. Tell It Together combines stories that have been written to read well aloud with tools for groups to share them effectively. The stories can be used on their own, to enhance a theme or Bible passage, or alongside other activities as the basis for clubs or creative worship gatherings and festivals.
£9.04
BRF (The Bible Reading Fellowship) Welcome to the Lord's Table activity book
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.
£5.90
BRF (The Bible Reading Fellowship) Making Disciples in Messy Church: Growing faith in an all-age community
This is a book that helps church leaders think through how to go about creating long-term communities for those who go along to Messy Church. It gives church leaders the theology and practical steps for a longer-term strategy to ensure that Messy Church and those who come along are given the right nurturing environment to grow and flourish.
£8.42
BRF (The Bible Reading Fellowship) Fill the Gap!: 120 instant Bible games for Sunday schools and midweek groups
Fill the Gap! contains 120 easy-to-play Bible-based games with little or no preparation needed - perfect for picking straight off the shelf! The ideas are designed to help local churches fill up those awkward gaps of time in Sunday schools, midweek clubs, holiday clubs, after school clubs and children's camps. The games are divided equally across the Old Testament and the New Testament and offer a fun-filled way to reinforce a teaching point or help children unfamiliar with Bible stories. There are two games for each story, one aimed at 4-7s and the other at 7-11s, but many of the games can be modified slightly to make them appropriate for older or younger children to take part. Most of the games are suitable for both smaller and larger groups of children and many can be easily adapted to fit different Bible stories, allowing favourite games to be used again with a different emphasis.
£12.99
BRF (The Bible Reading Fellowship) This Crown of Comfort: God’s seven calls to women in distress
Living whole with God, even when broken by life God deeply cares for those of us who are broken and hurt. And just as he helped his beloved Jerusalem find healing in her brokenness, he does the same for us. For he cried out seven double imperatives to her in the book of Isaiah, seven steps to restore her to wholeness, and he cries out the same to us. But he doesn’t begin by scolding us; instead, he comforts. His first double imperative is, ‘Comfort, comfort,’ despite what has happened in our lives. In This Crown of Comfort, Eva Leaf shares stories from her own life and from the lives of other women of how God met them in their brokenness.
£8.99
BRF (The Bible Reading Fellowship) Rhythms of Grace: Finding intimacy with God in a busy life
Rhythms of Grace emerges from a personal exploration of contemplative spirituality. Coming from an evangelical and charismatic background, Tony Horsfall felt an increasing desire to know God more deeply. At the same time, he felt an increasing dissatisfaction with his own spiritual life, as well as concern at the number of highly qualified and gifted people involved in Christian ministry who experience burn-out. In this book he shows how contemplative spirituality, with its emphasis on realising our identity as God's beloved children and on being rather than doing, has vital lessons for us about discovering intimacy with God. It also provides essential insights about building a ministry that is both enjoyable and sustainable.
£9.99
BRF (The Bible Reading Fellowship) Hilda of Whitby: A spirituality for now
In the dark and turbulent centuries after the Roman occupation of Britain, and during the Anglo-Saxon colonisation, the light of heaven still shone through the work and witness of the monastic communities, 'villages of God', which dotted the land. One of the most remarkable figures of those times was Hilda of Whitby. Born and reared amid warring pagan tribes, through the influence of Celtic saints and scholars she became a dominant figure in the development of the British Church, above all at the famous Synod where Celtic and Roman Churches came together. Until recently, though, the story of this extraordinary woman has not received much attention. Published to coincide with the 1400th anniversary of her birth, this book not only explores the drama of Hilda's life and ministry but shows what spiritual lessons we can draw for Christian life and leadership today.
£9.04
BRF (The Bible Reading Fellowship) The Psalms: A commentary for prayer and reflection
This is a helpful companion for anybody wanting to venture deeper into the Book of Psalms for personal reading and prayer. It also offers guidance for those preaching the Psalms and using them for group study and worship. Revised and expanded from readings first published in BRF's Guidelines notes, the book provides accessible comment and reflection on every one of the 150 Psalms in Scripture, Henry Wansbrough draws on his years of living and working in the Middle East to provide insight into the historical, literary and cultural background, as well as showing how these ancient texts can still guide and inspire us in our Christian walk today.
£9.99
BRF (The Bible Reading Fellowship) The Poetry of Pilgrimage
Drawing from his experience of co-leading pilgrimages in Britain and Ireland, Michael Mitton captures the essence of 23 significant pilgrimage sites for anyone from experienced pilgrims to armchair pilgrims. Each chapter outlines the story of the Celtic saint who founded the site, together with information about the location, a poem inspired by the author's experience of that place, a reflective question, a suggested Bible reading and a photo of the site.
£12.99
BRF (The Bible Reading Fellowship) The Peoples Bible Commentary Matthew Mark Luke John Acts
Five commentaries on the four gospels and Acts presented in an elegant slipcase editionBest-loved titles from the influential People''s Bible Commentary seriesMakes scholarly insights accessible to a non-academic audienceLimited edition to commemorate BRF's centenary 100 years of helping people understand the Bible and apply it to everyday lifeSupports BRF's centenary theme of Sharing the Story' of God's work as shown in the Bible
£35.99
BRF (The Bible Reading Fellowship) Deep Calls to Deep: Spiritual formation in the hard places of life
The book of Psalms offers honest insights into the reality of life with God, reflecting every human emotion and situation. Through looking at some of the psalms written ‘from the depths’, we can understand more fully the way in which God is at work to shape our characters and form the life of Christ within us during difficult times. This book offers reflections drawn from selected psalms to guide us as we begin to make sense of our own history with God, and also points us to how we can get to know God better here and now, preparing us for whatever may lie ahead. Deep Calls to Deep speaks to those who are ‘passing through the valley’. It will also be helpful to anyone who desires a deeper walk with God, as well as those who accompany others on their Christian journey as mentors, soul friends or spiritual directors.
£9.04
BRF (The Bible Reading Fellowship) Mentoring Conversations: 30 key topics to explore together
A core resource for anyone involved in spiritual mentoring, Mentoring Conversations provides a basis for spiritual conversation in a mentoring context through 30 short chapters structured around six key topic areas: Foundations; Steps to growth; Living out your faith; Going deeper; Staying strong; and Living with mystery. Each chapter begins with a Bible passage or text, followed by the author’s comment on the topic, questions to use as a starting point for conversation and suggestions for further reading.
£9.99
BRF (The Bible Reading Fellowship) Messy Discipleship: Messy Church perspectives on growing faith
Described as being ‘deeply serious about discipleship’, Messy Church has much to share, as well as much still to learn. As the fastest-growing fresh expression of church in the UK, Messy Church has learnt a thing or two about discipleship since its beginnings in 2004. This collection of perspectives, edited by Messy Church founder Lucy Moore, brings academic analysis and practitioner wisdom to bear on a key question for today’s church, capturing the latest thinking and learning from the Messy Church context. Individual chapters examine each of the core Messy Church values and how these work in practice to promote discipleship.
£9.04
BRF (The Bible Reading Fellowship) Holy Habits Bible Reflections: Fellowship: 40 readings and reflections
Holy Habits is an initiative to nurture Christian discipleship. It explores Luke’s model of church found in Acts 2:42–47, identifies ten habits and encourages the development of a way of life formed by them. The habits are: Biblical Teaching, Fellowship, Breaking Bread, Sharing Resources, Serving, Eating Together, Gladness and Generosity, Worship, Prayer and Making More Disciples. These Bible reading notes have been developed to help churches and individuals explore the Holy Habits through prayerful engagement with the Bible and live them out in whole-life, missional discipleship.
£5.90
BRF (The Bible Reading Fellowship) Sustaining Leadership: You are more important than your ministry
Many books on leadership and ministry are written from the point of view of success and strength. In Sustaining Leadership Paul Swann writes out of the raw experience of failure, getting to the heart of who we are as leaders rather than what we do. From this he offers both hope and practical resources for sustaining effective long-term ministry, looking at self-care, balance and healthy ministry, feasting on divine love, and more. As he says, this is the best gift we can offer those we serve.
£9.04
BRF (The Bible Reading Fellowship) Messy Prayer: Developing the prayer life of your Messy Church
Equipping your Messy team to pray and encourage others to do so, both within and outside the Messy Church context - Communicating prayer as a concept - Praying as a team in advance and on the day - Prayer ideas for the activity time, celebration time, and at home as a family - Ways of praying the Lord’s Prayer - Ways to reimagine other traditional prayers - Creating a prayer space - A Messy Quiet Day outline
£8.42
BRF (The Bible Reading Fellowship) The Contemplative Minister: Learning to lead from the still centre
There was a time where Christian ministry offered the opportunity to spend your life in the study of God's word, in reading and reflection, in prayer and sermon preparation, and in the quiet and faithful pastoral care of a community. The world has changed, and with it most of the expectations that govern church appointments. These days there are very few jobs in full time ministry which do not require a heroic combination of stamina, multi-tasking and change management. This book gives practical advice on how to nurture faith and a sense of calling amid the hectic life that is ministry today. Drawing on his experience of developing and leading training programmes in this area, Ian Cowley assesses the stresses and pressures of the job and shows how to grow into being a 'contemplative minister', prioritising a relationship of deepening love with God. He also offers guidance on leading others into that same relationship, without your own spiritual life running dry.
£9.04
BRF (The Bible Reading Fellowship) Messy Church: Fresh ideas for building a Christ-centred community
One individual chapter of this popular book on Messy Church. Overflowing with creative ideas to draw the community together for fun, food, fellowship and worship, this resource book contains 15 themed programme outlines. Each outline has ideas for creative art and craft activities, meal plans and recipes for eating together and family-friendly worship. Messy Church grew out of one church's desire to reach out to those on the fringes of the church community and experience the love of Christ through creativity, fellowship and worship together. There is also a dedicated website at www.messychurch.org.uk which explains what Messy Church is, why it got started and who is doing it now.
£9.99
BRF (The Bible Reading Fellowship) Poetry Emotion: 50 original poems to spark an imaginative approach to topical values
Poetry Emotion contains a treasure trove of original poems to stimulate a child's observation and deep thinking; to affirm individuality and a sense of belonging; to express a myriad of feelings; and to develop meaningful skills for living. The 50 poems are organised under 12 value-based topics, providing an ideal vehicle to address social and emotional values at Key Stage 2. They can be used with great effect in Collective Worship, and readily related to English, PSHCE, SEAL and RE in the classroom. The poems in each section are offered with introductory suggestions for ways in which the topics can be unpacked. Topics include: Whose world? Who am I? Who is my neighbour? What's so special about the Bible? It's not fair! Getting on and falling out Going for goals New beginnings Saying no to bullying Good to be me Changes Self awareness Managing feelings Motivation Social skills Ideal for KS2 Collective Worship and SEAL
£7.78
BRF (The Bible Reading Fellowship) Death and Life reflection cards
As a society we aren't good at talking about death, and as individuals we may try and avoid thinking about it. But death is part of life, and we must all face it eventually. For Christians, dying and death are not the end but a transition point in a story that continues. Reflecting well on our own mortality can help us to make peace with the prospect of death and to live more fully in the here and now.These cards show us how. They can be used for personal reflection, prayer or in discussion with others.
£8.99
BRF (The Bible Reading Fellowship) The Upper Room: An Introduction
Everyday stories written by everyday people For over 80 years, The Upper Room has encouraged people everywhere to share their stories of faith. Today it is translated into more than 30 languages and can be found in over 100 countries. From small groups to large congregations, these meditations spark conversations and continue to bring people of faith together.
£5.27