We must not expect life to be easy. We are called to proclaim the gospel to a world that does not want to hear it and to live a Christian life among people who live in a very different way. We are citizens of heaven, who must, for the time being, live as ‘strangers’ in the world (Philippians 3:20; 1 Peter 1:1). But we shall not have to live away

Bible study Revelation 21:1–8; 21:22 – 22:5 21:1–8 What images are used to describe the perfected kingdom? How do they build on previous passages in the Bible? What are the features of life in the new creation? Who will enjoy its benefits? What does it mean to be ‘thirsty’? What does it mean to ‘overcome’? 21:22 – 22:5 How is the perfected kingdom

‘The beast’ (who represents worldly anti-Christian powers), ‘the false prophet’ (worldly anti-Christian ideology) and Satan are also judged alongside Babylon.

The gospel promises are in danger of failing almost as soon as they have been made. Abraham decides it is time to take matters into his own hands, and sleeps with Sarah’s maid, Hagar, who gives birth to a son, Ishmael. But God makes it clear that his people will not arise from Ishmael. Abraham has to learn that, if the gospel is to be fulfilled,

The Bible does not just tell the story of God’s work of salvation; at the same time it reveals God’s character. He is its hero from beginning to end. Sometimes we miss the point by asking too quickly, ‘What is it saying to me?’ A good first question to ask whenever we look at a passage is, ‘What does this tell me about God?’ Very often the

Each verse needs to be understood in the context of the chapter in which it appears, and each chapter in the light of the book as a whole. And there is a wider context we must consider as well: the whole Bible.

The kingdom of God God’s people God’s place God’s rule and blessing The pattern of the kingdom Adam and Eve The garden God’s word; perfect relationships The perished kingdom No-one Banished Disobedience and curse The promised kingdom Abraham’s descendants Canaan Blessing to Israel and the nations The partial kingdom The Israelites Canaan (and

Many people read the Bible as if it were like that: a collection of independent books that can each be read without reference to the others. That was how I was taught the Bible at university. We looked for the message of Ezekiel, Jonah or John without considering how those biblical books contribute to and fit in with the message of the Bible as a

Bible study Luke 1:39–80; 2:25–32 What do the words of Mary, Zechariah and Simeon teach us about the salvation Jesus brings? How do they point to the fulfilment of the following Old Testament passages? Genesis 12:1–3 2 Samuel 7:11–16 Isaiah 9:2–7 Isaiah 42:5–7 Isaiah 49:5–7 Jeremiah 31:31–34 Malachi 3:1 How should we respond?