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The Psalms can be sung, spoken or read – but they were written to be prayed. Until we pray them from the heart we miss their purpose. If you love, or want to love, or think perhaps you ought to love, the Psalms, this first instalment of a two–volume set on the Psalter is for you. Christopher Ash gives us a practical and theological handbook to equip us to pray and to teach the Psalms. He faces the difficulties and shows how praying them in Christ does justice to their original meaning and context as well as their place in the whole bible.

The Psalms can be sung, spoken or read –but they were written to be prayed. Until we pray them from the heart we miss their purpose. The two volumes of Teaching Psalms aim to get the reader’s heart engaging with this beautiful book of the Bible. If you love, or want to love, or think perhaps you ought to love the Psalms, these volumes are for you. Volume 1 acts as a handbook: –         How to pray the Psalms–         How to teach the Psalms–         The difficulties we face in the Psalms –         Integrating the Psalms into the Bible story Volume 2 picks up on the groundwork laid and begins with an overview of the structure of the Psalter. It then goes through the book of Psalms, giving an introduction to each one. It does not seek to compete with a commentary in that it does not approach each verse individually; however it offers what few commentaries attempt – a careful look at the message behind the book as a whole.

Ruth and Esther are two prophetic pictures of the same gospel. One speaks of a last–minute rescue from death, the other of a long–awaited filling of a terrible emptiness. One ends with a baby; the other concludes with an annual remembrance of an amazing escape. But neither really ends, until they find their fulfilment in Jesus Christ. Part of the Teaching series, this book is designed to help the pastor/preacher, small group leader, or youth worker in preparing and presenting studies.

2 Kings begins with the succession of Elijah by Elisha and flows largely downward right up to the exile of Judah in Babylon. Amidst the numerous kings and serious failings there are always the vital signs that the true God is still on the throne and working out his purposes in his people and beyond.Like many other books containing Old Testament narrative, 1 and 2 Kings are both well–known and obscure. Certain stories are very familiar, others seldom preached or taught. It is our hope that this book will greatly help many people dig deeply into this epic narrative and serve people well by teaching it faithfully, relevantly and thoroughly.Teaching 1 and 2 Kings (of which this is the second volume of two) is an important contribution to our ‘Teaching the Bible’ series. Bob’s guiding hand will be of great assistance to anyone seeking to understand the familiar passages better and explore the lesser known stories well.

The book of 1 Samuel is a blockbuster. One of the most well–known books of the Old Testaments, its gripping narrative is dominated by big characters. Andrew Reid helps preachers get a handle on the vital part it plays in the unfolding story of the Bible.

The books of 2 Peter and Jude are some of the least preached in the New Testament. However, these dynamic little books have an important message to be declared to the church in the 21st century. The need to ‘contend for the faith’ is vital in a confusing church landscape of compromise, pragmatism and drift. These books are dense and brimming with truth and so our hope is that this book helps you see all that is contained within their pages. Teaching 2 Peter and Jude is a great addition to the growing ‘Teaching the Bible’ series. It will be a great aid to those who have the privilege and joy of teaching or preaching these particular books.Whether you are a small group leader, preacher, youth worker or someone who simply want help with their personal Bible study, this book will help you to comprehend and communicate the messages of 2 Peter and Jude.

The book of Leviticus remains a mystery to many Christians, which is a great pity, for Leviticus is not only theologically rich, but also essential for grasping the full–orbed message of the gospel. The book’s central concern is clear: preparing people to live near Yahweh’s presence and survive the encounter; yet the message of Leviticus remains one of grace. It is God who desires to live with his people, and it is God who provides means and instructions to make such an arrangement possible. Geoffrey Harper’s guide to this complex but crucial book will be helpful to small group leaders and preachers who want to teach Leviticus but are unsure where to start. This series is designed to help the pastor/preacher, a small group leader or a youth worker teach their way through a Biblical book. It will help you in planning and executing a lesson advising on background, structure, key points and application.

Jeremiah was called as a prophet to warn Israel that their rebellious hearts and rejection of God and his ways would lead to judgement. His prophecies of Babylonian exile and the destruction of the temple come to pass, but in among the bad news, he also brings the promise of hope – that God’s people will return to the land, that God will send his Messiah, and that all nations will one day acknowledge Israel’s God. Bob Fyall’s valuable addition to the Teaching series will help preachers and Bible study leaders to work through this Major Prophet and see the faithfulness of God in the face of the faithlessness of his people.

God Speaks!The Book of Numbers follows the journey of the Israelite people from the Exodus from Egypt until their entrance into the Promised Land. This book is deeply relevant for a wandering generation today who need to make their way back to God. The book points to Christ and provides important instruction for believers today. Discover how God speaks even in the wilderness!

In a day when church planting is back in fashion, here is Paul speaking to a newly planted fellowship. In a day when Christians in the West are finding themselves under growing pressure from the surrounding culture, here is Paul encouraging a church facing strong opposition. This book enables the leader to apply practical theology to specific situations that still affect the church today. This is the latest addition to the Teaching the Bible series.

Affection is often a neglected theme in our generation of Bible believing Christians. It has not always been so. Previous generations thought a great deal about the centrality of the heart in the Christian life and the need to preach to it. This book will prove a valuable resource as we learn about the place of the affections in our walk with Christ and in preaching Him to ourselves and others.

Teaching Ezra offers an in–depth look at the themes and message presented through the prophet who led God’s people back from captivity to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. This title is part of the Teaching series which offers practical guidance such as relevant study questions, prominent teaching points, and applications.

The Holy Spirit has worked in the lives of believers since creation. He has been bringing people to repentance, comforting the broken-hearted, guiding the faithful and helping Christians to pray. The story of the church is his story too. Despite this pivotal role there is much debate in the church over the nature of his activity in our lives. Differing interpretations have resulted in divisions in the church. This book clarifies the Holy Spirits character and work, enabling the person leading a bible study or preaching to teach authoritatively about him: maintaining a healthy, vibrant church that honours God in unity - in spirit and truth. The Church can only carry out the cultural and evangelistic mandates given to it if we listen to the Holy Spirit and work with him. Communities and nations can only be changed if people listen to his calling through the church. David Jackman has produced a work that will be of immense help to Christians who seek to gain more of an understanding of how the Holy Spirit moves in our lives.

There are commentaries and there are books on preaching – but very few books that combine elements of both to enable the preacher or Bible teacher to prepare a series on specific sections of scripture.This series gives the Bible teacher suitable tools to understand the context of Biblical books; doctrinal themes; the methods of interpretation; the key interpretation points and how to communicate that message for the hearer.Whilst very useful for preachers, this book is also aimed at equipping small group study leaders, youth workers and other Bible teachers.

This useful resource, alongside the others in this growing Teaching the Bible Series, is for those who have the privilege and joy of teaching or preaching a particular book or theme from the Bible. Whether you're a leader of a small group, preacher or a youth worker, it will help you to communicate the message of Daniel.

What does the future hold? The world is lacking in any real hope. Our culture is characterised by blind people hurtling headlong into hedonism - making sure that all the right boxes of experience are ticked before we die. What can the church offer?This is a book for Bible teachers and readers about what are often regarded as controversial and difficult areas of Scripture; it sets out to enable us to teach with clarity and purpose what will happen in the 'End Times'.There are six major themes connected with the Christian hope in the future. Each chapter uses one or two key passages that explain one of the major themes of eschatology and then covers the main elements that need to be answered within that theme.The hallmark of this series of books is that each one teaches the truth of God's Scriptures and also offers real help for those involved in teaching the material to others. Each chapter is clearly divided into 'teachable' sections with headings and sub-headings. These aid the reader to recognise the teaching flow of the doctrinal elements under discussion.Do you want to know the future? Here's how it can be faced with hope.

The gospel of Mark is a regular staple in most churches. People gravitate towards it because of its brevity,action–packed nature and familiar content. However, we must be careful that familiarity and assumption doesn’t blind us to the great depth, priceless treasure and awe–filled wonder there are within its pages. This gospel is all about The King, his cross and his word. This volume, Teaching Mark, will be a great guide for you as you read, study and teach the gospel of Mark. It will help you keep Mark’s big purpose in view and help you see what is really there.Teaching Mark is a great addition to the growing ‘Teaching the Bible’ series. Robin will be a terrific guide as your enjoy the privilege of teaching or preaching this amazing book. Whether you are a small group leader, preacher, your worker or someone who simply wants help with the personal Bible study, this book will be an invaluable help as you seek to comprehend and communicate the message of Mark.

1 Kings begins with the last days of David, continues with the glorious days of Solomon's reign but then disobedience and decline resulting in a divided kingdom and idolatry. Elijah and Elisha confront the evil perpetrated by the kings and they point people to the one true God.This useful resource, alongside the others in this growing 'Teaching the Bible Series', is for those who have the privilege and joy of teaching or preaching a particular book or theme from the Bible. Whether you're a leader of a small group, preacher or a youth worker, it will help you to communicate the message from 1 Kings whether it is a word for believers or the opportunity to teach evangelistically.

"This little book is written for ordinary ministers who preach regularly to ordinary people in ordinary places... Most of us preach in gatherings that are smaller than we would wish and tougher than we might have hoped when we entered pastoral ministry... There is a voice on our shoulders who whispers as we prepare, and then as we preach, 'Is it really worth it?" From The Introduction Christopher Ash tell us that it is worth it. More than that, he sets out a charter for preaching that draws from the very roots of the Old Testament - showing us that nothing in the world is more worthwhile - for preaching is God's strategy to rebuild a broken world.

In the period that Isaiah the prophet lived there was immense political upheaval across the ancient near-east. The people of God had a choice - to follow their own human policies or to follow the promises of God. They chose to be unfaithful. The prophet breaks in and calls them to repent asking them to stop violating the covenant. In today's setting this is a message that your hearers will identify with, readily identifying ourselves with the deceitful hearts of the people of Judah, and learn also from their mistakes how our own divided hearts may equally lead us astray. This is not another commentary but a useful resource, which will help the pastor/ preacher, a small group leader or a youth worker communicate a message of grace when speaking from the book of Isaiah. It will give you help in planning and executing a lesson in particular with background, structure, key points and application. Teaching Isaiah is part of the 'Teaching the Bible' series and is published in conjunction with Proclamation Trust Media whose aim is to encourage ministry that seeks above all to expound the Bible as God's Word for today.