Paula Gooder

Reflections for Daily Prayer has nourished thousands of Christians for a decade with its inspiring and informed weekday Bible reflections. Now, in response to demand, Reflections for Sundays combines material from over the years with new writing to provide high-quality reflections on the Principal Readings for Sundays and major Holy Days. Contributors include some of the very best writers from across the Anglican tradition who have helped to establish it as one of the leading daily devotional volumes today. For each Sunday and major Holy Day in Year B, Reflections for Sundays offers: • full lectionary details for the Principle Service • a reflection on the Old Testament reading • a reflection on the Epistle • a reflection on the Gospel It also contains a substantial introduction to the Gospels of Mark and John, written by renowned Bible teacher Paula Gooder.

The Pentateuch (or the Torah) consists of the first five books of the Bible and is a foundational scripture for millions of people, both Jews and Christians. In this book Paula Gooder and Brad Anderson provide a clear and accessible introduction for those beginning Bible study. Key themes such as creation and the flood, exodus and liberation, as well as covenant and law are presented and analyzed. These themes are explored in their ancient context and from the standpoint of contemporary concerns such as liberation theology, gender issues and ecology.For this new edition introductory sections on the five books of the Pentateuch have been expanded and supplemented, while recent developments in the quest for the origins of the Pentateuch have also been updated. A new chapter on academic approaches to the study of the Pentateuch has been added, along with a section on the 'afterlife' of the Pentateuch which focuses on its place in the history of interpretation, as well as in the arts and culture. Reading lists and references have been updated throughout to take account of the most recent scholarship.

The Pentateuch (or the Torah) consists of the first five books of the Bible and is a foundational scripture for millions of people, both Jews and Christians. In this book Paula Gooder and Brad Anderson provide a clear and accessible introduction for those beginning Bible study. Key themes such as creation and the flood, exodus and liberation, as well as covenant and law are presented and analyzed. These themes are explored in their ancient context and from the standpoint of contemporary concerns such as liberation theology, gender issues and ecology.For this new edition introductory sections on the five books of the Pentateuch have been expanded and supplemented, while recent developments in the quest for the origins of the Pentateuch have also been updated. A new chapter on academic approaches to the study of the Pentateuch has been added, along with a section on the 'afterlife' of the Pentateuch which focuses on its place in the history of interpretation, as well as in the arts and culture. Reading lists and references have been updated throughout to take account of the most recent scholarship.

Bestselling author Paula Gooder continues her popular series on the seasons of the Christian year with this daily companion for the six weeks of Lent, leading readers deeper into the spirit of the season and opening up the scriptures that are read in churches during this period. She begins with an introduction to the season of Lent and its the characteristic themes, exploring how to use it as a time for spiritual growth. In forty short sections suitable for daily reading, Paula then reflects on a theme associated with the season, including: - Wilderness - Journey - Fasting - Taking up your cross - Discipleship - Prayer - Temptation

Journeying with Matthew offers a brief and accessible guide to the Gospel of Matthew. Like the previous volumes in this series, Journeying with Matthew follows the Revised Common Lectionary. Each chapter corresponds to a season of the liturgical year and the Gospel passages read during that season. Inside readers will find an introduction to the biblical text that looks at historical and literary themes; imaginative new ways to encounter Matthew in preaching and study, including poetry; and reflections on the text's meaning for contemporary Christian life. Each chapter ends with an action item, reflection questions, and a prayer. Perfect for lectionary pastors to use during personal reflection and sermon preparation, this inspiring resource will serve as an essential guide along the journey of encountering Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew. Also available: Journeying with Luke: Reflections on the Gospel and Journeying with John: Reflections on the Gospel.

Course 5: The Creeds: What is the core of Christian belief in greater depth, as shown through the Nicene and Apostles' Creeds? These six sessions aim to equip the reader with an understanding of the creeds as priceless resources for living the Christian life and for knowing God better. In Session 1, we look at what it means to say: "I believe" and "We believe" and at the role the creeds play in strengthening our relationship with God. Session 2 explores what it means to understand God as Trinity: one God in three persons. Sessions 3 and 4 take us deeper in our understanding of Jesus and look at the way Christ is fully God and fully human and at the great work of redemption on the cross. Session 5 explores the person and work of the Holy Spirit, and Session 6 at what we believe about the Church.

Course 6: The Eucharist: How do Christians know and worship God? The six sessions of Course 6 reveal reasons why the Eucharist is celebrated as a memorial of Christ's saving passion and stands at the very heart of Christian worship. Session 1 looks at worship as communion with God. Session 2 explores the Eucharist as the pattern of all Christian worship. Session 3 looks at the intimacy we have with God in Holy Communion and how we are transformed by the encounter. Sessions 4 - 6 look at worship as a sign and foretaste of heaven, shaping our whole life, and how the whole of life is sacramental.

Course 8: Church & Kingdom: What does it mean to live as a child of the kingdom of God and follow in the way of Christ each day as a member of his church? How does it affect our life at work as well as at home? How does it affect what we do with the gifts we have been given, especially those gifts of time and talents, passions, resources, and money? How is the Christian faith changing us and shaping us so that we become more like Jesus? The importance of prayer, living out our faith, celebrating Sabbath, and reflecting generosity is explored. We look at how faith in the God who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit shapes and changes all our relationships

Course 7: The Bible: What is it, how was it given to us, and how should we read it? These six sessions combine simple prayer, Bible reflection in the lectio divina style, an article by a modern writer, and time for questions and reflection. By the end of the six sessions, it is hoped that participants will have learned how to make reading the Bible a part of everyday life, with the ability to read, pray, and listen to what God might be saying, allowing the words to change each participant.

The Body and the Spirit, though, roughly speaking, being in the same place they are almost always separated from each other in Christian thought. The body is painted as something bad, frail, coarsely corporeal and ruled by "the flesh" (which is always pronounced with parental disdain, as if it were a bad influence on an otherwise good child). Whereas the Spirit is pure, lofty, and Good, and that you can only really connect with God with what is inside. But is it fair to separate 'Spirituality' from the Body? Following up 'Heaven', her bestselling and highly praised look at how we see heaven and how the Bible depicts it, Paula Gooder explores key Biblical concepts of the Body before moving on to examine what Paul taught in the New Testament. That actually we need to take a different look at what is meant by the Body. With careful scholarship, thoughtful reflection on Biblical passages, and an stylistic approach like that of 'Heaven', which The Times Literary Supplement called "a fine example of careful biblical scholarship made accessible and exciting", Body isn't just a book for the brain. Neither is it a book to feed the Spirit. It's a book for the person. The whole person.

Pilgrim is a teaching and discipleship resource that helps inquirers and new Christians explore what it means to travel through life with Christ. A Christian course for the twenty-first century, Pilgrim offers an approach of participation, not persuasion. Following the practice of the ancient disciplines of biblical reflection and prayer with quotes from the Christian tradition throughout the ages, Pilgrim assumes little or no knowledge of the Christian faith. Individuals or small groups on the journey of discipleship in the Episcopal tradition can use Pilgrim at any point. There are many different aspects to helping people learn about the Christian faith. We have taken as our starting point Jesus' summary of the commandments. We are called to offer our lives to God through loving God with all our mind, soul, strength, and heart, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Learning about Christian faith and growing in Christian faith is about more than what we believe. It's also about the ways in which we pray and develop our relationship with God, about the way we live our lives and about living in God's vision for the Church and for the world. Course 1, Turning to Christ: What do Christians believe? This is the question explored as the questions that are asked at Holy Baptism are discussed. We begin by looking at who Jesus was; why did people want to spend time with him so long ago and why do we promise to turn to Christ and follow him today? This is followed by learning what Christians believe about God, Jesus Christ as the Son of God, the Holy Spirit, and the Baptismal Covenant.

Pilgrim is a teaching and discipleship resource that helps inquirers and new Christians explore what it means to travel through life with Christ. A Christian course for the twenty-first century, Pilgrim offers an approach of participation, not persuasion. Following the practice of the ancient disciplines of biblical reflection and prayer with quotes from the Christian tradition throughout the ages, Pilgrim assumes little or no knowledge of the Christian faith. Individuals or small groups on the journey of discipleship in the Episcopal tradition can use Pilgrim at any point. There are many different aspects to helping people learn about the Christian faith. We have taken as our starting point Jesus' summary of the commandments. We are called to offer our lives to God through loving God with all our mind, soul, strength, and heart, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Learning about Christian faith and growing in Christian faith is about more than what we believe. It's also about the ways in which we pray and develop our relationship with God, about the way we live our lives and about living in God's vision for the Church and for the world. Course 3. The Commandments: Following Jesus is about the way we behave as well as what we believe. So how should Christians behave and how should we live? This part of Pilgrim explores that question through one of the core texts of the Christian faith: the Commandments. We look in Session 1 at the two commandments Jesus uses to summarize the whole of the Old Testament law: the call to love God and to love our neighbor as ourselves. In Sessions 2-6, we explore the Ten Commandments themselves.

Pilgrim is a teaching and discipleship resource that helps inquirers and new Christians explore what it means to travel through life with Christ. A Christian course for the twenty-first century, Pilgrim offers an approach of participation, not persuasion. Following the practice of the ancient disciplines of biblical reflection and prayer with quotes from the Christian tradition throughout the ages, Pilgrim assumes little or no knowledge of the Christian faith. Individuals or small groups on the journey of discipleship in the Episcopal tradition can use Pilgrim at any point. There are many different aspects to helping people learn about the Christian faith. We have taken as our starting point Jesus' summary of the commandments. We are called to offer our lives to God through loving God with all our mind, soul, strength, and heart, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Learning about Christian faith and growing in Christian faith is about more than what we believe. It's also about the ways in which we pray and develop our relationship with God, about the way we live our lives and about living in God's vision for the Church and for the world. Course 2. The Lord's Prayer: How do Christians know and worship God? Explore the Lord's Prayer in these sessions as a gateway to the Christian gospel, as a guide to our own prayers, and as a way of deepening our relationship with God. Here is a way of seeing God and the world and yourself which is profound and revolutionary and good news.

Journeying with John offers a brief and accessible guide to the Gospel of John for learning and reflection. Following the Revised Common Lectionary, each chapter corresponds to a season of the liturgical year and the Gospel passages read during that season. The reader will find an introduction to the biblical text that looks at historical and literary themes; imaginative new ways to encounter John in preaching and study, including poetry; and reflections on the text's meaning for contemporary Christian life. Each chapter ends with an action item, reflection questions, and a prayer.This resource is perfect for lectionary pastors to use during personal reflection and sermons preparation.

This six-part course for parishes and Lent groups is based on Pope Francis’ much acclaimed recent reflections on mission and evangelism, published as Evangelii Gaudium (‘The Joy of the Gospel’). Widely recognised as offering wisdom and vision for all Christians in a culture that is often hostile to the church, Evangelii Gaudium offers a positive and realistic approach to sharing faith in the modern world. Paula Gooder introduces its key themes to readers in all denominations and challenges them to consider its application in their own contexts. The course includes: Preface: Why Study Evangelii Gaudium? 1. The Joy of the Gospel 2. The Church’s Missionary Transformation 3. Amid the Crisis of Communal Commitment 4. The Proclamation of the Gospel 5. The Social Dimension of Evangelization 6. Spirit-filled Evangelizers

Journey to the Manger explores the New Testament's various accounts of the birth of Jesus: their origins in Old Testament prophecies, the genealogies, the angelic announcements, the journeys and arrivals, and the aftermath of Jesus' birth for the powerful and the poor alike. Although many biblical scholars have puzzled over historical details in the accounts, Paula Gooder argues that doing this risks missing the point. Engaging seriously with biblical and historical criticism, she uncovers key similarities running through the Gospel writers' accounts and focuses on their shared understanding of the significant events they describe. Her detailed exploration of the texts is a goldmine for preaching and teaching, and will breath new life into the familiar Christmas stories heard year after year in churches, carol services and nativity plays. Devotional reflections and discussion questions also make this ideal for personal and group study. Biblical Explorations is an exciting series from bestselling author and scholar Paula Gooder that offers an accessible and informed study of the best loved texts in Scripture. Rooted in the conviction that greater understanding of the Bible leads to deeper discipleship, it is an essential resource for preachers, teachers and study group leaders, as well as those who simply wish to get to know the Bible better.

Heaven is one of those great mysteries that somehow symbolizes what we don't know about ourselves and the world around us. At the same time it lifts our vision from the mundane realities of our lives and reminds us that beyond the daily grind of our existence there is another, unseen reality.' Paula Gooder explores the Bible's teaching on heaven and explains how it is nearer to earth than you might think. A book for all who are curious about the dwelling place of God and the angels. Intended for people looking for answers to life's biggest questions, this little book of guidance will appeal to anyone, whether believer or non-believer, looking for a quick and easy way into the topic.

Pilgrim is a teaching and discipleship resource that will help enquirers and new Christians explore what it means to travel through life with Jesus Christ. It offers an approach of participation, not persuasion, encouraging enquirers to practice the ancient disciplines of biblical reflection and prayer, exploring key texts that have helped people since the earliest days of the Christian faith. What does it mean to live as a child of God? This final part of the Grow stage looks at how following Christ each day affects our life at home and at work, our resources and relationships, and how the Christian faith can shape us to become more like Jesus. Session One: Praying through life - Explores the importance of prayer, particularly daily prayer as foundational for the Christian life. Session Two: At home and at work - Looks at how we live out our faith every day and of the importance of Sabbath. Session Three: Living generously - Considers what it means to reflect the generosity of God in our own lives. Session Four: In all my relationships - Looks at how faith in the God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit shapes and changes all our relationships. Session Five: Confronting the injustices of the world - Considers how the Christian life requires us to be involved in the affairs of the world and to witness to God’s kingdom of peace and justice every day. Session Six: Treading lightly on the earth - Explores our relationship with the earth itself. All sessions combine a simple framework prayer, reflection on the Bible in the lectio divina style, an article by a modern writer, and time for questions and reflection, supported by online audio-visual resources.

Pilgrim is a teaching and discipleship resource that will help enquirers and new Christians explore what it means to travel through life with Jesus Christ. It offers an approach of participation, not persuasion, encouraging enquirers to practice the ancient disciplines of biblical reflection and prayer, exploring key texts that have helped people since the earliest days of the Christian faith. The Bible is one of the most influential books in the world. This third book in the Grow Stage explores the Bible: what it is, where it comes from, how we should read it, and how it can help us grow as disciples of Jesus Christ. Session One: What is the Bible? - Looks at a ‘way in’ to reading the Bible, thinking particularly about how to recognize what kind of writing the Bible is. Session Two: The Bible as Breath - Reflects on what it means to say that the Bible is the breath of God. Session Three: The Bible as a stream of living water - Explores how the Bible nourishes us. Session Four: The Bible as a lamp - Looks at the Bible as something that enlightens and informs us as Christians. Session Five: The Bible as a two-edged sword - Explores what it means to say that the Bible is living and active. Session Six: Daily bread - Considers how we can make Bible-reading a part of our regular life and prayer. All sessions combine a simple framework prayer, reflection on the Bible in the lectio divina style, an article by a modern writer, and time for questions and reflection, supported by online audio-visual resources.

Pilgrim is a teaching and discipleship resource that will help enquirers and new Christians explore what it means to travel through life with Jesus Christ. It offers an approach of participation, not persuasion, encouraging enquirers to practice the ancient disciplines of biblical reflection and prayer, exploring key texts that have helped people since the earliest days of the Christian faith. This first book in the Grow Stage explores the core of Christian belief in greater depth through the Nicene and Apostles' Creeds. Its six sessions aim to equip participants with an understanding of these priceless resources for living the Christian life and for knowing God better. Session One: What are the Creeds? - Examines the reasons the Creeds were developed and the role they play in Christian life and faith. Session Two: God as Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit - Considers the profound and wonderful truth that God is Trinity: three persons in relationship, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Session Three: Fully God and fully human - Looks at the unique nature of Jesus Christ, fully God and fully human, and what this teaches us about God and being human. Session Four: Crucified, risen and ascended - Explores the great shadows in our lives - sin, death and hell - and the way Jesus overcomes these through his death and resurrection. Session Five: I believe in the Holy Spirit - What does it mean to receive the Holy Spirit? This session looks at the Holy Spirit's role in the life of the Church. Session Six: One holy, catholic and apostolic church - Explores what it means to belong to the people of God and to declare that the Church is one, holy, catholic and apostolic. All sessions combine a simple framework prayer, reflection on the Bible in the lectio divina style, an article by a modern writer, and time for questions and reflection, supported by online audio-visual resources.