Bible study

Making Disciples Isn’t Complicated

Church planter Andrew Martin emphasizes that while making disciples is central to the church’s mission, it doesn’t require complicated programs — just faithful presence in everyday contexts. Through simple community practices like weekly hospitality gatherings, ESL classes, and Bible study groups that mirror Acts 2, Martin demonstrates how ordinary church members working together can fulfill the Great Commission where God has placed them. The key insight is that Jesus gave one central command — make disciples — which the church community accomplishes together through going, baptizing, and teaching, empowered by Christ’s authority and abiding presence. Martin’s approach combines theological depth with practical accessibility: asking good questions, crossing the “pain line” to share the gospel clearly, and creating spaces where believers encourage one another and non-Christians experience authentic Christian community before fully understanding the message.

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Understanding God's Word - Book Review cover art

Understanding God’s Word – Book Review

Published in February 2025 by Crossway, Understanding God’s Word is a 127-page guide and the third installment in Nielson’s Theology Basics series. Aimed at everyday Christians rather than scholars, the book offers a practical, accessible approach to biblical hermeneutics. Jon Nielson, a pastor and instructor with the Charles Simeon Trust, presents six interpretive “tools”—context, courtroom, crux, construction, clarity, and cross—to help readers understand and apply Scripture faithfully. These tools emphasize historical and literary context, sticking to the text’s explicit meaning, identifying its main point, analyzing its structure, letting it speak clearly, and connecting it to the gospel of Christ.

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A portrait of Dick Lucas

Dick Lucas

While researching a new book (released in February 2025), I discovered the story of Pastor Dick Lucas and the Proclamation Trust. Richard Charles Lucas, born in 1925, became a pivotal figure in Anglican evangelical Christianity through his 37-year tenure as Rector of St Helen’s Bishopsgate in London, transforming it into a vibrant community. Educated at Cambridge after serving in the Royal Navy during World War II, Lucas was ordained in the early 1950s and later founded the Proclamation Trust in 1986 and the Cornhill Training Course in 1991, both dedicated to advancing biblical exposition. A prominent speaker and author, he influenced the UK’s conservative evangelical movement alongside figures like John Stott and J.I. Packer.

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The Proclamation Trust

How did the Proclamation Trust get started? In the 1950s, Dick Lucas was appointed to St Helen’s Church, which was located in London’s financial district where church attendance among men was very low. The church began holding Tuesday lunchtime services, which became extremely successful. They offered quality sandwiches and biblical teaching, eventually attracting 600-700 people regularly.

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