Why Christianity Explored is good for the whole church!

Christianity Explored is an evangelistic Bible Study course with a difference. Fine-tuned by Rico Tice, minister for evangelism at All Souls Church in London, it uses Mark’s Gospel to explain the Christian gospel. It encourages the church to do evangelism as the church, and not merely as isolated individuals.

The materials for Christianity Explored come in an attractive package of DVDs with clear and well-produced study materials. Rico himself is a gifted communicator with a warm, gracious and infectious enthusiasm for the gospel and the church.

There are many reasons why Christianity Explored is such a helpful tool for our churches.

1. The church can use it together. Guests are welcomed by a fellowship of Christians who get to know and love them in a context of open-hearted friendship. We often began with a simple meal. This was the church being itself—God’s evangelistic community. The transforming work of Christ in our members’ lives and in their fellowship with each other can become evident to our guests. The gospel can be “seen” as well as “heard.”
2. The whole body is needed. Christians who are gifted in helping to explain the faith can serve together with those whose greatest gift is a welcoming and caring heart, or cheerfully serving meals. Everyone can have a vital part. The power of a transformed community is visible. That is a profound New Testament principle!
3. Genuine relationships are built. Guests become free to ask whatever they want to. If our members could not answer a question, they promised to find it for the next meeting. There was no pretence of easy (and sometimes wrong!) answers to tough questions!
4. Christ speaks in Mark’s Gospel. Christ “walks off the pages,” revealing his identity, enabling people to understand why he came, why they need him, and how to become Christians.

This kind of fellowship in evangelism stimulates our own people to search the Scriptures better themselves. It binds them together in real fellowship as they pray together, are nervous together, and as together they see God work. As the Lord draws people to himself through his Word, expectation is increased that, on an ongoing basis, the Lord will bring more people to himself. That in turn leads to greater expectation in prayer as we ask him to do just that. At least this was certainly our experience.

Christianity Explored is no more than a tool; but it is a fine tool. And since there is nothing in the world more important than exploring Christianity, it provides a most helpful way of doing just that.