Big Questions: Equipping the church. Engaging the community.

Some questions seem like massive obstacles to faith and to exploring Christianity further. How would you answer these:

• Is there a God?
• Hasn't science made God irrelevant?
• How can a good God allow suffering?
• Isn't Christianity basically just a myth?
• What is the meaning of life?

Big Questions outlines a 5-week course for any church to run, exploring and engaging with some of the biggest questions which our friends, family, colleagues and culture ask.

Clearing the way to presenting and hearing the very good news of Jesus Christ is always important. This course encourages and enables the church, bringing all the materials and practical tips together to make Big Questions happen.

An accessible, thoughtful introduction to these key questions, to equip the church and engage your community.

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'This brilliant outreach resource is a gift to the church. The five talks offer satisfying answers to the questions of our day and present them in an accessible style.' Rev Malcolm Hazell, Union Baptist Church, High Wycombe

'Arising from a very encouraging experience of a number of Big Questions events, Andrew Goldsmith has written an accessible, informed and engaging guide to some of the questions that face those exploring and grappling with Christian faith, making a case for Christianity which is ‘good, true, reasonable, compelling and attractive’.' Rev Geoffrey Colmer, Regional Minister and Team Leader, Central Baptist Association

'Many times as a church leader I was asked how ordinary Christians without a theology degree could learn to answer their friends’ questions about suffering, the evidence for God’s existence or the interplay between faith and science. At the time it was not immediately obvious to me what resources I should offer them. This book, however, comes now as a very helpful and comprehensive tool for leaders who want to create space for the kind of conversations where both these ordinary Christians and their friends can begin to get to grips with big questions.' Dr Chloe Lynch, Lecturer in Practical Theology, London School of Theology

'Seeing as most people in the UK wouldn’t venture over the threshold of our church buildings, Big Questions challenges us to go and meet in 3rd spaces to connect people with the very good news of Jesus. This is an excellent resource, tried and tested with careful research from years of practice. Andrew has produced a valuable gift for the church to help us actively connect with people in the UK with the most common questions they are asking.' Rev Chris Duffett, Evangelist, The Light Project

'The conflict between science and faith is a common perception within popular culture. Summarizing material from a wide range of sources, Andrew affirms the value of both, helping people to faith to appreciate the value that science brings to our understanding of creation. Whilst not everyone will agree with every point, I commend Andrew for encouraging debate in this important area which I am sure the material will do, helping people to get a bigger understanding of life, faith and the cosmos.' Rev Dr Dave Gregory, Croxley Green Baptist Church. Dave worked previously at the Met Office, European Weather Centre and Hadley Centre on clouds, weather forecasting and climate modelling.

'Big Questions is really helpful in engaging with those who would describe themselves as agnostic or atheist in a way that isn’t defensive, enabling truth-seeking discussion in a neutral environment. This book is a brilliant overview of how the course runs and the values that drive it. The talks have also been a good starting point for crafting our own, and I hope others find this course as helpful as we have.' Rev Simon Cragg, Christchurch Welwyn Garden City

Andrew Goldsmith is a Baptist pastor in the UK and has been in ministry for over 12 years, with an emphasis on Bible preaching and teaching, everyday discipleship and apologetics. Prior to ministry he worked in medical engineering developing replacement hip and knee joints. He is married with two children.