Basic materials for parish use, from the shelves of Christian Educators. What would you add? E-mail your recommendations and reviews of the materials below to lgrifo@episcopalchurch.org

Background

Reading the Bible Again for the First Time and Meeting Jesus Again for the FirstTime by Marcus Borg

The Bible Makes Sense by Walter Brueggemann
A unique how-to book about the Bible. More than simply introduces readers to major theme, it reveals and engaging biblical understanding of the world.

Walking the Bible by Bruce Feiler
The author literally takes a journey by land, through the five books of Moses. A compelling story of pilgrimage, and a vivid travelogue, that puts the holy land into religious, cultural, historical and political context. See www.walkingthebible.com

Opening the Bible by Roger Ferlo and Engaging the Word by Michael Johnston. Two of "The New Churches Teaching Series" (Cowley Publications).

Who Wrote the Bible? By Richard Elliot Friedman
Analyses the identity of the Biblical authors in a provocative, compelling, and accessible way.

The Good Book by Peter Gomes
A new classic that brings the Bible to life for our times. An especially good introduction for those who are not biblically literate, very engaging.

A Walk Through the Bible by Leslie Newbingin
Tells the story of the Bible in a way that everyone can understand. Taken from a series of radio addresses on the basic themes and central figures in the Bible.

One to Watch, One to Pray by Mika Shura Sprague
A redactional and critical study for any adult who wants a fresh perspective on the gospels and evangelists who wrote them. A gem of a little book. Reflections questions for group us after each chapter. (OP but in libraries and resource centers)

Transforming Bible Study by Walter Wink
Now revised and expanded, offers an innovative method that uses spilt-brain theory that blends information with readers' own experience and their understanding of the Bible's relevance to life. Suggests ways to encourage imagination in group Bible study.

Who Says So? Encountering the Authority of Scripture From Leader Resources
Learn about the diversity of positions on the authority of scripture and reflect on the claim that scripture makes on you. Format is five session or two workshops.

Tools

The Bible Guide by Raymond Brown
An even more concise readers companion to the Bible. An informative reference on the story and structure of each book of the Bible.

Seven Ways of Teaching the Bible to Adults: Using Our Multiple Intelligences to Build Faith by Barbara Bruce.

And God Spoke: The Authority of the Bible for the Church Today by Christopher Bryan (Cowley)

Sensing God: Reading Scripture With All Our Senses by Roger Ferlo (Cowley)

In Dialogue With Scripture: An Episcopal Guide to Studying the Bible Linda L Grenz ed.
Offers several models for scripture conversation, essays on studying the Bible, and an annotated bibiliography of resources. A bit old (1993) but wonderfully comprehensive and still fairly current. Available from Episcopal Parish Services.

Pocket Bible Guide by Linda L. Grenz
A wonderfully complete and concise guide to have at your hand while reading the Bible. Useful information on scripture, in a user friendly package.

Do You See What I See? by Jay S. Southwick. Offers insights for interpreting the Bible.

The Book the Reads Me: A Handbook for Bible Study Enablers by Hans-Ruedi Weber for the World Student Christian Federation of the World Council of Churches.
Offers a variety of methods based in the Bible as oral tradition, as literary document, as drama, as the visible word, and as meditation.

Bibles and Commentaries

Access Bible from Oxford University Press

Basic Bible Commentary from Abingdon Press

Contemporary English Version from the American Bible Society (see especially "The Learning Bible")

The Dramatised Bible Michael Perry ed., Marshall Pickering Bible Society

The Message in several volumes, by Eugene H. Peterson

Serendipity Bible from Zondervan Publishers

Spiritual Formation Bible from Upper Room

Storytellers Companion to the Bible from Abingdon

The Women's Bible Commentary Carol Newsom and Sharon H. Ringe ed.

Lectionary & BCP Resources

The Bible Workbench from The Educational Center, St. Louis

The Disciples Prayer Book From Episcopal Parish Services
A simplified, pocket size, inexpensive version of the daily offices, organized by season. Each office includes a design for simple prayer and scripture conversation. User friendly tool for gospel based discipleship, prayer and scripture at every church gathering or meeting.

Marshall D. Johnson ed. New Proclamation (Fortress Press)

Sythesis CE A lectionary guide in the Episcopal tradition, Segewick Publishing Co.

The Word and You and Imaging the Word from United Church Press

For Children

The Bible Storybook (CEV), Open Your Eyes Collection and Junior Bible Stories Series
from American Bible Society

The Children's Bible, and The Family Bible and associated smaller paperbacks
published by Dorling Kindersley.

Ralph Milton Family Story Bible (Westminster, John Knox Press)

Who Am I?, My Bible Library, and Kid Seeker Series from the International Bible Society.

& other good story books

Mirian Feinberg Vamosh, Daily Life and Times of Jesus (Abingdon).

Sandy Eisenberg Sasso, various titles (Jewish Lights Publications).

Tomi DePaola, various titles

For Teachers

Lesson Plans for Small Churches Lectionary based lessons, available on-line or in hard copy. Contact www.episcopalchurch.org/myp/

Life Together An comprehensive curriculum for children through adults using the common lectionary. A new Episcopal/Lutheran endeavor.

Living the Good News This curriculum uses the Episcopal lectionary, children through adult.

Joseph Russell, Sharing our Biblical Story (Morehouse) and The Prayer Book Guide to Christian Education (Cowley).
Commentary for teaching andtelling the Sunday lessons, a must for Christian Educators.

For Sunday School Teachers

Dorothy Jean Furnish Experiencing the Bible with Children
Combines two earlier bestsellers into a reliable source book to help educators help children really understand and experience the Bible.

Don and Patricia Griggs Logos Program Bible, study program for grades 1-12

Sara Covin Juengst Jesus as Teacher: A Bible Study, 10 sessions from Presbyterian Church (USA)

Gretchen Pritchard Offering the Gospel to Children
A book for parents and teachers that shows how to offer the essence of the gospel imaginatively to children. Includes a wealth of practical suggestions and an annotated bibliography.

For Adult Programs or Series Teachers

Disciples of Christ in Community (DOCC) and Education for Ministry (EFM)
from the School of Theology, University of the South

Favorite Bible Passages and Troublesome Bible Passages both 2 volumes, from Cokesbury.

Good Ground (Faith and Life Press, Mennonite)

Kerygma offers a variety of different topics for study

On the Web

American Bible Society http://www.americanbible.org/

Bible Reading Fellowship
US http://www.biblereading.org/
UK http://www.brf.org.uk/

International Bible Society http://www.ibs.org/

National Bible Reading Association http://www.nationalbible.org/

Network of Biblical Storytellers (NOBS) www.nobs.org