People in the Bible Series (4 vols.)

by Colin D. Jones; Robert Dale; John Cheeseman; Brian H. Edwards

Publisher:

Day One

, 2007–2011

Overview

Learn about four important men of the Bible—Barnabas, Samson, Elijah, and Saul—with the People in the Bible Series. These Scripture-based character studies will guide you through the trials and triumphs of important men with very different stories.

Robert Dale helps you to appreciate the life of Barnabas and encourages you to reflect his faith in your own life. Colin D. Jones brings the stories of Samson to life, showing the strength he had when the Spirit of the Lord was upon him. John Cheeseman describes Elijah—a prophet to the nation of Israel in a time of widespread idolatry who led a life of great faith and powerful miracles. And Brian H. Edwards tells the story of Saul’s rise and fall as king, reminding us of the difficult path God’s people often walk. As is characteristic of the People in the Bible series, the struggles and successes of these ancient men clearly relate to today’s church. The lives and lessons in these volumes will challenge and encourage you.

Key Features

• Practical applications for modern readers
• Discussion questions following each chapter for greater depth and group study
• Detailed maps of historical places

Product Details

• Title: People in the Bible Series
• Series: People in the Bible
• Publisher: Day One
• Volumes: 4
• Pages: 544
• Resource Type: Biographies
• Topic: Biblical Figures

Barnabas: A Good Man, Full of Faith

• Author: Robert Dale
• Series: People in the Bible
• Publisher: Day One
• Publication Date: 2007
• Pages: 96

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

If Christians were to vote for their favorite Bible character, Barnabas would surely be in the top ten. Most of us feel drawn to this warm-hearted disciple, who so wonderfully lives up to his name, “Son of Encouragement.” In these character studies based on passages in Acts, Robert Dale helps you to appreciate, and encourages you to imitate, this wonderful man, who himself is a reflection of a still greater man, our Lord Jesus Christ, the greatest encourager of all.

This is a very uplifting book. Here you will find copious investigation, studious exposition and judicious application from the biblical record of a generous man so full of Christ that he was a constant encouragement to the church. What more could you ask for?

—John Benton, editor, Evangelicals Now

It is easy to underestimate the apostle Barnabas, who is overshadowed by his fellow worker, the apostle Paul. Robert Dale’s study displays Barnabas’ godly character, increases our appreciation of his role in the growth of the New Testament church, and draws numerous insights of application for personal godliness and the work of the ministry. Recommended for pastors and lay readers.

—Les Bollinger, pastor, Beaver Baptist Church, Beaver, PA

Robert Dale is the pastor of Lincoln Evangelical Church, in the east of England. Converted at the age of 22, he worked for 17 years in London, before becoming the pastor of a small Baptist church in Surrey in 1988; he moved to Lincoln in 2002.

Elijah: Man of Faith, Man of Fire

• Author: John Cheeseman
• Series: People in the Bible
• Publisher: Day One
• Publication Date: 2011
• Pages: 128

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

In Elijah’s Israel of 900 BC, truth was often compromised as the people steadily departed from the worship of the one true God. It was a multifaith society where immorality reached the highest level. Tolerance trumped truth, much like Western society today. What are Christians to do in such a spiritual and moral climate? Elijah is our great example and inspiration as we dare to contend for the truth, even challenging the religious establishment if necessary. What could be more relevant for the Christian church at the present time?

Cheeseman clears the head, warms the heart, and imparts much nourishment by his comments on the story. His book will reward prayerful readers.

—J.I. Packer, professor of theology, Regent College

John Cheeseman studied classics at Oxford University before training for pastoral ministry at Trinity College in Bristol. He has served in several churches in southeast England, most recently at Holy Trinity, Eastbourne. He is the author of Saving Grace and The Priority of Preaching.

Samson: Man of Strength, Man of Weakness

• Author: Colin D. Jones
• Series: People in the Bible
• Publisher: Day One
• Publication Date: 2007
• Pages: 160

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

The story of Samson is one of the most exciting and intriguing in the whole of Scripture. It is a simultaneous insight into his incredible strength and persistent weakness. We marvel at the thrilling accounts of unorthodox battles and awe-inspiring demonstrations of physical power. Sadly, we also wonder at his apparent inability to learn from his own mistakes as he follows his passions to their inevitable end. This rollercoaster of a story sweeps us from the rich promises accompanying his birth, through the tragedies and triumphs of his life. The story almost ends with the pitiable sight of him as the blind captive of his life-long enemies, the Philistines. Yet, there is still one surprising twist to this epic tale—victory through death. Throughout the story, we trace the contrasts with the great judge of Israel—Christ.

Colin Jones has made an enigmatic narrative powerfully relevant . . . Careful exegesis, confronting the hard parts with honesty, and comparing and contrasting with the life of Jesus Christ, together with practical application, makes this commentary a powerful blend of personal Bible study aid, a group discussion starter, and a challenge for every Christian life. An accessible must for anyone interested in the life and times of Samson and its relevance for today.

—Brian H. Edwards, pastor, Hook Evangelical Church

Colin D. Jones has been in the ministry since 1971. He became the pastor of Three Bridges Free Church, Crawley in 1996 after 22 years of ministry at Wem Baptist Church, Shropshire. He is a long-serving member of the council of the FIEC and is the author of Exploring Esther: Serving the Unseen God.

Saul and Sons: Decline and Fallout in the Family of Israel’s First King

• Author: Brian H. Edwards
• Series: People in the Bible
• Publisher: Day One
• Publication Date: 2010
• Pages: 160

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Israel’s first king began with great promise and ended in tragedy. Edwards traces Saul’s start in the monarchy and accelerating spiral into one of the most lamentable biographies in the Bible. Along the way there is much to learn from a king whose story is told in Scripture so that we might avoid the ways of a man who fell out with God and fell in with the powers of darkness. The drama continues with tales of his family and the blood-spattered walls of Beth Shan. There is another member of Saul’s line who shines with bright hope and reflects the character of his godly father in contrast to that of his tragic grandfather. An accessible book for every reader, Saul and Sons brings the characters of Saul, Jonathan, and Mephibosheth to life.

Brian H. Edwards earned his theological degree at the University of London before entering the pastoral ministry for the next 30 years. He then took on a wider role of preaching and lecturing within the United Kingdom and abroad. Brian has authored or coauthored more than 20 books on theological, historical, and biographical subjects. He and his wife, Barbara, authored the widely used marriage-preparation course No Longer Two.