New edition of The Bible Course offers 'pathway of discovery' to Christianity
A new edition of The Bible Course has launched, created by theologian Dr Andrew Ollerton and his team at Bible Society
The eight-session course combines videos, a course guidebook, group discussion and personal reflection to increase people’s confidence in understanding the Bible, connecting with God’s word and applying it to their daily life.
Since it was launched in 2018, some 140,000 people across the UK have taken part in the course. It has been translated into Welsh, French, Mandarin, Portuguese, Urdu, Spanish and Bulgarian.
This new edition of the popular course includes eight new videos that explain how the Bible fits together as an overarching narrative.
Also included in this new edition are a 200-page guidebook for churches taking part, and the digital hub which is full of additional videos and articles that unpack the themes discussed in the sessions.
Bible experts contributing to the revised edition of the course include Baptist theologian Helen Paynter, Claire Williams, Nick Spencer and David Harley.
Andrew, who is a theologian, pastor and communicator, said, ‘We created The Bible Course to help new Christians become confident in the Bible. I often refer to The Bible Course as a divine accident because we didn’t know what we were doing but God had a plan!
‘Years later it’s amazing to see the way The Bible Course has helped hundreds of thousands of people from all sorts of backgrounds become confident with the Bible, including mature Christians and spiritual seekers; prisoners, parents and university students; as well as people from other cultural contexts and languages.
‘The new edition is vibrant and diverse. We’ve got young presenters who are fun and energetic, new technology that brings Bible stories to life, theological experts to deepen understanding and personal stories that bring the message home. The new edition will resonate with younger generations and people from different backgrounds.’
Andrew added, ‘Today, the Bible is trending again in our culture as secularism has left a meaning crisis and people are searching for truth, wisdom and guidance.
'I hope The Bible Course will provide a pathway of discovery for those who want to find God for themselves, and the course will help everyday Christians become confident to share faith with their friends too.’
Helen is is Tutor in Biblical Studies at Bristol Baptist College and the founding director of the Centre for the Study of Bible and Violence. She has also produced video series on the Bible, including lockdown's Tour of the Bible and 2024's Why hope?
She said, 'The first version of The Bible Course was an exceptionally helpful resource, to enable individuals and churches to get hold of the big picture of Scripture. The individual elements make so much more sense when they can be located in the bigger story of God.
'I’m delighted that the new edition of the course now has additional features, and in particular that it gives attention to the sticky and tricky parts of Scripture that raise big questions for the modern reader.'
‘The Bible is no ordinary book,’ Andrew continued. ‘As I often say, when we make sense of the Bible, the Bible makes sense of us. God’s truth sets us free and gives us a new purpose and motivation, right down to the mundane details of life. Through The Bible Course we’ve seen God’s truth come alive and reveal Jesus to people in an accessible and powerful way.’
The new edition has already been welcomed in Baptist churches. The Revd Dave Bishop of Basingstoke Baptist Church said, 'It combines clarity and creativity bringing the story of the Bible to life with engaging video content, helpful resources, and a format that makes space for meaningful group connection - a fresh way to explore the Bible.'
Baptist Times, 08/07/2025