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How to get started with Christianity Explored

Your quick guide to running a Christianity Explored course for all course organisers and table leaders.

  1. How long does Christianity Explored last?
  2. How do I use the course?
  3. How long does it take to set up?
  4. Do our course leaders need to take a course first?
  5. Is there anyone locally that can help us?
  6. Are there any resources to help me present it?
  7. Can I use it outside a church setting?
  8. So what makes Christianity Explored distinctive?
  9. What do I need to run Christianity Explored?
  10. Is advertising material available to help publicise my course?
  11. Can I go on using the course for years to come?
  1. How long does Christianity Explored last?

    The course runs for seven weeks, including a day away for guests (and leaders).  Each week the course covers a different topic:

    1. Good News
    2. Identity
    3. Sin
    4. The Cross
    5. Resurrection
    6. Grace
    7. Come and Die
    Day Away
    • The Sower
    • James and John
    • Herod
  2. How do I use the course?

    The course is designed to introduce people to Christianity in an unthreatening way. You can run it for five people or 500, adapting it to suit the needs of your potential guests:

    • alongside preparation courses for marriage, baptism or confirmation
    • as follow up after missions
    • on a one-to-one basis
    • as a 'refresher' course for church members or newcomers.
  3. How long does it take to set up?

    Starting from scratch, we'd recommend a minimum of three to six months to be ready to run the first week of a reasonable size church-based course. You should allow time to:

    • bring the church family on board and set up a venue
    • purchase resources in-store from your local Christian bookshop or online
    • select and train course leaders after studying resources
    • arrange welcome, catering and prayer teams
    • promote the course and prepare the church to invite guests.
    Ideally, the church family will take the course themselves first before opening the doors to other participants.
  4. Do our course leaders need to take a course first?

    The materials have been written so that they can be picked up and run by any mature Christian without the need for formal training.  On a table course, a training day run by the course leader should take place before the course begins. All table leaders should attend, even if they have led on tables before, as this helps to build relationships. Information on organising a training day for table leaders is contained in the leaders guide. This includes a sample schedule including nine sessions. Training days are essential to ensure that the course leader and table leaders understand the reasoning behind the course and begin to apply it in their own particular setting.

    Training conferences (entitled Biblical Strategy for Evangelism) are optional events run by Christianity Explored staff at the invitation of local churches. They offer in-depth guidance on teaching Mark's Gospel, and are aimed at pastors and all types of church leaders. Here, the focus is assisting those who want to investigate further how to expand their church evangelism. Training conferences should not be seen as a substitute for training days!

  5. Is there anyone locally that can help us?

    Christianity Explored has a world-wide network of "advocates" who can assist and answer questions from local churches. Also, Training conferences are a way to share local support. Please use the contact us page if you want any further information.

  6. Are there any resources to help me present it?

    All the material you could need is readily available, including transcripts of the talks, digital slideshow presentations, and of course, answers to the weekly Bible studies. To order worldwide, see the resources section of the website or telephone the Good Book Company on +44 (0)845 225 0880 [Orders for UK and selected countries]. All talks are also available on DVD. These DVDs are a tremendous resource for those who want to run the course but don't have time to prepare the talks themselves.

  7. Can I use it outside a church setting?

    Yes, it's designed to to be used in a range of contexts by many different groups of people. Christianity Explored groups can be set up for businesses, parent/toddler groups, in sports or leisure clubs, prisons, universities and colleges - as well as in churches and homes. Resources produced for specific needs include an English Made Easy (EME) edition and youth ministry materials. And using the DVDs, the course easily be used 'one-to-one' as well.

  8. So what makes Christianity Explored distinctive?

    There are three main ingredients that make Christianity Explored different:

    First, the course focuses on the Gospel of Mark. Throughout the course, guests are encouraged to explore the book of Mark in their group, and on their own. The aim is to help people answer three questions that cut to the heart of Christianity: who is Jesus? Why did Jesus come? What does it mean to follow him?

    Second, the course carefully explores the problem of sin, trusting that the Holy Spirit will open blind eyes.  Guests are gently and respectfully shown what Jesus says about the human heart, God's wrath, judgement and hell so that the sheer wonder of God's unmerited love can be fully grasped.

    Third, guests are given time and space to consider the cost of becoming a Christian before being given the opportunity to begin following Christ.

  9. What do I need to run Christianity Explored?

    All you need is a Handbook for each guest, a Leader's Guide (which contains sample talks) for each leader (including yourself), and a DVD,  if you choose to use that instead of the talks.  A second copy of the DVD may also be useful for passing around leaders or guests who miss a week.

    Christianity Explored Starter Packs and sample packs are also available for buying in bulk.  To order go to our Resources.

  10. Is advertising material available to help publicise my course?

    Packs of posters (sizes A2 to A4), postcard invitations and large banners are available. Each has a space in which you can print (or write) when and where your course will be happening. To order, go to Resources

    The Downloads section of this website also has images and logos you can use if you'd rather make your own publicity. And don't forget to put yourself on the map! Add your course so that it appears on our course finder page

    Generally, the main reason people come to CE is because trusted friends have invited them (or have invited them to a 'guest event/service' at which CE is mentioned). Of course, church members may be reluctant to invite friends until they're assured of the course's quality. With that in mind, many churches have run CE for their own congregation first, either as a church induction course, or by using CE studies in any small groups that are already running.

  11. Can I go on using the course for years to come?

    Yes. Because it is based on Mark's Gospel, Christianity Explored doesn't date. Each time you run the course, you can add new illustrations to keep things topical, but the core material will remain the same.

    12. More

    Add your course to the website
    How to order resources

    Contact us

    If you have further questions, complete our web enquiry form or phone +44 (0)207 580 8954
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