Why church?
Why does God call us to live out our faith with others rather than on our own? A look at what it means for the church to be the family of believers.
Resources for faith and life
Faith Resources
Whether you are seeking God for the first time or want to grow closer to him, we have gathered some simple steps here: where to begin, what to read, how to pray, and how to share it all with your family.
Beginning with faith
Start here
The Christian faith is not a set of rules but a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
If your questions are: Who is Jesus? Why did he die? What does it mean to believe in him? – then begin with our “Meet Jesus” page. We have written it in plain language for anyone who is asking, whatever their background.
You don’t need to know everything before you start. All it takes is to read with an open heart and to ask honestly.
Short articles
Questions many people ask
Three articles that briefly explain the basics of the Christian life, with verses from the Bible.
Reading plan
John’s Gospel in 21 days
One chapter a day, with a short question to help you reflect. John wrote his Gospel so that readers would believe in Jesus and have life in his name.
How to use the plan: Choose a quiet time and say a short prayer before you read: “Lord, open my eyes so that I may understand.” Read the chapter, think about the question, and jot down anything that stood out to you. If you miss a day, simply carry on from where you left off.
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Day 1 · John 1
“The Word became flesh.” What does it mean to you that God came close to us in Jesus? Notice, too, how Jesus invited his first disciples to come and see for themselves.
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Day 2 · John 2
At the wedding in Cana Jesus turned water into wine, and then he cleansed the Temple. What do these two events reveal about his authority and his care for people?
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Day 3 · John 3
Jesus spoke with Nicodemus about being born again. Read verse 16 slowly: what does it say about God’s love and the way to eternal life?
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Day 4 · John 4
At the well, Jesus offered the Samaritan woman “living water”. What deep thirst in your life could Jesus satisfy?
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Day 5 · John 5
At the pool of Bethesda Jesus healed a man who had been ill for thirty-eight years. He asked him, “Do you want to be made well?” How would you answer that question?
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Day 6 · John 6
Jesus fed the crowds with five loaves and two fish, and then said, “I am the bread of life.” What are you searching for to satisfy your heart?
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Day 7 · John 7
At the feast, people were divided in their opinions about Jesus. He called out, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink!” What stops people from coming to him?
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Day 8 · John 8
Jesus said, “I am the light of the world”, and “You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” What do you need to be set free from today?
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Day 9 · John 9
Jesus opened the eyes of a man born blind, and the man said, “Though I was blind, now I see.” How did this man’s view of Jesus change, step by step?
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Day 10 · John 10
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” What does it mean to you that Jesus knows you by name and leads you?
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Day 11 · John 11
Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus and then raised him from the dead, saying, “I am the resurrection and the life.” How does this give you hope in the face of grief and death?
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Day 12 · John 12
Mary poured costly perfume on Jesus’ feet, and then he entered Jerusalem. He spoke of the grain of wheat that dies in order to bear much fruit. What does it mean to honour Jesus with what is precious to us?
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Day 13 · John 13
Jesus washed his disciples’ feet and gave them a new commandment: “that you love one another”. Whom could you serve humbly this week?
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Day 14 · John 14
“I am the way, the truth, and the life.” Jesus also promised the Holy Spirit, the Counsellor. How do these words bring peace to a troubled heart?
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Day 15 · John 15
“I am the vine. You are the branches.” What does it mean to remain in Christ? And what fruit would you like to see in your life?
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Day 16 · John 16
Jesus told his disciples that their sorrow would turn into joy, and said, “Cheer up! I have overcome the world.” Where do you need that confidence today?
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Day 17 · John 17
Jesus prayed for his disciples and for those who would believe in him through their message. Notice that he prayed for you, too. What did he ask for them?
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Day 18 · John 18
Jesus was arrested, Peter denied him three times, and Jesus stood before Pilate and said, “My Kingdom is not of this world.” What can you learn from Jesus’ calm and from Peter’s weakness?
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Day 19 · John 19
Jesus was crucified, and on the cross he said, “It is finished.” What did Jesus finish for you through his death?
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Day 20 · John 20
The tomb is empty! The risen Jesus met Mary Magdalene and then his disciples, and Thomas said, “My Lord and my God!” Can you say these words too?
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Day 21 · John 21
By the Sea of Tiberias Jesus asked Peter three times, “Do you love me?” and then told him, “Feed my sheep.” How does Jesus restore someone who has failed and give them a fresh calling?
Finished the plan? We would love to hear what stood out to you, or to answer your questions. Get in touch, or join us at our weekly meeting.
A guide to prayer
The Lord’s Prayer
Jesus taught his disciples this prayer. It is not a set of words to repeat without thinking, but a pattern that teaches us how to come to God and what to ask of him.
Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. Let your Kingdom come. Let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors. Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
Matthew 6:9–13
How can you pray with these words?
Try pausing at each part and praying in your own words in its light.
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“Our Father in heaven”
We begin with the relationship: God is not distant but a Father who is close and loves his children. The word “our” reminds us that we pray alongside brothers and sisters, not on our own.
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“May your name be kept holy. Let your Kingdom come. Let your will be done”
Before we ask for ourselves, we put God first: we honour his name, we ask him to reign over our lives and our world, and we hand our plans over to him.
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“Give us today our daily bread”
God cares about your everyday needs: food, work, health and a home. Ask him for what you need today, and thank him for what he has given you.
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“Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive”
We honestly confess our wrongs to God and trust in his forgiveness. And those who have known God’s forgiveness learn to forgive those who have wronged them, even when it is hard.
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“Bring us not into temptation… For yours is the Kingdom”
We ask for God’s strength and protection in the face of evil and temptation, and then we close with praise: the Kingdom, the power and the glory belong to him alone, for ever.
For families
Ideas for family time with God
Family time with God doesn’t need to be long or complicated. A few minutes on a regular basis can leave a deep mark on the hearts of young and old alike.
You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up.
Deuteronomy 6:7
A short story at the table
After a meal, read a short story from the Gospels together. You could start with the John’s Gospel reading plan above, even if it is just a few verses at a time.
A question for everyone
After reading, ask: What did Jesus do? What does this teach us about God? What could we do this week? And listen carefully to the children’s answers.
Taking turns to pray
Let each person pray just one sentence: thanking God for something, and praying for someone. Simple prayers teach children that God is close and listens.
Verse of the week
Choose one short verse, write it on a piece of paper somewhere easy to see at home, and try to learn it by heart together before the week is out.
Singing together
Sing a song the children love, in Arabic or in English. Worship songs are an easy way to take the truths of the faith to heart.
Thanks before bed
At bedtime, ask your child: What good thing happened today? Then thank God for it together, and entrust tomorrow to him.
External resource
Read the Bible online
The Bible verses on our Arabic pages are quoted from the Arabic Van Dyck translation (our English pages use the World English Bible, British Edition). You can read the Van Dyck translation in full, free of charge, on Bible.com or in the YouVersion app on your phone.
Bible.com is an independent website that is not run by our church, and it has its own privacy policy.
Do you have a question about faith?
No question is too small or too awkward. We would be glad to talk with you, or to read the Bible with you, in Arabic, with English where needed.
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