Preface: What is this book about?

Preface: What is this book about?

The Revised Common Lectionary has established itself both in Anglican parishes and other denominations as the framework within which the Bible is read on Sundays in public worship. It follows a three-year pattern, taking each of the synoptic Gospels and reading substantial parts of them in the cycle of the liturgical year. While each of the three years is dedicated in turn to readings from Matthew, Mark and Luke, during parts of the year extensive use is also made of John.

All three authors of the present book have extensive experience of reading, preaching, leading, learning and teaching within this framework. We have worked in a variety of contexts: universities, theological colleges, parishes, chaplaincies and religious communities. We share a passion for theological learning that is collaborative, inclusive, intelligent and transformative. This shared concern brought us together across our participation in various aspects of the life of the Diocese of Birmingham in 2007. We started a conversation about how best we might help individuals and groups understand and use the Gospels. In busy and distracted lives we aspired to provide a short resource for Christians so that the Gospel narrative might be explained, illuminated and interpreted for discipleship and service...