The next BBS Open Day has been set for Saturday, 2nd July in Corby, Northamptonshire. Please make a note of this in your diary. More details will follow shortly, but the day will include: teaching, news, children's activities, books, singing, food ... Not to be missed!

The British Bible School was again well represented at the annual ABSS retreat at Gemunden in Germany. The retreat which ran from 22nd to 27th February featured a number of speakers from several countries. Three BBS teachers spoke on the programme which attracted about sixty participants in total.

Trevor Williams was the main BBS representative and presented a series of lessons on Jewish Feasts and Festivals during the week. Those present for the weekend programme were treated to an unscheduled Shabbat meal on the Saturday evening. Jon Galloway took part in a discussion with Philippe Dauner of Marseilles on issues surrounding the first chapter of Genesis. And Patrick Boyns presented sessions introducing the book of the prophet Ezekiel during the weekend programme.

It is always a real encouragement to see brothers and sisters in Christ from so many different countries, sharing together in the good things of God, and learning a little of how he is working through them in their own cultures and circumstances. It was a pleasure to be reunited with Christian Zastrow who lives in Germany and who studied at BBS during the 1980s, and to hear news of Cristina Micu in Romania who graduated in 1995.

Awareness of the British Bible School is certainly growing among English-speakers within Continental Europe. Some there have already enrolled in our Distance Learning Programme, a number of others are soon to join them and we have plans to conduct further Study Weekends across the Channel in the future. We are thankful for this partnership in the Gospel of Jesus and look forward to helping in whatever ways God might wish to use us.

Though not a British Bible School event, the recent Men's Day at Wembley was well represented by the school. The event, entitled: "Three Kings," looked at the lives of Solomon, Ahab and Hezekiah, considering valuable lessons for today's believers. The three speakers: Mark Hill, Mike Glover and Patrick Boyns, along with John Griffiths, one of the main organisers, are all teachers at the British Bible School. The four are also graduates of the school. Among the fifty or so present was one current student and others who have previously completed the programme.

In 1859, Dr Constantine von Tischendorf discovered a priceless manuscript at the Monastery of Saint Catherine at Sinai. Now known as the Codex Sinaiticus, this manuscript contains virtually the entire New Testament in Greek. Written around A.D. 340, it is the earliest known Greek manuscript to do so.

In 1933, with funds raised by public subscription, the British Museum purchased the manuscript from the Soviet Union for £100,000. It is now housed in the British Library where a portion of it is usually on display to the public.

In 2011, a limited, facsimile edition of the entire codex was published. It weighs almost two stone and is faithfully reproduced in full colour. Thanks to generous donations made by the Thomas Blackmore Fund and Eye-Opener Publications, the British Bible School has been able to purchase a copy of this rare document.

Without doubt, this will be a most valuable teaching tool and should serve our students for whatever years might lie ahead. It is an excellent example of a fine Biblical codex, it has a clear text and will well illustrate many aspects of the transmission of that text in its earlier years.

Pictured here under the studious eyes of teacher, Steve Whitehead, we will be bringing it along to various events as appropriate, so look out for it at a venue near you!

For many years, English speaking Christians on Continental Europe have gathered each November for an family retreat in Germany. For the past few years this has been held in the picturesque town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber in Bavaria, and is organised by Phil Jackson of Missions Resource Network.

This year Patrick Boyns had been invited to speak at the event and was able to promote the work of the British Bible School to the more than 120 who had gathered from some 20 countries.

The theme of the retreat was Glory Unveiled and alongside Patrick's lessons from Nehemiah, Keith Lancaster led the group in praise, helping us develop our Acappella singing. A most encouraging time, well worth the journey, and to be experienced again!

The British Bible School was represented at this year's Morley Youth Weekend as we sought to introduce another generation to the joys of Bible Quizzes.

This annual event is one of the largest of its kind in the country and attracts young people from a wide range of congregations. About fifteen teams, each of half a dozen participants took part and competed in a number of rounds, ranging from People, Places and Plants and Trees to Books, Numbers and Who Wrote it? It seemed to work really well and has provoked some interest in our plans to launch a British Bible School Challenge Shield next year.

Watch this space!

Look out for upcoming events near you ...

Kirkcaldy - on Saturday, 28th November we will be holding a Taster Day at Kirkcaldy. Patrick Boyns and Mark Hill will be presenting sessions from various areas of the school's curriculum. Plans are to conduct sessions from the modules:

"The United Kingdom of Israel" (OLD05)
"Galatians" (NEW09)
"The History & Development of Biblical Texts" (GEN01)
"Leadership" (PRA06)

The day's events will commence at 10 am and will include 4 sessions with inter-session breaks. Things should finish by no later than 4 pm. A light lunch will be supplied and the congregation would appreciate knowing how many will be present for catering purposes.


Reading - on Sunday, 6th December, the Reading congregation will be hosting a Distance Learning Programme Launch event after their weekly assembly. More details to follow shortly.


Bristol - we will be travelling west to Bristol on Saturday, 12th December for another Taster Day - look out for more details!