Take and Read: the Gospels is an excellent new series designed to help people explore the Bible more deeply. The ancient practice of lectio divina, prayerful reading of the Scriptures, has been taken up by many people. Take and Read encourages that prayerful reading of the gospels.

The books can be used both by individuals and by groups gathering to study and pray. Each volume presents twelve passages with explanation, accompanied by quotations from the Fathers and Church documents, Christian art and inspiring photographs, and suggestions for prayer and reflection.

Take and Read responds to the encouragement given by the bishops of England, Wales and Scotland in their recent document The Gift of Scripture that all people should ‘engage prayerfully with the Scriptures’. The bishops gave particular encouragement to families and to young people to get to know the Scriptures better.

The series is edited by Scripture scholar, Fr Adrian Graffy, and each of the authors – Ian Boxall, Adrian Graffy, John J Henry and Henry Wansbrough (pictured above) – are skilled in presenting the insights of biblical scholarship to a wide audience.

Take and Read is published by Alive Publishing: www.alivepublishing.co.uk