The Story of a Kingdom, A Simple Explanation of the Bible, by Jonathan Gibson, is a study guide for the whole Bible simplified as a story line so the it is an easier introduction of the Bible for those using English as a second language.

It is available in three different versions:

- The 40-page "power point" presentation with graphics
- The 124-page book as a shortened version for use by individual international students or in groups
- The 312-page book as a "Study Guide" for more serious Christian international students and group leaders

The author, Jonathan Gibson, lives in northern Ireland. He took four years to write these books (published in 2004) as part of his ongoing relationships with internationals in the university there.

He wrote them because he could not find other Bible study materials designed for internationals still struggling with English, and he wrote them specifically as a simplified way to guide internationals (with an open Bible alongside each lesson) in grasping the essential story and teachings of the full Bible.

All three versions above are available FREE on line at the website: http://www.sok.org.uk/material.html, though the two books can be purchased in British pounds and sent from the UK (incl. postage if sent outside the UK).

The power point presentation (40 pages, online) has quite good graphics and is well worth refering an international student to for a very simple overview of the entire Bible's teachings, culminating in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of the earlier Old Testament promises.

The shorter book (also online) is excellent for a seeker wanting to get into the Bible with seriousness or for use as a downloaded printout with a group of internationals interested in going through the Bible with a Christian leader in successive 1-hour studies. (Each chapter is about 3 pages long, with scriptures to be read, some commentary on its meaning, and some group discussion questions to be responded to).

The longer "Study Guide" book (again, online) lengthens each chapter to about 6 pages in a similar format but with more commentary and more questions for group discussion. There are good reviews of this Study Guide given at: http://www.beginningwithmoses.org

The only potential drawbacks about all these presentations of the Bible's "Kingdom Story" is that in focusing so much on the Old Testament stories about Israel, a student might lose interest or feel the story less relevant before getting to the dramatic appearance of Jesus toward the end of the story. Getting into the New Testament passages early-on, and supplementing these studies with a book like Passport to the Bible (IVP-USA) could help a good deal here.

There would also need to be some attention paid by a group leader to the life and teachings of Jesus (especially the parables, miracles, and way He related to people with authority and love) in order to make the assertion of his final death and resurrection have more meaning and credibility in these books. The emphasis on "God's Kingdom" throughout the Bible is good, but Jesus needs to be seen in relational narratives balanced with the doctrinal truth.