BIBLE TEACHING RESOURCES
The message of God comes into focus when we see it through the Cross. We have published teaching manuals that are cross-centered and strongly testify that Jesus is the Son of God. They have sold well through this website, but we now wish to make them available for free!
The books are being rebuilt into savable, printable, internet formats so that believers anywhere can obtain them. In the past written gospel materials incurred heavy shipping costs. The need was always greater than the supply and authors could not give too many away. But by God's grace, the Kingdom of God went forward anyway.
The Internet has changed all that, and we are now on the doorstep of an enormous opportunity that could supply high quality Bible teaching resources without cost. All that is required is for Bible teachers to re-imagine their ministries in order to take advantage of the new 'Gutenberg.' Can we do it?
5 Loaves & 2 Fishes is willing to meet that challenge! Our quality gloss-cover books have been reduced to ‘donation only’ until stocks run out. Then PDF versions will take their place, and they are completely free. Answer sets, diagrams, and charts are also free. Please follow the links below to obtain the resources you require.
'Rainbow' is a low cost, highly adaptable direct witnessing tool, visual aid and scripture reference system for personal evangelists.
Use it as a give away or as a presentation visual.
'River' is a discipleship series of Bible studies. River reinforces the faith of new and older Christians alike. Use it for individual study, home groups, or as an evangelistic and follow-up tool.
'Rock' is a collection of advanced studies developed for small groups and house churches. They are in PDF format and may be printed at no charge provided copyright is acknowledged.
'Rock Leaders Manual' is the full answer set and 'how-to-use' for Rainbow, River and Rock study series. Purchase the book, or download the PDF here. Print back to back on standard size paper and staple.
"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."
(1 Corinthians 1:18)
Lake Rotoiti as viewed through the cross in St. Arnauds chapel.
(Nelson Lakes National Park - New Zealand)
RAINBOW DISCOVERY
Rainbow Discovery is a direct witnessing tool for churches and evangelists. Although witnessing tools exist, it is our conviction that a new imaginative approach is needed. Instant decision techniques are no longer effective because we live in a post-Christian era where most people do not have the Biblical background to receive the gospel in a 30 minute presentation. At the other end of the spectrum are the 20 week course methods which, although useful, demand a heavy commitment on both counselor and counselee.
Rainbow is a sharp 6 lesson course that steps the seeker through the gospel revelation with power and precision. Anyone can lead their friends to Christ without getting tongue-tied yet still having the flexibility to add their own personality into it. Alternatively, it can be developed into full studies for existing believers.
Key features include:
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Dynamically linked Bible readings.
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Studies and scripture under one cover
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Picture and graphic aids
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Key concept boxes
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3 in 1 application
Future Plans
We plan to rebuild Rainbow into PDF format for internet download. Until then please get the book using the button below, adding an address for sending. A donation sufficient to cover postage would be appreciated.
'How to use Rainbow' is available for download now. Click the PDF button. Print back to back on A4 size paper, fold and staple. Included is an invitation page which should be printed separately. Cut into leaflets and use as a 'give away.'
"Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.
See, darkness covers the earth
and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the Lord rises upon you
and his glory appears over you."
(Isaiah 60:1-2)
Rainbow over the black sands of Mowhanau.
(Kai-Iwi Beach - New Zealand)
RIVER BIBLE COURSE
River Discipleship is a workbook manual developed for new Christians and others seriously thinking about spiritual things. Beginning with 'How to become a Christian,' it answers the questions new Christians most often ask: -
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Can we know that we are saved?
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What is God like?
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Why we act the way we do.
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Can I really be set free?
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Is Jesus God?
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Which is the right Church?
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And much more.
The book consists of 'stand-alone' studies linked into a series with each lesson building on the study before. Important subjects are tackled, yet without losing simplicity, and several question and answer systems are employed to provide variety and interest to the end.
Over 300 Bible references are used and logically threaded throughout, making River a 100% scripture-based foundation course.
River Discipleship is ideal for individual study, home groups or as a follow-up course.
How to use RIVER
'River Bible Course' can be used in several ways:
In a Group Setting as a new convert class or as a 'back to basics' series for older Christians. A mixed group of old and new Christians can also work well. They come together to go through one lesson per week. The group leader can stimulate participation in several ways. He may encourage each student to do the questions for this week at home, as well as read the next week's study. That way the class can be used to answer questions and share impressions in a individual plus group combination. Alternatively, the group could divide into smaller 'buzz' groups on the same night for discussions and a spokesperson report back what they have gleaned to the overall group afterward.
For Sermon Notes. Pastors may obtain the complete book, 'Rock Leaders Manual', and teach it as a part of the normal Sunday Service. The congregation is provided the loose-leaf paper each week that goes with it. There are sixteen messages in 'River Discipleship' and a similar number of topics in 'Rock Solid.' Some divide naturally into several parts which can be dealt with over more weeks if necessary. Just add some personal illustrations and 'River' and 'Rock' make fine topical sermon series. Diagrams may be copied on to overheads provided that copyright is acknowledged.
As a 'One on one' Follow-up System. With brand-new Christians 'River Discipleship' will create converts made of steel. The Church would train and appoint counsellors to come alongside and mentor each convert individually. The counsellor then provides the student with his first paper and visits weekly to go through the course at whatever pace is best for the individual need. It can be done in the student's home or that of his mentor.
By Correspondence. Correspondence is the simplest option, and may also be preferable where a student cannot easily attend as described in the previous methods. The new convert is simply provided a link to and instructed to print one lesson at a time. Each paper is posted in for marking with any questions that the student may have. His/her teacher then sends it back with encouragement, comments and the next lesson.
I'VE BECOME A CHRISTIAN - THIS IS HOW
Conversion
Jesus answered her, “If you knew ... who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”
(John 4:10)
Tarawera Falls
(Bay of Plenty - New Zealand)
River's topics have been turned into PDF format and may be obtained further down on this page. However, the original book is still available using the donation button. Just provide a postal address, and a donation.
The Leaders Manual and marking guide to Rainbow, River and Rock study series may be purchased separately as a quality book, or downloaded here in PDF format. Click the button below. Print back to back on standard size paper and staple.
SOMETHING'S DEFINITELY HAPPENED TO ME!
Assurance
IF YOU WANT TO GROW - DO THESE THINGS
Spiritual Growth
AWESOME CHRISTIAN PRACTICES
Sacraments
THE BIBLE - GOD'S LIVING WORD
Scripture
WHO IS THIS GOD WE SERVE?
God
PRAYER THAT WORKS
Prayer
WHY YOU ARE SPECIAL TO GOD
Humanity
WALKING IN THE SPIRIT
Our Constituted Design
TWISTED PEOPLE
Sin
SET FREE!
Salvation
HOW FREE IS FREE?
Overcoming Sin
WHICH IS THE RIGHT CHURCH?
The Church
MY PLACE OF FELLOWSHIP
The Local Church
JESUS CHRIST - GOD WITH US
Lord Jesus Christ
GO; PREACH THE GOOD NEWS!
Great Commission
ROCK SOLID
Rock Solid has been developed from a collection of advanced subjects originally designed as supplements to River Bible Course. They are designed to fit standard size paper, back to back, with each study containing one key doctrine per lesson. They are linked in series, tailored to provide leaders with a strong, well thought out teaching program. It has the same simple style as 'River' with imaginative diagrams and question and answer formats. However 'Rock' is not a new converts course. It is for groups wishing to take their biblical knowledge to the next level. Subjects include:
• Are we under the ten commandments?
• What is the unforgivable sin?
• How the world began.
• Will the world come to an end?
At present, there are twelve studies in ‘Rock’ and I hope to increase this number, Lord willing. I see it as open ended, so, if readers feel that a key subject has not been included in either ‘River’ or ‘Rock’, please contact me using the contact form at the top of the page.
How to use ROCK
Although Rock Solid is similar to River Discipleship, there are some subjects above the level of new converts, and others that touch on topics that might be deemed controversial. For example, most eschatological topics are placed in the Rock series because differing theories might create confusion in the mind of young Christians. In cases like that, I have presented several main viewpoints and suggested open minded discussion. Such open discussion would best suit a group setting, but only if the leader was skilled in presenting a fair overview and treated different viewpoints respectfully.
In Group Settings each student is given a paper and they come together to go through one lesson per week. The group leader can stimulate participation in several ways. He may encourage each student to do the questions for this week at home, as well as read the next week's study. That way the class can be used to answer questions and share impressions in an individual plus group combination. Alternatively, the group could divide into smaller 'buzz' groups on the same night for discussions and a spokesperson report back what they have gleaned to the overall group afterward.
For Sermon Notes. Pastors may provide their congregation with a loose-leaf paper printed freely from the links below, and teach it as a part of the normal Sunday service. Just add some personal illustrations and 'Rock Solid' makes a fine topical sermon series for mature congregations who want to hear advanced doctrinal messages. Diagrams may be copied on to overheads provided that copyright is acknowledged.
"Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock."
(Matthew 7:24-24)
The Leaders Manual and marking guide to Rainbow, River and Rock study series may be purchased separately as a quality book, or downloaded here in PDF format. Click the button below. Print back to back on standard size paper and staple.
COUNTDOWN TO THE CROSS
The 70 Weeks Prophecy
THE PURPOSE OF THE CROSS
Atonement
ARE WE UNDER THE TEN COMMANDMENTS?
Keeping God's Law
NEW COVENANT - NEW HOPE
The New Testament
ARE WE UNDER THE 10 COMMANDMENTS?
Keeping God's Law
TITHES AND GENEROSITY
Financial Principles
WHAT IS THE UNFORGIVABLE SIN?
Unforgivable Sin
HAVE YOU RECEIVED THE PROMISE?
Baptism in the Holy Spirit
HOW THE WORLD BEGAN
Creation
WHERE DO WE GO WHEN WE DIE?
Resurrection of Dead
THINGS TO COME
Prophetic Overview
WHEN ARE THE END TIMES?
Last Day Signs
WILL THE WORLD COME TO AN END?
Day of the Lord