new concept Bible Study guide from Barbara Britton

 Across the Lake: Traveling with Jesus
Fiction-based Bible Study
January 6, 2026 by ScrivInspire,167 pp
ISBN 9781649175588 (ISBN10: 1649175582)

$15.99 paperback, $24.99 hardcover

Across the Lake: Traveling with Jesus Around the Sea of Galilee by Barbara M. Britton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'm a fan of Barbara Britton's fiction. I was curious about this new-to-me form of Bible study, so agreed to check it out. Britton's cross-genre Bible study guide based on fictionalized stories of scriptural events is interesting. She chose six familiar stories from the book of Mark, with support of other scriptures, to briefly expand in compelling and realistic fiction on those stories. They are the story of the demon-possessed man among the tombs; the woman with bleeding who touched Jesus's cloak; Jairus and his daughter; Peter's experience when sent out to evangelize; the feeding of the thousands; and Peter's experience when Jesus interacts with the Gentile woman believer who wanted healing for her daughter. Britton chooses names and adds contextual details to "flesh out" the stories of the passages in several brief chapters in each section, some from different points of view of the observing or involved characters.

Each segment includes an author reflection mostly based on a trip to the area. Following is a several-question study guide that includes questions and comments from other similar and related scriptural references in other books. I personally am glad to see supporting scriptures especially for this study.

I am honestly not sure that creating a Bible study with fictionalized accounts of Biblical stories is for everyone. Britton's creation leaves little room for too much conjecture and is thoughtful. It's an interesting concept and will make for good discussion among people who are already familiar with the Bible.

The book is due out for sale January 6. I received an advanced copy for review.

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