The Bible
Why we begin with Scripture, why truth matters, and why God’s Word must govern what we believe.
Free 12-Part Course
Bible-Based
Self-Paced
Confessionally Grounded
Free Christian Basics Course
This simple course introduces the Christian faith and aims to show what the Bible teaches. You may work through it on your own, one-to-one with someone else, or in a small group.
As you go, you will be encouraged to look up the Bible references and think carefully about what they say, so that you can see for yourself the Bible’s teaching. Whether you are exploring Christianity for the first time or seeking firmer foundations, these studies are here to help you slow down and consider the truth of God’s Word.
You will begin with Scripture, then move through the great themes of the faith: God, Christ, sin, salvation, the Christian life, eternity, the church, baptism, and the Lord’s Supper. The aim is not to ask you to trust passing feelings or human opinion, but to hear what God Himself has said.
With grateful acknowledgement:
this course is based on the original Christian Basics
material written by John Hall, originally produced in association with Grace Church Yate.
How this course works
Each study gives you a clear introduction, key truths, carefully chosen Scriptures, guidance to help you read thoughtfully, and questions for reflection. You can move through the course at your own pace and return to any study whenever you need to revisit the foundations.
The aim is to help you see the Bible’s teaching plainly and personally, so that what you learn is not merely remembered, but understood and applied.
Rooted in Scripture
The Bible is the authority throughout. Each page is designed to help you open the Scriptures and see for yourself what God says.
Clear and confessional
The course is written from a conviction that the Bible is the Word of God and the final authority in what we believe and how we live.
Warm and accessible
You do not need prior theological training. Hard things are handled carefully and plainly, so that truth is not watered down, yet neither is it made needlessly difficult.
The course journey
The course contains twelve studies, each building on the one before it and helping you form a clearer grasp of the Christian faith.
The Living God
Who God is, what He is like, why knowing Him matters, and how He reveals Himself.
Jesus Christ
His person, His two natures, His sufficiency as Saviour, and why everything turns on Him.
Man: Our True Nature
Creation, the image of God, the fall, sin, guilt, and our desperate need of mercy.
God’s Work in Salvation
Grace, election, mercy, calling, and the comfort of knowing that salvation belongs to the Lord.
Christ’s Death & Resurrection
The cross, substitution, reconciliation, redemption, and the hope of the risen Christ.
The Holy Spirit: His Person & Work
Who He is, how He gives life, points to Christ, indwells believers, and works holiness in them.
Saving Faith
Conversion, repentance, faith, justification, and what it means to rest in Christ alone.
Living the Christian Life
Holiness, sanctification, spiritual warfare, Bible reading, prayer, church life, and growth in grace.
Heaven & Hell
Christ’s second coming, judgement, eternal life, eternal punishment, and the urgency of the gospel.
The Church
What the church is, who belongs to it, and why gathered worship, fellowship, and truth matter.
Baptism & The Lord’s Supper
The meaning of the ordinances, their place in church life, and why obedience to Christ matters.
Common questions as you go
Questions often arise naturally as you work through the studies. The Christian Basics Q&A page is there to help you think through them carefully in the light of Scripture.
You may be wondering about the Bible
How do we know the Bible is really God’s Word? What about other holy books? Why does translation matter? What should you do when doubts remain?
Open Bible QuestionsYou may be wondering about God and Christ
How can God be one and three? Why did Christ need to be both God and man? Why is the deity of Christ so important? How can you know God personally?
Open QuestionsYou may be wondering about sin and salvation
Are we really that sinful? What is repentance? What is faith? What if you feel drawn to Christ but still fear you are not good enough? What does grace really mean?
Open QuestionsYou may be wondering about the Christian life and church
What does it mean to grow as a Christian? Do you need to belong to a local church? What is baptism for? Who should take the Lord’s Supper? How do you begin well?
Open QuestionsOriginal course and related resources
If you would like to trace the original booklet and related material, these links may be helpful.
Grace Church Yate
Visit Grace Church Yate, where John Hall originally developed Christian Basics.
Visit Grace Church YateChristian Basics website
Visit the original Christian Basics website for background, materials, and related information.
Visit Christian BasicsBroken Wharfe
For printed copies of Christian Basics and other helpful books, visit Broken Wharfe.
Visit Broken WharfeCourse PDF
Keep the original booklet to hand if you would like the compact printable version alongside the expanded website format.
Open Course PDFHelpful next links
If you would like help finding a church, or if you want to read a historic summary of the faith, these links may be useful as you continue.
Reformed Baptist Churches
Explore a directory of Reformed Baptist churches.
Visit Reformed Baptist Churches1689 London Baptist Confession
Read more about the 1689 London Baptist Confession.
Visit the 1689 ConfessionMatthew 11:28
