The aim of the "Church Times Study Guides" is to inform Christians about aspects of belief and practice in a systematic way so they may think, act and respond to the intellectual challenges of the day with greater confidence. Each short booklet includes a brief historical survey of its subject to show how understanding has developed over 20 Christian centuries and the range of theological viewpoints about any given subject is represented. Questions for reflection and exercises encourage groups to think around the issues presented and reach their own conclusions.