A Christmas Carol: Book and Bible Study Guide Based on the Charles Dickens Classic A Christmas Carol

A timeless classic that is immensely sobering and inspiring at the same time. Sobering because there will always be deadbeats amongst us but they, like all mortals, will die with no exception and can never keep one single cent of the fortune they had meticulously amassed and guarded while they breathed. Charity, on the other hand, saves lives and brings out the best in humanity while laying treasures in heaven (Matthew 6). “A Christmas carol” is my second classic from Dickens and is long overdue since "A tale of two cities". Thanks to Alan Vermilye for inviting me by email to read his offering recently, I now have read this precious Dickens gem besides having seen the famous celluloid versions. The written version is indisputably far superior because the themes of the story are far more serious than a 2-hour long film can convey with sufficient impact. Even more so with Vermilye's version for the annotations. I love the probing questions and the Bible references after each chapter that help believers have a deeper insight and a fuller appreciation of the genius of Charles Dickens. Dickens’ 1800s language style never cease to tickle me and refresh my love for classic literature. Goaded by Vermilye's probing questions and biblical references, I reread each chapter and the Bible to answer his questions which made the reading of Dickens' novella, although doubly or triply longer, immensely more gratifying to the soul. The Bible has very important examples of divine interventions that steered the course of mankind that it is on. Noah building the ark, Moses and the burning bush, Abraham in his act to sacrifice Isaac, Jacob wrestling with God and gave birth to Israel, Jonah and the whale, Apostle Paul struck blind on the road to Damascus and not forgetting the “13th Apostle” Constantine the Great who saw the burning cross in the sky went on to defeat his enemies and anchored Christianity in the Roman Empire. Scriptures (Luke 16) have also informed us that no spirits damned to hell can ever return to the living to warn their friends or relatives that living righteously is the only way to avoid eternal weeping and gnashing of teeth once we breathe our last. And so the apparition of Jacob Marley, Scrooge's ex biz partner dead for 7 years already, did not return out of kindness to save Scrooge's soul. No, the Christmas eve visitations of Jacob Marley and the three Christmas spirits were Dickens' brilliant fictitious creation of a divine intervention in Scrooge’s wayward life. A dead beat, selfish, penurious misanthropist was transformed into the most generous, caring, polite and loving person. Yes God chose Scrooge (John 15:16), like His elect (Ephesians 1), and God never fails when He intervenes. Interventions are absolutely always necessary to steer mankind in the right direction because free-will alone will never find the right path. Freewill alone will only result in defeat because not a single one of us would choose to be good on our own accord (Romans 3:19). Yet there are surely many more miserly misanthropists like Scrooge out there who would never be blessed with interventions to steer them onto paths of generosity. God’s unconditional grace saves His lost sheep only and predestines them for His kingdom. Why unconditional election and not all mankind? Because God is sovereign and He will show grace on whom he will have mercy (Romans 9:15). Nevertheless, for readers who are believers, embracing the precious message in Dickens “A Christmas Carol” is like an intervention itself and reinforced by the excellent bible references recommended by Vermilye after each chapter. We are urgently reminded that charity is by deeds and not hollow words. Heaven forbids that we be the virgins holding oil lamps caught with no oil and therefore have given no light when the day of reckoning descends upon us (Matthew 25). Charles Dickens could not be more convincing in "A Christmas Carol" that the highest form of happiness one can experience is to create happiness for others. So has reading «A Christmas Carol» encouraged me to be less of a deadbeat and show more goodwill to mankind in the days ahead? Let it be so.

Our small group bible study went through this as an advent study for 2022. It was so much fun and we all enjoyed it. It's not just entertainment. It was very informative and thought provoking. I highly recomment it.

Our Book Club wanted a light holiday themed book. We were in a hurry and chose this book because it was familiar. We had recently read several heavy books that weren't putting us in a holiday mood. Turns out, this book is not light material either, but it did keep our holidays cheerful! A Christmas Carol is not only entertaining, but inspiring too. The study guide questions allowed for high level thinking and interaction. Seeing the Patrick Stewart movie version was also helpful for visualizing the time period. Thank you very much for the thoughtful, provoking questions and Bible verses. This will stick with me beyond the holiday and I will recommend it to my church group too! TY.

Highly recommend. I had never read this story before so it was very interesting. It was nice to have reflection questions and answers so we could understand the meaning behind the book. Highly recommend for personal study or group.

I was happy to discover this Bible study. I had no idea it existed and was trying to create something similar from scratch.This study provides the text of Dicken's famous Christmas classic, plus insightful questions that prompt thoughtful processing and open discussion. I have found it easy to adjust the questions for different age levels. I've even elaborated on some of the questions and developed them into essay questions for student response.This work does not focus on literary themes, but the way I figure, that is up to me. This allows for a quick, but a very meaningful study of Dicken's prior to the Christmas holiday.

In college I struggled with English Literature, but found Cliff Notes to help me through.... well this book brought me back to those days! Thank goodness for Allen and his in depth knowledge of what Dickens was actually saying!

A very well thought out study combining literature, scripture, and reflection. It was very helpful to access the study guide and scripture from your site! My Christmas will be richer for the experience.

I have led several previous book studies at our church utilizing Vermilye's Brown Chair study guides and they have been excellent resources. This one looks to be every bit as good. Our church is planning both a book study and community movie night this December and we've already generated great interest, not only from regular attendees but also from those who do not normally come to regular Sunday School offerings, both within and outside our church body. We're excited to begin using this Study Guide to mine the truths contained in this great classic of literature and chime in with Tiny Tim, "God bless us, every one!"