By Jill Waggoner
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — Lifeway Christian Resources recently presented Bible teacher Alistair Begg with the 2026 Christian Book Award for Bible Study of the Year for “God of the Ordinary: A Study in the Book of Ruth” released by Lifeway in 2025.
The award, given annually by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA), honors excellence in Christian publishing across a variety of categories, including books, Bibles and more.
Joel Polk, publisher and manager of small group resources at Lifeway, and John Paul Basham, director of adult ministry, traveled to Truth For Life’s headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio, to deliver the award to Begg and the team on Aug. 11.
Truth For Life is the Bible-teaching ministry of Alistair Begg. The ministry’s mission is to teach the Bible with clarity and relevance so unbelievers will be converted, believers will be established, and local churches will be strengthened.
Lifeway and Truth For Life have partnered together to develop Bible study resources for churches and individuals. During the visit, Begg signed a contract to write a new study on the book of Esther.
“Presenting this award to Alistair Begg and the Truth For Life team was one of the highlights of our year,” said Polk. “‘The God of the Ordinary’ Bible study is a fitting example of the kind of teaching that makes Alistair and his ministry so impactful.”
“Getting to spend time with the Truth for Life team, tour their facilities, and see firsthand the heart behind their ministry only deepened our appreciation for this partnership,” said Polk. “And we couldn’t be more excited to build on this partnership with an upcoming study in the book of Esther.”
Begg reflected on the significance of the book of Ruth upon receiving the award. “The story of Ruth is arguably the finest short story recorded for us in all of Scripture,” Begg said. “We wrote this study believing that the content of it would be a help and encouragement to all who enjoy it. It is the story of how three funerals and a wedding turn out, in the providence of God, to pave the way for the coming of Jesus. It was a genuine privilege to work with Lifeway, and it paves the way for future possibilities.”
“The God of the Ordinary” is a six-session study, featuring video teachings by Begg. Each session encourages learners to see how God works through life’s seemingly ordinary events to accomplish his good purposes.
“It was a privilege to partner with such a faithful servant as Alistair Begg to provide this resource for churches,” said Becky Loyd, vice president at Lifeway. “I hope this recognition encourages more groups to dig into Scripture together to discover God’s faithfulness, even in the ordinary days of life.”
The Christian Book Awards were first announced April 28 at the ECPA Awards Celebration, held at the Chicago Marriott Schaumburg during the ECPA Leadership Summit.
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Jill Waggoner is a writer and publicist for Lifeway Christian Resources.
In operation since 1891, Lifeway Christian Resources is one of the leading providers of Christian resources, including Bibles, books, Bible studies, group curriculum, Christian music and media, Vacation Bible Schooland church supplies, as well as camps and events for all ages. Lifeway is the world’s largest provider of Spanish Bibles. Based in Brentwood, Tennessee, Lifeway operates as a self-supporting nonprofit. For more information, visit Lifeway.com.
