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 gives a range of theological viewpoints. Questions for reflection and exercises encourage groups to think around the issues presented and reach their own conclusions. Little is exercising the public mind and the Church more at the moment than ethical issues. Is the war in Iraq just? What is the right response to homosexuality? In order to weigh up these and other big questions, "Difficult Decisions" introduces the concept of Christian ethics and the use of the Bible in ethical debate.