This group meet at 7:30 pm on a Monday night at the home of the Blelochs.
Ash Wednesday is the 21st of February and Easter Day is the 8th of April
We are following Bishop Peter's course, Changing Lives. Please check here later for a summary of our discussions.
Our study of the 10 Commandments will resume after Lent. We are following the "10+ Study Guide" written by J.John.
The Commandments are studied in reverse order, each one for two sessions. Follow the links below for a summary of our discussions.
Below is a selection of the books we have read and discussed together. The summary is taken in part from the NIV Study Guide.
Paul urged Philemon to to be reconciled to his slave, Onesimus, receiving him as a brother and fellow member of God's family. Reconciliation means re-establishing relationship. Christ has reconciled us to God and to others. Many barriers come between people - race, social status, personality differences - but Christ can break down these barriers. Jesus Christ changed Onesimus' relationship to Philemon from slave to brother. Christ can transform our most hopeless relationships into deep and loving friendships.
To some, the book of Ruth might be a nice story about a girl who was fortunate. But in reality, the events recorded in Ruth were God's preparations for the births of David and of Jesus, the promised messiah. Just as Ruth was unaware of this larger purpose in her life, we will not know the full purpose and importance of our lives until we are able to look back from the perspective of eternity. We must make our choices with God's eternal values in mind. Taking moral shortcuts and living for short-term pleasures are not good ways to move ahead. Because of Ruth's faithful obedience, her life and legacy were significant even though she couldn't see all the results. Live in faithfulness to God, knowing that the significance of your life will extend beyond your lifetime. The rewards will outweigh any sacrifice you may have made.
In the book of Esther we clearly see God at work in the lives of individuals and in the affairs of a nation. Even when it looks as if the world is in the hands of evil people, God is still in control, protecting those who are his. Although we may not understand everything happening around us, we must trust in God's protection and maintain our integrity by doing what we know is right. Esther, who risked her life appearing before the king, became a hero. Mordecai, who was effectively condemned to death, rose to become the second highest ranking official in the country. No matter how hopeless our condition, or how much we would like to give up, we need not despair. God is in control of our world.
The book of acts deals with the history of the Christian church and its expansion in ever-widening circles touching Jerusalem, Anticoh, Ephesus and Rome - the most influential cities in the Western World. Acts also shows the mighty miracles and testimonies of the heroes and martyrs of the early church - Peter, Stephen, James, Paul. All the ministry was prompted and held together by the Holy Spirit working in the lives of ordinary people - merchants, travellers, slaves, jailers, church leaders, males, females, Gentiles, Jews, rich, poor. Many unsung heroes of the faith continued the work, through the Holy Spirit, in succeeding generations, changing the world with a changeless message - that Jesus Christ is Saviour and Lord for all who call on him.
Today we can be the unsung heroes in the continuing story of the spread of the gospel. It is that same message that we Christians are to take to our world so that many more may hear and believe.
We were fortunate to have Mike Barritt as one of our number because he had already prepared some material to guide us. Mike has kindly allowed that material to be published here in the hope that others will find it a useful resource.
Week 1 (Acts 1:1-26)|
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