January 28th 2018. UP IN OUT: OUT (Matthew 28:19).
The earthly ministry of Jesus was to ‘the lost sheep of Israel.’ Yet in his teaching and lifestyle Jesus always demonstrated a priority for those on the edge, those on the outside, those who did not belong. His ‘famous last words’ to his followers were to go, to all nations, all people groups. Download Discussion notes
January 28th 2018. UP IN OUT: OUT (Matthew 28:19).
The earthly ministry of Jesus was to ‘the lost sheep of Israel.’ Yet in his teaching and lifestyle Jesus always demonstrated a priority for those on the edge, those on the outside, those who did not belong. His ‘famous last words’ to his followers were to go, to all nations, all people groups. Download Discussion notes
January 21st 2018. UP IN OUT: In. Ephesians 2:11-4:16. Ephesians is a book for and about the Church and in it Paul encourages believers, because of the richness of their inheritance in Christ to have rich relationships with one another. The ‘Up’ strengthens the ‘In’. The Church is not always regarded as essential by contemporary Christians, particular in the ‘individualistic’ culture of the western world. Yet commitment to the Church is intrinsic to commitment to Christ by the nature of His own commitment to the Church. And the nature of the In element of Church is about the expression and practice of distinct community. Download Discussion notes
January 21st 2018. Disciplines. Spiritual Disciplines: Simplify. Matthew 6: 19-34. Luke 10:41. Life is complex and seems to be increasingly so. We experience information overload, and technology designed to serve us distracts or drives us. Morally life seems more complex too, relativism and post-modern scepticism about absolutes undermine consensus about right and wrong. Materialism and the multitude of possessions deemed necessary for modern life crowd our lives. Download Discussion notes
January 21st 2018. Disciplines. Spiritual Disciplines: Simplify. Matthew 6: 19-34. Luke 10:41. Life is complex and seems to be increasingly so. We experience information overload, and technology designed to serve us distracts or drives us. Morally life seems more complex too, relativism and post-modern scepticism about absolutes undermine consensus about right and wrong. Materialism and the multitude of possessions deemed necessary for modern life crowd our lives. Download Discussion notes
January 21st 2018. UP IN OUT: In. Ephesians 2:11-4:16. Ephesians is a book for and about the Church and in it Paul encourages believers, because of the richness of their inheritance in Christ to have rich relationships with one another. The ‘Up’ strengthens the ‘In’. The Church is not always regarded as essential by contemporary Christians, particular in the ‘individualistic’ culture of the western world. Yet commitment to the Church is intrinsic to commitment to Christ by the nature of His own commitment to the Church. And the nature of the In element of Church is about the expression and practice of distinct community. Download Discussion notes
January 21st 2018. UP IN OUT: In. Ephesians 2:11-4:16. Ephesians is a book for and about the Church and in it Paul encourages believers, because of the richness of their inheritance in Christ to have rich relationships with one another. The ‘Up’ strengthens the ‘In’. The Church is not always regarded as essential by contemporary Christians, particular in the ‘individualistic’ culture of the western world. Yet commitment to the Church is intrinsic to commitment to Christ by the nature of His own commitment to the Church. And the nature of the In element of Church is about the expression and practice of distinct community. Download Discussion notes
Ben Cooley is the co-founder and CEO of Hope for Justice, an international anti-trafficking organisation working to bring an end to modern slavery by rescuing victims, restoring lives and reforming society. Its effective and proven model is replicable, scalable, and widely admired. Hope for Justice is actively working across three continents to change lives and end slavery.
Ben will be with us at the 9.15am, 11am & 7pm services on 11 February 2018.
Every day during PrayerWeek we’re asking you to pray for one of our congregations. Watch the short video and then pray, its as simple as that! If you have any feedback, prophetic words or general encouragement's do send them in via our website.
Woodlands Church
1. Pray that our appetite for prayer and communing with our Father would deepen. That God would put a growing hunger for prayer in us this week that continues.
2. Pray that many people would come along to our Alpha course which starts on January 24th, especially guests who came along to our different Christmas services. For people to meet Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.
3. Pray for a special increase in the presence of God this week at our services, gathered prayer times and activities as we serve the city. That his Holy Spirit would be at work in everything we do and we would look to him and follow.
Every day during PrayerWeek we’re asking you to pray for one of our congregations. Watch the short video and then pray, its as simple as that! If you have any feedback, prophetic words or general encouragement's do send them in via our website.
Woodlands Metro.
1. Development of our mid-week groups and community life. We want to strengthen our existing Hubs and start up new ones.
2. Alpha and people coming to faith. Pray that we're able to have a good number of people engaging with Alpha this term, as well as leaders to run the group.
3. Development and delivery of the Metro mentoring system. Pray that God helps us with our initiative to disciple members and develop leaders.
Every day during PrayerWeek we’re asking you to pray for one of our congregations. Watch the short video and then pray, its as simple as that! If you have any feedback, prophetic words or general encouragement's do send them in via our website.
Highgrove Church.
1. Pray for a fruitful and life transforming witness of Highgrove in Seamills, esp in local schools, community cafe on the square and among friends and neighbours.
2. Pray for our youth ministry which is growing, ask God to provide some great leaders who are passionate about serving in this crucial area of ministry in our church and community.
3. Deepening discipleship for those who are new and not so new to faith, that each person would find their place in the church community.
Every day during PrayerWeek we’re asking you to pray for one of our congregations. Watch the short video and then pray, its as simple as that! If you have any feedback, prophetic words or general encouragement's do send them in via our website.
Community Church.
1. That as a congregation and as individuals we would make time to and learn how to 'keep in step with the Holy Spirit'.
2. Pray that in all our activities, food bank, chaplaincy at Southmead Hospital, childrens/youth groups, life recovery group etc we would respond to the Holy Spirit's leading as we encourage, prophesy over and minister to those we serve.
3. We long for people to come to know Jesus, please pray that those we mingle with in our families, neighbourhood, workplaces and church would meet Jesus personally and have their eyes opened to his love and grace.
Every day during PrayerWeek we’re asking you to pray for one of our congregations. Watch the short video and then pray, its as simple as that! If you have any feedback, prophetic words or general encouragement's do send them in via our website.
Branch Church
1. Pray for Matt Smith and Miriam as they move to Branch and serve that church and community.
2. Pray for seeds that have been planted in the past in Brentry to grow and bear fruit this year.
3. Pray for the families and young people that Branch interact with through the children's centre and wider community. Pray for lots of opportunities for Branch for share Jesus love with them.
January 14th 2018. Spiritual Disciplines: Prayer and Worship. Luke 18. Prayer defines the life of Jesus. He is a man of prayer, a son who talks to his Father. Prayer was something he taught his disciples as a model, as a discipline that marks a disciple, (the sermon on the mount) and as something to persevere in. Download Discussion notes
January 14th 2018. Spiritual Disciplines: Prayer and Worship. Luke 18. Prayer defines the life of Jesus. He is a man of prayer, a son who talks to his Father. Prayer was something he taught his disciples as a model, as a discipline that marks a disciple, (the sermon on the mount) and as something to persevere in. Download Discussion notes
January 14th 2018. Up In Out: UP. Revelation 2:1-7. Mike Brean, formerly the vicar of St Thomas Crooks, Sheffield, uses ‘life shapes’, kingdom geometry to help visualise some dynamics of discipleship (c.f. the Passionate Church by Brean and Kallestad ISBN: 0-78144-227-3). The balanced life is symbolised by the triangle which point to three essential dynamics of Christianity, orientation upwards toward God, inwards in fellowship and discipleship and outwards into service and mission in the world. One of the scary research facts about Christian leaders is how little time they spend in prayer, and this can seem to be reflected in the life of Churches too. Download Discussion notes
January 14th 2018. Up In Out: UP. Revelation 2:1-7. Mike Brean, formerly the vicar of St Thomas Crooks, Sheffield, uses ‘life shapes’, kingdom geometry to help visualise some dynamics of discipleship (c.f. the Passionate Church by Brean and Kallestad ISBN: 0-78144-227-3). The balanced life is symbolised by the triangle which point to three essential dynamics of Christianity, orientation upwards toward God, inwards in fellowship and discipleship and outwards into service and mission in the world. One of the scary research facts about Christian leaders is how little time they spend in prayer, and this can seem to be reflected in the life of Churches too. Download Discussion notes
Every day during PrayerWeek we’re asking you to pray for one of our congregations. Watch the short video and then pray, its as simple as that! If you have any feedback, prophetic words or general encouragement's do send them in via our website.
All Saints.
1. Relationships with local families to deepen and bear fruit and an end to some anti-social behaviour directed at the church.
2. Pray for Little Saints toddler group, the girls group, Growing Saints kids group. For growth in these children's/teenagers faith and for those that lead the groups too.
3. Wisdom for the church leaders as they steward growth and raise up new leaders.
Come and join us for 'Space' 10pm-midnight in The Main Hall at Woodlands Church. It's an opportunity to join in with our PrayerWeek in 'our extension of the PrayerRoom' where we will be praying and listening to God all whilst being in an atmosphere of worship!
7th January 2018 Spiritual Disciplines: Fasting and Feasting (Mark 2:18) At Christmas fasting often follows feasting. After the indulgence of Christmas comes the dieting of the New Year! In the New testament it is the other way round. Fasting precedes Feasting. John the Baptist is the fasting prophet. Jesus is the Feasting Bridegroom. Download Discussion notes
Woodlands Church, Belgrave Road, Bristol BS8 2AA
