20 December 2020 - 7pm Service
Christmas at Woodlands Church: A Folky Christmas
Welcome to what was supposed to be our very special ‘Folky Christmas.’ As some of our key staff members involved in the service had to self isolate, we had our very own Dave Mithcell share a lovely message with us instead.
Remember, earlier today at the 11am service we heard Clare Thompson speak on the topic ‘A Star is Born.’ Go check it out!
The fourth week of Advent is all about peace.
When we read about the prophesies of Jesus’s birth, we hear him called many names – Prince of Peace is one. Jesus came to bring peace to the world and to our hearts. Peace is not the absence of conflict or of trouble, but it is a calm understanding – a deep knowledge inside that regardless of our feelings, whatever the circumstances around us, we know that it is God who is in control no matter what.
It is easy to look at the world around us and feel worried, anxious, and fearful. But the Bible tells us not to worry and to turn in prayer to God in all things. Jesus came to earth with His peace. He left us the Holy Spirit. We do not have to live with fear or anxiety alone, instead we can ask the Holy Spirit to minister to us with His peace.
· What is peace?
· How do you know if you are feeling peaceful?
· What are the things that take away your peace?
· What can we do when we feel our peace is slipping away?
· Is there anything you’d like to share with your family that is troubling you at the moment?
Respond:
In a season where every heart should be happy and light, many of us are struggling with the heaviness of life. We need His peace. We confess that our hearts are often full of stresses and anxiety. Jesus came to bring His peace. “Do not be afraid!” the angels told the shepherds. As we respond to this week’s devotional, we’d like to create space for you to pray as a family to welcome the Holy Spirit into your houses and bring His peace.
Listen to this song as you soak in His presence and pray a blessing of peace over one another.
Chat and Catch
Go and make the cosiest space that you can. You may want to go to your bedrooms, you may find a cupboard or a corner. You can use pillows or blankets.
Find a space that is just yours. But remember – God goes with you wherever you are. So, this space is yours and God’s. Spend some time chatting to God. Remember God loves you talking to Him about anything. You may want to tell Him about your day, you may want to invite Him into your journaling time. You may want to read your Bible with Him or listen to some worship music. This is your quiet time with Him. Ask Him if there is anything He’d like you to catch from Him today.
13 December 2020 - 7pm Service
Christmas at Woodlands Church: Carols by Candlelight
Welcome to our special Carols by Candlelight service at Woodlands Church! We're live-streaming this evening and so happy to celebrate the story of Christmas with you at home. It's guaranteed to make you feel all Christmassy! If this was a normal year, our church would be packed with hundreds of people feeling festive and ready for the holiday season. We'd be enjoying mince pies and singing our hearts out. During the service, you can join in and sing along at home. The lyrics to the carols will appear on the screen. It's so great to have you with us!
Remember, earlier today at the 11am service we heard Laura Harris speak on the topic ‘Surprising the Strong.’ Go check it out!
13 December 2020 - 11am Service
Christmas at Woodlands Church: Surprising the Strong
This Sunday we continued our Christmas Series with a talk from Laura Harris on ‘Surprising the Strong.’
Our 11am services will be live-streamed online until January. We hope you enjoy Christmas with us!
Remember to have a look at our 7pm service where w had a lovely carol service with talented musicians and inspiring messages. Check it out!
The third week of Advent is all about joy!
Let’s take time to remember that the amazing news of Jesus’ birth brought great joy to those who visited Him in the stable; it was the answer to the many Old Testament prophecies for the people of Israel, but it also has the power to bring us great joy this year and every year. The Bible tells us to rejoice in the Lord always! It shows us that our joy isn’t dependent on what is going on in our life; in our world or in the lives of people around us. It is more than fleeting happiness. Christmas can easily be a time of happiness – and we want that! But nothing on earth, nothing we do, can give us complete joy. Our joy comes from God.
What is the difference between joy and happiness?
· What makes you happy?
· Are you always happy?
Often happiness depends on how we feel or what happens to us. It is often based on our circumstances. Having joy is different. Joy comes from knowing the truth about God and his promises for us:
· Is it possible to be joyful when things are not going well?
· What things bring you joy at Christmas?
· How do we keep joy not just at Christmas but always?
Advent reminds us that our joy is found in Christ
· How does Jesus bring joy to your life?
· How can you share that joy with others?
Chat and Catch:
Find yourself a comfortable place. You may want to close your eyes to help you concentrate.
Tell God the last time you really laughed!
Share with God someone who brings you joy
Thank God for that person
Ask God to remind you of one of His promises that you can hold onto when you don’t feel His joy.
Are you exploring faith? Try Alpha!
The Alpha Course is amazing because it’s about people connecting with each other and going on a spiritual journey. The course explores the key foundations of the Christian faith.
Alpha will be run entirely online using the Alpha Film Series, so you can take part from the comfort of your own home. Watch the short video below about Alpha to find out more.
Visit our Alpha Online page to sign up! All are welcome.
6 December 2020 - 7pm Service
Christmas at Woodlands Church: Light in the Darkness
This Sunday we started our new Christmas Series with a talk from Matt Dobson on ‘Light in the Darkness.’
Our 11am services will be live-streamed online until January. We hope you enjoy Christmas with us!
Remember, earlier today at the 11am service we heard Rachel Riddall speak on the same topic. Go check it out!
STUDY NOTES
The four gospels each give a particular perspective on the life of Jesus. Unlike Matthew and Luke John’s gospel doesn’t give a nativity account. His gospel starts with the perspective of the eternal relationship between God and the Word, or as we understand that, the Father and the Son. The incarnation is introduced in those terms ‘the Word became flesh’ so we have no doubt that the Jesus we worship is also divine.
Big idea: The word becoming flesh speaks of a ‘divine humility’ which is staggering! Is your view of God big enough to grasp the immensity of this act?
In what way are human beings ‘in darkness’? Is that true for our present age as well as 1st Century Palestine?
How is the darkness affected by Jesus becoming human?
Why did so many of the highly religious, biblically educated people of Jesus time fail to recognise Him?
Jesus ‘incarnate’ reveals to us exactly what God is like, (e.g. that God can self-limit, embrace suffering, allow his will not to be done for the sake of giving us the opportunity to freely turn to him and know him). How does your understanding of Go and relationship with Him resonate with those truths?
Jesus once said to his followers ‘You are the light of the World’. How can we be that light today?
Jesus commissioned his followers (e.g. Paul in Acts 26) to call people from darkness to light. Ask God to show you how you can point people to Jesus this Christmas.
6 December 2020 - 11am Service
Christmas at Woodlands Church: Light in the Darkness
This Sunday we started our new Christmas Series with a talk from Matt Dobson on ‘Light in the Darkness.’
Our 11am services will be live-streamed online until January. We hope you enjoy Christmas with us!
Remember, our 7pm service is also looking at this topic, and Matt Dobson will be sharing with us. Check it out!
STUDY NOTES
The four gospels each give a particular perspective on the life of Jesus. Unlike Matthew and Luke John’s gospel doesn’t give a nativity account. His gospel starts with the perspective of the eternal relationship between God and the Word, or as we understand that, the Father and the Son. The incarnation is introduced in those terms ‘the Word became flesh’ so we have no doubt that the Jesus we worship is also divine.
Big idea: The word becoming flesh speaks of a ‘divine humility’ which is staggering! Is your view of God big enough to grasp the immensity of this act?
In what way are human beings ‘in darkness’? Is that true for our present age as well as 1st Century Palestine?
How is the darkness affected by Jesus becoming human?
Why did so many of the highly religious, biblically educated people of Jesus time fail to recognise Him?
Jesus ‘incarnate’ reveals to us exactly what God is like, (e.g. that God can self-limit, embrace suffering, allow his will not to be done for the sake of giving us the opportunity to freely turn to him and know him). How does your understanding of Go and relationship with Him resonate with those truths?
Jesus once said to his followers ‘You are the light of the World’. How can we be that light today?
Jesus commissioned his followers (e.g. Paul in Acts 26) to call people from darkness to light. Ask God to show you how you can point people to Jesus this Christmas.
We’ll be live-streaming our traditional carol service online - so you and your loved ones can join in from the comfort of home. You could even host a Watch Party on Facebook!
Our Carols by Candlelight service is guaranteed to make you feel all Christmassy! Be sure to invite your friends and family to tune in.
There are so many ways to invite people. Download and share this image as an invite or share the link to watch direct on our Facebook page or YouTube channel:
Visit the Woodlands Church Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/woodlandschurchbristol
Share the link to the service on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/bU1ZpSdbAa8
This week’s candle focuses on love.
The whole meaning of Christmas can be explained in that one little 4 letter word – LOVE. The birth of Jesus was God’s gift of pure, undeserved, unconditional love for us. Love that came down from heaven, love that was born in a manger, love that would ultimately die on a cross. This week we can focus on that magnificent gift of love given to us in the form of God’s own son.
At Christmas we enjoy showing those around us how much we love them. We buy them gifts; we gather together; we share food. We laugh and sing and eat! Let’s remember that love and remind ourselves that the ultimate show of perfect love was born in a manger.
Discuss!
How do you know if someone loves you?
·Why do you think that Jesus was born?
· Do you think God loves everyone?
· Is it easy to love everyone?
· Can you find a story in the bible where Jesus showed love to someone?
Respond!
When someone loves you, they might do things for you, make sure you are safe and treat you kindly. Sometimes there are ways we can show love without it looking like something big. A great way you can show love is to pray for someone.
Can you think of anyone who needs to feel God's love right now? They might feel sad or lonely. Is there a way you can show God's love to them?
As a family think of something you can do each day for someone else. This could be for a member of your family or one of your neighbours. It could be as simple as a card saying you are thinking about them or it could be collecting shopping for them or baking them a cake.
Chat and Catch:
Make yourselves comfortable – close your eyes if you wish:
· Show God in your mind someone you really love.
· Thank God for that person.
· Ask God what He loves most about you
What can we learn from the story of Christmas?
This December, we’re celebrating the story of Christmas throughout Advent.
As this unprecedented year of 2020 comes to a close, we want to look to Jesus and the awesomely magnificent way He came into the world. Against a backdrop of light and darkness, God sent His son to dwell among us and bring hope, love, joy and peace to a hurting world.
Through our sermon series this Christmas, we’ll look at how Mary’s story gives us insight into the wisdom of God and His strategy to overcome evil using the weak to shame the strong and bring in His upside down Kingdom. In Joseph’s story, we see prophecies fulfilled as Jesus was born in the City of David to inaugurate a Kingdom bigger than King David could have imagined. And finally we’ll look at how today the invitation to God’s Kingdom is open to everyone, to the last, the least and the stranger…that means all of us!
Our preaching topics during this series are:
Light in the Darkness - 6 Dec
Surprising the Strong - 13 Dec
A Star is Born - 20 Dec
Christmas at Home - 25 Dec (10.30am)
Everyone is Invited - 27 Dec
This year, our Woodies Kids team has put together some fantastic resources to help families celebrate Advent! Woodies families will have received their special packs in the mail - but anyone can take part online!
At Christmas there is so much to think about and so much to do, but it’s important in the midst of that to take time out of the stresses and the busy-ness and make time to gather together as a family. Make a space each Sunday in advent, maybe light a candle on your advent wreath and remember - Jesus is coming!
This month, we will explore together the traditional advent themes:
Hope | Love | Joy | Peace
These are a few of the good gifts God has given to us. During this advent season, let us remember and celebrate Jesus coming to earth as a baby, meaning we have a way to access and experience these gifts.
Our prayer for you is that in spending time together each week celebrating Jesus’s birth, we will together encounter more of Him and experience more deeply the hope, love, joy, and peace He offers.
Each week, families can take part by reading our Woodies Kids blog which will have a Bible reading to focus on; an introduction to the theme; discussion questions; something to do together as a family and a way of responding.
There’s also a Going Deeper section if your children are older - as you may feel that you want to spend more time exploring the theme for the week and so these activities are for you!
There is a Chat & Catch section too - Chat & Catch is a really useful tool taken from the Parenting for Faith course. A training video on Chat and Catch is available on our Woodies Kids blog.
Don’t worry about doing all of the activities or questions, but we pray that as you take time out each Sunday and focus as a family on the source of our peace, joy, hope and love; that you will meet with Jesus in a special way this advent.
With love and blessings,
The Woodies Kids team x
29 November 2020 - 7pm Service
Jesus Talk: True Riches
This Sunday we hear the final talk of our current preaching series Jesus Talk with a message from Hannah Mitchell on ‘True RIches’.
Jesus is on the move. In Luke 10 Jesus appoints 72 to go ahead of him ‘to every town and place he was about to go’. In Luke 13:22 we read ‘Jesus went through the towns and villages teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem’ (13:33). In 14:25 we read ‘large crowds were travelling with Jesus’.
Jesus ‘way’ lies through Samaria from Galilee to Jerusalem and corresponds to Luke 9:51-19:44. It’s not always welcoming territory (9:51-56)- the disciples might feel like sheep amongst wolves at times.
Jesus teaching, usually in parables, is sometimes provoked by questions, sights and sounds on the road. The Good Samaritan is based around a risky journey through bandit territory. The three ‘lost’ things parables of Luke 15 have journeying and seeking in them. Not all the teaching and sayings in these chapters from 10-19 are chronological. But perhaps there is a body of teaching that teaches us how to live ‘with the end in mind’. How do we live out our discipleship on this journey of life with the Kingdom as our goal and destination?
Remember, earlier today at the 11am service we heard Richard Pollard speak on the same topic. Go check it out!
Go deeper with this topic with the study notes!
29 November 2020 - 11am Service
Jesus Talk: True Riches
This Sunday we hear the final talk of our current preaching series Jesus Talk with a message from Richard Pollard on ‘True Riches’.
Jesus is on the move. In Luke 10 Jesus appoints 72 to go ahead of him ‘to every town and place he was about to go’. In Luke 13:22 we read ‘Jesus went through the towns and villages teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem’ (13:33). In 14:25 we read ‘large crowds were travelling with Jesus’.
Jesus ‘way’ lies through Samaria from Galilee to Jerusalem and corresponds to Luke 9:51-19:44. It’s not always welcoming territory (9:51-56)- the disciples might feel like sheep amongst wolves at times.
Jesus teaching, usually in parables, is sometimes provoked by questions, sights and sounds on the road. The Good Samaritan is based around a risky journey through bandit territory. The three ‘lost’ things parables of Luke 15 have journeying and seeking in them. Not all the teaching and sayings in these chapters from 10-19 are chronological. But perhaps there is a body of teaching that teaches us how to live ‘with the end in mind’. How do we live out our discipleship on this journey of life with the Kingdom as our goal and destination?
Remember, our 7pm service is also looking at this topic, and Hannah Mitchell will be sharing with us. Check it out!
Go deeper with this topic with the study notes:
This first Sunday of Advent is all about Hope.
The candle is also called the prophecy candle because of all the prophesises in the Old Testament that told of the Messiah’s coming. The people of Israel waited with hope because God had promised a saviour. As Christians we know that God fulfilled that promise through the birth of Jesus Christ.
So, as we start to get ready to celebrate Jesus’ birth, let us remind ourselves of the bigger plan that He is part of and how much the world was anticipating Him even before Mary was pregnant!
Discuss!
Read two of the prophesies about Jesus:
· What does it mean to anticipate something?
· What kind of things do we look forward to?
· What were some of the things Jesus would be called?
· What does your name mean?
· How can we get to know God better through His son?
Respond!
Light a candle and ponder the wonder of Christ’s birth and rejoice in God’s gift of Jesus being born. Consider how Deity transcended time and space and entered into humanity. Consider how Jesus, the Lord of Glory, humbled himself and came to earth; how the Royal One, the King of kings, entered into poverty. And consider how, on that dark night centuries ago, True Light entered our world in the form of a lowly infant. Give thanks for the Light of Jesus in your life and, just as John the Baptist testified of the True Light, be ready to be a witness to the Light of Christmas—the Lord Jesus Christ.
Chat and catch!
Make yourself comfortable, to help you concentrate close your eyes. You could also write or draw these things if you would like to on a piece of paper or in a journal.
· Tell Jesus what you love about the Christmas story.
· Tell Jesus what you are hoping for.
· Ask God to highlight one of the names of Jesus from Isaiah 6:9 to you.
22 November 2020 - 7pm Service
Jesus Talk: Persistent Prayer
This Sunday we continue our preaching series Jesus Talk with a message from Rachel Riddall on ‘Persistent Prayer’.
Jesus is on the move. In Luke 10 Jesus appoints 72 to go ahead of him ‘to every town and place he was about to go’. In Luke 13:22 we read ‘Jesus went through the towns and villages teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem’ (13:33). In 14:25 we read ‘large crowds were travelling with Jesus’.
Jesus ‘way’ lies through Samaria from Galilee to Jerusalem and corresponds to Luke 9:51-19:44. It’s not always welcoming territory (9:51-56)- the disciples might feel like sheep amongst wolves at times.
Jesus teaching, usually in parables, is sometimes provoked by questions, sights and sounds on the road. The Good Samaritan is based around a risky journey through bandit territory. The three ‘lost’ things parables of Luke 15 have journeying and seeking in them. Not all the teaching and sayings in these chapters from 10-19 are chronological. But perhaps there is a body of teaching that teaches us how to live ‘with the end in mind’. How do we live out our discipleship on this journey of life with the Kingdom as our goal and destination?
Remember, earlier today at the 11am service we heard Rob Scott-Cook speak on the same topic. Go check it out!
You will find discussion notes below to help you go deeper with this topic during the week.
INTRODUCTION | Luke 11:1-13 & Luke 18:1-8
In Luke’s gospel there are two key passages where Jesus teaches on prayer. The Lord’s prayer in Luke 11 is followed by 2 parables about being bold and persevering in prayer. Luke 18 is another parable about persevering in prayer, about bringing requests to God.
Big idea: How we pray determines what we believe about God.
Folk religion, or human default ways of thinking, tend to project on to God our fears. We see God as a harsh father or harsh judge. In the two parables here in Luke, Jesus tells us that God is the opposite of a harsh father - He is a good father who wants to bless his children. He is not like a harsh judge, he will give justice ‘speedily’.
STUDY QUESTIONS
Key Questions: How does my view of God affect the way I pray?
Why do we tend to project harsh authoritarian pictures of God on to Him?
How does knowing Jesus change the way I see God?
Other questions:
Why do we need to persevere in prayer, to keep ‘asking, seeking and knocking’? If Jesus says God will grant his chosen ones swiftly (Luke 18) why do we need to wait?
Jesus asks questions about our faith. ‘Will the Son of Man .. find faith on earth?’ What is the link between our faith and answered prayer?
What is the link between intensity of need and prayer? In the parables on prayer those asking have a strong sense of need. Do I have a sense of how much I need God?
How can the Lord’s Prayer be applied to my life without just becoming a ritual form of words?
In small group life are there things that we are ‘persevering’ in asking God for? Why not keep a group prayer journal, to help us remember to ask but to keep a record of answers too?
22 November 2020 - 11am Service
Jesus Talk: Persistent Prayer
This Sunday we continue our preaching series Jesus Talk with a message from Rob Scott-Cook on ‘Persistent Prayer’.
Jesus is on the move. In Luke 10 Jesus appoints 72 to go ahead of him ‘to every town and place he was about to go’. In Luke 13:22 we read ‘Jesus went through the towns and villages teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem’ (13:33). In 14:25 we read ‘large crowds were travelling with Jesus’.
Jesus ‘way’ lies through Samaria from Galilee to Jerusalem and corresponds to Luke 9:51-19:44. It’s not always welcoming territory (9:51-56)- the disciples might feel like sheep amongst wolves at times.
Jesus teaching, usually in parables, is sometimes provoked by questions, sights and sounds on the road. The Good Samaritan is based around a risky journey through bandit territory. The three ‘lost’ things parables of Luke 15 have journeying and seeking in them. Not all the teaching and sayings in these chapters from 10-19 are chronological. But perhaps there is a body of teaching that teaches us how to live ‘with the end in mind’. How do we live out our discipleship on this journey of life with the Kingdom as our goal and destination?
Remember, our 7pm service is also looking at this topic, and Rachel Riddall will be sharing with us. Check it out!
You will find discussion notes below to help you go deeper with this topic during the week.
INTRODUCTION | Luke 11:1-13 & Luke 18:1-8
In Luke’s gospel there are two key passages where Jesus teaches on prayer. The Lord’s prayer in Luke 11 is followed by 2 parables about being bold and persevering in prayer. Luke 18 is another parable about persevering in prayer, about bringing requests to God.
Big idea: How we pray determines what we believe about God.
Folk religion, or human default ways of thinking, tend to project on to God our fears. We see God as a harsh father or harsh judge. In the two parables here in Luke, Jesus tells us that God is the opposite of a harsh father - He is a good father who wants to bless his children. He is not like a harsh judge, he will give justice ‘speedily’.
STUDY QUESTIONS
Key Questions: How does my view of God affect the way I pray?
Why do we tend to project harsh authoritarian pictures of God on to Him? How does knowing Jesus change the way I see God?
Other questions:
Why do we need to persevere in prayer, to keep ‘asking, seeking and knocking’? If Jesus says God will grant his chosen ones swiftly (Luke 18) why do we need to wait?
Jesus asks questions about our faith. ‘Will the Son of Man .. find faith on earth?’ What is the link between our faith and answered prayer?
What is the link between intensity of need and prayer? In the parables on prayer those asking have a strong sense of need. Do I have a sense of how much I need God?
How can the Lord’s Prayer be applied to my life without just becoming a ritual form of words?
In small group life are there things that we are ‘persevering’ in asking God for? Why not keep a group prayer journal, to help us remember to ask but to keep a record of answers too?
Isaiah
So far in the last 3 weeks we have heard of 3 prophets who heard from God and gave a message to someone else for Him.
In all 3 of those instances, they didn’t have to wait very long to see God fulfil those messages. Jonah, spoke for God and told the city of Ninevah to repent, and they did – well, after he’d spent some time in a whale of course! Elisha, spoke for God and told Naaman to bathe in the river Jordan and he would be healed – and he was! And Elijah prayed for God to send fire – and he did! This week is a little bit different, because this week we are looking at a prophecy that took thousands of years to be fulfilled. In fact this isn’t just one prophecy. throughout the Old Testament, God spoke to His prophets and promised them a Messiah – their rescuer. The details were even pretty specific – All the way back in Genesis “The Messiah will be born of a woman”, Micah – “The Messiah will be born in Bethlehem”, Isaiah – “The Messiah would be called a Nazarene”.
The people had to wait a very long time to see this happen. But it did happen. Because God always fulfils His promises.
Have you ever had to wait for something for a REALLY long time?
Can you share what it was and how long you had to wait?
Do you find it hard to wait for something that is really exciting?
Ask the children to stand on one leg for a minute; when they think the minute is up they can sit down. Comment that time seems to pass slowly when you are waiting for something – even if it is only to put your foot down!
Say that when people were waiting for the Messiah/saviour/Jesus to be born time seemed to pass slowly – but God kept his promise! Because God always keeps his promises.
After 1 minute has passed, tell the children who was closest in their estimation.
Response
Read this list of some of God’s promises
Have you ever had to wait for something for a REALLY long time?
Can you share what it was and how long you had to wait?
Do you find it hard to wait for something that is really exciting?
Ask the children to stand on one leg for a minute; when they think the minute is up they can sit down. Comment that time seems to pass slowly when you are waiting for something – even if it is only to put your foot down!
Say that when people were waiting for the Messiah/saviour/Jesus to be born time seemed to pass slowly – but God kept his promise! Because God always keeps his promises.
After 1 minute has passed, tell the children who was closest in their estimation.
Response
Read this list of some of God’s promises
Spend a moment together to listen to God as you read these out. Is there one that you think God wants you to hear today? Thank God for His promise of sending Jesus. Thank God that because of Jesus we don’t have to wait for a prophet to tell us what God is saying. We can hear this for ourselves!
15 November 2020 - 7pm Service
Jesus Talk: Good Neighbour
This Sunday we start our new preaching series Jesus Talk with a message from Tim Dobson on ‘Good Neighbour’.
Jesus is on the move. In Luke 10 Jesus appoints 72 to go ahead of him ‘to every town and place he was about to go’. In Luke 13:22 we read ‘Jesus went through the towns and villages teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem’ (13:33). In 14:25 we read ‘large crowds were travelling with Jesus’.
Jesus ‘way’ lies through Samaria from Galilee to Jerusalem and corresponds to Luke 9:51-19:44. It’s not always welcoming territory (9:51-56)- the disciples might feel like sheep amongst wolves at times.
Jesus teaching, usually in parables, is sometimes provoked by questions, sights and sounds on the road. The Good Samaritan is based around a risky journey through bandit territory. The three ‘lost’ things parables of Luke 15 have journeying and seeking in them. Not all the teaching and sayings in these chapters from 10-19 are chronological. But perhaps there is a body of teaching that teaches us how to live ‘with the end in mind’. How do we live out our discipleship on this journey of life with the Kingdom as our goal and destination?
Remember, earlier today at the 11am service we heard Dave Mitchell speak on the same topic. Go check it out!
You will find discussion notes below to help you go deeper with this topic during the week.
INTRODUCTION | Read Luke 10: 25-37
Loving God as we claim to, is intimately tied up with us loving our neighbour. But the concept of Love and Neighbour take on a richer and challenging intensity as Jesus gives us an example of what this loving looks like, in the Good Samaritan story.
STUDY QUESTIONS
What must I do to inherit eternal life? That’s a big question! Have you ever asked it? What is the answer? How connected is our love for God and our love for people in practice? Does this imply salvation through ‘works’ not faith’?
Why do the religious characters in Jesus story not help the victim?
Why is it so surprising that the Samaritan helps the victim?
How does this story shape our understanding of what Jesus means by ‘Love’ as well as what he means by ‘neighbour’?
Can we think of and share times when our religiosity has stopped us helping someone in urgent need? Are we guilty of only helping people who are part of our community and how could we change to include others not like us, even people we may feel as a threat?
Pray that this week Jesus helps you notice people around you with His eyes. Pray that the Spirit would teach and help you how to love your neighbour.
15 November 2020 - 11am Service
Jesus Talk: Good Neighbour
This Sunday we start our new preaching series Jesus Talk with a message from Dave Mitchell on ‘Good Neighbour’.
Jesus is on the move. In Luke 10 Jesus appoints 72 to go ahead of him ‘to every town and place he was about to go’. In Luke 13:22 we read ‘Jesus went through the towns and villages teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem’ (13:33). In 14:25 we read ‘large crowds were travelling with Jesus’.
Jesus ‘way’ lies through Samaria from Galilee to Jerusalem and corresponds to Luke 9:51-19:44. It’s not always welcoming territory (9:51-56)- the disciples might feel like sheep amongst wolves at times.
Jesus teaching, usually in parables, is sometimes provoked by questions, sights and sounds on the road. The Good Samaritan is based around a risky journey through bandit territory. The three ‘lost’ things parables of Luke 15 have journeying and seeking in them. Not all the teaching and sayings in these chapters from 10-19 are chronological. But perhaps there is a body of teaching that teaches us how to live ‘with the end in mind’. How do we live out our discipleship on this journey of life with the Kingdom as our goal and destination?
Remember, our 7pm service is also looking at this topic, and Tim Dobson will be sharing with us. Check it out!
You will find discussion notes below to help you go deeper with this topic during the week.
INTRODUCTION | Read Luke 10:25-37
Loving God as we claim to, is intimately tied up with us loving our neighbour. But the concept of Love and Neighbour take on a richer and challenging intensity as Jesus gives us an example of what this loving looks like, in the Good Samaritan story.
STUDY QUESTIONS
What must I do to inherit eternal life? That’s a big question! Have you ever asked it? What is the answer? How connected is our love for God and our love for people in practice? Does this imply salvation through ‘works’ not faith’?
Why do the religious characters in Jesus story not help the victim?
Why is it so surprising that the Samaritan helps the victim?
How does this story shape our understanding of what Jesus means by ‘Love’ as well as what he means by ‘neighbour’?
Can we think of and share times when our religiosity has stopped us helping someone in urgent need? Are we guilty of only helping people who are part of our community and how could we change to include others not like us, even people we may feel as a threat?
Pray that this week Jesus helps you notice people around you with His eyes. Pray that the Spirit would teach and help you how to love your neighbour.
Woodlands Church, Belgrave Road, Bristol BS8 2AA
