Monthly Archives: February 2013

Glimpses of God – Lent Course

WHOLE CHURCH LENT COURSE

 For the period of Lent, we will be following the study “Glimpses of God” by York Courses.  Sessions will be held on Wednesday evenings, from 19:00 to 20:30 hours in the Deritend Training Room at Church.  The course booklet is available from the Church Shop or at the course, cost £3.40.

We live in turbulent times. In this course, Canon David Winter draws on the Bible as he shows where we can find strength and encouragement as we live through the 21st century. Under the title Glimpses of God, this course brings a message of hope.

Session 1 (20th February 2013) The God who hears our cry

Session 2 (27th February 2013) The Shepherd who guides and guards his people

Session 3 (6th March 2013) The Son who is the Way, the Truth and the Life

Session 4 (13th March 2013) The God who shares our pain

Session 5 (20th March 2013) The God who calms our fears

The course booklet, written by Canon David Winter, includes questions aimed at provoking wide-ranging discussion. Each group needs 1 CD or audiotape, plus a course booklet for each member. In addition many groups find the transcript booklet, which cross-references to the tracks on the CD, invaluable.

The participants on the course CD/audiotape are the Baroness Shirley Williams, Bishop Stephen Cottrell, and Revd Professor David Wilkinson.  The Revd Lucy Winkett provides the Closing Reflection at the end of each session and Dr David Hope – former Archbishop of York – introduces this course.

What others have said about Glimpses of God:

“Yet again, the York Course sets the standard for Lent courses: focusing on important topics with contributors who both comfort and challenge, it always opens up discussion rather than ends it, and is full of phrases and ideas.” Church Times review Jan 2013

“The York Courses are a good brand. They help remind church members of their faith, serve useful sharing on Christian basics and engage with big issues facing humanity.” Revd John Twisleton, Jan 2013

Why and how should I tell others? Whole Church Alpha, Question 7

Week Beginning: Sunday 24th February 2013.

Question 7: Why and how should I tell others?

Bible readings: Acts 1:1-8, Luke 10:1-23.

Discussion Questions:

1. When was the last time you heard something that was ‘good news’? Did you tell anyone about it? How? Why?

2. The word ‘Gospel’ means ‘Good News’…in what ways is the Christian message good news to you? How might knowing about Jesus be good news to others?

3. Are there times when you have shared the Good News of Jesus with others? When? How did you do it? What happened?

4. Read these 3 statements: 1. Just sharing the Gospel through saying words can be hollow. 2. Just sharing the Gospel through who you are being is passive. 3. Just sharing the Gospel through what you are doing is ambiguous. Do you agree? Which ways of sharing the Good News of Jesus do you find easy/uncomfortable? Which ways do you find difficult/uncomfortable? Are there things that you could do differently?

5. Don’t forget, this isn’t something that we do on our own – Jesus sent people out in pairs and gave us the Holy Spirit too! How could we support and encourage each other in sharing the Gospel? How might we work with the Holy Spirit to share the Good News? Don’t forget to pray!

Further resources for those exploring…

Websites: www.alpha.org, www.newgeneration.co.uk, www.christianaid.org.uk.