Jonah, the reluctant messenger (August).
Jonah had good reason to be reluctant to go to Nineveh – this was the capital city of one of the most brutal and oppressive nations in the world. As bad as they were God still loved them and was willing to send a messenger to tell them to repent. In the story of Jonah we learn about obeying God even when it doesn’t suit us, the distress of being outside of God’s plan and the extent of God’s love for the people of Nineveh. Join us 15-29 August and be challenged with the part God asks us to play in his mission.
Building Better Relationships (September).
Except from the odd hermit, we are relational beings who build up networks and connections with people all our lives. We see and talk to people every day. The internet has allowed an expansive growth of relationships with connections through social networking sites where we share news, ideas and photo’s. Not surprisingly, the God who made us to be relational beings has a lot to say in the Bible about relationships. In light of our modern technology the bible and its world may seem outdated. However, the human heart remains the same and much that the bible has to say is still very relevant to modern relationships. In this series we look at some of the important relationships that shape our lives, marriage, family and work – thinking about these both from our modern times and also using the ancient wisdom of Paul’s letter to the people at Ephesus (chapters 5&6).
Searching For Meaning (October).
The quest to discover the meaning of life has gripped the human heart for centuries. It was at the heart of Douglas Adams’ comic novel, The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, it underlies the serious scientific search for life on other planets, and it is found in the ancient writings of Solomon called Ecclesiastes. Solomon had the luxury of time, education and wealth which allowed him to experiment with life and to explore its deeper meaning. In this series we will look at the jaded life that reflects how shallow the pursuit of pleasure can be; take a look at life through the perspective of time and seasons; consider some of the destructive forces that drain joy from life; think about the strength of friendship, and look at what death may teach us about life. While Solomon’s experiments in life lead him into some deep and dark places, his conclusions are encouraging and uplifting.