Simply Good News - Good Advice, Wrong News
Simply Good News - Good Advice, Wrong News
by SPCK - N T Wright
1, part b Good Advice, Wrong News In many churches, the good news has subtly changed into good advice: here’s how to live, they say. Here’s how to pray. Here are techniques for helping you become a better Christian, a better person, a better wife or husband. And in particular, he…
Simply Good News - What's the News
Simply Good News - What's the News
by SPCK - N T Wright
1 What’s the Good News? You are sitting quietly in a café with a couple of friends when suddenly the door bursts open and in rushes a stranger with a wild, excited look on his face. ‘Good news!’ he shouts. ‘You’ll never guess! The greatest news you can imagine!’…
The Women's Bible Commentary - David and Goliath
The Women's Bible Commentary - David and Goliath
by SPCK - Newsom, Ringe and Lapsley
David and Goliath Up to this point, besides the fact that YHWH has told Samuel to anoint him, David has shown no special qualities that would qualify him to rule Israel as king: it is the battle with Goliath that establishes David as a potential leader for Israel…
Online Mission and Ministry - Building an online community
Online Mission and Ministry - Building an online community
by SPCK - Pam Smith
Building an online community Even if your vision is for a project run solely by yourself, it is worth thinking about community. The online world is full of abandoned Christian sites, sadly forsaken and clogged up with adverts and spam posts which say nothing about the Christian m…
Online Mission and Ministry - Looking after yourself and your team
Online Mission and Ministry - Looking after yourself and your team
by SPCK - Pam Smith
Looking after yourself and your team Why is it that so many movements and organisations spring up within the Church and within society form a noble and generous purpose, attract intelligent and conscientious people, flourish briefly, then become so preoccupied with questions of i…
JOHN: The people's bible commentary - The Spirit of the Truth
JOHN: The people's bible commentary - The Spirit of the Truth
by BRF - Richard A. Burridge
The SPIRIT Of The TRUTH So far the opposition and the hatred has been predicted from ‘the world’—every human system and structure opposed to God, anything or anyone who wants to be in the centre where only God can be. Into this world of darkness, God sent his only Son to bring li…
Online Mission and Ministry - Appendix 1
Online Mission and Ministry - Appendix 1
by SPCK - Pam Smith
Appendix 1 Example of a worship and prayer service for a chat room Notes for leaders If you are able to copy and paste the words into the chat room, the service will flow much more smoothly. If you are cutting and pasting, leave time for people to read each line before posting ag…
JOHN: The people's bible commentary - I AM THE VINE
JOHN: The people's bible commentary - I AM THE VINE
by BRF - Richard A. Burridge
I AM THE VINE The various themes introduced in chapter 13 were developed through chapter 14, including the key elements of a farewell speech. Finally, Jesus said, ‘Rise, let us go from here’ (14:31). However, they do not do this until 18:1. Some scholars suggest that chapters 15—…
JOHN: The people's bible commentary - I HAVE GIVEN YOU AN EXAMPLE
JOHN: The people's bible commentary - I HAVE GIVEN YOU AN EXAMPLE
by BRF - Richard A. Burridge
I HAVE GIVEN YOU an EXAMPLE Jesus has washed the disciples’ feet and returned to the table (13:12). From our experience of church services and the other gospels we expect the institution of the holy communion next—but it is completely missing. Instead, Jesus begins to explain thi…
JOHN: The people's bible commentary - JESUS WASHES the DISCIPLES FEET
JOHN: The people's bible commentary - JESUS WASHES the DISCIPLES FEET
by BRF - Richard A. Burridge
JESUS WASHES the DISCIPLES FEET The curtain rises on Act Two of John’s drama, yet slowly. Now that the ‘hour’ has finally come, time slows down. Act One and the interlude (chs. 1—12) have taken over two years, with two previous Passovers (2:13; 6:4). Act Two (chs. 13—19) covers j…
JOHN: The people's bible commentary - Do you love me more than this?
JOHN: The people's bible commentary - Do you love me more than this?
by BRF - Richard A. Burridge
Do you Love me More than These? Breakfast is finished, but the lingering smell of the charcoal fire is a potent reminder that something is still hanging around. Peter showed willing by jumping into the sea to greet Jesus and leaping to get more fish. But Jesus has to take the ini…
JOHN: The people's bible commentary - I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD
JOHN: The people's bible commentary - I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD
by BRF - Richard A. Burridge
I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD In a pastoral society like ancient Israel, sheep and shepherds were used to describe the relationship of God with his people: ‘the Lord is my shepherd’ and ‘we are his people, the sheep of his pasture’ (Pss. 23:1; 100:3). Good leaders were ‘shepherds of the…
JOHN: The people's bible commentary - JESUS AND JOHN THE BAPTIST
JOHN: The people's bible commentary - JESUS AND JOHN THE BAPTIST
by BRF - Richard A. Burridge
JESUS AND JOHN THE BAPTIST The next scene gives us a glimpse of the ministry of Jesus and his disciples baptizing, in much the same way as John the Baptist and his followers. It was a good job there was ‘much water there’!…
JOHN: The people's bible commentary - FOLLOW ME
JOHN: The people's bible commentary - FOLLOW ME
by BRF - Richard A. Burridge
FOLLOW ME Jesus warmed and dried Peter by the fire, fed him with fish and bread; then he restored him to his pastoral care of God’s people and hinted at his glorious martyrdom to come. Only one thing remains to be said, ‘Follow me’ (21:19). It is Jesus’ last word, yet also his fi…
50 Praise, Pray and Play Sessions - 50 Praise, Pray and Play Sessions - Introduction