Sermons – St Bart's Anglican Church

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the third sermon in our three-week series on Big Issues that Block Belief. This sermon is “Abuse by Church Leaders”. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Readings: Matthew 18:1-14DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READINGS Matthew 18:1-14At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come! If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell."See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: Twofold: (a) What would help you to bring your suffering and struggles to Jesus in order that you may experience his compassion? (b) On one of your frontlines, what’s one opportunity to demonstrate compassion?WARM-UP In the face of the evil of abuse, what are some of the questions that people ask?Do you know anyone for whom the issue of ‘Abuse by Church Leaders’ is a major belief blocker?Given this is such a potentially distressing topic, why is it important for us to address it?Read Matthew 18:1-5What do the disciples ask Jesus? What do you think was the motivation for their question?How important were children in the ancient world? How important are they in our culture?Who is the greatest in the ‘kingdom of heaven’ like? What does Jesus mean by this? Is this surprising?How is abuse a complete contradiction of Jesus’ love for the most vulnerable?How is it evident that the earliest of Christians took Jesus’ love for the most vulnerable seriously?Who are the most vulnerable in our society? How can make Jesus’ love for the most vulnerable a priority?Read Matthew 18:6-14What is Jesus’ warning to those who cause ‘one of these little ones’ to stumble? How is this an assurance that God is just and that justice will be done?Why is it such good news that Jesus does not dismiss or diminish the seriousness of evil?Are verses 8-14 meant to be enacted literally? How does this relate to repentance?What are the ways corporately in which the church should repent of its failings to protect the most vulnerable and take responsibility for its shortcomings? What changed action should follow?What does Jesus say not to do? What does he mean by this, along with welcoming little ones in his name?How do we as a church seek to ensure a safe environment and sacrificially love those in need?In what way is Jesus the ultimate shepherd? How does this give us cause to trust in him?APPLY: What is one way that you can pour out God’s love with the most vulnerable on your frontlines? PRAYER Heavenly Father, we are so sorry for the ways in which we have betrayed your love and failed to protect the most vulnerable amongst us. Please forgive us and help us to ensure not only safe environments for everyone in our community but also that we may actively care for those who have been hurt. Please help us to shine your light, even amidst the darkest of places, trusting in your love, justice, and mercy. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: It’s not too late to invite someone along to the Alpha Launch Party! Come along together for a taste of Alpha, and enjoy music, nachos & an ice-cream bar. 10 October 7:30pmListen, Watch, and Read: Listen: Church Abuse and Leadership Scandals: https://bit.ly/3e0yimT Read: Matthew 25 – Prayer for Children’s Protection. By Heather Kliner. https://bit.ly/35JsqFu Read: Abuse in the Church. By Barney Zwatz. https:

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the second sermon in our three-week series on Big Issues that Block Belief. This sermon is “Suffering in the World”. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Readings: Matthew 9:35-38; Hebrews 2:5-18; 1 Peter 1:3-12DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READINGS Matthew 9:35-38Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and illness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.’Hebrews 2:5-18It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. But there is a place where someone has testified:‘What is mankind that you are mindful of them, a son of man that you care for him?You made them a little lower than the angels; you crowned them with glory and honour and put everything under their feet.’In putting everything under them, God left nothing that is not subject to them. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to them. But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honour because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered. Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters. He says,‘I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters; in the assembly I will sing your praises.’And again,‘I will put my trust in him.’And again he says,‘Here am I, and the children God has given me.’Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death – that is, the devil – and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.1 Peter 1:3-12Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – may result in praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: What area of life do you struggle to live consistently in line with Godʼs will? Bring it before God. WARM-UP Do you know anyone for whom suffering has been a significant ʻbelief blockerʼ? Have there ever been times in which your own experience (or witness) of suffering has caused you to wrestle with your faith? What are the typical responses to suffering in our culture? When have you experienced/witnessed Christians demonstrate helpful and unhelpful responses to peopleʼs suffering? Read Matthew 9:35-38 What has Jesus been doing so far in chapter 9? What does he dispatch the disciples to do in chapter 10? When Jesus saw the crowds, what did he feel for them? Why did Jesus fe

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the first sermon in our three-week series on Big Issues that Block Belief. This sermon is “Hypocrisy of Christians”. Preacher: The Rev’d Michael Calder. Bible Reading: Matthew 23DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Matthew 23 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: ‘The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practise what they preach. They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.‘Everything they do is done for people to see: they make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; they love the place of honour at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted with respect in the market-places and to be called “Rabbi” by others.‘But you are not to be called “Rabbi”, for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth “father”, for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.‘Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.‘Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when you have succeeded, you make them twice as much a child of hell as you are.‘Woe to you, blind guides! You say, “If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but anyone who swears by the gold of the temple is bound by that oath.” You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred? You also say, “If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but anyone who swears by the gift on the altar is bound by that oath.” You blind men! Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred? Therefore, anyone who swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. And anyone who swears by the temple swears by it and by the one who dwells in it. And anyone who swears by heaven swears by God’s throne and by the one who sits on it.‘Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices – mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law – justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practised the latter, without neglecting the former. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.‘Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.‘Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.‘Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous. And you say, “If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.” So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets. Go ahead, then, and complete what your ancestors started!‘You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell? Therefore I am sending you prophets and sages and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify; others you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town. And so upon you will come all the righteous blood that has been shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berekiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. Truly I tell you, all this will come upon this generation.‘Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”’ SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: What could help you pray more consistently and boldly this week? WARM-UP What do you think people who donʼt know Jesus think about hypocrisy? What ab

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the ninth sermon in our term 3 series on the book of James. This sermon is “Real Faith: Prays”. Preacher: The Rev’d Michael Calder. Bible Reading: James 5:13-20DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: James 5:7-12 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you ill? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: Identify one area in which you struggle to be patient. How does your future hope help enable you to wait? WARM-UP What do you think the people on your frontlines think about prayer? How has prayer helped you in your walk with Jesus? Read James 5:13-18 According to James, under what circumstances should we pray? Why is it comforting to be able to pray in times of trouble? When in any trouble, what is usually your initial response? What is the possible ʻdangerʼ of times of peace or happiness? What is the antidote to this? What is to be the main action of the elders of the community? What does the anointing represent? Is there any guarantee from this passage that the sick person will be healed in this life? How can God heal people today? When will the ultimate healing come? How is this far better than anything on this earth now? How have you experienced the effectiveness of prayer in your life? Do you ever doubt the effectiveness of prayer? Why/Why not? How could you reassure yourself that God hears our prayers? How is your prayer life at this current moment? What patterns or rhythms or people (or a combination of them all!) could help you be consistent in prayer? Read James 5:19-20 What does James call on us all to be doing in these verses? Do you feel like you could do this? If you were to see someone wondering, how might you point them back to Jesus? How is this of great comfort to you that people would be looking out for you? What has been a new or renewed learning for you from James in this series? What could help you put this into practice? APPLY: What could help you pray more consistently and boldly this week? PRAYER Gracious Father, thank you for the amazing privilege of being your children and being able to pray to you. We are sorry for the times that we have neglected this. Please help us to be fervent in prayer and help us as a body to be looking out for one another as we grow as disciples together. We pray this in Jesusʼ Name, Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: Who are three people you are praying for to become followers of Jesus? Alpha could be a great next step! Listen, Watch, and Read: Listen: “Real Faith Prays” by Paul ClarkeListen: “James 5:13” by Dick LucasListen: “Undivided” by John DicksonRead: “Should We Anoint?” by Samuel EmadiSERIES Resources:Series Overview: Booklet (and Audiobook)Commentary: James: The Wisdom of the Brother of Jesus (by John Dickson)Course: Introduction to JamesVideo: Bible Project Overview of JamesGrow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.Families: Read, Chat, Do, and PrayHigh School: CHARGE Discussion QuestionsKids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ TalkeBook: Watch the eBook

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the eighth sermon in our term 3 series on the book of James. This sermon is “Real Faith: is Patient”. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Reading: James 5:7-12DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: James 5:7-12 Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear – not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple ‘Yes’ or ‘No’. Otherwise you will be condemned. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: Identify one ʻdesire withinʼ that can sometimes lead you to quarrel. Submit it to God. WARM-UP What are the situations in which you are most likely to be impatient? Have you had seasons in life (e.g., longings unfulfilled; hardships unresolved; questions unanswered) which have caused you to question Godʼs timing or goodness? Read James 5:7-9 What are the trials that were being experienced by some of the people to whom James wrote? How could they have been tempted to take things into their own hands? According to James, what is the main reason why we can be patient even amidst trial? What does James mean by “the Lordʼs coming”? Why is this good news? How is impatience sometimes a form of distrusting Godʼs timing or authority? Is God ever late? How does a farmer wait for the crop? How does this inform how we are to wait for Jesusʼ return? On your main frontline, what helps (or what could help) to remind you of the future hope you have? Does waiting for Jesus to return mean that we have nothing to do? What does it look like to ʻstand firmʼ? What are the various ways that our speech can be a reflection of standing firm? What does James say not to do ʻagainst one anotherʼ? What does he mean by this? Do you ever do it? How damaging is grumbling to our unity, mission, and witness? Read James 5:10-11 Why are the prophets and Job helpful examples of patience in the face of suffering? Do you know of people who have been great examples to you? Amidst suffering, how is Godʼs compassion and mercy a continuous comfort? How do you enjoy this? How has God been patient with us? How can we be certain of his compassion and mercy? What are the areas in life in which you have a tendency to rush ahead of God? What are some practical ways that you can slow down? APPLY: Identify one area in which you struggle to be patient. How does your future hope help enable you to wait? PRAYER Gracious Father, thank you for the incredible patience that you have demonstrated to us. Thank you that – just at the right time – you sent Jesus to save us. Please help us to trust your timing and delight in your compassion and mercy. In Jesusʼ Name, Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: Who are three people you are praying for to become followers of Jesus? Alpha could be a great next step! Listen, Watch, and Read: Listen: “Real Faith is Patient” by Paul ClarkeListen: “Be Patient” by Aneirin GlynListen: “Patience in Suffering” by Michael SteadRead: “Liturgy of the Ordinary” by Tish WarrenRead: “Becoming Friends of Time” by John SwintonSERIES Resources:Series Overview: Booklet (and Audiobook)Commentary: James: The Wisdom of the Brother of Jesus (by John Dickson)Course: Introduction to JamesVideo: Bible Project Overview of JamesGrow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.Families: Read, Chat, Do, and PrayHigh School: CHARGE Discussion QuestionsKids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ TalkeBook: Watch the eBook

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the seventh sermon in our term 3 series on the book of James. This sermon is “Real Faith: is Humble”. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Reading: James 4:1-5:6DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: James 4:1-5:6 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us? But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:‘God opposes the proud but shows favour to the humble.’Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you – who are you to judge your neighbour?Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.’ As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: What is ONE way (or place) in which you need to be more careful in the use of your words? (Also: is there someone from whom you need to seek forgiveness for the use of your words?) WARM-UP What issues commonly create quarrels and fights amongst Christians? What was likely happening in the communities to whom James writes? What are the effects of these conflicts? Have you ever experienced this personally? (Please donʼt feel pressure to share, but only if you feel comfortable doing so.) Do you ever get into foolish arguments? What do you think is the cause of these quarrels? Read James 4:1-3 What – according to James – is really at the heart of the problem? What does James mean by ʻdesires that battle within youʼ? What was the fruit of these desires at work? Have you ever witnessed any of these? Have you ever asked God for something with the wrong motive? How can we guard against this? What does our culture proclaim is the path to ultimate satisfaction? Do you think, as followers of Jesus, that weʼre ever tempted to buy into this? How so? Read James 4:4-10 What does James mean by calling the “adulterous” and as having “friendship with the world”? Why does this form of ʻspiritual unfaithfulnessʼ mean enmity (or opposition) against God? How can divided loyalties be an expression of working against Godʼs kingdom priorities? What is the difference of God being jealous for us rather than jealous of us? How is this good news? What gifts has God given us to bring our lives in line with his desires? How do you enjoy this? What do you think is at the heart of humbly coming to God? What has helped you with this? What are the four parts of submitting our lives to God? What do each of these mean? Is there any desire in your life (e.g., a longing, ambition, desire, resource, or time) that you need to submit to Godʼs will? How might you take a practical step towards that this week? APPLY: Identify one ʻdesire withinʼ that can sometimes lead you to quarrel. Sub

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the sixth sermon in our term 3 series on the book of James. This sermon is “Real Faith: Speaks”. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Reading: James 3:1-12DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: James 3:1-12 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig-tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: On your frontlines, what is one practical way that you can demonstrate your faith? WARM-UP Have you ever had an embarrassing or difficult moment of saying the wrong thing? Read James 3:1-7 According to James, who will be judged more strictly for their words? How does this apply to everyone? What are the first two illustrations that James uses about the tongue? How do these point to the disproportionate effect of the tongue in determining Christian maturity? Is there a time in your life in which you have experienced the effect of words (positively or negatively) spoken to you? Is there a time in which you have helpfully held back from speaking? How can the tongue be like a spark setting a ʻgreat forest ablazeʼ? What is the visual image of hell that the original readers may have had in the mind when they read Jamesʼ description? How can technology enable our words to be spoken more rapidly, retained more permanently, and amplified more broadly? Is this good or bad? Why should this make us even more aware? Why do you think that the tongue is so hard to tame? When do you find it most difficult? If no human being alone can tame the tongue, why should we bother? What should we do? If we have been wounded by words, how is it a comfort to know that in Jesus we find the one who has had every insult heaped on him? How can we find healing as we come to Christ? Read James 3:8-12 Why is it such an issue when – with the same mouth – we praise God and curse another? (It might be helpful to explore what James means by ʻcurseʼ here.) How does James illustrate this inconsistency? When we speak, how are we making a choice to deploy words either for ourselves or for God? How can our words anticipate new creation, participate in Godʼs mission, and cooperate with the Spirit? How can you be more intentional in your use of words for God? Is there a particular circumstance or frontline in which you need to be particularly mindful? APPLY: What is ONE way (or place) in which you need to be more careful in the use of your words? (Also: is there someone from whom you need to seek forgiveness for the use of your words?) PRAYER Gracious Father, thank you that in your grace you have trusted us with a gift so powerful as the tongue. Please help us to be ever watchful, that we might use our speech for your glory and your purposes. Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: What helpful habits/cues remind you of Godʼs interest and presence with you on your frontline? Maybe it could be saying grace before lunch or praying while driving. Listen, Watch, and Read: Listen: “Worse Than Sticks and Stones” (Barneys Broadway)Listen: “Genuine Faith Choose Words with Care” by Jen WilkinsListen: “Taming of the Tongue” by Doug OlsenListen: “James 3” by David PittRead: “World Shaping Words”SERIES Resources:Series Overview: Booklet (and Audiobook)Commentary: James: The Wisdom of the Brother of Jesus (by John Dickson)Course: Introduction to JamesVideo: Bible Project Overview of JamesGrow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.Families: Read, Chat, Do, and PrayH

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the fifth sermon in our term 3 series on the book of James. This sermon is “Real Faith: Works”. Preacher: The Rev’d Michael Calder. Bible Reading: James 2:14-26DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: James 2:14-26 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.But someone will say, ‘You have faith; I have deeds.’Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that – and shudder.You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,’ and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: Is there a frontline where you may be more prone to showing favouritism? How can Jesusʼ mercy for you transform how you view this situation? WARM-UP If someone on one of your frontlines was to ask you what the Gospel is all about, what would you tell them? Do good works ever add to our salvation in any way? Why or why not? Read James 2:14-19 What is wrong about claiming to have faith but having no action? Can you think of examples where people have claimed to have faith, but havenʼt acted on it? Are we ever in danger of this? What sort of actions or deeds does following Jesus require? Is there an area in your life where you arenʼt submitting to Jesusʼ lordship? Practically, how could you bring this area into line with Jesusʼ will and actions? How are deeds and actions a fruit of faith rather than a prerequisite to faith? Why is it so important to get this clear? Is it enough to just mentally assent to a set of doctrines or belief? What does James have to say about this type of faith? How can we ensure that we are submitting to Jesus as living sacrifices rather than just believing that ʻGod is oneʼ? Is there anyone who you could keep accountable to? Read James 2:20-26 Why was Abraham initially considered to be righteous (cf. Gen 15:6)? How did he demonstrate this faith? Is James arguing for a ʻworks based righteousnessʼ in these verses? Why/why not?Why is ʻfaith without deedsʼ considered to be dead?How are we justified? How should we demonstrate this in our lives today? APPLY: On your frontlines, what is one practical way that you can demonstrate your faith? PRAYER Lord God, thank you that we have been saved from sin entirely by your grace and mercy. Help us to never rely on our good deeds to save us, or to worry about our amount of good works, but always be assured of our salvation in Jesus Christ. Help us to live out our faith in every area of our lives, for your glory. Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: If someone looked at your texts or emails, could they identify patience and compassion for others? Before you hit send this week, pause to consider how your words express love to others. Listen, Watch, and Read: Listen: “Undivided: The Letter of James Part 6” by John DicksonListen: “When Faith is Alive” by Rico TiceListen: “Real Faith...Works” by David JackmanSERIES Resources:Series Overview: Booklet (and Audiobook)Commentary: James: The Wisdom of the Brother of Jesus (by John Dickson)Course: Introduction to JamesVideo: Bible Project Overview of JamesGrow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.Families: Read, Chat, Do, and PrayHigh School: CHARGE Discussion QuestionsKids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ TalkeBook: Watch the eBook

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the fourth sermon in our term 3 series on the book of James. This sermon is “Real Faith: Loves”. Preacher: The Rev’d Michael Calder. Bible Reading: James 2:1-13DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: James 2:1-13 My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favouritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, ‘Here’s a good seat for you,’ but say to the poor man, ‘You stand there’ or ‘Sit on the floor by my feet,’ have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? But you have dishonoured the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself,’ you are doing right. But if you show favouritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as law-breakers. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. For he who said, ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ also said, ‘You shall not murder.’ If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a law-breaker.Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: As you seek to humbly accept the word planted in you, choose one of the following areas to focus on: slow to anger; authentic action, or controlled speech. Pray for opportunity and wisdom to grow in this area. WARM-UP Has there been a time where you have shown favouritism on your frontlines? Can you recall a time when someone has demonstrated favouritism to someone else at your expense? How did it feel? Read James 2:1-4 What is favouritism? What is the very first reason that James gives as to why we shouldnʼt show this? If the situation in v2 were to happen on one of your frontlines, what do you think you would do? What would be the most appropriate response to this situation? Why can our judgements and thoughts about others be ʻevilʼ? How are our judgements different to that of Godʼs? Read James 2:5-13 Who does God choose to inherit the kingdom? Can you think of other examples in the bible where God has chosen the least to be part of his Kingdom? What does it mean to be ʻrich in the faithʼ? What is the hope of this? Instead of honouring these people, who have the churches honoured? Why would they favour the rich people? What could have been their motive? Could we possibly ever do this? Is there such a thing as a ʻsmall sinʼ? Why not? What reasons does James give? What does this tell us about the seriousness of favouritism? What is the ʻlaw that gives freedomʼ and how can we have hope since we all are law-breakers? How should the way that Jesusʼ has treated us shape the way that we treat others? APPLY: Is there a frontline where you may be more prone to showing favouritism? How can Jesusʼ mercy for you transform how you view this situation? PRAYER Lord God, thank you that you have not shown partiality but have saved us and brought us into your kingdom. Help us to not show favouritism but to show compassion and mercy as you have done for us. Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: If someone looked at your texts or emails, could they identify patience and compassion for others? Before you hit send this week, pause to consider how your words express love to others. Listen, Watch, and Read: Listen: “Being Consistent” by Simon ManchesterListen: “Family Favourites” by John StottListen: “Caught in Two Minds 2” by Kevin MurdochSERIES Resources:Series Overview: Booklet (and Audiobook)Commentary: James: The Wisdom of the Brother of Jesus (by John Dickson)Course: Introduction to JamesVideo: Bible Project Overview of JamesGrow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.Families: Read, Chat, Do, and PrayHigh School: CHARGE Discussion QuestionsKids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ TalkeBook: Watch the eBook

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the third sermon in our term 3 series on the book of James. This sermon is “Real Faith: Obeys”. Preacher: Amy Norman. Bible Reading: James 1:19-27DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: James 1:19-27 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom and continues in it – not forgetting what they have heard but doing it – they will be blessed in what they do.Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: What habits or patterns can help you keep your mind on all that we have in Christ? WARM-UP As Christians, why is it so important that our lives line up with what we say we believe? What do we do when we get it wrong? What helps you to keep on trying? Read James 1:19-21 What is the ʻword of Godʼ that has been planted in us? How do we ʻhumblyʼ accept it? According to James, what are the things that we should be ʻslowʼ at? Which do you find most difficult? In what ways does our culture sometimes enable – or even reward – a reluctance to listen, quick speech, and a rapid escalation of anger? What does James mean by “anger”? How is anger a problem that begins in the heart? What damage does this type of anger do? What type of fruit does this type of anger inhibit? Read James 1:22-25 Why does James claim that merely listening to the word is a form of self-deception? How does Jamesʼ illustration of the mirror highlight how foolish this really is? Why then do we struggle with it? What is the perfect law that gives freedom? How should it help shape how we act? Is there an area in your life in which you need to bring your action more closely in line with Godʼs word? When Christians do things which are not in line with what they say they believe, or fail to act in accordance with the convictions they proclaim, how does this damage the proclamation of the Gospel? Read James 1:26-27 Do you ever struggle to keep a reign on your tongue? Why is controlled speech important for Christians? Why do you think James uses the example of caring for orphans and widows?What helps you to be slow to anger and controlled in your speech? What hinders you? APPLY: As you seek to humbly accept the word planted in you, choose one of the following areas to focus on: slow to anger; authentic action, or controlled speech. Pray for opportunity and wisdom to grow in this area this week. PRAYER Gracious Father, please help us to humbly accept the word that you have planted in us. Please especially help us to be slow to anger, authentic in action, and with controlled speech. In Jesusʼ Name, Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: How do people around you respond to frustration? How does following Jesus change your response? Listen, Watch, and Read: Listen: “Genuine Faith is Actively Obedient to the Word” by Jen WilkinListen: “What is the secret of pleasing God?” by John StottListen: “More than listening” by Mike PagetListen: “First Fruits or Rotten Fruit?” by Kevin MurdochSERIES Resources:Series Overview: Booklet (and Audiobook)Commentary: James: The Wisdom of the Brother of Jesus (by John Dickson)Course: Introduction to JamesVideo: Bible Project Overview of JamesGrow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.Families: Read, Chat, Do, and PrayHigh School: CHARGE Discussion QuestionsKids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ TalkeBook: Watch the eBook

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the second sermon in our term 3 series on the book of James. This sermon is “Real Faith: is Steadfast”. Preacher: The Rev’d Michael Calder. Bible Reading: James 1:9-18DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: James 1:9-18 Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. But the rich should take pride in their humiliation – since they will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: What is one area of challenge that you need to seek Godʼs wisdom?WARM-UP If you were to ask people on your frontlines the question, “what is wrong with the world?” How do you think they would respond? Read James 1:9-12 What sort of humble circumstances is James referring to here? Where might we see this? What ʻhigh positionʼ can these people delight and take pride in? How can we have assurance that no matter our circumstances, we too share in this? How can earthly riches be dangerous to our spiritual life? What sort of ʻhumiliationʼ should the rich person take pride in? In what ways is this counter-cultural? Which group do you identify with at the moment? What practical things can help you remember all the riches that you have in Christ that are hidden at the moment? When the world sees someone under trial, how might this shape their thoughts about God? Are these inline with Godʼs character and actions or not? What practises or people have helped you persevere through trials? What is the ʻcrown of lifeʼ that is promised? While we wait for this, what comfort can we experience in this life now? Read James 1:13-18 Where does temptation come from? Why doesnʼt God have anything to do with evil? How is this of great assurance to us? In your personal life, is there a pattern that leads to sin? What is the danger if a lifestyle of sin goes unchecked? What is the certain hope for the sinner when they repent? What type of things does God give? What things can deceive us from this? Why is it good news for us that God does not change? What does it mean for us to be a ʻfirstfruitʼ? How does seeing all the riches that we have in Christ change the way we face possessions, trials, and temptations? APPLY: What habits or patterns can help you keep your mind on all that we have in Christ? PRAYER Gracious God, we thank you that you have saved us from death to life with you. Help us in trials and temptations to look to you for help, to ask you for wisdom, and grow in you. In Jesusʼ Name, Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: Have you ever asked a friend or colleague - do you think Jesus is a game changer? Maybe try it this week and invite them to the Public Lecture.Listen, Watch, and Read: Listen: “Recognise God” by Simon ManchesterListen: “Real Faith is Steadfast” by Paul ClarkeListen: “The Goodness of God” by Alistair BeggSERIES Resources:Series Overview: Booklet (and Audiobook)Commentary: James: The Wisdom of the Brother of Jesus (by John Dickson)Course: Introduction to JamesVideo: Bible Project Overview of JamesGrow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.Families: Read, Chat, Do, and PrayHigh School: CHARGE Discussion QuestionsKids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ TalkeBook: Watch the eBook

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the first sermon in our term 3 series on the book of James. This sermon is “Real Faith: is Tested”. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Reading: James 1:1-8DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: James 1:1-8 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations:Greetings.Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: How could you model humility on your frontlines this week? WARM-UP Amongst the most mature Christians that you know, do you know if they have experienced and persevered through suffering? What are the ways in which trials tend to make us either bitter or better? What is it dependent on? Read James 1:1-4What do you know about the letter of James? Who is James? To whom does he write? What is significant about Jamesʼ transition from unbeliever to being a devoted Christian, significant church leader (in Jerusalem and beyond), and – eventually – martyr? What were the trials that were being faced by the recipients of the letters? What are the types of trials that we are likely to experience today? Is James saying that the bad things arenʼt really that bad? How is our response to trials what matters? Is the presence of trials a failure of faith? How can we hold grief and gratitude together? How can our response to trials actually be an opportunity to grow in Christian maturity? Can you think of any examples in your own life in which the way that you have responded to difficult circumstances has actually caused you to grow in Christian maturity? Read James 1:5-8 According to James, what is the power that enables us to face trouble?Who is the source of wisdom? What are the alternative sources that we sometimes run to?On what basis can we have security of receiving wisdom? How should this cause us to actWhat is meant by believing and not doubting? Why can we not be ʻdouble-mindedʼ?How has community helped you to respond to trials with godly wisdom? How could it?Have you ever asked for wisdom? Is there a challenge right now in which you need Godʼs wisdom? APPLY: What is one area of challenge that you need to seek Godʼs wisdom? PRAYER Gracious God, please help us – in the face of trials - to respond with a wisdom that comes from you. Please, would you be at work in your gentleness and mercy shaping us in your likeness, even amidst and through the suffering that we experience. In Jesusʼ Name, Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: Have you ever asked a friend or colleague - do you think Jesus is a game changer? Maybe try it this week and invite them to the Public Lecture.Listen, Watch, and Read: Listen: “Joy in Trials” by Mike PagetListen: “Real Faith is Tested” by Paul ClarkeRead: “The Gift of Suffering, Stress, and Opposition” by Dr Wei-Han KuanSERIES Resources:Series Overview: Booklet (and Audiobook)Commentary: James: The Wisdom of the Brother of Jesus (by John Dickson)Course: Introduction to JamesVideo: Bible Project Overview of JamesGrow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.Families: Read, Chat, Do, and PrayHigh School: CHARGE Discussion QuestionsKids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ TalkeBook: Watch the eBook

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the third sermon in our three-part Winter Warmers series on Proverbs. This sermon is “Humility”. Preacher: The Rev’d Daniel Rouhead. Bible Reading: Proverbs 11DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Proverbs 11:1-13 The Lord detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favour with him.When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.The righteousness of the blameless makes their paths straight, but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness.The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires.Hopes placed in mortals die with them; all the promise of their power comes to nothing.The righteous person is rescued from trouble, and it falls on the wicked instead.With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbours, but through knowledge the righteous escape.When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.Whoever derides their neighbour has no sense, but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: How could you speak words of wisdom on your frontlines this week? WARM-UP Do you find it “hard to be humble”? Describe the most humble person you have met? What was their impact on you? Read Proverbs 11:1-2 What is pride? What is humility? How are they different? What comes with pride? What comes from humility? What examples of pride in the bible speak to you powerfully? What examples of humility do you relate to? Read Proverbs 11:4, 26, 28 How does pride affect our relationship with God? What are the common sources of pride in Australian society? Why is wealth such a powerful cause of pride? How does wealth affect our relationship with God and our relationships with others? How can we detect when pride is becoming an issue? Who could help you with that? Read Proverbs 11:24-25 Why is humility so important for Christians? How did Jesus model humility? What is the connection between wisdom and humility? What is the link between humility and generosity? How has the generosity of a fellow Christian influenced your faith? How could you be generous on your frontlines? How could St Bartʼs demonstrate humility and generosity in Toowoomba and further afield? APPLY: How could you model humility on your frontlines this week? PRAYER Gracious God, thank-you for Jesusʼ example of humility expressed in his life and death. Help us to be alert to pride, so that we can totally depend on you. Help us to grow in humility, generosity, wisdom and faith. In Jesusʼ name, Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: Have you ever asked a friend or colleague - do you think Jesus is a game changer? Maybe try it this week and invite them to the Public Lecture.Listen, Watch, and Read: Listen: “Spiritual Pride” by Dick LucasListen: “The Problem of Pride” by Alistair BeggListen: “Two Mouths” by Don CarsonRead: “How Pride Poisons the Soul” by Sam StormsSERIES Resources:Series Overview Booklet (and Audiobook)BOOK: “Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and the Song of Songs For Everyone” by John GoldingayVIDEO: Bible Project Overview of ProverbsWEBSITE: The Gospel Coalition resources on ProverbsGrow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.Families: Read, Chat, Do, and PrayHigh School: CHARGE Discussion QuestionsKids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ TalkeBook: Watch the eBook

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the second sermon in our three-part Winter Warmers series on Proverbs. This sermon is “Words”. Preacher: The Rev’d Michael Calder. Bible Reading: Proverbs 10:11-32DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Proverbs 10:11-32 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.Hatred stirs up conflict,but love covers over all wrongs.Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning,but a rod is for the back of one who has no sense.The wise store up knowledge,but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.The wealth of the rich is their fortified city,but poverty is the ruin of the poor.The wages of the righteous is life,but the earnings of the wicked are sin and death.Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life,but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.Whoever conceals hatred with lying lipsand spreads slander is a fool.Sin is not ended by multiplying words,but the prudent hold their tongues.The tongue of the righteous is choice silver,but the heart of the wicked is of little value.The lips of the righteous nourish many,but fools die for lack of sense.The blessing of the Lord brings wealth,without painful toil for it.A fool finds pleasure in wicked schemes,but a person of understanding delights in wisdom.What the wicked dread will overtake them;what the righteous desire will be granted. When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone,but the righteous stand firm forever.As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,so are sluggards to those who send them. The fear of the Lord adds length to life,but the years of the wicked are cut short.The prospect of the righteous is joy,but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.The way of the Lord is a refuge for the blameless, but it is the ruin of those who do evil.The righteous will never be uprooted,but the wicked will not remain in the land.From the mouth of the righteous comes the fruit of wisdom,but a perverse tongue will be silenced.The lips of the righteous know what finds favor,but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: How could you grow in your appreciation and living out of God’s wisdom this week?WARM-UP In the public sphere, how have you seen words build up or bring people down?Have you ever been built up by someone else's words?Read Proverbs 10:11-14What is the mouth of the righteous likened to? What images spring to mind when you think of this? How does one become righteous?What things could we say or do (or even sing!) to provide life for others and build them up? Who could you encourage and build up this week?In contrast, what do the words of the wicked do? Have you ever been on the receiving end of things such as these? Have you ever said such things as these?What is our hope if we have sinned against others by speaking words that tore them down?Read Proverbs 10:8; 18-24What do these verses tell us about how a wise person uses their words? How about the fool?Can you think of times on your frontlines where it is better to not say anything at all or wait to speak? What could help you in this?How does restraint in words make them all the more valuable?Read Proverbs 10:27-32What can give us the great reassurance that we are righteous?What is in store for those who are righteous and speak words of wisdom? What about the wicked?How can we ensure that we aren’t just paying lip service to Jesus but have turned and are turning to him with our whole heart and lives? What things are a sign of this?APPLY: How could you speak words of wisdom on your frontlines this week? PRAYER Heavenly Father, thank you that you have made us righteous by Jesus’ death and resurrection. We are sorry for the times when our lives haven’t matched this and we have been foolish in our words and actions. Help us to be wise in how we use our words to build up and to point to you. In Jesus’ name, Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: Have you ever asked a friend or colleague - do you think Jesus is a game changer? Maybe try it this week and invite them to the Public Lecture.Listen, Watch, and Read: Listen: “Wisdom and City Culture: Relationships” by David JackmanListen: “Bad Company Ruins Good Morals” by Christopher AshListen: “Jesus the Wisdom of God” by Christopher AshJournal Article: “The Pastoral Implications of Wise and Foolish Speech” by Eric OrtlandSERIES Resources:Series Overview Booklet (and Audiobook)BOOK: “Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and the Song of Songs For Everyone” by John GoldingayVIDEO: Bible Project Overview of ProverbsWEBSITE: The Gospel Coalition resources on ProverbsGrow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.Families: Read, Chat, Do, and PrayHigh School:

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the first sermon in our three-part Winter Warmers series on Proverbs. This sermon is “Wisdom”. Preacher: The Rev’d Michael Calder. Bible Reading: Proverbs 3:1-20DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Proverbs 3:1-20 My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart,for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity.Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops;then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke,because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding,for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace.She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast will be blessed.By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place;by his knowledge the watery depths were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: Whatʼs one practical way that you can grow in your devotion to praying missionally? WARM-UP What is the biblical definition of wisdom? On your frontlines, what actions or values are considered as ʻwiseʼ and something to pursue? What things could you ʻaffirmʼ and what things are against the wisdom of God? Read Proverbs 3:1-12 According to the opening chapters of Proverbs, how does one begin to gain wisdom? What does this mean in practise? What sort of things is the author calling us to do in these verses and what things are the fruit of these actions? If we live according to these ways does this mean that we will live perfectly healthy and wealthy lives? Why/why not? In what times and areas of your life do you find it easy or hard to trust in the Lord? Why? How do we know that God is trustworthy? What are some ways in which we might be tempted to follow our own wisdom rather than Godʼs? What does this passage tell us about when we face hardship or discipline? Why shouldnʼt we be trying to link these with sins? Why do we face them? When life gets hard or tricky, how does this impact your relationship with God? Read Proverbs 3:13-20 If the world was to finish the following sentence, what would they add? “Blessed are those who...” What is the value of wisdom in this passage? Why does nothing of this world compare to the wisdom of God? In your life, do you value wisdom? How does this work out in practice? What is the wisest thing that a person can do? APPLY: How could you grow in your appreciation and living out of Godʼs wisdom this week? PRAYER Loving Father, thank you that you have given us your word and your wisdom. Help us to pursue your wisdom, to fear you, to be in awe of you, and to live our lives in your wisdom. Through our lives, may people see your wisdom at work in us and come to know you. In Jesusʼ name, Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: What opportunities will you have to proclaim the gospel this week? If youʼre not sure - ask a friend! Listen, Watch, and Read: Listen: “Life Under Godʼs Eye” by Christopher AshListen: “The Privilege of Discipline” by Christopher AshListen: “Wisdom and the Good Life” by David JackmanListen: “On Life” by Simon ManchesterSERIES Resources:Series Overview Booklet (and Audiobook)BOOK: “Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and the Song of Songs For Everyone” by John GoldingayVIDEO: Bible Project Overview of ProverbsWEBSITE: The Gospel Coalition resources on ProverbsGrow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.Families: Read, Chat, Do, and PrayHigh School: CHARGE Discussion QuestionsKids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ TalkeBook: Watch the eBook

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the eighth and final sermon in our series on the Colossians. This sermon is “Prayer, Proclamation, and Partnership”. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Reading: Colossians 4:2-18DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Colossians 4:2-18 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings. Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: How can you more intentionally pray and practice (in the power of the Holy Spirit) compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience? WARM-UP What has stood out for you in the letter to the Colossians? Do you ever feel inadequate or powerless to proclaim the Good news of Jesus? What encourages you? Read Colossians 4:2-6 What is the threefold pattern of prayer that Paul describes? Why do you think each part is essential? Why is prayer so important in the mission of God? How could you grow more in devotion to prayer? What in particular does Paul ask the Colossians to pray for? What does this tell us about Paul? What would be helpful things for us to pray for those who have a ministry of proclaiming the Gospel? In what way is Christianity not merely an introspective faith but one orientated outward? To whom? What does it mean to ʻmake the most of every opportunityʼ? Do you ever feel pressured by this? What – according to Paul – should our conversations be characterised by? Where is that likely for you? Is there an opportunity that youʼve recently had for a conversation about faith (regardless of how ʻsimpleʼ you might think it is)? How did it go? Is there a natural next step? What does it mean to ʻknow how to answer everyoneʼ? What is most helpful in equipping you to be able to answer people on your frontline? Are there ways you could more intentionally pray and prepare? Read Colossians 4:7-18 Is there anyone in the cast of farewell characters that stands out for you here?What types of relationships does Paul refer to? How is it clear that partnership is essential in mission? How do we as a community support one another in our witness to the world?Who partners, supports, and encourages you in your Christian walk? Who do you support?What is one way that people could pray for your witness on your main frontline? APPLY: Whatʼs one practical way that you can grow in your devotion to praying missionally? PRAYER Gracious Father, thank you for the privilege to participate in your mission to the world through prayer, proclamation, and partnership. Please grow our desire to share the Good News that we would be fervent in prayer and attentive to see the opportunities that you place before us on our frontlines. In Jesusʼ Name, Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: What aspect of your frontline is bringing you joy? Give thanks to God for it. Listen, Watch, and Read: Listen/Watch: “Christ our Sustenance and Help” by BarneysListen: “The Spirituality Works in the World” by William TaylorRead: “Nympha and her House Church” by Michael BirdRead (Book): “Need to Know” by Gary Millar: Available in the St Bart’s LibraryRead (Book): “The Best

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the seventh sermon in our series on the Colossians. This sermon is “At Church, Home, and Work”. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Reading: Colossians 3:12-4:11DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Colossians 3:12-4:1 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: What things of the old life do you need to take off? What things can you put on to help you? WARM-UP When have you been the recipient of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, or patience? (Particularly think about an example from either church, home, or work – as relevant). Read Colossians 3:12-17 What does it mean to be chosen and dearly loved by God? What does it mean to you to know that we too are chosen and dearly loved? What does Paul say that the Colossians should ʻclotheʼ themselves with? Can you define them? What most challenges you on this list? Is there anything that is currently particularly hard? How can prayer and practice help cultivate these virtues? How does the power of the Spirit enable us? When we (or others) get the virtues wrong, what should we be quick to do? Why is that the case? Do you find it hard to forgive? Is there anything troubling you right now? How could the group pray? How do you see verses 15 and 16 reflected in the life of our church? How do we nurture this? Read Colossians 3:18-25 As Paul applies the metaphor of getting dressed, what are the frontlines that he most has in mind? Who was part of a typical household in the Greco-Roman world? Do you think this would have made it easier or harder to be an authentic Christian witness? Does anything stand out for you in these verses? Are you surprised by anything Paul does or doesnʼt say? How is Paulʼs expectations for wives and husbands consistent with culture and also counter-cultural? How radical was the concept of some form of mutuality in marriage, parenting, and slavery? Why do you think Paul doesnʼt call for immediately overturning slavery? Does this mean he supports it? What are the opportunities you have to demonstrate the virtues in your household and/or workplace? What does Paul mean by ʻwhatever you doʼ? Whatʼs le out? Is there anything in your life that you currently find it hard to know how best to orientate it for the Lord? APPLY: How can you more intentionally pray and practice (in the power of the Holy Spirit) compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience? PRAYER Gracious Father, thank you that our identity and future is hidden in Christ. Please help us to take off the things not of you and instead put on all that you desire for us. In Jesusʼ Name, Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: What aspect of your frontline is bringing you joy? Give thanks to God for it. Listen, Watch, and Read: Listen: Podcast episode: “Why is our Culture so Obsessed with Identity?” by Brian RosnerListen: “Christ our New Master” from Barneys BroadwayListen: (Paid): Finding our Identity in ChristBook: “Virtue Reborn” by Tom WrightRead: “The 6Mʼs” by the London Institute of Contemporary ChristianitySERIES Resources:Read: St Bart’s Colossians Series OverviewBook: NIV Scripture Journal for ColossiansBook: “Paul for Everyone: The Prison Letters” by Tom WrightCommentary: “Colossians” by Michael Bird (eBook)Video:

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the sixth sermon in our series on the Colossians. This sermon is “Growing in Christ”. Preacher: The Rev’d Michael Calder. Bible Reading: Colossians 3:1-11DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Colossians 3:1-11 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: How can you be on guard against taking up or promoting counterfeit forms of spirituality? WARM-UP Have you ever had to change jobs to another company in the same field? What was it like doing the same job under different ownership? Whose ownership are we under? Why? How does this shape the way we live our lives? Read Colossians 3:1-4 How have we been ʻraised with Christʼ? What event can give us the ultimate confirmation of our hope of our relationship with God and future? Where are we to set our hearts and minds? What does this mean in practice for us? Where are we usually drawn to setting our hearts and minds? Where is our life ʻhiddenʼ at the moment? How can this give us a secure hope? When will this all be revealed? In what ways can you shape your life in the light of this certain expectation and hope? Read Colossians 3:5-11 What things are we to put to death? What sort of things does the world tell us to ʻput to deathʼ? What are some practical ways to put these things away if tempted by them? How does Paul remind us of both the seriousness of these things but the hope of Jesus in these verses? How can we be assured of Godʼs forgiveness if we fall into any of these lists in V5 and V8? To which life do these things belong? What does it mean to take off the old self and put on the new? In what ways is the new completely different to and better than the old? What things can help remind you of the new self? What next steps could you take to grow in your intimacy with and knowledge of God? Are there any barriers between those who are in Jesus? What barriers may we be tempted to put up? What is the thing that unifies us? APPLY: What things of the old life do you need to take off? What things can you put on to help you? PRAYER Lord, thanks that you have brought us from death to life in Jesus. Help us to keep our eyes, our wills, our desires, and our actions focused on you. Keep us from the things of old and help us to grow in the new. Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: How can you pray for the politics of our country & the politics on your frontline?Listen, Watch, and Read: Listen: “Life and Death” by Simon ManchesterListen: “A spirituality that works personally” by William TaylorListen: “Behaving” by Alistair BeggRead: “Holiness” by JC RyleSERIES Resources:Read: St Bart’s Colossians Series OverviewBook: NIV Scripture Journal for ColossiansBook: “Paul for Everyone: The Prison Letters” by Tom WrightCommentary: “Colossians” by Michael Bird (eBook)Video: “Letter to the Colossians” by N. T. WrightVideo: Bible Project Overview of ColossiansCourse: (Paid) “Paul and his Letter to the Colossians” on UdemyGrow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.Series Resource: “5 Things to Pray for Your Kids” by Melissa Kruger. This resource aims to help guide parents (along with grandparents, carers, and godparents) in praying meaningfully for their child, with biblical grounding. Families: Read, Chat, Do, and PrayHigh School: CHARGE Discussion QuestionsKids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ TalkeBook: Watch the eBook

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the fifth sermon in our series on the Colossians. This sermon is “The Freedom of Christ”. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Reading: Colossians 2:16-23DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Colossians 2:16-23 Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind. They have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: What could most help you be rooted and built up in Jesus? WARM-UP Have you ever felt inadequate as a Christian compared to others? Whatʼs the antidote? What are the types of “counterfeit spirituality” that you have experienced? Read Colossians 2:16-17 (Freedom from the Super-Religious) What does Paul mean by, “do not let anyone judge you”? How might the Colossian Christians have experienced the judgement of others? What were the extra things forbidden and required of the Colossians by those judging them? What does Paul mean by his description of these things being a ʻshadowʼ of the reality in Christ? What are the common sort of ʻrulesʼ that people add to the Gospel today? Have you experienced this? Read Colossians 2:18-19 (Freedom from the Super-Spiritual) What does Paul mean by, “do not let anyone disqualify you”? What sort of ʻsuper-spiritualʼ things could have been happening around the Colossians? How can these sort of ʻsuper-spiritualʼ things both appeal to our pride and play on our insecurities? What does Paul say about those who endlessly pursue such spiritual experience? What does he mean? What are the common types of spiritual experiences pushed onto Christians as necessary today? Why are such spiritual experiences not necessary for salvation or as a ʻmakerʼ of belonging? Read Colossians 2:20-23 (Freedom for that which Lasts) What sort of strange practices were happening at the time? How could these be both attractive and ineffective? Do you think we could ever be attracted to such practices today? If we do not belong to this world, to whom do we belong? If we belong to Christ, what do we have freedom from? What do we have freedom for? On what basis does Paul argue that we do not need to follow human commands or traditions to be saved? APPLY: How can you be on guard against taking up or promoting counterfeit forms of spirituality? PRAYER Gracious Father, thank you that it is because of Jesus alone that we can have confidence of eternity with you. Please guard us from taking-up or propagating counterfeit spirituality. In Jesusʼ Name, Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: How can you pray for the politics of our country & the politics on your frontline?Listen, Watch, and Read: Listen: “A qualified spirituality open under investigation” by William TaylorListen: “Alive with Christ” by Chris WrightListen: “Christ: Realities, Not Rules” by Mike PagetSERIES Resources:Read: St Bart’s Colossians Series OverviewBook: NIV Scripture Journal for ColossiansBook: “Paul for Everyone: The Prison Letters” by Tom WrightCommentary: “Colossians” by Michael Bird (eBook)Video: “Letter to the Colossians” by N. T. WrightVideo: Bible Project Overview of ColossiansCourse: (Paid) “Paul and his Letter to the Colossians” on UdemyGrow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.Series Resource: “5 Things to Pray for Your Kids” by Melissa Kruger. This resource aims to help guide parents (along with grandparents, carers, and godparents) in praying meaningfully for their child, with biblical grounding. Families: Read, Chat, Do, and PrayHigh School: CHARGE Discussion QuestionsKids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ TalkeBook: Watch the eBook

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the fourth sermon in our series on the Colossians. This sermon is “Fullness in Christ”. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Reading: Colossians 2:6-15DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Colossians 2:6-15 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: What next steps can you take to go deeper in your maturity in Jesus? Who can keep you accountable? WARM-UP Are there ever ways in which youʼre tempted to think, “if only I had ______” or “if only I did this ______” or “Iʼd be a more fulfilled/complete Christian, if I ______”? Read Colossians 2:6-7 (Goal: Be Rooted and Built Up in Jesus) In what way does Paul want the Colossians to continue walking with Jesus? What does it mean to be both rooted and built up in Jesus? What type of images is Paul appealing to? As we continue to walk with Jesus, why is it essential to be both rooted and built up in Jesus? What are the rhythms or relationships that help you to hold fast and grow up in Jesus? How would you like to go deeper in your knowledge about Jesus and your relationship with Jesus? How are you being: (a) strengthened in faith; and (b) cultivating an “overflowing” thankfulness? Read Colossians 2:8 (Warning: Don’t be Taken Captive) What is Paulʼs warning to the Colossians? What does he mean by being ʻtaken captiveʼ? In what way were people telling the Colossians that their faith was insufficient or infantile? What are the common ways that Christians are challenged (by other Christians) that they need ʻspecialʼ additional rituals, rules, knowledge, or experiences to be authentic Christians? What are the hollow and deceptive philosophies of our culture that can take us captive? Is Paul against all philosophy or reasoning? How do we discern what is helpful and what is dangerous? How do we ʻsee to itʼ that weʼre not taken captive by that which is shallow or deceptive? Read Colossians 2:9-15 (Remember: Your Fullness in Christ)In what way do we find all fullness in Jesus? Why is everything else therefore just a poor substitute? What was the point of circumcision? How have the Colossian Christians been circumcised in Christ?According to Paul, how is baptism connected to Jesusʼ death and resurrection?How did Jesus disarm the powers and authorities, making a spectacle of the cross? Is this good news? APPLY: What could most help you be rooted and built up in Jesus? PRAYER Gracious Father, thank you for the never-changing Good News of Jesus. Please help us to be rooted and built up in Jesus, not to be taken captive, and remember the fullness of Jesus. In Jesusʼ Name, Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: In what ways has God been at work on your frontline? Take some time this week to stop, pray, and give thanks! Listen, Watch, and Read: Listen: “A Sealed Spirituality Under Threat” by William TalorListen: “Alive with Christ” by Chris WrightWatch: “Christ and Disinformation” by Aaron Roberts (St Johnʼs Vancouver)Read: “Isnʼt Christianity Homophobic” (chapter in “Confronting Christianity” by Rebecca McLaughlinRead: “How to Find Yourself” by Brian RosnerSERIES Resources:Read: St Bart’s Colossians Series OverviewBook: NIV Scripture Journal for ColossiansBook: “Paul for Everyone: The Prison Letters” by Tom WrightCommentary: “Colossians” by Michael Bird (eBook)Video: “Letter to the Colossians” by N. T. WrightVideo: Bible Project Overview of ColossiansCourse: (Paid) “Paul and his Letter to the Colossians” on UdemyGrow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.Series Resource: “5 Things

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is a one-off sermon from the book of 1 John. This sermon is “The Real Life and Light”. Preacher: The Rev’d Michael Calder. Bible Reading: 1 John 1:1-2:2DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: 1 John 1:1-2:2 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete.This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: What next steps could you take to go deeper in your maturity in Jesus? Who could you ask to keep you accountable to this? WARM-UP Have you ever tried using virtual reality technology? How was the experience? What can help us discern between what is real and what is fake? Read 1 John 1:1-4 What sort of experience is John writing about in these first verses? Who is he writing about? Are you confident in the physical resurrection of Jesus and the hope of eternal life? What is the source of this confidence and hope? What does it mean to have fellowship with each other and with God? Have you ever known someone close to you who has turned to Jesus in your lifetime? How did it make you feel seeing them come to know him? Read 1 John 1:5-2:2 How does John describe God in these verses? How is God different from the people and things of this world? Why is it inconsistent to claim fellowship with God and yet walk in darkness? Does this mean that we have to reach a sinless state and live perfectly? Why/why not? If you were to be presented with a full record of your sin, how would you feel? What has Jesus done with all of these sins and how? How can we have this? How does the world react to the concept of forgiveness? How do you react to being forgiven? Is there any sin or any one who is too far from Godʼs forgiveness? How can we have this assurance? How should this shape how we proclaim the gospel to people? What does it look like to live as people who have been forgiven? APPLY: What things or patterns could help remind you of the forgiveness that we have because of Jesus? PRAYER Gracious God, we thank you for how much you love us, for how deep your mercy is for us, for how much you have forgiven us. Please help us to never lose sight of the grandior of what you have done for us. Keep us from a gospel of law but remind us of your mercy continually. We ask this in Jesusʼ name, Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: What is the culture on your frontlines like? Is your approach to avoid, assimilate, or transform? Listen, Watch, and Read: Listen: “1 John 1:1-2:2” by Don CarsonListen: “Confident because of Jesus' death” by William TaylorListen: “Three Spurious Claims” by Alistair BeggRead: “Suffering, Perseverance and Godʼs Infallible Plan” by Richard ChinGrow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.Series Resource: “5 Things to Pray for Your Kids” by Melissa Kruger. This resource aims to help guide parents (along with grandparents, carers, and godparents) in praying meaningfully for their child, with biblical grounding. Families: Read, Chat, Do, and PrayHigh School: CHARGE Discussion QuestionsKids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ TalkeBook: Watch the eBook

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the third sermon in our series on the Colossians. This sermon is “Gospel Ministry”. Preacher: The Rev’d Michael Calder. Bible Reading: Colossians 1:24-2:5DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Colossians 1:24-2:5 Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: What is one way this week that you can grow in your recognition and enjoy the reality of Jesusʼ greatness? WARM-UP What are the ʻgood news storiesʼ that we can sometimes see in this world? How do these compare to the Gospel? Read Colossians 1:24-29 Is there anything lacking in Jesusʼ work on the cross for our salvation? Why or why not? What does Paul mean when he refers to his own suffering in V24? In what ways have you personally experienced suffering or hardship for proclaiming Jesus? Who is with us even amongst these trials? How is this good news? In what way is Paul presenting the word? What is the mystery that it contains? How is Christ ʻin usʼ? Where in your week do you need this reminder that God is with and in you? How could you remind yourself of this? What does it mean for us to be mature in Christ? What does Paul do to encourage the Colossians in maturity? How can we grow in our maturity in Christ? Read Colossians 2:1-5 Who is at the centre of Paulʼs ministry? Who should be at the centre of our lives and how we live on our frontlines? How could make him the centre of all we do? In what ways do you find it difficult to live for Jesus on your frontlines? Are there opportunities to proclaim Jesus on your frontlines? How could you take them up in the knowledge that God is with you? What were some of the ʻfine-soundingʼ arguments of the first century? What are some of the arguments of today that could distract us from Jesus? APPLY: What next steps could you take to go deeper in your maturity in Jesus? Who could you ask to keep you accountable to this? PRAYER Lord God, how we thank you for the amazing privilege of being called to you and to be able to join in your mission to bring all things under Christ. Help us to live faithfully on our frontlines; give us words with which to proclaim your good news; and give us your strength. We pray for the glory of your name, Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: This is the perfect window of invitation for Alpha - starting May 9. Who are you going to invite this week? Listen, Watch, and Read: Listen: “Buried and Made Alive with Him” by Peter Adam: https://www.st-helens.org.uk/resources/talk/53330/audio/ Listen: The Suffering Servant and the hope of glory” by Simon Gillham: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykjBLWYL9Pw Listen: “A global spirituality on offer to all” by William Taylor: https://www.st-helens.org.uk/resources/talk/56891/ Listen: “Presenting Everyone Mature in Christ” by Alistair Begg: https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/sermon/welcome-and-main-session/ Read: “Suffering, Perseverance and Godʼs Infallible Plan” by Richard ChinSERIES Resources:Read: St Bart’s Colossians Series OverviewBook: NIV Scripture Journal for ColossiansBook: “Paul for Everyone: The Prison Letters” by Tom WrightCommentary: “Colossians” by Michael Bird (eBook)Video: “Letter to the Colossians” by N. T. WrightVideo: Bible Project Overview of ColossiansCourse: (Paid) “Paul and his Letter to the Colossians” on UdemyGrow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.Series Resource: “5 Things to Pray for Your Kids” by Melissa Kruger. This res

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the second sermon in our series on the Colossians. This sermon is “The Greatness of Jesus”. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Reading: Colossians 1:15-23DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Colossians 1:15-23 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: What are the challenges in your walk with God presently? How could you take another next step? WARM-UP Have you ever had an encounter with someone famous or “important”? What are the ways in which the world diminishes Jesusʼ greatness? What are the ways in which you are sometimes tempted to diminish your view of Jesusʼ greatness? Read Colossians 1:15-20What does Paul mean by the “Son” being the image of the invisible God”? If someone wanted to know who God is or what God is like, why do they only need to look to Jesus? What are the ways in which Jesus is supreme in creation? Are there any domains le out? In what way do the priorities of our church reflect that Jesus is in charge? What does Paul mean by Jesus being the beginning and firstborn from among the dead? How does this fill you with expectant hope? What is it about Jesusʼ greatness that fills you with wonder and awe? How is this reflected in your life? Read Colossians 1:21-23What is the way in which Paul claims that Jesus is supreme in salvation? What is meant by Jesus having reconciled the Colossians through the blood of the cross? Why is it necessary to have peace with God? How can we grasp and enjoy peace with God today? How has Jesusʼ death and resurrection transformed our past, present, and future? In what way has Jesusʼ death and resurrection reconciled the entire cosmos to himself? How were the Colossians being challenged to ʻaddʼ to the Good News? How are we sometimes challenged or tempted to ʻaddʼ to the Gospel? How does Jesusʼ greatness provide you with security day-to-day? How can you practically keep growing in your recognition of how great Jesus is? If Jesusʼ is comprehensively supreme in creation and salvation, what should our response be to him? APPLY: What is one way this week that you can grow in your recognition and enjoy the reality of Jesusʼ greatness? PRAYER Lord, thank you for the supremacy of Jesus in creation and salvation. Please give us a clearer view of Jesusʼ greatness that our faith will grow in accordance with who he is and what he has done. In Jesusʼ Name, Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: This is the perfect window of invitation for Alpha - starting May 9. Who are you going to invite this week? Listen, Watch, and Read: Listen: “An underwritten spirituality with no threat of default” by William TaylorListen: “A transformational spirituality worth pursuing” by William TaylorRead: “Translation and Paraphrase of Colossians 1:15-20” by Michael BirdRead: “Why does my work matter to God?” by Charles Hippsley (LICC)Read: “Colossians: A Christology Worth Singing” by Josh Hayes (the Bible Project)SERIES Resources:Series Overview: Booklet (and Audiobook) COMING SOONBook: NIV Scripture Journal for ColossiansBook: “Paul for Everyone: The Prison Letters” by Tom WrightCommentary: “Colossians” by Michael Bird (eBook)Video: “Letter to the Colossians” by N. T. WrightVideo: Bible Project Overview of ColossiansCourse: (Paid) “Paul and his Letter to the Colossians” on UdemyGrow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.Series Resource: “5 Things to Pray for Your Kids” by Melissa Kruger. This resource aims to help guide parents (along with grandparents, carers, and godparents) in praying meaningfully for their child, with biblical grounding. Families: Read,

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the first sermon in our series on the Colossians. This sermon is “Following Jesus”. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Reading: Colossians 1:1-14DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Colossians 1:1-14 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,To God’s holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ:Grace and peace to you from God our Father.We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people— the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace. You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: In light of Jesusʼ resurrection: how can you grow more in his presence, power, or purpose? WARM-UP Together, what information can you brainstorm about the letter to the Colossians? Why do you think following Jesus is often described as walking with the Lord? What does it mean to “live a life worthy of the Lord”? Read Colossians 1:1-8 On writing to the Colossians, what cause was there for Paul to give thanks to God? Do you see any of these characteristics evident in our own community? (If so, donʼt forget to give thanks!) What is the relationship between the Colossiansʼ ʻfaith and loveʼ and the hope stored up for them? What does Paul mean by a hope that has been ʻstored upʼ for them in heaven? Why was it so important for Paul to remind the Colossians of this hope? How does (or should) a certain hope of the future shape the way in which we live today? Read Colossians 1:9:14How important of a role did prayer play in Paulʼs understanding of mission? How could you more intentionally shape your prayer life missionally? (Try to think of content and rhythm.) Where does ultimate wisdom and understanding come from? How do you seek wisdom from God? Are you growing in your hunger for Godʼs will? Is there an area in which you are seeking or resisting it? How in recent years has your life been re-prioritised by Kingdom of God priorities? What are the ways that Paul suggests please God? Does our salvation depend on pleasing God? As you consider what pleases God, which of these aspects do you think you need to grow in more? How might this involve a laying down of self in order to prioritise what pleases God more? Do you think that patience and endurance are particularly counter-cultural today? How does trusting in Godʼs timing help grow us in patience and endurance? Do you know any personal examples of this? What does it mean that we have been qualified, rescued, and redeemed? Spend some time unpacking each of these words and any implications. APPLY: What are the challenges in your walk with God at the moment? How could you take another next step? PRAYER Gracious God, thank you for the certain hope that we have because Jesus is the Risen Lord. Please help us to order our lives – individually and as a church – in line with your Kingdom priorities. In Jesusʼ Name, Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: How do you prioritise time each week to get to know the people on your frontline? Maybe, it is eating lunch with others or slowing down during school pickup. Listen, Watch, and Read: Listen: “Full Repatriation” by John StottListen: “Lecture: Why Colossians” by Dick LucasListen: “The Word of Truth” by William Taylor Read: “What! No Pearly Gates” by Rory ShinerRead: “Plans to Excavate Colossae”SERIES Resources:Series Overview: Booklet (and Audiobook) COMING SOONBook: NIV Scripture Journal for ColossiansBook: “Paul for Everyone: The Prison Letters” by Tom WrightCommentary: “Colossians” by Michael Bird (eBook)Video: “Letter to the Col

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the twelfth sermon in our series on the Encountering Jesus from Luke. This sermon is from Easter Day. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Reading: Luke 24:36-49DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Luke 24:36-49 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence.He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: In light of Godʼs grace, what one area of your life needs some further ʻre-orderingʼ? WARM-UP Whatʼs your earliest memory of celebrating Easter? Did you do anything differently this year? Has there been a significant moment when you came to understand Jesusʼ death and/or resurrection? Read Luke 23:32-49 According to the people watching, who did they think Jesus had claimed to be? Why do you think they had connected the potential to be the Messiah with the necessity for him to save himself? What was crucifixion like? Other than an instrument of execution, what was the purpose of it? Why was the idea that the Messiah would be crucified so scandalous? What was Jesusʼ promise to one of the thieves? How does this point to Jesusʼ purpose on the cross? What happens at noon? What is significant about Jesusʼ words and what happens in the temple? What does the centurion do? What do you think caused him to praise God at this point? What is the best response we can make to Jesusʼ death? How can you praise him daily for this? How does Jesusʼ death transform how you approach one of your frontlines? Read Luke 24:36-49 How does Jesus greet the disciples? Why do you think they were frightened? How would you respond? What are the varied ways in which Jesusʼ death and resurrection bring us peace?Was Jesusʼ resurrection physical? How does our future get bundled up with Jesusʼ resurrection?Who were the first witnesses to the resurrection? Why wouldnʼt some of the disciples believe them? 15. Does Jesusʼ resurrection sound like nonsense to people today? Whatʼs a helpful way to discuss it? If Jesus is alive, what does that mean for the capacity for relationship with him? How do you enjoy this? In what way are we also witnesses? How does Jesusʼ resurrection shape our lifeʼs purpose?What is something that youʼre finding challenging? How does Jesusʼ resurrection transform this?What did Jesus tell the disciples to wait for? How are we also recipients of this power? APPLY: In light of Jesusʼ resurrection: how can you grow more in his presence, power, or purpose? PRAYER Almighty Lord, thank you for Jesusʼ death and resurrection, along with the certainty that Jesus brings. Please help me – for your glory – to live a life transformed by Jesusʼ presence, power, and purpose. Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: Who is someone you think would be unlikely to come to faith? Pray & invite them to Alpha (you might be surprised at their response!). Click here for more information.Listen, Watch, and Read: Listen (Talk): “A Thief Welcomed” by William TaylorListen (Talk): “A Tomb Vacated” by William TaylorListen (Oratorio): “St Johnʼs Passion” by BachRead (Book): “The King and the Cross” by Tim KellerRead (Article): “How a Cancer Diagnosis Makes Jesusʼ Death and Resurrection Mean More”Read (Article): “The Cry of the Cross” by Simon CamilleriSERIES Resources:Resource: Series overview bookletScripture Journal: for the Gospel of Luke. For example, https://bit.ly/3A6N9COBook: The Infographic Bible by Karen Sawrey (the visualisations of the way in which people interacted with Jesus are particularly helpful)Book: Luke for Everyone by Tom WrightResource: St Bartʼs Library Resources for Current SeriesGrow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spe

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the sermon from our Good Friday Service 2022.DOWNLOAD the Sermon Transcript (PDF).

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the sermon from our Maundy Thursday Service 2022.DOWNLOAD the Sermon Transcript (PDF).

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the eleventh sermon in our series on the Encountering Jesus from Luke. This sermon is ‘The Greedy Traitor’. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Reading: Luke 19:1-10DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Luke 19:1-10 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: What distracts you from hearing God’s Word? How could you avoid it or lessen it?WARM-UP What’s significant about Jericho? Where was Jesus passing through to?Read Luke 19:1-4What do we know about Zacchaeus? Why were tax collectors considered to be traitors and cheats?How could tax collectors become wealthy? What did it mean that Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector?Why do you think Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus? What did he need to leave behind to climb the tree?In order to follow Jesus are there any aspects of your pride that you have needed to leave behind?Can you think of any modern examples of how people might just ‘peek’ at Jesus from the sidelines? Do you know anyone who looks to Jesus from a distance? How could you encourage them closer?Read Luke 19:5-10How do you think Zacchaeus felt when Jesus spotted him and called him? Who is taking the initiative?What does Jesus say? How is it clear that this is more than Jesus inviting simply himself over for dinner?How does Zacchaeus respond? What does it mean that he welcomed Jesus gladly? (cf. Revelation 3:20)In what way are we still able to welcome Jesus gladly into our lives today? When did you first do this?Why was everyone so upset that Jesus went to eat with Zacchaeus? Can we ever be resentful like this?Is there anyone in your life (or on your frontlines) whom you sometimes are tempted to think is beyond salvation? How should this encounter reshape that view? How could you better respond?How is it evident that Zacchaeus was deeply convicted of his sin and wanted to repent of his ways? How does Zacchaeus compare to the rich young ruler from earlier in Luke? (cf. Luke 18:18-23)How do you think Zacchaeus’ employees would have responded to his new found ways?On one of your frontlines (e.g., work or friends), how is it evident to others that grace has taken a grip on your life? In what area of your life do you think grace needs to have a greater ‘re-ordering’ effect’?What is Jesus’ mission? How did Jesus becoming the ultimate ‘outsider’ make that possible?APPLY: In light of God’s grace, what one area of your life needs some further ‘re-ordering’? PRAYER How can your conversations about the Easter long weekend point to Jesus and the events of Easter? GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: Where are the places that you spend the most time during the week? What are your current frontlines? Listen, Watch, and Read: Audio: “Seeking the Lost” by Rico Tice: Audio: “God’s Work in God’s World” by William Taylor: Audio: “Jesus’ Meal with Zacchaeus” by Tim Keller:Audio: “Luke 19-20” by Gary Millar: Video: “Why did Jesus eat with an oppressor” with Erica Hammence:SERIES Resources:Series overview bookletScripture Journal: for the Gospel of Luke. For example, https://bit.ly/3A6N9COBook: The Infographic Bible by Karen Sawrey (the visualisations of the way in which people interacted with Jesus are particularly helpful)Book: Luke for Everyone by Tom WrightSt Bartʼs Library Resources for Current SeriesGrow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.Families: Read, Chat, Do, and PrayHigh School: CHARGE Discussion QuestionsKids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ TalkeBook: Watch the eBook

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the tenth sermon in our series on the Encountering Jesus from Luke. This sermon is ‘The Contrary Sisters’. Preacher: The Rev’d Michael Calder. Bible Reading: Luke 10:38-42DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Luke 10:38-42 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: How can you reach out to Jesus this week?WARM-UP What are some everyday situations that you find yourself in where it’s not good to be distracted?Read Luke 10:38-40What are the two different actions that Mary and Martha do?What do you think may have motivated Martha to go about being busy when Jesus was there?Is there anything wrong with serving Jesus or doing acts of service? Why or Why not? How could our good acts of service go wrong or prove to be unhelpful?What is so remarkable about what Mary was doing? Are we ever in danger of being too busy with good things that we miss the best thing? Specifically, what can pull you away from spending time with God?Why do you think Martha appealed to Jesus instead of Mary with her complaint? What response may she have been expecting from Jesus?Read Luke 10:41-42How did Jesus respond to Martha’s request? What sort of things was Martha worried about? Were they bad things?What is the main thing that is needed? Why is this more important than being busy?Does this mean that we should drop everything and just read and not worry about doing any acts of service or ministry? Why/why not?Why do you think Luke placed this passage right after the parable of the Good Samaritan?How then should we prioritise how we spend time in God’s word and how we serve God on our frontlines? What should drive us into service? APPLY: What distracts you from hearing God’s word? How could you avoid it or lessen it? PRAYER Loving Father, thank you that we can listen to and study your word. Please help us to prioritise this and make time for it in our lives. Give us discernment and wisdom as to when we need to leave good things behind to pursue this best thing. In Jesus’ name, Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: Where are the places that you spend the most time during the week? What are your current frontlines? Listen, Watch, and Read: Audio: “The Only thing that Matters” by William Taylor:Audio: “First things First” by Alistair Begg:Audio: “Luke 9-10” by Gary Millar:SERIES Resources:Series overview bookletScripture Journal: for the Gospel of Luke. For example, https://bit.ly/3A6N9COBook: The Infographic Bible by Karen Sawrey (the visualisations of the way in which people interacted with Jesus are particularly helpful)Book: Luke for Everyone by Tom WrightSt Bartʼs Library Resources for Current SeriesGrow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.Families: Read, Chat, Do, and PrayHigh School: CHARGE Discussion QuestionsKids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ TalkeBook: Watch the eBook

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the ninth sermon in our series on the Encountering Jesus from Luke. This sermon is ‘The Bleeding Woman’. Preacher: The Rev’d Dr Daniel Rouhead. Bible Reading: Luke 8:40-48DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Luke 8:40-48 Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him. Then a man named Jairus, a synagogue leader, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come to his house because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying.As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.“Who touched me?” Jesus asked.When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.”But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.”Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.” SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: How might you take a stand against the ways of evil this week? WARM-UP Have you been caught up in a surging crowd? How did that feel? Who or what has helped you through a complex situation (health or otherwise)? Read Luke 8:40-46 How is this situation similar and different to the healing of the Centurionʼs servant? (see Luke 6:1-3) What are the differences between Jairus and the woman with bleeding? Have there been times when you identify with Jairus or the woman in terms of approaching God? What medical condition does this woman face? Why is it so disabling? What has this woman tried so far? What have been the consequences? (see also Mark 5:25-26) Why couldnʼt this woman approach Jesus directly? What was the difference between Jesus and her other so-called ʻhealersʼ? What does this womanʼs actions tell us about her faith? How did Jesus heal the woman? Was the healing complete? How would this healing change her life? Have you experienced healing from Jesus? Share your experiences, if you are comfortable to do so. Read Luke 8:47-48Jesus stops on his way to heal a dying child. How would Jairus be feeling?Have you ever felt impatient with God?Why does Jesus ask the woman to identify herself in front of the crowd? How would it benefit her?Do you feel accepted by God as a son or daughter?If so, how do you experience Godʼs peace? If not, what is the next step you can make towards Jesus? APPLY: How can you reach out to Jesus this week? PRAYER Loving Father, thank you that you know us and our deepest needs. Help us to know that, like the bleeding woman, we can reach out to you confident that you will stop, take notice and respond with compassion and kindness. In Jesusʼ name, Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: Where are the places that you spend the most time during the week? What are your current frontlines? Listen, Watch, and Read: Audio: “Fear and Illness” by William TaylorAudio: “Turning Round Disaster” by Chris WrightAudio: “Luke 7-8” by Gary MillarSERIES Resources:Series overview bookletScripture Journal: for the Gospel of Luke. For example, https://bit.ly/3A6N9COBook: The Infographic Bible by Karen Sawrey (the visualisations of the way in which people interacted with Jesus are particularly helpful)Book: Luke for Everyone by Tom WrightSt Bartʼs Library Resources for Current SeriesGrow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.Families: Read, Chat, Do, and PrayHigh School: CHARGE Discussion QuestionsKids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ TalkeBook: Watch the eBook

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the eighth sermon in our series on the Encountering Jesus from Luke. This sermon is ‘The Possessed Man’. Preacher: Amy Norman. Bible Reading: Luke 8:26-39DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Luke 8:26-39 They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is across the lake from Galilee. When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t torture me!” For Jesus had commanded the impure spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places.Jesus asked him, “What is your name?”“Legion,” he replied, because many demons had gone into him. And they begged Jesus repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss.A large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside. The demons begged Jesus to let them go into the pigs, and he gave them permission. When the demons came out of the man, they went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.When those tending the pigs saw what had happened, they ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus’ feet, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. Those who had seen it told the people how the demon-possessed man had been cured. Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear. So he got into the boat and left.The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: How can we live in a way that demonstrates how thankful we are for our forgiveness? WARM-UP What are the common conceptions or ideas about evil in our culture? How does this contrast to a biblical understanding of the problem of evil? Read Luke 8:26-29 What has just happened before this encounter? How have we witnessed Jesusʼ authority so far? How did the demon-possession affect him physically, relationally, and emotionally? How does that make you feel? Why do you think he had been ostracised from his community? What is the ultimate goal of evil? How do we see the manifestation of evil today? How does the demon-possessed man greet Jesus? What does this show us about evilʼs capacity to recognise the identity of Jesus yet still fail to submit to him as Lord? How–in Christianity–can we be in danger of paying too much attention or too little attention to the reality of evil? How should this encounter shape our approach? Read Luke 8:30-39 Why would evil be afraid of Jesus? How should this be a cause for confidence for us? Does Jesus seem phased by the scale of evil at play? Why not? What was the name of the man? What is the significance of this? What did the demons beg Jesus to not happen? Why did Jesus send them into the pigs? What questions does this part of the story raise? What might the fate of the pigs point to? How did Jesus ultimately defeat evil and when will evil finally be destroyed? How should this reality and future shape our perspective today in the face of evil? What are the two responses by those present? Why were some afraid of Jesus? Should we be? How is it good news–for you and for the world–that Jesus is Godʼs solution to evil? APPLY: How might you take a stand against the ways of evil this week? PRAYER Almighty Lord, thank you that in Jesus you have defeated evil once-and-for-all. Please help us to stand guard against the ways of the enemy, trusting in your Son, and looking forward to his return when evil will be dealt its final blow. In Jesusʼ name, Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: What window in your day do you pray for your three people to become followers of Jesus? It might be helpful to set a daily alarm. Listen, Watch, and Read: Audio: “Luke 8:26-39” by Andrew SachAudio: “Surprised by Power” by Christ WrightChapter: “But First Demons” (in World Next Door) by Rory Shiner & Peter OrrBook: “The Screwtape Letters” by C.S.LewisSERIES Resources:Series overview bookletScripture Journal: for the Gospel of Luke. For example, https://bit.ly/3A6N9COBook: The Infographic Bible by Karen Sawrey (the visualisations of the way in which people interacted with Jesus are particularly helpful)Book: Luke for Everyone by Tom WrightSt Bartʼs Library Resources for Cur

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the seventh sermon in our series on the Encountering Jesus from Luke. This sermon is ‘The Sinful Woman’. Preacher: The Rev’d Michael Calder. Bible Reading: Luke 7:36-50DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Luke 7:36-50 When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”“Tell me, teacher,” he said.“Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.”“You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: How can we live in a way that points to the certain hope that we have of resurrection? WARM-UP Can you recall a time when you have felt out of place in a social event or gathering? What attitude does Australian culture have towards sin and ʻthe sinnerʼ? Read Luke 7:36-38 What is so remarkable and surprising about Jesus going to eat at the house of the Pharisee? How is the woman described in the passage? What is your initial reaction to hearing someone being described in this way? What does she do for Jesus? Why does she do this? What has caused her to be overwhelmed with emotion? Can you remember when you first accepted Jesusʼ forgiveness? How did you react? Read Luke 7:39-50How did the Pharisee react to this womanʼs actions? Why did he react in this way? What is Jesusʼ response? What is the meaning of this parable? If someone was to pay your electricity bill how would you react towards them? If someone was to pay off your housing loan, how would you react? How much have we been forgiven by Jesus? How then are we to act towards him? What are the differences between Simonʼs welcome of Jesus and that of the woman? What does this tell us about the condition of their hearts? What is the relationship between forgiveness and love? Should we sin more so that forgiveness may increase? Why/why not? Why is it so important to recall our sins and confess them to God? What does this achieve? How can we grow in our love and gratitude for who God is and what he has done for us? APPLY: How can we live in a way that demonstrates how thankful we are for our forgiveness? PRAYER Gracious Lord, you are our just and loving heavenly Father. Thank you that because of Jesusʼ death and resurrection we donʼt have to fear condemnation but can enjoy peace with you for eternity. We are sorry for when our lives donʼt reflect this. Help us to grow in our love for you and gratitude for all you have done. Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: Who on your frontline is finding life challenging at the moment? How can you take extra time and care to show them Godʼs love? Listen, Watch, and Read: Audio: “Can I be raised from the dead” by Rico RiceAudio: “Jesus: An Example of Compassion” by Alistair BeggAudio: “Salvation and Death” by William TaylorArticle: “5 Minute Jesus: How are we to view Jesusʼ Miracles” by Dr John DicksonSERIES Resources:Series overview bookletScripture Journal: for the Gospel of Luke. For example, https://bit.ly/3A6N9COBook: The Infographic Bible by Karen Sawrey (the visualisations of the way in which people interacted with Jesus are particularly helpful)Book: Luke for Everyone by Tom WrightSt Bartʼs Library Resources for Current SeriesGrow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these togethe

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the sixth sermon in our series on the Encountering Jesus from Luke. This sermon is ‘The Grieving Widow’. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Reading: Luke 7:11-17DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Luke 7:11-17 Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry.”Then he went up and touched the bier they were carrying him on, and the bearers stood still. He said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!” The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.They were all filled with awe and praised God. “A great prophet has appeared among us,” they said. “God has come to help his people.” This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: How can we be a humble example of faith on our frontlines this week? Think of one setting/scenario. WARM-UP In the face of human suffering, have you ever been willing to help but unable to do so? How does it make you feel when you are in this situation? Have you ever been able to help but unwilling to do so? What is at the heart of your unwillingness? Read Luke 7:11-13 What do you think this funeral would have been like? How does it differ to typical funerals in Australia? Who were the people with the widow in this procession? Where would they have been going? What are the ways we express grief in the context of community? What could we learn from this one? How would the sonʼs death been devastating to his mother on many levels? Why was the widow now potentially destitute? When Jesus sees the woman, what is the immediate response in his heart? How is this a great comfort? What does it mean for you to know that in Jesus we find the one who is full of compassion? What does Jesus say to the woman? Is he being insensitive? Why would he say this? Read Luke 7:14-17 What does Jesus say to the man? Who would you have been looking at? What happens next? What are the ways in which Jesusʼ authority have been demonstrated in Luke? Whatʼs notable here? Was this resurrection final? What purpose did it ultimately serve? Why for this widow? (cf. vv.21-22) In what way does the crowd recognise who Jesus is yet still not have a complete picture of him? How in Jesus do we witness that God is both willing and able to address our greatest need? How should that fill us with great security and hope? When you put your trust in Jesus, how is this manʼs resurrection like ours? How is it different? How is a choice for Jesus a choice for life? How should this future reality impinge on our lives today? In what ways - as individuals and a community - should we both grieve and hope in the face of death? APPLY: How can we live in a way that points to the certain hope that we have of resurrection? PRAYER Compassionate Father, thank you that Jesus has broken the stranglehold of sin and death! Please help us to live in a way that points to the reality of life that awaits those who trust in Jesus. In Jesusʼ Name, Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: Who on your frontline is finding life challenging at the moment? How can you take extra time and care to show them Godʼs love? Listen, Watch, and Read: Audio: “Can I be raised from the dead” by Rico RiceAudio: “Jesus: An Example of Compassion” by Alistair BeggAudio: “Salvation and Death” by William TaylorArticle: “5 Minute Jesus: How are we to view Jesusʼ Miracles” by Dr John DicksonSERIES Resources:Series overview bookletScripture Journal: for the Gospel of Luke. For example, https://bit.ly/3A6N9COBook: The Infographic Bible by Karen Sawrey (the visualisations of the way in which people interacted with Jesus are particularly helpful)Book: Luke for Everyone by Tom WrightSt Bartʼs Library Resources for Current SeriesGrow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.Families: Read, Chat, Do, and PrayHigh School: CHARGE Discussion QuestionsKids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ TalkeBook: Watch the eBook

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the fifth sermon in our series on the Encountering Jesus from Luke. This sermon is ‘The Faithful Centurion’. Preacher: The Rev’d Dr Daniel Rouhead. Bible Reading: Luke 7:1-10DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Luke 7:1-10 When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people who were listening, he entered Capernaum. There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” So Jesus went with them.He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: What is one way in which forgiveness from God is evident in your day-to-day life?WARM-UP Share with the group a “marvelous” experience you’ve had. What made it so special?Share with the group how others have helped you through a time of illness?Read Luke 7:1-6aWhy is the centurion a surprising Why did the centurion not go to meet Jesus himself?How are the centurion’s reasons for not going directly to Jesus similar to people’s reasons today?How is the centurion’s position like our own or different from ours?What role do the elders play in the story? Why do we think these particular people have been sent to talk to Jesus on behalf of the centurion?What do we learn about worthiness? Who is worthy in this encounter?Read Luke 7:6b-8How does the centurion compare his authority to Jesus’ authority?Does the centurion attribute more, or less, authority to Jesus than Jesus actually has?How does our own view of Jesus’ authority compare to the centurion’s?How does our view of Jesus’ authority influence how we approach Jesus in times of trouble?Read Luke 7:9-10Why is Jesus amazed by the centurion’s faith?What is his message to those listening when he commends the centurion’s faith?What did Jesus teach about faith just before this encounter (see Luke 6:46-49)?What do we learn from the centurion’s example?How can we be bold in approaching God, but also submit to God’s will in our lives?APPLY: How can we be a humble example of faith on our frontlines this week? Think of one setting or scenario. PRAYER Loving God, we thank for the example of the faithful centurion. Help us to confidently approach Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, trusting in his power and authority, so that we can grow in our faith and demonstrate that faith on our frontlines. In Jesus’ name, Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: Who has God placed on your frontlines recently that you can intentionally invest in relationship?Listen, Watch, and Read: Audio: “The Authority for Change” (Luke 7:1-23) by William Taylor Audio: “An Outsider’s Amazing Faith” (Luke 7:1-10) by Chris WrightAudio: “Can I have Faith?” (Luke 7:1-10) by Rico Tice Audio: “Faith in Jesus” (Luke 7:1-10) by Tim Keller (PAID)SERIES Resources:Series overview bookletScripture Journal: for the Gospel of Luke. For example, https://bit.ly/3A6N9COBook: The Infographic Bible by Karen Sawrey (the visualisations of the way in which people interacted with Jesus are particularly helpful)Book: Luke for Everyone by Tom WrightSt Bartʼs Library Resources for Current SeriesGrow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.Families: Read, Chat, Do, and PrayHigh School: CHARGE Discussion QuestionsKids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ TalkeBook: Watch the eBook

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the fourth sermon in our series on the Encountering Jesus from Luke. This sermon is ‘The Injured Man’. Preacher: The Rev’d Michael Calder. Bible Reading: Luke 6:1-11DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Luke 6:1-11 One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and his disciples began to pick some heads of grain, rub them in their hands and eat the kernels. Some of the Pharisees asked, “Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?”Jesus answered them, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God, and taking the consecrated bread, he ate what is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions.” Then Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”On another Sabbath he went into the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was shriveled. The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal on the Sabbath. But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Get up and stand in front of everyone.” So he got up and stood there.Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?”He looked around at them all, and then said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He did so, and his hand was completely restored. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law were furious and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: What is one way in which forgiveness from God is evident in your day-to-day life?WARM-UP What do you know about the Sabbath and do you put it into practice now? In what way? In the passage today weʼll see that Jesus is controversial. How does Jesus cause controversy today?Read Luke 6:1-5 What were the disciples doing that caused the Pharisees to speak up? How might this have broken some of the Sabbath regulations? What was the original purpose of the Sabbath? What had the religious leaders turned it into? How did Jesus respond to their criticisms? What type of person was David? Why was David permitted to eat that bread reserved for the priests? In what ways is Jesus similar to and greater than David? What does this then show us about Jesusʼ authority to not follow the religious traditions of the Sabbath? Do we now have to follow these extra Sabbath traditions? Why/Why not? What should be our approach to the Sabbath? Read Luke 6:6-11 What were the scribes and Pharisees looking for Jesus to do? What were their motivations for this? How does Jesus react to their close watch? What does he tell the man with the withered hand to do? Why do you think he does this? How would this injury affect this manʼs way of life and livelihood? How does Jesusʼ healing restore him? What does Jesusʼ response in V9 tell us about indifference to suffering? What are the two different reactions to encountering Jesus that we see in V10 and V11? If our rest isnʼt found in strict rule following, where can we find it? How can we shape our week to be able to make time to rest in him? How can we have assurance of our eternal rest? APPLY: How does the rest that Jesus offers impact how you live on your frontlines? PRAYER Heavenly Father, thank you for your goodness in giving us the gi of the Sabbath. Keep us from legalism and refresh us in your grace. Help us to remember that we can rest in you now and we will rest with you in eternity because of the death and resurrection of Jesus. In his name, Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: With schools recommencing, who do you regularly interact with in that community? How could you intentionally invest in the relationship with that parent, teacher, coach or administrator? Listen, Watch, and Read: Audio: “Luke 6:1-16” by William TaylorAudio: “Lord of the Sabbath” by Alistair BeggArticle: “Sabbath: An Enduring Principle” by Justin HuffmanPodcast: “Resting Well” by John DicksonSERIES Resources:Series overview bookletScripture Journal: for the Gospel of Luke. For example, https://bit.ly/3A6N9COBook: The Infographic Bible by Karen Sawrey (the visualisations of the way in which people interacted with Jesus are particularly helpful)Book: Luke for Everyone by Tom WrightSt Bartʼs Library Resources for Current SeriesGrow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.Families: Read, Chat, Do, and PrayHigh School: CHARGE Discussion QuestionsKids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ TalkeBook: Watch the eBook

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the third sermon in our series on the Encountering Jesus from Luke. This sermon is ‘The Paralysed Man’. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Reading: Luke 5:17-26DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Luke 5:17-26 One day Jesus was teaching, and Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there. They had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal the sick. Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus.When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, “We have seen remarkable things today.” SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: How can Jesusʼ example better equip you to actively resist the temptations of the enemy?WARM-UP Do you think that most people in our culture consider forgiveness as really necessary? Have you ever encountered a radical story of forgiveness between people? Read Luke 5:17-21Who are gathered and where did they come from? For what reason do you think they were there? Why were the paralysed manʼs friends desperate to get the man to Jesus? What effort had they made? How could Jesusʼ words have come as quite the shock to the paralysed man? What is the deepest need that Jesus is addressing? How would that have been a shock to those listening? How is forgiveness also our greatest need? Is that a controversial message today? Why or why not? How do people respond to Jesusʼ claim of authority to forgive sins? Why is it so radical? Read Jeremiah 31:34 and Micah 7:18-19. Does this vision of forgiveness excite you? How do we already know this in Jesus? What was the significance of Jesusʼ reference to being the ʻSon of Manʼ (cf. Daniel 7:13-14)? How is Jesus being the ʻSon of Manʼ inherently linked to his authority to forgive? Which is easier to say: ʻyour sins are forgivenʼ or ʻget up and walkʼ? For whom? Does this mean that every person who receives Jesusʼ forgiveness is also healed physically straight away? How is this a pointer to that which is yet to come? Read Luke 5:22-26 How does Jesus ultimately make forgiveness possible whilst also being perfectly just? 14. How has your encounter with Jesus brought forgiveness into your life? 15. Why do you think some people have difficulty in accepting Godʼs forgiveness? How is Godʼs offer of forgiveness open to every single person? APPLY: What is one way in which forgiveness from God is evident in your day-to-day life? PRAYER Gracious God, please grow our understanding of the extent of forgiveness that you have made possible for us through Jesus. Please help us to recognise the desperate nature of our need and the completeness of the cure which we find in you alone. In Jesusʼ Name, Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: With schools recommencing, who do you regularly interact with in that community? How could you intentionally invest in the relationship with that parent, teacher, coach or administrator? Listen, Watch, and Read: Audio: “Luke 5:17-26” by William TaylorAudio (Paid): “Which is Easier” by Abraham ChoBook Chapter: “Where is God in all the Suffering” by Amy Orr EwingBook: “Exclusion and Embrace” by Miroslav VolfSERIES Resources:Series overview bookletScripture Journal: for the Gospel of Luke. For example, https://bit.ly/3A6N9COBook: The Infographic Bible by Karen Sawrey (the visualisations of the way in which people interacted with Jesus are particularly helpful)Book: Luke for Everyone by Tom WrightSt Bartʼs Library Resources for Current SeriesGrow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.Families: Read, Chat, Do, and PrayHigh School: CHARGE Discussion QuestionsKids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ TalkeBook: Watch the eBook

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the second sermon in our series on the Encountering Jesus from Luke. This sermon is ‘The Evil Tempter’. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Reading: Luke 4:1-13DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Luke 4:1-13 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’”The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. If you worship me, it will all be yours.”Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’”The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. For it is written:“‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully;they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: As we think about encountering Jesus, what opportunities do your friends have this year to encounter Jesus through your words, invitation, or your actions?WARM-UP What do you think most Australians would think about the devil? How about evil more generally? Is evil real? Why is it equally in error to either: disbelieve in evil or be excessively interested in evil? Read Luke 4:1-2 Where did the Holy Spirit actively lead Jesus? What would it have been like? Why was this necessary? How is it evident that there werenʼt just a few temptations but that Jesus was constantly bombarded over this entire 40-day period? What do you think this would have been like? What is meant by Jesus being tempted? Have you ever had a time of particular testing/temptation? What is the parallel between Jesusʼ 40 days in the wilderness and Israelʼs 40 years of wandering? How would Jesus faithfully fulfil what Israel had failed to do? How is Jesusʼ humanness evident in these verses? Why is this of great encouragement to us? Read Luke 4:3-13 Preceding this passage (i.e., 3:21-22), who did the Father just declare Jesus to be? Why does Satan repetitively seek to undermine this truth? What is the enemyʼs goal? How would you describe the three tactics used by the enemy? Are any a challenge for you? Do you think the enemy ever uses similar tactics to tempt us away from Godʼs plan and will? Under what conditions are you most susceptible to succumb to temptation? How does Jesus confront each of the three temptations? How is this a model for us? What resources has God given us to resist temptation? What does he provide when we fall short? What have you found most helpful in resisting temptation? What do you find most challenging? Why does verse 13 mean? When would be the most opportune time? How is Jesusʼ death and resurrection the ultimate triumph over the schemes of the evil one? APPLY: How can Jesusʼ example better equip you to actively resist the temptations of the enemy? PRAYER Gracious God, thank you that whilst Jesus was tempted in every way as we are, he did not sin. Please help us to identify temptation, rely on your strength, flee from sin, and rejoice in your forgiveness. Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: In February, where do you see Jesus’ priorities on your calendar?Listen, Watch, and Read: AUDIO: “Luke 4:1-13” by Tim Keller (Paid)AUDIO: “Power of Satan” by Dick LucasAUDIO: “Test trials passed” on Luke 4:1-13 by William TaylorBOOK: “Did the Devil make me do it?” by Mike McKinleyBOOK: “666 and All That Stuff” by John DicksonVIDEO: “The Satan and Demons” by the Bible ProjectSERIES Resources:Series overview bookletScripture Journal: for the Gospel of Luke. For example, https://bit.ly/3A6N9COBook: The Infographic Bible by Karen Sawrey (the visualisations of the way in which people interacted with Jesus are particularly helpful): https://bit.ly/341gAdIBook: Luke for Everyone by Tom Wright: https://bit.ly/3IexkghGrow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.Families: Read, Chat, Do, and PrayHigh School: CHARGE Discussion QuestionsKids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ TalkeBook: Wat...

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the first sermon in our series on the Encountering Jesus from Luke. This sermon is ‘The Waiting Prophet’. Preacher: The Rev’d Michael Calder. Bible Reading: Luke 2:21-28DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Luke 2:22-38 When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord” ), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.” Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: Who are THREE people on your frontlines whom you long to become followers of Jesus? What would practically help you cultivate a habit of praying for them daily?WARM-UP Have you ever had a life-changing encounter with someone?Can you remember the first time you heard about Jesus or the first time you gave your life to him? How did you react? Try to see if you can craft this into a short paragraph to be able to use when you’re telling people about Jesus!Read Luke 2:21-32What were all the rituals that Jesus went under? Why did he go through all of these? What does this tell us about the nationality and background of Jesus?What was Simeon waiting for? Why was Israel in need of consolation?Why was Simeon so content and satisfied in seeing this baby? What did Simeon see in him?Is the salvation that Jesus offers limited to only Israelites or only those in church? Why/why not?How is Jesus the light for all the nations? What does light do?What other things in this world may we try to find satisfaction or salvation in? How can we ensure we look to Jesus for these things?Luke 2:33-38In what ways do we see Simeon’s prophesy in V34-35 fulfilled in Jesus’ lifetime and even to this day? Why do you think Jesus causes this much division?How does Jesus reveal the thoughts of our hearts? Where or to whom can we run when we know we haven’t lived as he has called us to live?What are we told about Anna? How did she react to seeing Jesus?What could help you grow in your awe and wonder at who Jesus is and what he has done?APPLY: As we think about encountering Jesus, what opportunities do your friends have this year to encounter Jesus through your words, invitation, or your actions? PRAYER Heavenly Father, thank you for the salvation and satisfaction that is found in Jesus. Thank you for the faithful patience of Simeon and Anna, and help us to find our joy and fulfilment in knowing and being known by Jesus. Give us opportunities this year to tell others about our encounter and relationship with you. Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: In February, where do you see Jesus’ priorities on your calendar?Listen, Watch, and Read: AUDIO: “The Nunc Dimittis” by Kent Hughes: AUDIO: “The Song of Simeon” by Alistair Begg:AUDIO: “Luke 2:22-38” by Dick LucasVIDEO: God’s Story: Anna and SimeonSERIES Resources:Series overview bookletScripture Journal: for the Gospel of Luke. For example, https://bit.ly/3A6N9COBook: The Infographic Bible by Karen Sawrey (the visualisations of the way in which people interacted with Jesus are particularly helpful): https://bit.ly/341gAdIBook: Luke for Everyone by Tom Wright: https://bit.ly/3IexkghGrow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join th

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the fourth sermon in our series on the Priorities of Jesus. This sermon is ‘COMMISSION: Make Disciples’. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Reading: Matthew 28:16-20DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Matthew 28:16-20 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: How could you grow in your love for God and neighbour in 2022? WARM-UP What are the most memorable ‘final instructions’ that you have given or received before going away? In what way are all disciples of Jesus disciple-making disciples? How are we all sent? Read Matthew 28:16-20 What has happened up to this point in Matthew 28? What do you think the disciples were expecting to happen as they waited for Jesus? What do the disciples do when they see Jesus? What does this tell us about who they thought Jesus was? Is it surprising that - as a group - worship was intermingled with doubt? How can this be true for us? How comprehensive is the authority that has been given to Jesus? Is there anyone with more? How is Jesus’ authority the basis for being sent? How should this drive and give us confidence? If our purpose as disciples comes from Jesus (i.e., from outside of us), how is this counter-cultural? How is it exciting to know that we’ve been caught up in a purpose greater than ourselves? (Re) Read Matthew 28:19-20 What do you think it means to make disciples, teaching them to obey everything Jesus commanded? In what area of your life has God been recently teaching you greater obedience? What is the link between baptism and the making of disciples? How are we involved in this? What are the frontlines to which Jesus has sent you? Can you name three people on your frontlines whom you long to become passionate followers of Jesus? How are Christians sometimes in danger of turning the ‘Great Commission’ into the ‘Great Omission’? How is it tremendous Good News that as we are sent, that Jesus is with us? How can we cultivate a life that is shaped by activity for Jesus and intimacy with Jesus? If we are sent on the basis of Jesus’ authority and with his presence, what confidence should that give us as we seek to make disciples on our frontlines? How can this encourage you this week? APPLY: Who are THREE people on your frontlines whom you long to become followers of Jesus? What would practically help you cultivate a habit of praying for them daily? PRAYER Gracious God, thank you that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Jesus! Please help us to identify disciple-making opportunities on all of our frontlines - that our life’s purpose will be shaped by your mission to the world. Thank you that we do not do this alone, but with the very power of Jesus. Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: What does it look like to prioritise Jesus on your frontline? What might you adopt, stop, or focus on this year? Listen, Watch, and Read: ARTICLE: “What is a Whole-Life Disciple?” by the London Institute of ChristianityAUDIO: “The Authority of the Risen Lord” by John StottAUDIO: “Why Jesus when there are so many options?” by Kanishka RaffelAUDIO: “The Resurrection and the Great Commission” by William TaylorBOOK: “The Radical Disciple” by John StottSERIES Resources:Series overviewBOOK: “Resilient Disciples” by Rick Hill BOOK: “Need to Know” by Gary Millar ARTICLE: “What is a Whole-Life Disciple” by LICC (London Institute of Contemporary Christianity)Grow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.Families: Read, Chat, Do, and PrayHigh School: CHARGE Discussion QuestionsKids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ TalkeBook: Watch the eBook

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the third sermon in our series on the Priorities of Jesus. This sermon is ‘COMMANDMENT: Love God and Neighbour’. Preacher: The Rev’d Michael Calder. Bible Reading: Mark 12:28-34DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Mark 12:28-34 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”“Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: In 2022, what is one way in which you need to bring the use of your time, talents, and treasures more into line with the priorities of Jesus? WARM-UP What do you think the people on your frontlines think Christianity is all about? How is the Christian story different to these possible misconceptions? Read Mark 12:28-31 Why were the Pharisees and teachers of the law trying to have Jesus arrested? How were they attempting to do this? What was the motivation of this teacher who approaches Jesus in V28? Why was his question to intriguing for the Rabbis of the day? What was the first part of Jesus’ answer? Why is this statement foundational for all the other commandments? In what ways are we commanded to love God? How does this look for you practically? Read 1 John 2:15. What then are we not to love? Where is it tempting to love the world rather than God? What could help you avoid these temptations? Who are are neighbours? To what extent are we to love our neighbours? How could you share your love to your neighbours on your frontlines this year? Read Mark 12:32-33 Why will attempting perfection not work in attempting to follow the commandments? If we have been saved by grace, why then are we to obey God? What is at the heart of us following God’s commandments? What attitude should we have towards God in obeying him? If the teacher wasn’t far from the kingdom, how do we gain entrance into the kingdom? APPLY: How could you grow in your love for God and neighbour in 2022? PRAYER Heavenly Father, thank you that you are the creator, that you are the only God, and that you have revealed yourself and the way you want us to live in your word. We are sorry for when we haven’t loved you as we ought, when we haven’t loved our neighbours as ourselves. Please help us this year to grow in our love for you and our obedience to you as we grow in our knowledge of you and your grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: What does it look like to prioritise Jesus on your frontline? What might you adopt, stop, or focus on this year? Listen, Watch, and Read: AUDIO: “The Greatest Commandment” by Chase KuhnAUDIO: “First Commandment, First Sin” by Don CarsonAUDIO: “Four Questions for Obeying the First Commandment” by Kevin DeYoungBOOK: “Holiness” by J C RyleSERIES Resources:Series overviewBOOK: “Resilient Disciples” by Rick Hill BOOK: “Need to Know” by Gary Millar ARTICLE: “What is a Whole-Life Disciple” by LICC (London Institute of Contemporary Christianity)Grow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.Families: Read, Chat, Do, and PrayHigh School: CHARGE Discussion QuestionsKids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ TalkeBook: Watch the eBook

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the second sermon in our series on the Priorities of Jesus. This sermon is ‘CROSS: Who do you say that I am?’. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Reading: Mark 8:27-38DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Mark 8:27-38 Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?”They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.”“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.”Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.” SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: Spend some time considering how to prioritise Jesus this year, and think of 3 ways to go about it. WARM-UP Do you think you have more of a ‘head’ or ‘heart’ approach to priority-setting? In our culture, how do we typically place ourselves at the centre of decision-making when it comes to priority setting? How does a Gospel approach to priority-setting differ? Read Mark 8:27-29 What is the question that Jesus first asks the disciples? What were the range of answers? What were some of the other ideas about Jesus’ identity reported elsewhere in the Gospels? What are some of the most common ideas today about who Jesus is? How does Jesus make the question personal? How is this question also personal to us? If you have not really considered this question before, how might you explore it in 2022? Read Mark 8:29-33 What is Peter’s response to Jesus’ question? Does this mean Peter understands correctly? How does Jesus fundamentally connect his Messiahship with the cross (and resurrection)? Why would the news that Jesus had to die (and rise) been so shocking to those listening? Why does Jesus rebuke Peter’s response so harshly? Why must Jesus die? Read Mark 8:34-38 What does it mean to deny ourselves and to take up the cross? What does it not mean? In what ways is following Jesus costly? Are there examples of people who come to mind? Why is it worth laying down our lives for Jesus? How have you embraced the cost of following Jesus? How does it involve your time, talents, and treasure? APPLY: In 2022, what is one way in which you need to bring the use of your time, talents, and treasures more into line with the priorities of Jesus? PRAYER Gracious God, thank you for the phenomenal truth of who Jesus is! Please help us to recognise his beauty and embrace the cost of following him with our entire lives. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: What daily rhythm is going to help you live for Jesus in 2022? Listen, Watch, and Read: AUDIO: What does it mean to be a Christian by William TaylorAUDIO: Identity: Who do you say I am by Chris WrightAUDIO: The King on a Cross by Tim KellerSERIES Resources:Series overviewBOOK: “Resilient Disciples” by Rick Hill BOOK: “Need to Know” by Gary Millar ARTICLE: “What is a Whole-Life Disciple” by LICC (London Institute of Contemporary Christianity)Grow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.Families: Read, Chat, Do, and PrayHigh School: CHARGE Discussion QuestionsKids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ TalkeBook: Watch the eBook

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the first sermon in our new series on the Priorities of Jesus. This sermon is ‘CALL: Repent, Believe, Follow’. Preacher: The Rev’d Michael Calder. Bible Reading: Mark 1:14-20DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Mark 1:14-20 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: In what ways could you grow in the knowledge of God and humility? WARM-UP As the people of the world set priorities and goals for the new year, how do you think they go about it? What drives their decision making? As we consider the year ahead, who and what should drive our priorities for the year? Read Mark 1:14-15 What is the good news of God according to Jesus? What does he mean by saying that the time has come and that the kingdom of God has come near? How has Jesus been promised to his people before he came? What is the kingdom of God? On the basis of this statement of fact, what are the two things that Jesus calls us to do? When the world hears the word ‘repent’ what do you think they think it means? What is a more biblical definition of repentance? How would you describe repentance to a friend who doesn’t know Jesus yet on your frontlines? In what ways is belief different to just an academic acknowledgment; a shot in the dark; or a leap of faith? How would you describe belief to a friend who doesn’t know Jesus yet on your frontlines? Why is what we believe in good news? Does the world see the gospel as good news? Is there anything that is stopping you or holding you back from repentance and belief in Jesus? Read Mark 1:16-20 What is the third call of Jesus? How is following Jesus different to following a celebrity, a politician, or even a brand? What are we to follow Jesus with? How does this shape the way that we prioritise things this year? Is there anything that you tend to prioritise more before following Jesus? Bring it to him in prayer and maybe ask a good friend to keep you accountable. APPLY: Spend some time considering how to prioritise Jesus this year, and think of 3 ways to go about it. PRAYER Gracious God, thank you for the amazing hope that we have in Jesus. As we look ahead for the new year and the rest of our lives, please help us to prioritise you and respond to your call faithfully. In Jesus’ name, Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: What daily rhythm is going to help you live for Jesus in 2022? Listen, Watch, and Read: AUDIO: “Jesus: His Message and His Mission” by Alistair BeggAUDIO: “Kingdom News” by Simon ManchesterAUDIO: “Mark 1:14-45” by Dick LucasAUDIO: “The Lord’s Fisherman” by John StottSERIES Resources:Series overview BOOK: “Resilient Disciples” by Rick Hill BOOK: “Need to Know” by Gary Millar ARTICLE: “What is a Whole-Life Disciple” by LICC (London Institute of Contemporary Christianity)Grow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.Families: Read, Chat, Do, and PrayHigh School: CHARGE Discussion QuestionsKids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ TalkeBook: Watch the eBook

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is our final sermon in 2021. This sermon is ‘New Year: Live for Jesus’. Preacher: The Rev’d Michael Calder. Bible Reading: Philippians 1:27-2:11DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Philippians 1:27-2:11 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: How can you grow in BOTH your experience and expression of God’s love this Christmas? WARM-UP Do you have any New Year’s resolutions? How have you gone in the past with them? Do you think that this year will be any different? Why do you think the world puts so much emphasis on the New Year? Read Philippians 1:27-30 What does the word to ‘conduct’ mean? How are we made citizens of the gospel? What is the main emphasis in these verses? Why is unity important? Where have you seen this not lived out? Where have you seen it lived out effectively? If someone was to look in the windows at St Bart’s, what type of church would they see? What could disrupt our unity? How could we ensure that we stand firm together in the face of pressure from the world? What practical measures could we put in place? Read Philippians 2:1-11 From what basis does Paul urge us to live in humility? What would make his joy most complete? Does this mean that we all have to be the same in everything? Why/why not? What unites us? What is the rule of humility in living as one people? What happens when someone is not humble? What is the measure of humility that Paul references? How is this distinct from all other religions? In what specific ways has Jesus shown us humility? To what extent are we to be humble? How does the world view humility? Is it easier for us as Christians to show humility? Why/why not? Who should now be at the centre of our lives and object of our worship? In what ways is Jesus greater than all things? In the new year, what rhythms and patterns could help us grow as one and grow in humility? Apply In what ways could you grow in the knowledge of God and humility? PRAYER Gracious God, thank you that you loved us so much that you would be so humble even to death on a cross. Help us as your people to be one, that the world may know of your love, and keep us from pride and selfish ambition. May we be a church that continues to make and mature disciples of you. In Jesus’ name, Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: What daily rhythm is going to help you live for Jesus in 2022? Listen, Watch, and Read: AUDIO: “Worthy of the Gospel” by Simon ManchesterAUDIO: “Adopt Jesus’ Death as the Test of Your Outlook” by Don CarsonAUDIO: “Humility” by John StottAUDIO: “Imitating the Incarnation” by Tim KellerBOOK: “Humilitas” by John DicksonARTICLE: “3 Bookmarks and a Bible” by Brian RosnerGrow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.Families: Read, Chat, Do, and PrayHigh School: CHARGE Discussion QuestionsKids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ TalkeBook: Watch the eBook

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesListen to our sermon from Christmas 2021. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam LoweDOWNLOAD the Sermon Transcript (PDF).

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the fourth of our Advent sermon series for 2021. This sermon is ‘Love Lavished on Us’. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Reading: 1 John 4:7-21DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: 1 John 4:7-21 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format..CONNECT: How can the depth of joy in Jesus transform one trouble that you’re currently experiencing?WARM-UP What do you think the world’s standard of love is? How does this compare to God’s love?What has been your most positive experience of God’s love in the context of Christian community?Read 1 John 4:7-10What is meant by “God is love”? What does it mean for God to be the author and source of love?Why is saying “love is God” different from John’s claim that “God is love”?How does disconnecting our understanding of love from God ultimately result in us either worshipping the idea of love and/or adopting a diminished view of love?As per the passage, what is God’s standard of love? What has been your experience of this?What causes you to marvel most about the nature of God’s love?Do you ever struggle with accepting God’s love? What has helped? What has not helped?How can we grow in our appreciation and acceptance of God’s extraordinary love for us?Read 1 John 4:11-21How does God equip and enable us to love in such an extraordinary way? Is there something in particular that you need to ask for help with from God in order to love others more?What does perfect love drive out? What does this mean in the context of judgment?How is our act of loving others actually a declaration of God to the world? If we fail to love, how can this reflect on God?How do you see God’s love expressed in the context of our community? How could we grow in this?Why is hating others incompatible with a claim to love God? What was happening in John’s context?In a society the is fractured on many fronts, how can we - at St Bart’s - demonstrate God’s love even amidst disagreement? How can we remind one another of the things of ‘first importance’?Apply How can you grow in BOTH your experience and expression of God’s love this Christmas? PRAYER Gracious Father, we thank you that it is because of Jesus that we may know joy through all in the power of the Holy Spirit. Please help us to know your joy and share it with the world. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: In this season, meals can be an amazing opportunity for relationships and pointing to God. How can you use grace at meals to point to Jesus this Christmas?Listen, Watch, and Read: AUDIO: “Perfected in Love” by Charlie SkrineAUDIO: “The Love of God” by Tom Wright:AUDIO (PAID): “Love” by David Bisgrove:Series Resources:Some helpful resources for our Series:Series overview both in PDF and AudiobookAdvent Devotional by Tim and Kathy KellerGrow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.Families: Read, Chat, Do, and PrayHigh School: CHARGE Discussion QuestionsKids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ TalkeBook: Watch the eBook

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the third of our Advent sermon series for 2021. This sermon is ‘Joy that Completes’. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Reading: John 16:16-33DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: John 16:16-33 Jesus went on to say, “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.”At this, some of his disciples said to one another, “What does he mean by saying, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,’ and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?” They kept asking, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand what he is saying.”Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, “Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me’? Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.“Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”Then Jesus’ disciples said, “Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.”“Do you now believe?” Jesus replied. “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: What one thing will help you to better celebrate Christmas this year? WARM-UP What do you think is the difference is between happiness and Christian joy? Do you know a Christian who has been a great example of joy amidst challenge? Read John 16:16-22 (Parting is Temporary) Why do you think the disciples were so confused? What would they have been feeling? What did Jesus mean by saying he must go but that they would see him ‘in a little while’? What image does Jesus compare our present sufferings with? What does he mean by this? Who can take away our joy? How should this be a source of great comfort and confidence? What most is troubling you? How can Jesus’ resurrection and return be a source of joy for you? As we await Jesus’ return, how does our future joy impinge upon today in the power of the Spirit? Read John 16:23-28 (Present Relationship) What does Jesus mean in verse 23? Does this mean God will give us anything we ask for? How should praying in Jesus’ name cause us to come to God in both humility and confidence? Through Jesus, with what type of intimacy are we grafted into relationship with God? How can you experience intimacy with God more readily and more frequently? Read John 16:29-33 (Permanent Victory) What is meant by the disciples' joy being complete? What would it look like for your joy to be complete in and through Jesus? Why - even in the inevitably of facing trouble - should the disciples ‘take heart’? Why should we? What should you be asking of God this advent? Would what it look like to pray confidently this Christmas in accordance with what motivates God? Apply How can the depth of joy in Jesus transform one trouble that you’re currently experiencing? PRAYER Gracious Father, we thank you that it is because of Jesus that we may know joy through all in the power of the Holy Spirit. Please help us to know your joy and share it with the world. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: It is not too late for a last minute invite to Carols. Who would want to miss a night of glowsticks & joy?! Listen, Watch, and Read: AUDIO (Paid): “Infallible Joy” by Tim KellerAUDIO: “Joy while we wait” by William TaylorAUDIO: “Surprised by Joy” by Dick LucasSONG: “Joy to Be” by CitizensSeries Resources:Some helpful resources for our Ser

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the second of our Advent sermon series for 2021. This sermon is ‘Peace with God’. Preacher: The Rev’d Michael Calder. Bible Reading: Romans 5:1-11DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Romans 5:1-11 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: What one thing will help you to better celebrate Christmas this year? WARM-UP Why do you think the secular world puts so much time and energy into Christmas? What’s the difference between the peace that the world gives and peace that God gives? Read Romans 5:1-5 What does it mean to be justified by faith? Why do we need justification? What is sin? How does sin impact our relationship with God and others? Are we ever at risk of not taking sin seriously? How is it that we can have peace with God right now? How does God’s peace change the way we face troubles and afflictions? Why won’t the hope that we have put us to shame? How should God’s peace change the way that we live on our frontlines? Read Romans 5:6-11 What is so radical about the death of Jesus? Why did he have to die and for what sort of people did he die? What does his death mean for us? In what ways is God’s love different to any love that we find in the world? How can we see God’s love at its greatest? What does it mean for two people to be personally reconciled? What is the difference between being pronounced innocent by God and being reconciled to God? How is the salvation that God offers complete and total? What should this salvation lead to in us? In your week, what are some rhythms that can help you remember the seriousness of sin and also the peace that we have with God? In the lead up to Christmas, how will you share about the peace that God offers? Apply How can you keep the peace that Jesus gives us at the centre of Christmas this year? PRAYER Heavenly Father, thank you that you are a gracious and compassionate God who is abounding in love. Please help us to take sin seriously in order to see your mercy more clearly. Thank you for the justification and reconciliation that we have in Jesus. Help us this Christmas to rest in the peace that you give us. Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: It is not too late for a last minute invite to Carols. Who would want to miss a night of glowsticks & joy?! Listen, Watch, and Read: AUDIO: “Romans 5 - Amazing Love” by Christopher AshAUDIO: “Grace and Glory” by Simon ManchesterAUDIO: “Romans 5” by Gary MillarAUDIO: “Romans 5” a lecture by Dick LucasSeries Resources:Some helpful resources for our Series:Series overview both in PDF and AudiobookAdvent Devotional by Tim and Kathy KellerInvite a friend to carols!Grow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.Families: Read, Chat, Do, and PrayHigh School: CHARGE Discussion QuestionsKids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ TalkeBook: Watch the eBook

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the first of our Advent sermon series for 2021. This sermon is ‘Hope that’s Real’. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Reading: 1 Peter 1:1-12DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: 1 Peter 1:1-12 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood:Grace and peace be yours in abundance.Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: On one of your frontlines this week, how can you be fortified in: remembering who’s boss, standing firm, and trusting that salvation belongs to the Lord? WARM-UP What are the most common ways in our culture that we prepare for Christmas? What does ‘advent’ mean? What do you find most helpful in preparing for Christmas? Read 1 Peter 1:1-5 Who were the communities that Peter was writing to? What do we know of their circumstances? In what ways is our hope living? How does this living hope make a difference in the ‘everyday’? How is it good news that our hope is anchored away from ourselves and to Jesus? How is our hope anchored to Jesus? What does Peter mean by “through” the resurrection? What are the types of things that you most o#en hope for? What is our greatest hope? What helps you anchor your hope to Jesus in the face of trouble or challenge? How about in times when things are going more smoothly? How does Christian hope (and the biblical view of hope) differ to everyday use of the word? Read 1 Peter 1:6-9 How is our inheritance described? Why does this matter? If our inheritance is guaranteed (and cannot spoil!), what sort of confidence should this give us? Can you think of an example of someone you know who has faced extraordinary sufferings yet maintained their hope in Jesus? How does Peter explain the purpose of the trials that the people were facing? Have you ever experienced a time of trial? How did you find that experience? Why do you think it is o#en through suffering that we grow as disciples of Jesus? Who is someone this Christmas with whom you would love to share the good news that through Jesus we have a hope that is real? Perhaps be especially praying for them this week. Apply What one thing will help you to better celebrate Christmas this year? PRAYER Heavenly Father, we thank you so much that it is through Jesus that we can have a sure and certain hope. Please help us to be anchored to Jesus, certain of our future, and transformed today for your glory. Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: How is your reliance on God, above everything else, visible on your frontline?Listen, Watch, and Read: VIDEO: “Let’s Start with God” a sermon on 1 PeterAUDIO: “The Imperishable Inheritance” by William TaylorVIDEO: “Born again into a living hope” an exposition of 1 Peter 1:1-12 from TGC’s Women’s ConferenceAUDIO: “The Christian’s Gospel” a sermon by Dick Lucas on 1 Peter 1:1-25Series Resources:Some helpful resources for our Series:Series overview both in PDF and AudiobookAdvent Devotional by Tim and Kathy KellerInvite a friend to carols!Grow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the seventh of seven sermons in our series on Daniel. This sermon is ‘In the Lion's Den’. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Reading: Daniel 6DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Daniel 6 It pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps to rule throughout the kingdom, with three administrators over them, one of whom was Daniel. The satraps were made accountable to them so that the king might not suffer loss. Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. Finally these men said, “We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God.”So these administrators and satraps went as a group to the king and said: “May King Darius live forever! The royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers and governors have all agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or human being during the next thirty days, except to you, Your Majesty, shall be thrown into the lions’ den. Now, Your Majesty, issue the decree and put it in writing so that it cannot be altered—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.” So King Darius put the decree in writing.Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help. So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree: “Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or human being except to you, Your Majesty, would be thrown into the lions’ den?”The king answered, “The decree stands—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.”Then they said to the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, Your Majesty, or to the decree you put in writing. He still prays three times a day.” When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed; he was determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort until sundown to save him.Then the men went as a group to King Darius and said to him, “Remember, Your Majesty, that according to the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or edict that the king issues can be changed.”So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!”A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel’s situation might not be changed. Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night without eating and without any entertainment being brought to him. And he could not sleep.At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?”Daniel answered, “May the king live forever! My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.”The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.At the king’s command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.Then King Darius wrote to all the nations and peoples of every language in all the earth:“May you prosper greatly!“I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel.“For he is the living God and he endures forever;his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end.He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth.He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.”So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: Is there a particular area in your life that your pride is trying to get in the way of God

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the sixth of seven sermons in our series on Daniel. This sermon is ‘Writing on the Wall’. Preacher: The Rev’d Michael Calder. Bible Reading: Daniel 5DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Daniel 5 King Belshazzar gave a great banquet for a thousand of his nobles and drank wine with them. While Belshazzar was drinking his wine, he gave orders to bring in the gold and silver goblets that Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, so that the king and his nobles, his wives and his concubines might drink from them. So they brought in the gold goblets that had been taken from the temple of God in Jerusalem, and the king and his nobles, his wives and his concubines drank from them. As they drank the wine, they praised the gods of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood and stone.Suddenly the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall, near the lampstand in the royal palace. The king watched the hand as it wrote. His face turned pale and he was so frightened that his legs became weak and his knees were knocking.The king summoned the enchanters, astrologers and diviners. Then he said to these wise men of Babylon, “Whoever reads this writing and tells me what it means will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around his neck, and he will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.”Then all the king’s wise men came in, but they could not read the writing or tell the king what it meant. So King Belshazzar became even more terrified and his face grew more pale. His nobles were baffled.The queen, hearing the voices of the king and his nobles, came into the banquet hall. “May the king live forever!” she said. “Don’t be alarmed! Don’t look so pale! There is a man in your kingdom who has the spirit of the holy gods in him. In the time of your father he was found to have insight and intelligence and wisdom like that of the gods. Your father, King Nebuchadnezzar, appointed him chief of the magicians, enchanters, astrologers and diviners. He did this because Daniel, whom the king called Belteshazzar, was found to have a keen mind and knowledge and understanding, and also the ability to interpret dreams, explain riddles and solve difficult problems. Call for Daniel, and he will tell you what the writing means.”So Daniel was brought before the king, and the king said to him, “Are you Daniel, one of the exiles my father the king brought from Judah? I have heard that the spirit of the gods is in you and that you have insight, intelligence and outstanding wisdom. The wise men and enchanters were brought before me to read this writing and tell me what it means, but they could not explain it. Now I have heard that you are able to give interpretations and to solve difficult problems. If you can read this writing and tell me what it means, you will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around your neck, and you will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.”Then Daniel answered the king, “You may keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to someone else. Nevertheless, I will read the writing for the king and tell him what it means.“Your Majesty, the Most High God gave your father Nebuchadnezzar sovereignty and greatness and glory and splendor. Because of the high position he gave him, all the nations and peoples of every language dreaded and feared him. Those the king wanted to put to death, he put to death; those he wanted to spare, he spared; those he wanted to promote, he promoted; and those he wanted to humble, he humbled. But when his heart became arrogant and hardened with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne and stripped of his glory. He was driven away from people and given the mind of an animal; he lived with the wild donkeys and ate grass like the ox; and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven, until he acknowledged that the Most High God is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and sets over them anyone he wishes.“But you, Belshazzar, his son, have not humbled yourself, though you knew all this. Instead, you have set yourself up against the Lord of heaven. You had the goblets from his temple brought to you, and you and your nobles, your wives and your concubines drank wine from them. You praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand. But you did not honor the God who holds in his hand your life and all your ways. Therefore he sent the hand that wrote the inscription.“This is the inscription that was written:MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN“Here is what these words mean:Mene: God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end.Tekel: You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting.Peres: Your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.”Then at Belshazzar’s command, Daniel was clothed in purple, a gold chain was placed ar