After the Fire Series: Community of Believers | Dave Mitchell at 7pm | 27 June 2021

What does it look like to live in step with the Spirit?

27 June 2021 - 7pm Service

After the Fire Series: Community of Believers

Over month of June we’ve been exploring what the Church looks like after Pentecost and how we can hold onto the power of the Spirit in our everyday lives.

We’ll be looking to the Bible to see what the early Church was like after this transformed experience of the gift of the Spirit. What should we look like today if the Spirit is at work in our midst as a Church?

Also - remember our 11am and 7pm services looked at the same topic and Rachel Dave Mitchell and Matt Dobson shared with us. Check it out!

DISCUSSION NOTES

INTRODUCTION

Read Acts 2:42-47 and Ephesians 4:11-13

We believe that Church is a society that exists for the benefit of its non-members! Of course that doesn’t mean we don’t care for one another, quite the opposite. To be a minister has three dimensions. A minister is a ‘servant’ literally. We minister to the Lord, to one another and to the world.

We understand some people’s ministry is more ‘Church centric’, for others it is very much in the market place. We hope that for most people ministry is ‘both and’!

1. The phrase ‘ministry to the Lord’ sounds a bit quaint. What does it actually mean?

2. I use the phrase ‘God loves to turn victims into ministers’ as I think about people in the Bible and in my experience who have been able to be used by God despite (and sometimes because of) where they have come from. Is there anything that disqualifies us from being ministers?

3. Ministry is for everyone but everyone should be equipped or trained as Ephesians 4 puts it. Where do you feel drawn to minister? What equipping do you need?

4. As we re-open Church post pandemic, there are many needs in our Church programmes for volunteers, or ‘ministers’. What needs are you aware of at Woodlands? What training programmes are you aware of? Where might you be able to serve?

5. Ministry can be both in practical service and more overtly spiritual realms. What does God value most? Do we over promote some aspects of ministry as a community to the detriment of others?

6. Do you know which Woodlands team members most champion volunteering in and out of the Church?

After the Fire Series: Community of Believers | Rachel Riddall at 11am | 27 June 2021

What does it look like to live in step with the Spirit?

27 June 2021 - 7pm Service

After the Fire Series: Community of Believers

Over month of June we’ve been exploring what the Church looks like after Pentecost and how we can hold onto the power of the Spirit in our everyday lives.

We’ll be looking to the Bible to see what the early Church was like after this transformed experience of the gift of the Spirit. What should we look like today if the Spirit is at work in our midst as a Church?

Also - remember our 11am and 7pm services looked at the same topic and Rachel Dave Mitchell and Matt Dobson shared with us. Check it out!

DISCUSSION NOTES

INTRODUCTION

Read Acts 2:42-47 and Ephesians 4:11-13

We believe that Church is a society that exists for the benefit of its non-members! Of course that doesn’t mean we don’t care for one another, quite the opposite. To be a minister has three dimensions. A minister is a ‘servant’ literally. We minister to the Lord, to one another and to the world.

We understand some people’s ministry is more ‘Church centric’, for others it is very much in the market place. We hope that for most people ministry is ‘both and’!

1. The phrase ‘ministry to the Lord’ sounds a bit quaint. What does it actually mean?

2. I use the phrase ‘God loves to turn victims into ministers’ as I think about people in the Bible and in my experience who have been able to be used by God despite (and sometimes because of) where they have come from. Is there anything that disqualifies us from being ministers?

3. Ministry is for everyone but everyone should be equipped or trained as Ephesians 4 puts it. Where do you feel drawn to minister? What equipping do you need?

4. As we re-open Church post pandemic, there are many needs in our Church programmes for volunteers, or ‘ministers’. What needs are you aware of at Woodlands? What training programmes are you aware of? Where might you be able to serve?

5. Ministry can be both in practical service and more overtly spiritual realms. What does God value most? Do we over promote some aspects of ministry as a community to the detriment of others?

6. Do you know which Woodlands team members most champion volunteering in and out of the Church?

After the Fire Series: Community of Believers | Neil Edbrooke at 8:30am | 27 June 2021

27 June 2021 - 8.30am Service

After the Fire Series: Community of Believers

Over month of June we’ve been exploring what the Church looks like after Pentecost and how we can hold onto the power of the Spirit in our everyday lives.

We’ll be looking to the Bible to see what the early Church was like after this transformed experience of the gift of the Spirit. What should we look like today if the Spirit is at work in our midst as a Church?

Also - remember our 11am and 7pm services looked at the same topic and Rachel Dave Mitchell and Matt Dobson shared with us. Check it out!

DISCUSSION NOTES

INTRODUCTION

Read Acts 2:42-47 and Ephesians 4:11-13

We believe that Church is a society that exists for the benefit of its non-members! Of course that doesn’t mean we don’t care for one another, quite the opposite. To be a minister has three dimensions. A minister is a ‘servant’ literally. We minister to the Lord, to one another and to the world.

We understand some people’s ministry is more ‘Church centric’, for others it is very much in the market place. We hope that for most people ministry is ‘both and’!

1. The phrase ‘ministry to the Lord’ sounds a bit quaint. What does it actually mean?

2. I use the phrase ‘God loves to turn victims into ministers’ as I think about people in the Bible and in my experience who have been able to be used by God despite (and sometimes because of) where they have come from. Is there anything that disqualifies us from being ministers?

3. Ministry is for everyone but everyone should be equipped or trained as Ephesians 4 puts it. Where do you feel drawn to minister? What equipping do you need?

4. As we re-open Church post pandemic, there are many needs in our Church programmes for volunteers, or ‘ministers’. What needs are you aware of at Woodlands? What training programmes are you aware of? Where might you be able to serve?

5. Ministry can be both in practical service and more overtly spiritual realms. What does God value most? Do we over promote some aspects of ministry as a community to the detriment of others?

6. Do you know which Woodlands team members most champion volunteering in and out of the Church?

After the Fire Series: Caring for the Poor | Andrew Street at 8:30am | 20 June 2021

20 June 2021 - 8.30am Service

After the Fire Series: Caring for the Poor

Leading on from our Holy Spirit series, over the month of June we are going to be exploring what the Church looks like after Pentecost and how we can hold onto the power of the Spirit in our everyday lives.

We’ll be looking to the Bible to see what the early Church was like after this transformed experience of the gift of the Spirit. What should we look like today if the Spirit is at work in our midst as a Church?

This week we’re having a special offering for International Justice Mission to raise funds for another rescue mission supported by our church members. If you would like to give, please visit our IJM page:

• Support our fund for an IJM Mission

Also - remember our 11am and 7pm services looked at the same topic and Dave Mitchell and Matt Dobson shared with us. Check it out!

DISCUSSION NOTES

INTRODUCTION

Read Acts 4:32-36 and Galatians 2:10

One of the revolutionary and attractive qualities about the early Church is the way they cared for the poor, and not just their own poor but vulnerable people in their wider communities. 

1. Why do you think there was such generosity in the Church as described in Acts 4: 32-36.

2. What do you think the impact of the Church’s charitable work is on its witness into the world?

3. What is your definition of poverty? Where would you find that kind of poverty in Bristol?

4. The Galatians passage seems to indicate care for the poor as being absolutely central in Church planting. How does Woodlands ‘care for the poor’?

5. Care for the poor is for everyone, part of the normal Christian life, what coaching or equipping do you need to help you in this ministry?

6. What should the proportion be of caring for the poor inside the Church, as opposed to those outside of it, from the perspective of the New Testament?

7. How has the work of the Holy Spirit in your life hanged your attitude towards generosity?

After the Fire Series: Caring for the Poor | Dave Mitchell at 11am | 20 June 2021

What does it look like to live in step with the Spirit?

20 June 2021 - 7pm Service

After the Fire Series: Caring for the Poor

Leading on from our Holy Spirit series, over the month of June we are going to be exploring what the Church looks like after Pentecost and how we can hold onto the power of the Spirit in our everyday lives.

We’ll be looking to the Bible to see what the early Church was like after this transformed experience of the gift of the Spirit. What should we look like today if the Spirit is at work in our midst as a Church?

This week we’re having a special offering for International Justice Mission to raise funds for another rescue mission supported by our church members. If you would like to give, please visit our IJM page:

• Support our fund for an IJM Mission

Also - remember our 7pm service looked at the same topic and Matt Dobson shared a message with us. Check it out!

DISCUSSION NOTES

INTRODUCTION

Read Acts 4:32-36 and Galatians 2:10

One of the revolutionary and attractive qualities about the early Church is the way they cared for the poor, and not just their own poor but vulnerable people in their wider communities. 

1. Why do you think there was such generosity in the Church as described in Acts 4: 32-36.

2. What do you think the impact of the Church’s charitable work is on its witness into the world?

3. What is your definition of poverty? Where would you find that kind of poverty in Bristol?

4. The Galatians passage seems to indicate care for the poor as being absolutely central in Church planting. How does Woodlands ‘care for the poor’?

5. Care for the poor is for everyone, part of the normal Christian life, what coaching or equipping do you need to help you in this ministry?

6. What should the proportion be of caring for the poor inside the Church, as opposed to those outside of it, from the perspective of the New Testament?

7. How has the work of the Holy Spirit in your life hanged your attitude towards generosity?

After the Fire Series: Caring for the Poor | Matt Dobson at 7pm | 20 June 2021

What does it look like to live in step with the Spirit?

20 June 2021 - 7pm Service

After the Fire Series: Caring for the Poor

Leading on from our Holy Spirit series, over the month of June we are going to be exploring what the Church looks like after Pentecost and how we can hold onto the power of the Spirit in our everyday lives.

We’ll be looking to the Bible to see what the early Church was like after this transformed experience of the gift of the Spirit. What should we look like today if the Spirit is at work in our midst as a Church?

This week we’re having a special offering for International Justice Mission to raise funds for another rescue mission supported by our church members. If you would like to give, please visit our IJM page:

• Support our fund for an IJM Mission

Also - remember our 11am service looked at the same topic and Dave Mitchell shared a message with us. Check it out!

DISCUSSION NOTES

INTRODUCTION

Read Acts 4:32-36. Galatians 2:10

One of the revolutionary and attractive qualities about the early Church is the way they cared for the poor, and not just their own poor but vulnerable people in their wider communities. 

1. Why do you think there was such generosity in the Church as described in Acts 4: 32-36.

2. What do you think the impact of the Church’s charitable work is on its witness into the world?

3. What is your definition of poverty? Where would you find that kind of poverty in Bristol?

4. The Galatians passage seems to indicate care for the poor as being absolutely central in Church planting. How does Woodlands ‘care for the poor’?

5. If care for the poor is for everyone, part of the normal Christian life, what coaching or equipping do you need to help you in this ministry?

6. What should the proportion be of caring for the poor inside the Church, as opposed to those outside of it, from the perspective of the New Testament?

7. How has the work of the Holy Spirit in your life hanged your attitude towards generosity?

After the Fire Series: All Nations | Tim Dobson at 7pm | 13 June 2021

What does it look like to live in step with the Spirit?

13 June 2021 - 7pm Service

After the Fire Series: All Nations

Leading on from our Holy Spirit series, over the month of June we are going to be exploring what the Church looks like after Pentecost and how we can hold onto the power of the Spirit in our everyday lives.

We’ll be looking to the Bible to see what the early Church was like after this transformed experience of the gift of the Spirit. What should we look like today if the Spirit is at work in our midst as a Church?

It’s our Global Partners Weekend and we are celebrating the forty different ministries we support around the globe. Remember, our 11am service looked at the same topic and Hazel Askew shared a message with us. Check it out!

DISCUSSION NOTES

INTRODUCTION

One of the big themes of the New Testament is that of ‘Inclusion’; of the inclusion of the non-Jewish or Gentile world into the community of the people of God. 

Acts 10 tells the story of one Gentile household becoming part of the Church, as evidenced by a remarkable flow of supernatural signs and a Pentecostal outpouring in the home of Cornelius, a Roman Centurion.

This weekend we have focused on our own global partners, and I hope you can pick up on things they shared on Saturday and Sunday. Some questions you could consider are

1. If you have been on a global mission trip can you tell your story to your group? What short term or long term affect did it have on you?

2. Is ‘missionary’ a rather negative word nowadays, associated with imperialism? What is your perspective on the role of global mission?

3. What is a ‘reverse missionary’? Have you met one? What is that movement about?

4. What do you think is the link between global mission and God’s ultimate plan of Salvation- including Jesus’ return!?

5. Should we still encourage people to travel on mission? Isn’t it cheaper, more relevant and more environmentally appropriate for mission to be local and indigenous?

6. What is the role of the Holy Spirit in sending people to all nations?

Consider ‘adopting’ a global partner as a group, and inviting them to your group on Zoom and finding out about their story and calling.

After the Fire Series: All Nations | Hazel Askew at 11am | 13 June 2021

What does it look like to live in step with the Spirit?

13 June 2021 - 11am Service

After the Fire Series: All Nations

Leading on from our Holy Spirit series, over the month of June we are going to be exploring what the Church looks like after Pentecost and how we can hold onto the power of the Spirit in our everyday lives.

We’ll be looking to the Bible to see what the early Church was like after this transformed experience of the gift of the Spirit. What should we look like today if the Spirit is at work in our midst as a Church?

It’s our Global Partners Weekend and we are celebrating the forty different ministries we support around the globe. Remember, our 7pm service will be looking at the same topic and Tim Dobson will be sharing a message with us. Check it out!

DISCUSSION NOTES

INTRODUCTION

One of the big themes of the New Testament is that of ‘Inclusion’; of the inclusion of the non-Jewish or Gentile world into the community of the people of God. 

Acts 10 tells the story of one Gentile household becoming part of the Church, as evidenced by a remarkable flow of supernatural signs and a Pentecostal outpouring in the home of Cornelius, a Roman Centurion.

This weekend we have focused on our own global partners, and I hope you can pick up on things they shared on Saturday and Sunday. Some questions you could consider are

1. If you have been on a global mission trip can you tell your story to your group? What short term or long term affect did it have on you?

2. Is ‘missionary’ a rather negative word nowadays, associated with imperialism? What is your perspective on the role of global mission?

3. What is a ‘reverse missionary’? Have you met one? What is that movement about?

4. What do you think is the link between global mission and God’s ultimate plan of Salvation- including Jesus’ return!?

5. Should we still encourage people to travel on mission? Isn’t it cheaper, more relevant and more environmentally appropriate for mission to be local and indigenous?

6. What is the role of the Holy Spirit in sending people to all nations?

Consider ‘adopting’ a global partner as a group, and inviting them to your group on Zoom and finding out about their story and calling.

After the Fire Series: Spreading the Flame | Rob Scott-Cook at 8:30am | 6 June 2021

6 June 2021 - 11am Service

After the Fire Series: Spreading the Fire

Leading on from our Holy Spirit series, over the month of June we are going to be exploring what the Church looks like after Pentecost and how we can hold onto the power of the Spirit in our everyday lives.

We’ll be looking to the Bible to see what the early Church was like after this transformed experience of the gift of the Spirit. What should we look like today if the Spirit is at work in our midst as a Church?

Remember, later today at the 11am and 7pm services we’ll hear Rob Scott-Cook and Rachel Riddall share about the same topic. Go check it out!

DISCUSSION NOTES

INTRODUCTION

In the 1920’s a quietly influential book was published called ‘The Spontaneous expansion of the Church’ by Roland Allen, an Anglican minister and former missionary in China. He celebrated the natural evangelism of often uneducated new believers as opposed to the formal professionalism of missionaries and bishops. Church growth happens when ordinary Church members have had real encounters with Jesus and have confidence to share what they have found with their communities.

In the book of Acts, (Read 11:19-22) we hear of the spontaneous establishing of a Church in Antioch. We don’t know anything about the women and men who shared the good news, but we do know it spilled out to the gentiles as well as Jews. The world changing dynamic of the gospel being shared and a church founded with non-Jews was initiated not by the apostles but an anonymous group of people who had WITNESSED and been changed by the events of Pentecost!

1. What was the global impact of events that started in Jerusalem (Acts 2) at Pentecost? Do you think the people in Acts 11:20 were the same as those in Acts 2? How were they equipped to be evangelists?

2. What is your definition of the word witness? What is the link between what you experience and what you say?

3. What could you be a witness about as far as your faith is concerned? How does the Holy Spirit help you?

4. Witness intimidation is a real phenomenon. How does witness intimidation affect you?

5. Sometimes people say ‘everyone is a witness, but some are bad witnesses’. What do they mean?

6. It is sometimes said witness can be divided between those who ‘go and tell’ and those who say ‘come and see’. Which are you? Where do you feel confident to invite people to come and see?

Usually churches grow because their members have confidence to invite people to their services. As we come out of pandemic what would Church look like for you to want to invite your friends to it?

After the Fire Series: Spreading the Flame | Rachel Riddall at 7pm | 6 June 2021

What does it look like to live in step with the Spirit?

6 June 2021 - 7pm Service

After the Fire Series: Spreading the Flame

Leading on from our Holy Spirit series, over the month of June we are going to be exploring what the Church looks like after Pentecost and how we can hold onto the power of the Spirit in our everyday lives.

We’ll be looking to the Bible to see what the early Church was like after this transformed experience of the gift of the Spirit. What should we look like today if the Spirit is at work in our midst as a Church?

Remember, our 11am service looked at the same topic and Rob Scott-Cook shared a message with us. Check it out!

DISCUSSION NOTES

INTRODUCTION

In the 1920’s a quietly influential book was published called ‘The Spontaneous expansion of the Church’ by Roland Allen, an Anglican minister and former missionary in China. He celebrated the natural evangelism of often uneducated new believers as opposed to the formal professionalism of missionaries and bishops. Church growth happens when ordinary Church members have had real encounters with Jesus and have confidence to share what they have found with their communities.

In the book of Acts, (Read 11:19-22) we hear of the spontaneous establishing of a Church in Antioch. We don’t know anything about the women and men who shared the good news, but we do know it spilled out to the gentiles as well as Jews. The world changing dynamic of the gospel being shared and a church founded with non-Jews was initiated not by the apostles but an anonymous group of people who had WITNESSED and been changed by the events of Pentecost!

1. What was the global impact of events that started in Jerusalem (Acts 2) at Pentecost? Do you think the people in Acts 11:20 were the same as those in Acts 2? How were they equipped to be evangelists?

2. What is your definition of the word witness? What is the link between what you experience and what you say?

3. What could you be a witness about as far as your faith is concerned? How does the Holy Spirit help you?

4. Witness intimidation is a real phenomenon. How does witness intimidation affect you?

5. Sometimes people say ‘everyone is a witness, but some are bad witnesses’. What do they mean?

6. It is sometimes said witness can be divided between those who ‘go and tell’ and those who say ‘come and see’. Which are you? Where do you feel confident to invite people to come and see?

Usually churches grow because their members have confidence to invite people to their services. As we come out of pandemic what would Church look like for you to want to invite your friends to it?

After the Fire Series: Spreading the Flame | Rob Scott-Cook at 11am | 6 June 2021

What does it look like to live in step with the Spirit?

6 June 2021 - 11am Service

After the Fire Series: Spreading the Flame

Leading on from our Holy Spirit series, over the month of June we are going to be exploring what the Church looks like after Pentecost and how we can hold onto the power of the Spirit in our everyday lives.

We’ll be looking to the Bible to see what the early Church was like after this transformed experience of the gift of the Spirit. What should we look like today if the Spirit is at work in our midst as a Church?

Remember, our 7pm service will be looking at the same topic and Rachel Riddall will be sharing a message with us. Check it out!

DISCUSSION NOTES

INTRODUCTION

In the 1920’s a quietly influential book was published called ‘The Spontaneous expansion of the Church’ by Roland Allen, an Anglican minister and former missionary in China. He celebrated the natural evangelism of often uneducated new believers as opposed to the formal professionalism of missionaries and bishops. Church growth happens when ordinary Church members have had real encounters with Jesus and have confidence to share what they have found with their communities.

In the book of Acts, (Read 11:19-22) we hear of the spontaneous establishing of a Church in Antioch. We don’t know anything about the women and men who shared the good news, but we do know it spilled out to the gentiles as well as Jews. The world changing dynamic of the gospel being shared and a church founded with non-Jews was initiated not by the apostles but an anonymous group of people who had WITNESSED and been changed by the events of Pentecost!

1. What was the global impact of events that started in Jerusalem (Acts 2) at Pentecost? Do you think the people in Acts 11:20 were the same as those in Acts 2? How were they equipped to be evangelists?

2. What is your definition of the word witness? What is the link between what you experience and what you say?

3. What could you be a witness about as far as your faith is concerned? How does the Holy Spirit help you?

4. Witness intimidation is a real phenomenon. How does witness intimidation affect you?

5. Sometimes people say ‘everyone is a witness, but some are bad witnesses’. What do they mean?

6. It is sometimes said witness can be divided between those who ‘go and tell’ and those who say ‘come and see’. Which are you? Where do you feel confident to invite people to come and see?

Usually churches grow because their members have confidence to invite people to their services. As we come out of pandemic what would Church look like for you to want to invite your friends to it?