Journeys: Destination Heaven | Dave Mitchell at 7pm | 4 October 2020

4th of October 2020 - 7pm Service

Journeys: Destination Heaven

This Sunday we continue our preaching series Journeys: People of the Way with a message from Dave Mitchell on ‘Destination Heaven’.

The Christian life is a journey. It has a beginning, a destination, and things to do, accomplish, and grow in on the way. The early Church was called ‘The Way’ - it implies a way of life, not just a once in a lifetime decision. What does The Way look like?

Earlier today Tim Dobson also spoke about this topic. Check it out!

You will find discussion notes below to help you go deeper with this topic during the week.

DISCUSSION NOTES

Read: Revelation 21v1-8 and 22v1-5

As we come to the close of our Journeys series we are looking at our final destination. Where will this journey following Jesus finally take us?

What is our personal destiny and what is the destiny of our planet?

1. What do you understand by the word "heaven?

2. When Jesus returns there will be a judgement that will put all the things that are wrong with our world, right. What do you understand this judgement to look like?

3. The book of Revelation seems to indicate that in the end there will be a "new heaven and a new earth" which those who have followed Jesus ("names in the Lamb's book of life" Rev 21v27) will enjoy with God for ever. In the end, Heaven will come to earth rather than us going to heaven. What do you think about that? And how should it make us live our lives now?

4. Why do you think we will need a "new heaven" as well as a "new earth"?

5. Knowing the end of the story should give us HOPE to live in the present. Read these verses Colossians 3v1-4, 1 Corinthians 15v42-44 and Philippians 3v20-21. How do these verses inspire hope in you?

6. As with the resurrection of Jesus, there is continuity with his body as well as something brand new (He could be recognised, eat, be touched etc, but he also appeared and disappeared and could walk through walls!) Do you think there will be continuity between the present earth and the renewed earth? If so how should that affect the way we treat our planet?

7. The book of Revelation contains lots of suffering and trouble. Through all this, believers are described in this way "They follow the Lamb wherever he went" Revelation 14v4. In the light of our final destination, how are you following Jesus the Lamb this week?

Journeys: Destination Heaven | Tim Dobson at 11am | 4 October 2020

4th of October 2020 - 11am Service

Journeys: Destination Heaven

This Sunday we continue our preaching series Journeys: People of the Way with a message from Tim Dobson on ‘Destination Heaven’.

The Christian life is a journey. It has a beginning, a destination, and things to do, accomplish, and grow in on the way. The early Church was called ‘The Way’ - it implies a way of life, not just a once in a lifetime decision. What does The Way look like?

Remember, our 7pm service is also looking at this topic, and Dave Mitchell will be sharing with us. Check it out!

You will find discussion notes below to help you go deeper with this topic during the week.

DISCUSSION NOTES

Read: Revelation 21v1-8 and 22v1-5

As we come to the close of our Journeys series we are looking at our final destination. Where will this journey following Jesus finally take us?

What is our personal destiny and what is the destiny of our planet?

1. What do you understand by the word "heaven?

2. When Jesus returns there will be a judgement that will put all the things that are wrong with our world, right. What do you understand this judgement to look like?

3. The book of Revelation seems to indicate that in the end there will be a "new heaven and a new earth" which those who have followed Jesus ("names in the Lamb's book of life" Rev 21v27) will enjoy with God for ever. In the end, Heaven will come to earth rather than us going to heaven. What do you think about that? And how should it make us live our lives now?

4. Why do you think we will need a "new heaven" as well as a "new earth"?

5. Knowing the end of the story should give us HOPE to live in the present. Read these verses Colossians 3v1-4, 1 Corinthians 15v42-44 and Philippians 3v20-21. How do these verses inspire hope in you?

6. As with the resurrection of Jesus, there is continuity with his body as well as something brand new (He could be recognised, eat, be touched etc, but he also appeared and disappeared and could walk through walls!) Do you think there will be continuity between the present earth and the renewed earth? If so how should that affect the way we treat our planet?

7. The book of Revelation contains lots of suffering and trouble. Through all this, believers are described in this way "They follow the Lamb wherever he went" Revelation 14v4. In the light of our final destination, how are you following Jesus the Lamb this week?

Journeys: Walk in The Spirit | April Ballard at 7pm | 27 September 2020

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27 September 2020 - 7pm Service

Journeys: Walk in The Spirit

This Sunday, we continue our preaching series Journeys: People of the Way with a message from April Ballard.

The Christian life is a journey. It has a beginning, a destination, and things to do, accomplish, and grow in on the way. The early Church was called ‘The Way’ - it implies a way of life, not just a once in a lifetime decision. What does The Way look like?

You will find discussion notes below to help you go deeper with this topic during the week.

DISCUSSION NOTES

Introduction:

At the start of 2020 Rob Scott-Cook felt prompted to share as a prophetic word for the year, 'Keep in step with the Spirit'. In our series on Journeys we ask what does that mean in practice? How do we keep in step with the Spirit?

Read Ephesians 4 & 5 and Galatians 5:16-26.

1. The language of the Spirit in the New Testament gives us clues to the challenge of walking in the Spirit. The Spirit is compared to the wind that blows where it wills (John 3:8), to a Dove that could take flight at any time (John 1:32-33), to a fire that can be quenched (1 Thess 5:19) and to a person who can be grieved (Ephesians 5:30). Which of those images relate to your experience of the Spirit? What does the bible context of these verses tell you about how to keep in step with Spirit?
   

2. How do you relate to the personhood of the Holy Spirit? Why is it important to recognise that the Spirit is a person, not an impersonal force or energy to be used?
   

3. What do you think grieves the Spirit?
   

4. Can you think of any biblical characters or stories where people failed to keep in step with the Spirit? What can we learn from them?
   

5. Is there a tension between 'fanning into flame' the life of the Spirit (2 Timothy 1:6) the 'annointing' of the Spirit, and the downpayment deposit guarantee of the Spirit that 'seals' our Salvation (2 Corinthians 1:22)? Can you keep some aspects of your life in the Spirit while losing others?
   

6. What do you need to do, risk, change in your life to keep in step with the Spirit?

Journeys: Wilderness | Laura Harris at 7pm | 20 September 2020

20 September 2020 - 7pm Service

Journeys: Wilderness

This Sunday, we continue our preaching series Journeys: People of the Way with a message from Laura Harris.

The Christian life is a journey. It has a beginning, a destination, and things to do, accomplish, and grow in on the way. The early Church was called ‘The Way’ - it implies a way of life, not just a once in a lifetime decision. What does The Way look like?

Remember, our 11am service is also looking at this topic, and Philip Jinadu shared a message with us. Check it out!

You will find discussion notes below to help you go deeper with this topic during the week.

DISCUSSION NOTES

Introduction:

In the Bible the wilderness is both a place of nurture and a place of challenge.

In the Exodus journey the wilderness was a place where the miraculous power of God was seen, where law was given, where supernatural food was provided. It was also a place of battles, of giants, of grumbling and judgement.

The wilderness was a place to hide from enemies; it was also a place of testing. It was a place free from distraction, it was a place of exile and temptation. Perhaps it can be described as a place of clarity, of black and white.

Wilderness:

Read Exodus 16-18 and 32

1. What does the word wilderness mean to you? What seasons of your life could you describe as 'wilderness'? Does the idea of wilderness as a place of nurture surprise you (Rev 12:14) ?

2. How has Covid been like a wilderness season? What have been the giants, what have been the blessings?

3. What things have become clear to you in the wilderness seasons of life? Have these presented as temptations to sin, or steps of obedience to follow? What is God saying to you about your obedience to Him, in a wilderness.

4. Why is grumbling taken so seriously in the Exodus story?

5. The journey through the wilderness sifted and tested Israel, preparing them to take the promised land. Jesus left the wilderness 'in the power of the Holy Spirit'. A wilderness can make you 'bitter or better'. How have wilderness times affected you?

Journeys: Wilderness | Clare Thompson at 11am | 20 September 2020

20 September 2020 - 11am Service

Journeys: Wilderness

This Sunday we continue our preaching series Journeys: People of the Way with a message from Clare Thompson on ‘Wilderness’.

The Christian life is a journey. It has a beginning, a destination, and things to do, accomplish, and grow in on the way. The early Church was called ‘The Way’ - it implies a way of life, not just a once in a lifetime decision. What does The Way look like?

Remember, our 7pm service is also looking at this topic, and Steve Ballard will be sharing with us. Check it out!

You will find discussion notes below to help you go deeper with this topic during the week.

DISCUSSION NOTES

Introduction:

In the Bible the wilderness is both a place of nurture and a place of challenge.

In the Exodus journey the wilderness was a place where the miraculous power of God was seen, where law was given, where supernatural food was provided. It was also a place of battles, of giants, of grumbling and judgement.

The wilderness was a place to hide from enemies; it was also a place of testing. It was a place free from distraction, it was a place of exile and temptation. Perhaps it can be described as a place of clarity, of black and white.

Wilderness:

Read Exodus 16-18 and 32

1. What does the word wilderness mean to you? What seasons of your life could you describe as 'wilderness'? Does the idea of wilderness as a place of nurture surprise you (Rev 12:14) ?

2. How has Covid been like a wilderness season? What have been the giants, what have been the blessings?

3. What things have become clear to you in the wilderness seasons of life? Have these presented as temptations to sin, or steps of obedience to follow? What is God saying to you about your obedience to Him, in a wilderness.

4. Why is grumbling taken so seriously in the Exodus story?

5. The journey through the wilderness sifted and tested Israel, preparing them to take the promised land. Jesus left the wilderness 'in the power of the Holy Spirit'. A wilderness can make you 'bitter or better'. How have wilderness times affected you?

Journeys: The Way in is the Way on | Steve Ballard at 7pm | 13 September 2020

13 September 2020 - 7pm Service

Journeys: The Way in is the the Way on

This Sunday, we continue our preaching series Journeys: People of the Way with a message from Steve Ballard, our Young Adults leader.

The Christian life is a journey. It has a beginning, a destination, and things to do, accomplish, and grow in on the way. The early Church was called ‘The Way’ - it implies a way of life, not just a once in a lifetime decision. What does The Way look like?

Remember, our 11am service is also looking at this topic, and Philip Jinadu shared a message with us. Check it out!

You will find discussion notes below to help you go deeper with this topic during the week.

DISCUSSION NOTES

Introduction:
Is becoming a Christian a process or a precipitate moment of decision?

Some people speak as if all that matters is for a person to pray the 'sinner's prayer', secure a place in heaven and that's the job done. Christians are the sum of people who have prayed that prayer and that's all that matters. Others see Christianity as a lifelong journey of discipleship changing from one degree of glory to another!

Of course, I would say, it is both and! It is often a process of hunger for God, which leads to a decision to make Jesus Lord and initiates a life of discipleship. Hence Alpha is both a process but has moments of invitation in it. Sadly, some people seem to stop growing or even go backwards. Maybe the ingredients that help us find God help us to carry on growing in relationship with Him.

The Way in is the Way on:

Read Galatians 3.

1. What things led you to follow Jesus? How conscious were you of your need for 'salvation', of God to help you get free from things too strong for you, and for you to become the best version of you possible? How important is an ongoing awareness of your need for the grace of God in your life?

2. What are the tools that help a Christian grow? How do you use them?

3. What were your spiritual foundations as a new follower of Jesus? How have they helped your ongoing journey of faith? Did you have any 'spiritual parenting'? (c.f. Ephesians 4: 11-13)

4. Hebrews 5:11-14 talks about Spiritual food. What is your spiritual food? Do you feed regularly- can you describe how?

5. Galatians talks about 'beginning with the Spirit.' How do you understand the work of the Holy Spirit in helping you both begin and continue in the Christian life? 

Journeys: The Way in is the Way on | Philip Jinadu at 11am | 13 September 2020

13 September 2020 - 11am Service

Journeys: The Way In is The Way On

This Sunday we continue our new preaching series Journeys: People of the Way with a message from Philip Jinadu, leader of Woodlands Metro.

The Christian life is a journey. It has a beginning, a destination, and things to do, accomplish, and grow in on the way. The early Church was called ‘The Way’ - it implies a way of life, not just a once in a lifetime decision. What does The Way look like?

Remember, our 7pm service is also looking at this topic, and Steve Ballard will be sharing with us. Check it out!

You will find discussion notes below to help you go deeper with this topic during the week.

DISCUSSION NOTES

Introduction:
Is becoming a Christian a process or a precipitate moment of decision?

Some people speak as if all that matters is for a person to pray the 'sinner's prayer', secure a place in heaven and that's the job done. Christians are the sum of people who have prayed that prayer and that's all that matters. Others see Christianity as a lifelong journey of discipleship changing from one degree of glory to another!

Of course, I would say, it is both and! It is often a process of hunger for God, which leads to a decision to make Jesus Lord and initiates a life of discipleship. Hence Alpha is both a process but has moments of invitation in it. Sadly, some people seem to stop growing or even go backwards. Maybe the ingredients that help us find God help us to carry on growing in relationship with Him.

The Way in is the Way on:

Read Galatians 3.

1. What things led you to follow Jesus? How conscious were you of your need for 'salvation', of God to help you get free from things too strong for you, and for you to become the best version of you possible? How important is an ongoing awareness of your need for the grace of God in your life?

2. What are the tools that help a Christian grow? How do you use them?

3. What were your spiritual foundations as a new follower of Jesus? How have they helped your ongoing journey of faith? Did you have any 'spiritual parenting'? (c.f. Ephesians 4: 11-13)

4. Hebrews 5:11-14 talks about Spiritual food. What is your spiritual food? Do you feed regularly- can you describe how?

5. Galatians talks about 'beginning with the Spirit.' How do you understand the work of the Holy Spirit in helping you both begin and continue in the Christian life? 

Journeys: We Can't Stay Here | Nigel Savage at 7pm | 6 September 2020

6 September 2020 - 7pm Service

Journeys: We Can’t Stay Here

This Sunday we begin our new preaching series Journeys: People of the Way with a message from Nigel Savage.

The Christian life is a journey. It has a beginning, a destination, and things to do, accomplish, and grow in on the way. The early Church was called ‘The Way’ - it implies a way of life, not just a once in a lifetime decision. What does The Way look like?

Remember, our 11am service is also looking at this topic, and Dave Mitchell shared with us earlier today. Check it out!

You will find discussion notes below to help you go deeper with this topic during the week.

DISCUSSION NOTES

Introduction:
The first Christians called themselves people of 'the Way'. Christians was a nickname given to them by outsiders. Sometimes today Christians choose to use the phrase 'followers of Jesus' rather than Christian; the Christian label has a lot of baggage attached to it, especially in the Middle East.

The Bible of course is full of stories of journeys. Abraham was a nomad, the Exodus is a central Old Testament book, Jesus was always on the move throughout his ministry and the book of Acts describes the missionary journeys of the Apostles. More than that however there are discipleship journeys that are not geographic; Hebrews 11:13-16 speaks of biblical heroes of faith 'longing for a better country-a heavenly one'.

Our series is designed to help us look at our faith as a Church community and as individual disciples as a dynamic with movement and growth. We must never stop being pioneers even where we settle.

Why we can't stay here?

1. What's in a name? What name would you choose to identify with as someone with Christian faith? Does a label box you in and define you in a static way, or describe you as someone always with potential for growth? What language would best describe a lifetime of discipleship and growth?
   

2. How would you describe the temperament of a 'pioneer' or a 'settler'? Which describes you best? Can you be both?
   

3. Tim Dobson sometimes speaks on the subject of 'internal and external frontiers'. It implies a growth journey in our Character and internal life and some activity and lifestyle changes that also demand growth. Can you think of areas where you need to grow, go on a spiritual journey in your inner life? What lifestyle or practical things need development and growth in your life right now? What risks is God inviting you to take and why?
   

4. What does our City, society and culture need from the people of God right now? It's obvious with a pandemic that we really can't stay here. But do we want to return to an old 'normal' or is God allowing a disruption to re-ignite a passion for us to see our city transformed? How might Woodlands need to change to fulfil what we are called to do for God in Bristol?

Journeys: We Can't Stay Here | Dave Mitchell at 11am | 6 September 2020

6 September 2020 - 11am Service

Journeys: We Can’t Stay Here

This Sunday we begin our new preaching series Journeys: People of the Way with a message from Dave Mitchell, our Senior Pastor.

The Christian life is a journey. It has a beginning, a destination, and things to do, accomplish, and grow in on the way. The early Church was called ‘The Way’ - it implies a way of life, not just a once in a lifetime decision. What does The Way look like?

Remember, our 7am service is also looking at this topic, and Nigel Savage, will be sharing with us. Check it out!

You will find discussion notes below to help you go deeper with this topic during the week.

DISCUSSION NOTES

Introduction:
The first Christians called themselves people of 'the Way'. Christians was a nickname given to them by outsiders. Sometimes today Christians choose to use the phrase 'followers of Jesus' rather than Christian; the Christian label has a lot of baggage attached to it, especially in the Middle East.

The Bible of course is full of stories of journeys. Abraham was a nomad, the Exodus is a central Old Testament book, Jesus was always on the move throughout his ministry and the book of Acts describes the missionary journeys of the Apostles. More than that however there are discipleship journeys that are not geographic; Hebrews 11:13-16 speaks of biblical heroes of faith 'longing for a better country-a heavenly one'.

Our series is designed to help us look at our faith as a Church community and as individual disciples as a dynamic with movement and growth. We must never stop being pioneers even where we settle.

Why we can't stay here?

1. What's in a name? What name would you choose to identify with as someone with Christian faith? Does a label box you in and define you in a static way, or describe you as someone always with potential for growth? What language would best describe a lifetime of discipleship and growth?
   

2. How would you describe the temperament of a 'pioneer' or a 'settler'? Which describes you best? Can you be both?
   

3. Tim Dobson sometimes speaks on the subject of 'internal and external frontiers'. It implies a growth journey in our Character and internal life and some activity and lifestyle changes that also demand growth. Can you think of areas where you need to grow, go on a spiritual journey in your inner life? What lifestyle or practical things need development and growth in your life right now? What risks is God inviting you to take and why?
   

4. What does our City, society and culture need from the people of God right now? It's obvious with a pandemic that we really can't stay here. But do we want to return to an old 'normal' or is God allowing a disruption to re-ignite a passion for us to see our city transformed? How might Woodlands need to change to fulfil what we are called to do for God in Bristol?