Christmas at Woodlands Church: Light in the Darkness | Rachel Riddall at 11am | 6 December 2020

6 December 2020 - 11am Service

Christmas at Woodlands Church: Light in the Darkness

This Sunday we started our new Christmas Series with a talk from Matt Dobson on ‘Light in the Darkness.’

Our 11am services will be live-streamed online until January. We hope you enjoy Christmas with us!

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

STUDY NOTES

The four gospels each give a particular perspective on the life of Jesus. Unlike Matthew and Luke John’s gospel doesn’t give a nativity account. His gospel starts with the perspective of the eternal relationship between God and the Word, or as we understand that, the Father and the Son. The incarnation is introduced in those terms ‘the Word became flesh’ so we have no doubt that the Jesus we worship is also divine.

Big idea: The word becoming flesh speaks of a ‘divine humility’ which is staggering! Is your view of God big enough to grasp the immensity of this act?

• In what way are human beings ‘in darkness’? Is that true for our present age as well as 1st Century Palestine? 

• How is the darkness affected by Jesus becoming human?

• Why did so many of the highly religious, biblically educated people of Jesus time fail to recognise Him?

• Jesus ‘incarnate’ reveals to us exactly what God is like, (e.g. that God can self-limit, embrace suffering, allow his will not to be done for the sake of giving us the opportunity to freely turn to him and know him). How does your understanding of Go and relationship with Him resonate with those truths?

• Jesus once said to his followers ‘You are the light of the World’. How can we be that light today?

 Jesus commissioned his followers (e.g. Paul in Acts 26) to call people from darkness to light. Ask God to show you how you can point people to Jesus this Christmas. 

Invite your friends and family to Carols by Candlelight Online!

We’ll be live-streaming our traditional carol service online - so you and your loved ones can join in from the comfort of home. You could even host a Watch Party on Facebook!

Our Carols by Candlelight service is guaranteed to make you feel all Christmassy! Be sure to invite your friends and family to tune in.

There are so many ways to invite people. Download and share this image as an invite or share the link to watch direct on our Facebook page or YouTube channel:

• Visit the Woodlands Church Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/woodlandschurchbristol

• Share the link to the service on YouTube:
  https://youtu.be/bU1ZpSdbAa8

Woodies Kids Advent: Week Two

Advent 2020: Week Two

This week’s candle focuses on love.

The whole meaning of Christmas can be explained in that one little 4 letter word – LOVE. The birth of Jesus was God’s gift of pure, undeserved, unconditional love for us. Love that came down from heaven, love that was born in a manger, love that would ultimately die on a cross. This week we can focus on that magnificent gift of love given to us in the form of God’s own son.

At Christmas we enjoy showing those around us how much we love them. We buy them gifts; we gather together; we share food. We laugh and sing and eat! Let’s remember that love and remind ourselves that the ultimate show of perfect love was born in a manger.

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Discuss!

• How do you know if someone loves you? 

• ·Why do you think that Jesus was born?

• · Do you think God loves everyone?

• · Is it easy to love everyone?

• · Can you find a story in the bible where Jesus showed love to someone?

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Respond!

When someone loves you, they might do things for you, make sure you are safe and treat you kindly. Sometimes there are ways we can show love without it looking like something big. A great way you can show love is to pray for someone.

Can you think of anyone who needs to feel God's love right now? They might feel sad or lonely. Is there a way you can show God's love to them?

As a family think of something you can do each day for someone else. This could be for a member of your family or one of your neighbours. It could be as simple as a card saying you are thinking about them or it could be collecting shopping for them or baking them a cake. 

Chat and Catch:

Make yourselves comfortable – close your eyes if you wish:

· Show God in your mind someone you really love.

· Thank God for that person.

· Ask God what He loves most about you

Christmas 2020 Series

What can we learn from the story of Christmas?

This December, we’re celebrating the story of Christmas throughout Advent.

As this unprecedented year of 2020 comes to a close, we want to look to Jesus and the awesomely magnificent way He came into the world. Against a backdrop of light and darkness, God sent His son to dwell among us and bring hope, love, joy and peace to a hurting world.

Through our sermon series this Christmas, we’ll look at how Mary’s story gives us insight into the wisdom of God and His strategy to overcome evil using the weak to shame the strong and bring in His upside down Kingdom. In Joseph’s story, we see prophecies fulfilled as Jesus was born in the City of David to inaugurate a Kingdom bigger than King David could have imagined. And finally we’ll look at how today the invitation to God’s Kingdom is open to everyone, to the last, the least and the stranger…that means all of us!

Our preaching topics during this series are:

•  Light in the Darkness - 6 Dec

•  Surprising the Strong - 13 Dec

•  A Star is Born - 20 Dec

• Christmas at Home - 25 Dec (10.30am)

• Everyone is Invited - 27 Dec 

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TALKS FROM OUR CHRISTMAS SERIES

Advent Resources for Families

Advent with Woodies Kids

This year, our Woodies Kids team has put together some fantastic resources to help families celebrate Advent! Woodies families will have received their special packs in the mail - but anyone can take part online!

 At Christmas there is so much to think about and so much to do, but it’s important in the midst of that to take time out of the stresses and the busy-ness and make time to gather together as a family. Make a space each Sunday in advent, maybe light a candle on your advent wreath and remember - Jesus is coming!

This month, we will explore together the traditional advent themes:
Hope | Love | Joy | Peace 

These are a few of the good gifts God has given to us. During this advent season, let us remember and celebrate Jesus coming to earth as a baby, meaning we have a way to access and experience these gifts.

Our prayer for you is that in spending time together each week celebrating Jesus’s birth, we will together encounter more of Him and experience more deeply the hope, love, joy, and peace He offers.

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How does it work?

Each week, families can take part by reading our Woodies Kids blog which will have a Bible reading to focus on; an introduction to the theme;  discussion questions; something to do together as a family and a way of responding.

There’s also a Going Deeper section if your children are older - as you may feel that you want to spend more time exploring the theme for the week and so these activities are for you! 

There is a Chat & Catch section too - Chat & Catch is a really useful tool taken from the Parenting for Faith course. A training video on Chat and Catch is available on our Woodies Kids blog.

Don’t worry about doing all of the activities or questions, but we pray that as you take time out each Sunday and focus as a family on the source of our peace, joy, hope and love; that you will meet with Jesus in a special way this advent.

With love and blessings,
The Woodies Kids team x

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Advent Blog

Jesus Talk: True Riches | Hannah Mitchell at 7pm | 29 November 2020

29 November 2020 - 7pm Service

Jesus Talk: True Riches

This Sunday we hear the final talk of our current preaching series Jesus Talk with a message from Hannah Mitchell on ‘True RIches’.

Jesus is on the move. In Luke 10 Jesus appoints 72 to go ahead of him ‘to every town and place he was about to go’. In Luke 13:22 we read ‘Jesus went through the towns and villages teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem’ (13:33). In 14:25 we read ‘large crowds were travelling with Jesus’.

Jesus ‘way’ lies through Samaria from Galilee to Jerusalem and corresponds to Luke 9:51-19:44. It’s not always welcoming territory (9:51-56)- the disciples might feel like sheep amongst wolves at times. 

Jesus teaching, usually in parables, is sometimes provoked by questions, sights and sounds on the road. The Good Samaritan is based around a risky journey through bandit territory. The three ‘lost’ things parables of Luke 15 have journeying and seeking in them.  Not all the teaching and sayings in these chapters from 10-19 are chronological. But perhaps there is a body of teaching that teaches us how to live ‘with the end in mind’. How do we live out our discipleship on this journey of life with the Kingdom as our goal and destination?

Remember, earlier today at the 11am service we heard Richard Pollard speak on the same topic. Go check it out!

Go deeper with this topic with the study notes!

• True Riches: Study Notes

Jesus Talk: True Riches | Richard Pollard at 11am | 29 November 2020

29 November 2020 - 11am Service

Jesus Talk: True Riches

This Sunday we hear the final talk of our current preaching series Jesus Talk with a message from Richard Pollard on ‘True Riches’.

Jesus is on the move. In Luke 10 Jesus appoints 72 to go ahead of him ‘to every town and place he was about to go’. In Luke 13:22 we read ‘Jesus went through the towns and villages teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem’ (13:33). In 14:25 we read ‘large crowds were travelling with Jesus’.

Jesus ‘way’ lies through Samaria from Galilee to Jerusalem and corresponds to Luke 9:51-19:44. It’s not always welcoming territory (9:51-56)- the disciples might feel like sheep amongst wolves at times. 

Jesus teaching, usually in parables, is sometimes provoked by questions, sights and sounds on the road. The Good Samaritan is based around a risky journey through bandit territory. The three ‘lost’ things parables of Luke 15 have journeying and seeking in them.  Not all the teaching and sayings in these chapters from 10-19 are chronological. But perhaps there is a body of teaching that teaches us how to live ‘with the end in mind’. How do we live out our discipleship on this journey of life with the Kingdom as our goal and destination?

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

Go deeper with this topic with the study notes:

• True Riches: Study Notes

Advent 2020: Week One

This first Sunday of Advent is all about Hope.

The candle is also called the prophecy candle because of all the prophesises in the Old Testament that told of the Messiah’s coming.  The people of Israel waited with hope because God had promised a saviour.  As Christians we know that God fulfilled that promise through the birth of Jesus Christ.  

So, as we start to get ready to celebrate Jesus’ birth, let us remind ourselves of the bigger plan that He is part of and how much the world was anticipating Him even before Mary was pregnant!  

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Discuss!

Read two of the prophesies about Jesus:

· What does it mean to anticipate something?

· What kind of things do we look forward to?

· What were some of the things Jesus would be called?

· What does your name mean?

· How can we get to know God better through His son?

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Respond!

Light a candle and ponder the wonder of Christ’s birth and rejoice in God’s gift of Jesus being born. Consider how Deity transcended time and space and entered into humanity.  Consider how Jesus, the Lord of Glory, humbled himself and came to earth; how the Royal One, the King of kings, entered into poverty.  And consider how, on that dark night centuries ago, True Light entered our world in the form of a lowly infant.  Give thanks for the Light of Jesus in your life and, just as John the Baptist testified of the True Light, be ready to be a witness to the Light of Christmas—the Lord Jesus Christ.      

Chat and catch!

Make yourself comfortable, to help you concentrate close your eyes.  You could also write or draw these things if you would like to on a piece of paper or in a journal.     

· Tell Jesus what you love about the Christmas story.

· Tell Jesus what you are hoping for.

· Ask God to highlight one of the names of Jesus from Isaiah 6:9 to you.

Jesus Talk: Persistent Prayer | Rachel Riddall at 7pm | 22 November 2020

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22 November 2020 - 7pm Service

Jesus Talk: Persistent Prayer

This Sunday we continue our preaching series Jesus Talk with a message from Rachel Riddall on ‘Persistent Prayer’.

Jesus is on the move. In Luke 10 Jesus appoints 72 to go ahead of him ‘to every town and place he was about to go’. In Luke 13:22 we read ‘Jesus went through the towns and villages teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem’ (13:33). In 14:25 we read ‘large crowds were travelling with Jesus’.

Jesus ‘way’ lies through Samaria from Galilee to Jerusalem and corresponds to Luke 9:51-19:44. It’s not always welcoming territory (9:51-56)- the disciples might feel like sheep amongst wolves at times. 

Jesus teaching, usually in parables, is sometimes provoked by questions, sights and sounds on the road. The Good Samaritan is based around a risky journey through bandit territory. The three ‘lost’ things parables of Luke 15 have journeying and seeking in them.  Not all the teaching and sayings in these chapters from 10-19 are chronological. But perhaps there is a body of teaching that teaches us how to live ‘with the end in mind’. How do we live out our discipleship on this journey of life with the Kingdom as our goal and destination?

Remember, earlier today at the 11am service we heard Rob Scott-Cook speak on the same topic. Go check it out!

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

DISCUSSION NOTES

INTRODUCTION | Luke 11:1-13 & Luke 18:1-8

In Luke’s gospel there are two key passages where Jesus teaches on prayer. The Lord’s prayer in Luke 11 is followed by 2 parables about being bold and persevering in prayer. Luke 18 is another parable about persevering in prayer, about bringing requests to God.

Big idea: How we pray determines what we believe about God.

Folk religion, or human default ways of thinking, tend to project on to God our fears. We see God as a harsh father or harsh judge. In the two parables here in Luke, Jesus tells us that God is the opposite of a harsh father - He is a good father who wants to bless his children. He is not like a harsh judge, he will give justice ‘speedily’.

STUDY QUESTIONS

Key Questions: How does my view of God affect the way I pray?
Why do we tend to project harsh authoritarian pictures of God on to Him?
How does knowing Jesus change the way I see God?

Other questions:

1. Why do we need to persevere in prayer, to keep ‘asking, seeking and knocking’? If Jesus says God will grant his chosen ones swiftly (Luke 18) why do we need to wait?

2. Jesus asks questions about our faith. ‘Will the Son of Man .. find faith on earth?’ What is the link between our faith and answered prayer?

3. What is the link between intensity of need and prayer? In the parables on prayer those asking have a strong sense of need. Do I have a sense of how much I need God?

4. How can the Lord’s Prayer be applied to my life without just becoming a ritual form of words?

In small group life are there things that we are ‘persevering’ in asking God for? Why not keep a group prayer journal, to help us remember to ask but to keep a record of answers too?

Jesus Talk: Persistent Prayer | Rob Scott-Cook at 11am | 22 November 2020

Audio Block

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22 November 2020 - 11am Service

Jesus Talk: Persistent Prayer

This Sunday we continue our preaching series Jesus Talk with a message from Rob Scott-Cook on ‘Persistent Prayer’.

Jesus is on the move. In Luke 10 Jesus appoints 72 to go ahead of him ‘to every town and place he was about to go’. In Luke 13:22 we read ‘Jesus went through the towns and villages teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem’ (13:33). In 14:25 we read ‘large crowds were travelling with Jesus’.

Jesus ‘way’ lies through Samaria from Galilee to Jerusalem and corresponds to Luke 9:51-19:44. It’s not always welcoming territory (9:51-56)- the disciples might feel like sheep amongst wolves at times. 

Jesus teaching, usually in parables, is sometimes provoked by questions, sights and sounds on the road. The Good Samaritan is based around a risky journey through bandit territory. The three ‘lost’ things parables of Luke 15 have journeying and seeking in them.  Not all the teaching and sayings in these chapters from 10-19 are chronological. But perhaps there is a body of teaching that teaches us how to live ‘with the end in mind’. How do we live out our discipleship on this journey of life with the Kingdom as our goal and destination?

Remember, our 7pm service is also looking at this topic, and Rachel Riddall 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 | Luke 11:1-13 & Luke 18:1-8

In Luke’s gospel there are two key passages where Jesus teaches on prayer. The Lord’s prayer in Luke 11 is followed by 2 parables about being bold and persevering in prayer. Luke 18 is another parable about persevering in prayer, about bringing requests to God.

Big idea: How we pray determines what we believe about God.

Folk religion, or human default ways of thinking, tend to project on to God our fears. We see God as a harsh father or harsh judge. In the two parables here in Luke, Jesus tells us that God is the opposite of a harsh father - He is a good father who wants to bless his children. He is not like a harsh judge, he will give justice ‘speedily’.

STUDY QUESTIONS

Key Questions: How does my view of God affect the way I pray?
Why do we tend to project harsh authoritarian pictures of God on to Him? How does knowing Jesus change the way I see God?

Other questions:

1. Why do we need to persevere in prayer, to keep ‘asking, seeking and knocking’? If Jesus says God will grant his chosen ones swiftly (Luke 18) why do we need to wait?

2. Jesus asks questions about our faith. ‘Will the Son of Man .. find faith on earth?’ What is the link between our faith and answered prayer?

3. What is the link between intensity of need and prayer? In the parables on prayer those asking have a strong sense of need. Do I have a sense of how much I need God?

4. How can the Lord’s Prayer be applied to my life without just becoming a ritual form of words?

In small group life are there things that we are ‘persevering’ in asking God for? Why not keep a group prayer journal, to help us remember to ask but to keep a record of answers too?

Woodies Kids | Old Testament Characters Week 10 - Isaiah

Welcome to the Woodies Kids blog.

this week we focus on…

Isaiah

So far in the last 3 weeks we have heard of 3 prophets who heard from God and gave a message to someone else for Him.

In all 3 of those instances, they didn’t have to wait very long to see God fulfil those messages. Jonah, spoke for God and told the city of Ninevah to repent, and they did – well, after he’d spent some time in a whale of course! Elisha, spoke for God and told Naaman to bathe in the river Jordan and he would be healed – and he was! And Elijah prayed for God to send fire – and he did! This week is a little bit different, because this week we are looking at a prophecy that took thousands of years to be fulfilled. In fact this isn’t just one prophecy. throughout the Old Testament, God spoke to His prophets and promised them a Messiah – their rescuer. The details were even pretty specific – All the way back in Genesis “The Messiah will be born of a woman”, Micah – “The Messiah will be born in Bethlehem”, Isaiah – “The Messiah would be called a Nazarene”.

The people had to wait a very long time to see this happen. But it did happen. Because God always fulfils His promises.

Time to Think

Have you ever had to wait for something for a REALLY long time?

Can you share what it was and how long you had to wait?

Do you find it hard to wait for something that is really exciting?

Ask the children to stand on one leg for a minute; when they think the minute is up they can sit down. Comment that time seems to pass slowly when you are waiting for something – even if it is only to put your foot down!

Say that when people were waiting for the Messiah/saviour/Jesus to be born time seemed to pass slowly – but God kept his promise! Because God always keeps his promises.

After 1 minute has passed, tell the children who was closest in their estimation.

Response

Read this list of some of God’s promises

Have you ever had to wait for something for a REALLY long time?

Can you share what it was and how long you had to wait?

Do you find it hard to wait for something that is really exciting?

Ask the children to stand on one leg for a minute; when they think the minute is up they can sit down. Comment that time seems to pass slowly when you are waiting for something – even if it is only to put your foot down!

Say that when people were waiting for the Messiah/saviour/Jesus to be born time seemed to pass slowly – but God kept his promise! Because God always keeps his promises.

After 1 minute has passed, tell the children who was closest in their estimation.

Response

Read this list of some of God’s promises

Spend a moment together to listen to God as you read these out. Is there one that you think God wants you to hear today? Thank God for His promise of sending Jesus. Thank God that because of Jesus we don’t have to wait for a prophet to tell us what God is saying. We can hear this for ourselves!

Jesus Talk: Good Neighbour | Tim Dobson at 7pm | 15 November 2020

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15 November 2020 - 7pm Service

Jesus Talk: Good Neighbour

This Sunday we start our new preaching series Jesus Talk with a message from Tim Dobson on ‘Good Neighbour’.

Jesus is on the move. In Luke 10 Jesus appoints 72 to go ahead of him ‘to every town and place he was about to go’. In Luke 13:22 we read ‘Jesus went through the towns and villages teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem’ (13:33). In 14:25 we read ‘large crowds were travelling with Jesus’.

Jesus ‘way’ lies through Samaria from Galilee to Jerusalem and corresponds to Luke 9:51-19:44. It’s not always welcoming territory (9:51-56)- the disciples might feel like sheep amongst wolves at times. 

Jesus teaching, usually in parables, is sometimes provoked by questions, sights and sounds on the road. The Good Samaritan is based around a risky journey through bandit territory. The three ‘lost’ things parables of Luke 15 have journeying and seeking in them.  Not all the teaching and sayings in these chapters from 10-19 are chronological. But perhaps there is a body of teaching that teaches us how to live ‘with the end in mind’. How do we live out our discipleship on this journey of life with the Kingdom as our goal and destination?

Remember, earlier today at the 11am service we heard Dave Mitchell speak on the same topic. Go check it out!

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

DISCUSSION NOTES

INTRODUCTION | Read Luke 10: 25-37

Loving God as we claim to, is intimately tied up with us loving our neighbour. But the concept of Love and Neighbour take on a richer and challenging intensity as Jesus gives us an example of what this loving looks like, in the Good Samaritan story.

STUDY QUESTIONS

1. What must I do to inherit eternal life? That’s a big question! Have you ever asked it? What is the answer? How connected is our love for God and our love for people in practice? Does this imply salvation through ‘works’ not faith’?

2. Why do the religious characters in Jesus story not help the victim?

3. Why is it so surprising that the Samaritan helps the victim?

4. How does this story shape our understanding of what Jesus means by ‘Love’ as well as what he means by ‘neighbour’?

5. Can we think of and share times when our religiosity has stopped us helping someone in urgent need? Are we guilty of only helping people who are part of our community and how could we change to include others not like us, even people we may feel as a threat?

Pray that this week Jesus helps you notice people around you with His eyes. Pray that the Spirit would teach and help you how to love your neighbour.

Jesus Talk: Good Neighbour | Dave Mitchell at 11am | 15 November 2020

15 November 2020 - 11am Service

Jesus Talk: Good Neighbour

This Sunday we start our new preaching series Jesus Talk with a message from Dave Mitchell on ‘Good Neighbour’.

Jesus is on the move. In Luke 10 Jesus appoints 72 to go ahead of him ‘to every town and place he was about to go’. In Luke 13:22 we read ‘Jesus went through the towns and villages teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem’ (13:33). In 14:25 we read ‘large crowds were travelling with Jesus’.

Jesus ‘way’ lies through Samaria from Galilee to Jerusalem and corresponds to Luke 9:51-19:44. It’s not always welcoming territory (9:51-56)- the disciples might feel like sheep amongst wolves at times. 

Jesus teaching, usually in parables, is sometimes provoked by questions, sights and sounds on the road. The Good Samaritan is based around a risky journey through bandit territory. The three ‘lost’ things parables of Luke 15 have journeying and seeking in them.  Not all the teaching and sayings in these chapters from 10-19 are chronological. But perhaps there is a body of teaching that teaches us how to live ‘with the end in mind’. How do we live out our discipleship on this journey of life with the Kingdom as our goal and destination?

Remember, our 7pm service is also looking at this topic, and Tim Dobson 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 | Read Luke 10:25-37

Loving God as we claim to, is intimately tied up with us loving our neighbour. But the concept of Love and Neighbour take on a richer and challenging intensity as Jesus gives us an example of what this loving looks like, in the Good Samaritan story.

STUDY QUESTIONS

1. What must I do to inherit eternal life? That’s a big question! Have you ever asked it? What is the answer? How connected is our love for God and our love for people in practice? Does this imply salvation through ‘works’ not faith’?

2. Why do the religious characters in Jesus story not help the victim?

3. Why is it so surprising that the Samaritan helps the victim?

4. How does this story shape our understanding of what Jesus means by ‘Love’ as well as what he means by ‘neighbour’?

5. Can we think of and share times when our religiosity has stopped us helping someone in urgent need? Are we guilty of only helping people who are part of our community and how could we change to include others not like us, even people we may feel as a threat?

Pray that this week Jesus helps you notice people around you with His eyes. Pray that the Spirit would teach and help you how to love your neighbour.

Jesus Talk

What can we learn from the stories Jesus told?

This November, we’re doing a short series called Jesus Talk.

Walking with Jesus meant he was always telling stories, illustrating the nature of the Kingdom of God from experiences on the road. If we are walking with Jesus today, his stories speak life giving wisdom that can help us on our own journeys too.

We'll be examining three different parables, looking at Jesus’ stories on the road as he was teaching on his way from Galilee to Jerusalem.

Our preaching topics during this series are:

•  Good Neighbour - 15 Nov

•  Persistent Prayer - 22 Nov

•  True Riches - 29 Nov 

You can go deeper with the topics at home by using our simple study notes - coming soon!

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TALKS FROM OUR JESUS TALK SERIES

Woodies Kids | Old Testament Characters Week 9 - Elisha

Welcome to the Woodies Kids blog.

this week we focus on…

Elisha

You can find the story in

Elisha had trust and faith in God to pass on God's words to Naaman, and to believe that God would heal Naaman as God had promised. Elisha showed great trust and obedience in God. He was also brave as Naaman was an important man politically – any mistake could have been disastrous.

Elisha was Elijah’s apprentice. He also heard from God. He was a prophet. Remember, back before God sent Jesus, not everyone could hear directly from God. But we can! Anyway, Elisha also helped others encounter God. This time, he wasn’t even directly involved with the man! But, in this story there are 3 people who help Naaman meet with God. Listen to the story and tell me if you can work out who they are!

Time to Think

Naaman spent a lot of time deciding whether he should stay on the bank or jump into the river seven times to be cleansed. In the end Naaman obeyed Elisha's instructions and was healed.

In the story today, there were many people who helped Naaman by pointing him to God or people who could hear from God.

· Who told Naaman about Elisha? (His little servant girl)

· What might have happened to Naaman if she hadn't told him about Elisha? (He might have died)

· Did Naaman want to wash in the Jordan? (No, he wanted to do something grander, not wash in a dirty river!)

· Did God heal him? (Yes because Naaman did what God told him to)

Response

Explain that both the servant girl and Elisha Totally Trusted God. They knew God had good things to give to people. We can totally trust God to help and bless us. We can ask God to give good things to other people too.

Ask them to sit quietly and ask God to show them someone or something He would like them to pray for, before sitting down and doodling their prayer to God.

Have some sheets of paper, and colouring pens.

Suggest that as a way of praying the children doodle the name of someone they would like to pray for, or a situation e.g. school, on the piece of paper. The children can then decorate the paper in whatever way they wish – but in silence. They can pray and listen to the music as they doodle. A way of staying in God's presence and bringing a situation to God.

We can trust God to help us. Ask the children to think of one thing that God could help them with and then pray with them asking for God's help and His blessing.

United We Stand: Equipping the Saints | Dave Mitchell at 7pm | 8 November 2020

8 November 2020 - 7pm Service

United We Stand: Equipping the Saints

This Sunday we continue our preaching series United We Stand with a message from Dave Mitchell on ‘Equipping the Saints’.

As a Church, unity is one of our defining values. Without unity, we are unlikely to see our city transformed. In practice, there can be a ‘drag’ away from unity into parochial mindsets and divisions. As a body of believers, we want to actively seek to be unified, and in doing so, see positive transformation.

Remember, earlier today at the 11am service we heard Tim Dobson speak on the same topic. Go check it out!

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

DISCUSSION NOTES

INTRODUCTION | Read Ephesians 4:1-13 and 1 Corinthians 14

A mature Church has mature people, with diverse gifts equipped by a diverse team. Ephesians 4 gives us a template of a ‘five-fold ministry’, a team that equips a Church. The missiologist Alan Hirsch has invested heavily into the five-fold ministry (or APEST) with his 5Q teaching where he suggests this model is for everyone.

STUDY QUESTIONS

1. If we are one part of a body to use Paul’s image how do we discover our part, our gift and calling?

2. How would you identify five-fold ministry in Woodlands Church? How much do you feel people who carry a strong gift and calling in one area are able to equip someone like you?

3. Woodlands has a mantra ‘everyone a minister’. Do you think this is a real and possible practice, or just a slogan? How would you define your ministry?

4. How do you feel you need to be ‘equipped’? What methods would suit your personality? If this isn’t happening how could you feedback that to those charged with the task of ‘equipping the saints’?

5. Is there someone you are seeking to ‘equip for ministry’ right now? Who and how?
   

United We Stand: Equipping the Saints | Tim Dobson at 11am | 8 November 2020

Audio Block

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8 November 2020 - 11am Service

United We Stand: Equipping the Saints

This Sunday we continue our preaching series United We Stand with a message from Tim Dobson on ‘Equippin the Saints’.

As a Church, unity is one of our defining values. Without unity, we are unlikely to see our city transformed. In practice, there can be a ‘drag’ away from unity into parochial mindsets and divisions. As a body of believers, we want to actively seek to be unified, and in doing so, see positive transformation.

Remember, our 7pm service is also looking at this topic, and Amy Viner 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 | Read Ephesians 4:1-13 and 1 Corinthians 14

A mature Church has mature people, with diverse gifts equipped by a diverse team. Ephesians 4 gives us a template of a ‘five-fold ministry’, a team that equips a Church. The missiologist Alan Hirsch has invested heavily into the five-fold ministry (or APEST) with his 5Q teaching where he suggests this model is for everyone.

STUDY QUESTIONS

1. If we are one part of a body to use Paul’s image how do we discover our part, our gift and calling?

2. How would you identify five-fold ministry in Woodlands Church? How much do you feel people who carry a strong gift and calling in one area are able to equip someone like you?

3. Woodlands has a mantra ‘everyone a minister’. Do you think this is a real and possible practice, or just a slogan? How would you define your ministry?

4. How do you feel you need to be ‘equipped’? What methods would suit your personality? If this isn’t happening how could you feedback that to those charged with the task of ‘equipping the saints’?

5. Is there someone you are seeking to ‘equip for ministry’ right now? Who and how?

Woodies Kids | Old Testament Characters Week 8 - Elijah

Welcome to the Woodies Kids blog.

this week we focus on…

Elijah

You can find the story in

Elijah knew what it was to hear the word of God and to be compelled to speak it out – even when it meant his life might be at risk.  He wasn't perfect – he got scared too (see 1 Kings 19) but his default behaviour was always to cry out to the Lord Almighty – the One who always has the answers.

Time to Think

Remind the children that Elijah was a prophet.  Tell them that that means he was someone who was tuned into God's voice and could hear Him clearly.  Encourage them that God wants to speak to all of us – we just need to listen carefully.

Explain that sometimes we might hear a voice in our heads, or get a picture in our minds, or be reminded of something from the Bible, or just know something that we can't explain, or have a feeling or emotion.  All of these can be ways of God speaking to us.

Response/prayer time

Get the children to lie down and get comfy.  Play some soft music you have chosen and ask them to listen carefully and ask God to speak.

Afterwards, try to keep the atmosphere calm and quiet and give the children some time to write down or draw anything that they heard or saw. 

If there are any children that say they didn't hear or see anything.  Encourage them that sometimes God just wants us to enjoy being in His presence and that He doesn't need to say anything particular.

Explain that God always listens to us when we pray, and that one way of praying can be to write things down.  Give them some time to write a letter to God.  It might be to thank Him for something or to ask Him for something.  If the children struggle with writing, they could draw the things they want to say.

Tiny Treasures (under 5’s) did a different part of Elijah’s story about how God provided for him….watch it here along with a recipe to make.

Lockdown News: We're Going Back Online

With the recent Government announcement that we are going back into a nationwide lockdown from Thursday, 5 November until 2 December 2020, all church gatherings due to be held in person will be online only. All face-to-face services and events will be delivered online instead throughout lockdown.

Just when things had started to feel a bit normal again, we’re going back to virtual gatherings so we can do our part to help keep everyone safe. We are allowed to have a small number of team use the building to live-stream our services, socially distanced - so you can expect the feel of our Sunday worship to stay the same.

This means that the following services, courses and events will be live-streamed:

• All Sundays services

• Alpha course (in progress)

• Wholeness course (Starting 3 November)

• Mid week church leaders meeting (9 November at 8pm)

• Devo youth (Friday evenings)

• Monthly family service (22 November)

• All mid-week groups
  

PASTORAL CARE & SUPPORT
We do hope and pray for all of our church family to stay safe in these unprecedented times. Find out how you can connect online with us.

We expect many people will feel fearful and anxious. If you are feeling this way, why not sign up to our Wholeness Course which will be running online starting on 3 November? It helps participants to live in the freedom only God can provide.

The lockdown rules do allow two people to see each other outside for pastoral care support, so if you are struggling, do get in touch with your mid-week group leader or email our Pastoral Care team. If you aren’t in a group, but would like to join one, simply contact Tim Dobson and he’ll link you into a group that meets virtually.

If you or someone you know from church is experiencing financial hardship, do get in touch with us or speak to your mid-week group leader about our Needy Saints fund.

United We Stand: Put It On | Amy Viner at 7pm | 1 November 2020

1 November 2020 - 7pm Service

United We Stand: A House Divided

This Sunday we continue our preaching series United We Stand with a message from Amy Viner on ‘Put It On’.

As a Church, unity is one of our defining values. Without unity, we are unlikely to see our city transformed. In practice, there can be a ‘drag’ away from unity into parochial mindsets and divisions. As a body of believers, we want to actively seek to be unified, and in doing so, see positive transformation.

Remember, earlier today at the 11am service we heard Clare Thompson speak on the same topic. Go check it out!

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

DISCUSSION NOTES

INTRODUCTION | Read Ephesians 4:24-26 and Colossians 3:10-15

Unity begins at home! It’s also not a passive thing, it is an active way of life that needs to be embraced and pursued, particularly in our closest relationships. New testament teaching often lands on household relationships. It encourages pro-active Christian living (so pro-active it might feel we are just ‘putting it on’). 

STUDY QUESTIONS

1. These bible passages emphasis the power of speech in guarding unity or creating disunity. What part does speech and other communication (like social media) have in guarding or hurting unity?

2. What are the tensions between being ‘real’ and living with integrity, and the choices to speak well of others, even when you have felt hurt by them or critical of them?

3. What particular discipleship challenges are there for you in your household or family?

4. How do you define the kind of ‘love’ that you ‘put on’?

5. Greg Boyd said ‘It’s more important to treat people right than be right’ What does he mean? Do you agree?