26th May 2013  

The reading is from Matthew 7:1-6 and the talk looks at Jesus’s teaching on “living with discernment.” With the use of humour and colourful language Jesus shows that his understanding of human nature is realistic. That we are to avoid being judgmental but that does not mean that there are not appropriate times for challenge but also what attitudes we are wise to adopt in the light of those who despise the pearls of wisdom hidden in the Gospel.
Notes will usually be available on the downloads section of the website.

19th May 2013

 The reading is from Matthew 6:19-34 and particularly verses 33, 34 which talks about not being anxious but to be ambitious for the Kingdom. Jesus draws up a series of polar opposites calling for singleness of heart and mind such as treasures on earth versus treasures in heaven, inner darkness versus inner light, mammon versus God and preoccupation with the body versus the Kingdom priorities. The talk looks at some of the resources and strategies that can help us overcome the spirit of materialism and fear in our struggles with anxiety and the Kingdom of God.

 

Notes will usually be available on the downloads section of the  website.

12th May 2013

 This week Jane looks at fasting as part of Jesus’s teaching on authentic worship . The reading is from Matthew 6:1, and v16-18 and looks at what Jesus said around true fasting that accompanies prayer.

Notes will usually be available on the downloads section of the website.

 

5th May 2013

The reading is from Matthew 6: 1; 5-15 and continuing on in the short series of looking at Jesus centred Gospel and when you worship do not show off. This week the focus is on prayer and the kingdom or Jesus prayer. This is not a blueprint that must be used when we pray but it is a prayer that can be used as a model and adapted or as a frame work with a Jesus world view built into it. Jesus was not telling them everything about prayer but he was giving his disciples a frame work, a world view that enables us to pray correctly – not like the pagans or the hypocrites.

 Notes will usually be available on the downloads section of the website.