Monday 29 September 2014


28th September 2014.

Within the theme of the year “ Jesus and the prophets,” Geoff continues his occasional series looking at the seven prophetic signs in the Gospel of John. This time it is the feeding of the multitude in John 6;1-15 entitled” Food for thought.” The talk looks at the power and intricate nature of food and identity and memory but also the limitations of wanting God simply to meet needs while refusing to engage with what it is that God has actually done on his terms (not ours) and our willingness to embrace that.

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

Monday 22 September 2014


21st September 2014.

Revelation 19. Hallelujah – do not worship angels or any created being.
We again asked the questions: why did God call John to see this revelation of what must happen (4:1) and what should we do now that we too have seen it? We reiterated the great monotheistic tenant: Worship no god but me. I am the LORD your God and saw the worship that is given to Jesus especially here in Revelation. We spent a short time considering the “worship of angels” and also that worship should not be given to the prophets, the saints or powerful human beings e.g. emperors. This chapter deals with the destruction of the beast and the false prophet. We also spoke of the annihilation of the followers of the beast at the spoken word of Jesus. We wrestled with the “Bonhoeffer dilemma” of whether to take up physical arms against evil powers in the earth. We recognized the spiritual and moral importance of being clothed in “righteous acts” and using our praises of God for his just and true actions. Five times the heavenly beings are heard to declare “praise God” and give the reason the he has brought Salvation to the earth..
Notes will usually be available on the downloads section of the website .

Monday 15 September 2014


14th September 2014.

Revelation 17 &18. Babylon, the beast and the prostitute.
We also asked the questions: why did God call John to see this revelation of what must happen (4:1) and what should we do now that we too have seen it? We considered the nature of who and what was “Babylon” in AD 90-95 when the Revelation to John was circulated to the churches in the region. “Babylon” a metaphor and code for Roman and the power of its empire. We looked at the components of “Babylon” and asked what is “Babylon” in today’s world and how do we respond to the call of God to Come out my people”. We raised the missiological question of listening and discussing with others about what is happening in today’s world and calling for a response.
Notes will usually be available on the downloads section of the website.

Monday 8 September 2014


7th September 2014.

Revelation 16. The anger of God and his judgment. This theme requires us to ask why God is angry and what he does with this anger. The request at the beginning of this talk by Jane Thorington-Hassell was that we put on our seat belts as we were about to start a spiritual, mental and emotional roller coaster. Why doesn’t God do something about evil in the world? Jane suggested that God had done something and also will do something. As well as expecting a Final judgement she also argued that we are currently experiencing the consequences of our actions and that the judgement of God is woven into our daily lives. We also asked the question: why did God call John to see this revelation of what must happen (4:1) and what should we do now that we too have seen it?
Notes will usually be available on the downloads section of the website

Thursday 4 September 2014


24th August 2014.

Revelation 12: 7 – 12 and 1 John 1: 5-10. Overcoming evil. In part 2 of this theme Jane Thorington-Hassell reiterates the reality of Evil in the world and also the part it plays in our lives. The aim of the talk is a practical one of personally overcoming evil and particularly through the supporting of one another in the Christian community by giving testimony, telling the stories of what God has done and so encouraging one another to a more selfless way of living. The speaker suggests that contemporary society is increasingly self-absorbed which is simply playing into the hands of a greater evil.
Notes will usually be available on the downloads section of the website


 Revelation 12: 7 -12. Overcoming evil. Understanding Revelation should inform and modify the way we look at and live in the world according to Jane Thorington-Hassell. It enables us to face both the reality of evil and our part in overcoming it. The writer John argues that there are 3 components to overcoming. The writer uses Christian shorthand which is unpacked in this talk. (This is just part 1 of an ongoing theme).

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