The Bible and Bible Studies
Christianity was never intended to be a spectator sport. Belonging to a Bible Study group is a vital part of a life of faith.
Christianity is meant to be relational—first, between ourselves and God and, second, between ourselves and those around us. Small group Bible Studies move us from being spectators in a weekly church service to active participants in a like-minded community dedicated to spiritual growth. As we encounter God’s Word together, we have an opportunity to share our different perspectives and insights and are broadened because of the interaction. We learn better with active involvement, so the bible becomes more meaningful. Discovering how to apply Bible teachings, and being accountable to each other, moves God’s Word from the intellect to the heart. Transformation is encouraged; our lives are changed. And when our lives are changed, the lives of those around us are changed as well.
Relationships don’t just happen, and we all need a bunch of friends to help us weather the storms of life. Friends require an investment of time and a level of vulnerability and trust. The Bible itself says we should “consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another.” Where better to accomplish this than in a group Bible study setting?
A group Bible study can be a place to celebrate life’s victories, get prayer support, be encouraged in tough times, and keep ourselves accountable in our personal growth. Group Bible studies offer a structured time to focus on topics that address our needs or interests. They offer a lively place to help us live as Christians from Sunday to Sunday and a safe place to work out the challenges we face in our daily lives.
Watch this space for details of our latest Bible Studies, or contact us.
T: 02 9221 1688 E: office@ssms.org.au
Christianity is meant to be relational—first, between ourselves and God and, second, between ourselves and those around us. Small group Bible Studies move us from being spectators in a weekly church service to active participants in a like-minded community dedicated to spiritual growth. As we encounter God’s Word together, we have an opportunity to share our different perspectives and insights and are broadened because of the interaction. We learn better with active involvement, so the bible becomes more meaningful. Discovering how to apply Bible teachings, and being accountable to each other, moves God’s Word from the intellect to the heart. Transformation is encouraged; our lives are changed. And when our lives are changed, the lives of those around us are changed as well.
Relationships don’t just happen, and we all need a bunch of friends to help us weather the storms of life. Friends require an investment of time and a level of vulnerability and trust. The Bible itself says we should “consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another.” Where better to accomplish this than in a group Bible study setting?
A group Bible study can be a place to celebrate life’s victories, get prayer support, be encouraged in tough times, and keep ourselves accountable in our personal growth. Group Bible studies offer a structured time to focus on topics that address our needs or interests. They offer a lively place to help us live as Christians from Sunday to Sunday and a safe place to work out the challenges we face in our daily lives.
Watch this space for details of our latest Bible Studies, or contact us.
T: 02 9221 1688 E: office@ssms.org.au
AGAPE MEALS and Spiritual Formation at St Stephen’s Uniting
Thursday nights, meeting fortnightly, 6:30pm for 7pm start. Finish 8:15pm recommencing Thursday 16th February 2023. A simple meal of delivered pizza or the like, of which we will share the cost
It will be a safe place, where people are invited to speak, if they wish, while others may choose to be present and absorb. No one will be asked to directly correct another person’s ideas, unless the person asks for guidance. Instead, we can say how we feel about some matter of faith and life, without making another person feel reprimanded. It will be a safe space to grow in faith and enjoy each other’s company.
Our guide book: Brian McLaren’s ‘We Make The Road By Walking’, which we each will have a copy of. ($22 for a year of weekly readings). Books are available now. See George Marmaris or Ken Day. If you are going along and are able to indicate to us you are, that will help our planning, but definitely not essential.
A person who cannot make their usual Agape meal is welcome to go to the alternate time of evening or lunchtime, if they choose to do so. You can commence with us at any time.
To join in is not limited to people who attend anything else at St Stephen’s Uniting.
About the book, this was written: “'If you're new to the faith and seeking a good orientation, here you'll find the introduction I wish I had been given.
If you're a long-term Christian whose current form of Christianity has stopped working, here you'll find a reorientation from a fresh and healthy perspective.
If your faith seems to be a lot of talk without much practice, I hope this book will help you translate your faith to action.
And if you're a parent trying to figure out what you should teach your kids and grandkids, I hope this book will fit the need.'
We Make the Road by Walking is a year's worth of reflections on the Bible, each one easily read aloud in ten to twelve minutes. Working with the framework of the church year, they provide a Genesis-to-Revelation overview of the Bible.”
Thursday nights, meeting fortnightly, 6:30pm for 7pm start. Finish 8:15pm recommencing Thursday 16th February 2023. A simple meal of delivered pizza or the like, of which we will share the cost
It will be a safe place, where people are invited to speak, if they wish, while others may choose to be present and absorb. No one will be asked to directly correct another person’s ideas, unless the person asks for guidance. Instead, we can say how we feel about some matter of faith and life, without making another person feel reprimanded. It will be a safe space to grow in faith and enjoy each other’s company.
Our guide book: Brian McLaren’s ‘We Make The Road By Walking’, which we each will have a copy of. ($22 for a year of weekly readings). Books are available now. See George Marmaris or Ken Day. If you are going along and are able to indicate to us you are, that will help our planning, but definitely not essential.
A person who cannot make their usual Agape meal is welcome to go to the alternate time of evening or lunchtime, if they choose to do so. You can commence with us at any time.
To join in is not limited to people who attend anything else at St Stephen’s Uniting.
About the book, this was written: “'If you're new to the faith and seeking a good orientation, here you'll find the introduction I wish I had been given.
If you're a long-term Christian whose current form of Christianity has stopped working, here you'll find a reorientation from a fresh and healthy perspective.
If your faith seems to be a lot of talk without much practice, I hope this book will help you translate your faith to action.
And if you're a parent trying to figure out what you should teach your kids and grandkids, I hope this book will fit the need.'
We Make the Road by Walking is a year's worth of reflections on the Bible, each one easily read aloud in ten to twelve minutes. Working with the framework of the church year, they provide a Genesis-to-Revelation overview of the Bible.”
Links to the Bible. The first link is the Bible in common everyday English. The Contemporary English Version.
The second link is to the New Revised Standard Version. In some places its words and phrases can be a little harder to understand.
The second link is to the New Revised Standard Version. In some places its words and phrases can be a little harder to understand.
