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As we delve into God’s Word in 2023—both Old Testament and New—we’ll traverse a range of genres, including the prophets, wisdom literature, Gospels, historical narrative, and letters! We'll have the opportunity to wrestle with what it means to be human, learn from the early church, be fired up by ancient prophets, engage with godly lament, hear the invitation of Jesus, and be shaped for following Jesus in real life.
Throughout the year, we’ll grow in our understanding of God’s Word, grapple with how God’s Word intersects with our culture, and seek continuous transformation as passionate followers of Jesus. Each series will be accompanied by a series overview. Every week will be paired with small group questions, going deeper resources, curriculum for St Bart’s Kids on Sundays, and questions for the CHARGE Youth Sunday discussion group.
Acts recounts how the Spirit was at work through the early church, propelling the Gospel outwards and preparing people inwardly to receive the good news. In this 14-part series, we’ll pick up from Acts 10 and continue to Paul’s proclamation of the Gospel in Rome. As followers of Jesus, we’ll particularly consider how we share in the Spirit-driven work of the Gospel going outward, beginning with our daily frontlines.
Through the Gospel of John this Easter, we’ll follow the footsteps of Jesus from the washing of the disciples’ feet to his death, resurrection, and transforming encounters with those who were sceptical. These two weeks (i.e., the week leading up to—and following—Easter) will be a wonderful opportunity to grow in our belief, revelling in the beauty, life, and light that Jesus brings.
Called to the unenviable task of announcing the demise of Judah, God commissioned Jeremiah to pronounce judgment against his people. Jeremiah calls upon the people to turn from their stubborn and superficial ways, warning them that a failure to return to the Lord would result in catastrophic defeat and the destruction of their way of life. When waves of defeat relentlessly arrive (spoiler alert!), Jeremiah points the people to a future hope that can be found in the Lord alone. In this series, we’ll be encouraged to stand firm in the Lord—especially amidst challenge—trusting that the Lord will indeed bring his promises to fulfilment.
This Winter, we’ll spend three weeks in the Gospel of Matthew, immersing ourselves in three life-giving invitations from Jesus: to follow him, come to him, and go out for him.
What does it mean to be human? In this systematic series, we’ll consider how the Bible can shape, inform, and enliven what it means to be created, broken, and redeemed. This nine-part series will explore various dimensions of our human nature (e.g., physical, rational, emotional, relational, sexual, communal, and purposed) and how our limitations need not be ignored, but find their home when expressed in dependence on God.
Dipping into the Psalms, we’ll grow in the invitation to lament, particularly heeding the assurance of the Scriptures that it is ‘okay not to be okay’. Over these three weeks, we’ll particularly consider the role of lament through sadness, anger, and friendship.
Set amidst a sea of false teachers and people abandoning their faith, John writes to expose the futility of false belief (especially the denial of Jesus’ full humanity and full divinity) and reassure believers of their salvation. 1 John is a gritty letter, challenging us to not drift from our trust in Jesus even amidst a world that might entice us to walk away. As John illuminates the contrast between—light and darkness, love and hatred, truth and lie, obedience and sin—he invites us to confidently delight in the truth of who Jesus is, the life that Jesus brings, and the future that we have to look forward to in him.
In Advent, we’ll look back to Jesus’ first arrival and look forward to his return, by immersing ourselves in the story of how God persistently loves and has entered into our world. We’ll consider God’s role in Scripture’s story, the good news of God coming in person, how Jesus fulfils God’s promises, and look forward to Jesus coming in glory.