U Turn - Genesis 3

Last week we heard how God has created, and in that creation He has made people. He has provided and given them vocation, and with that permission - a freedom in which to fulfil their vocation. Yet with that freedom comes risk, a risk that they will explore too far, take that which is unhealthy. So there is also prohibition, a healthy boundary set in place.

God Creates - Genesis 1 & 2

The opening of Genesis gives us two passages about creation. Some think it was two different authors, one giving a poem and another a story. Both proclaim how God speaks and creates - before there was nothing, but now God speaks and the universe comes into being.

In the Beginning - John 1:1 - 14

In the beginning ... a great place to start. Appropriate for story-telling, akin to 'once upon a time ...'. This year we will be looking at His Story, and our place & role in it. So it is good to start 'In the beginning'.

[UP] How do you receive Jesus as we start 2017?

Challenge: Be still and receive Jesus closer still

Final Charge - 2 Timothy 4

Paul has addressed important subjects across these two letters, but we can also see that they are practical letters to Timothy written in specific circumstances. The letter finishes with various practical points: people are ill or in different locations, come before winter, bring cloak and scrolls! It is in this real and actual context that Paul and Timothy were attempting to speak out for Jesus.

[OUT] Where are you called to speak for Jesus?

Challenge: Explain what you do is because of your faith in Jesus

Scriptural Foundation - 2 Timothy 3

Paul wrote this letter nearly 2,000 years ago, yet the first verses of chapter 3 might just as easily be taken as a description of the 2016 US Presidential Election campaign! As we have seen Paul writes to Timothy with opposition and trouble in mind, and this chapter continues that theme.

Pass it On - 2 Timothy 2

Paul tells Timothy to 'Be strong' - but in what source of strenght? Strong in the grace that is in Jesus, the grace we heard about last week, the grace that is in the very character of God from the beginning, now fully revealed in Jesus. It is His ability, our availability.

[IN] Where does God need to challenge you right now?

Challenge: Pass it on! Share your growth so others might grow

Live for the Gospel - 2 Timothy 1

In Paul's second letter we will see that the underlying theme is the same - Paul is keen for Timothy to tackle teachers who are leading away from Christ. But before he gets to that take note of the importance of personal relationships. In v1 Paul understands his call from God as an apostle, but Timothy is important to him as his dear son.