Christ Church Selly Park

Nehemiah

Rachel Fasham

Once again we focus on someone whose story is told in an entire book of the Bible: Nehemiah, who led the people of Jerusalem in the task of rebuilding the walls of the city after their return from exile. In our All-In service we got the story in just 6 minutes in this fast moving video. As Rachel explains, Nehemiah rebuilt not just the walls but a community with God at the centre. What might that look like today, especially in Christ Church? We went on to respond to that question in a variety of ways as we spread out around the building to create, move, discuss, sing, think and write.

The broken-down walls of Jerusalem

The Create zone: decorating gingerbread men

The Move zone: finding words to describe a restored community

Esther

Allan Bartlam

Esther is one of those Bible characters who gets a whole book to herself, and rather than highlighting a single chapter or incident this BibleProject video tells the whole story as an animation. The book is unusual in that it never mentions God at all, yet, as Allan points out, God is clearly at work even through imperfect people. Esther finds herself in the right place at the right time, the only person who can save her people from destruction but having to risk her own life to achieve it. What's our unique role?

Discussion questions can be downloaded here.

Daniel

Chris Turner | Daniel 6:1-23 

While many of the characters we've looked at in the Lessons for Life series had major flaws, Daniel is exceptional in that even his enemies could find no fault in him. Chris explains how Daniel remained true to God even after being taken into exile as a captive. It's a challenge to us all as we seek to live out our faith in a largely unbelieving world. (Sorry that the audio quality of the recording falls a bit short of the standard we like to achieve but the message is still perfectly clear.)

Discussion questions can be downloaded here.

Daniel so distinguished himself among the chief ministers and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. At this, the chief ministers and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. Finally these men said, 'We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God.'

Elijah

Chris Chalmers | 1 Kings 18:1-39, Mark 8:27-30 

The word "legend" is overused these days but Elijah really was a key figure in God's story, inspiring hope even in Jesus' time. Chris tells the story of Elijah's confrontation with one of Israel's worst kings and encourages us to find out where we fit in to God's story today.

Discussion questions can be downloaded here.

At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: 'Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. Answer me, Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.' Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.

 

Epiphany: Searching for a King

Bobbie Frere | Matthew 2:1-12 

In a dramatised account we meet not just the Magi but some of the other people involved in their story. How did each of them react to the news that a new King of the Jews had been born? First Peter, then Bobbie, encourages us to seek and worship the newborn King.

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, 'Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.'

Jesus, the light of the world

Bobbie Frere | John 1.1-14 

At Christmas we especially celebrate Jesus coming into the world, but where can he be found today? As we live in a society that largely excludes Jesus from his own birth celebration, Bobbie challenges us to find, follow and reflect the true light.

The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognise him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God - children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

Light and darkness

Jenny Tomlinson | 1 John 1:5-7 

Darkness is real: the place where we try to hide things from ourselves and others, where we shy away from hard choices, where we let our human failings take control. Yet, says Jenny, the true light not only overcomes the darkness but also transforms the things it reveals - and that light is God himself. Here is both a challenge and an encouragement to reflect that light in the world.

We were pleased to welcome Jenny as our guest. In her role as Archdeacon of Birmingham Jenny has an important role in the process of appointing a new vicar for Christ Church and this was a great opportunity to build on that relationship.

God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

Led by the light

Chris Turner | Psalm 78:9-16 

In the days of the Exodus the people of Israel had a very clear indication of the way that they should go. If they had chosen a route through the desert themselves, it would have been very different from the one they followed - and they would never have made it. Chris gives some modern day examples of how God still leads his people and teaches us to trust him.

He divided the sea and led them through;
he made the water stand up like a wall.
He guided them with the cloud by day
and with light from the fire all night.

You are the light of the world

Allan Bartlam | Matthew 5:14-16 

But... isn't Jesus the light of the world? It's a privilege that he gives that title and responsibility to us also, says Allan, but often we feel the pressure of our weakness and failure and so our light is never seen in this dark world. Suppose we were honest about our struggles and showed those around us the forgiveness and hope that Jesus brings? Allan has some practical ideas for doing this.

Discussion questions can be downloaded here.

'You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.'

Advent: A light for the nations

Chris Chalmers | Isaiah 49:1-6 

On the first Sunday in Advent, Chris shows us how we can make a difference that will outlast the season - but we have to work out the details in our own lives. We had a chance to do just that as we responded in different ways after Chris spoke in our All-In service.

“And now,” God says,
this God who took me in hand
from the moment of birth to be his servant,
To bring Jacob back home to him,
to set a reunion for Israel -
What an honour for me in God's eyes!
That God should be my strength!
He says, “But that's not a big enough job for my servant -
just to recover the tribes of Jacob,
merely to round up the strays of Israel.
I'm setting you up as a light for the nations
so that my salvation becomes global!” - The Message version

Two lights: Can you see the difference?

Some lights are brighter than others, but we all shine together

Questions for the Write zone: how will you respond?