Westhill & Kingswells Episcopal Church
What on Earth is God Doing?
An exploration into what the Bible teaches about God. This module will deal with issues such as: who God is; what God does, and why; how the Bible compares with other views of God; the roles of Jesus and the Holy Spirit; the problem of evil; what the Church is for; how I fit in.
§ To build on Alpha
§ To develop a greater understanding of what the Bible teaches about God and His purposes
§ To encourage a deeper personal relationship with God and involvement in His purposes
This module is designed to be covered in six sessions, each lasting two hours at most. The style will be characterised by
* informality – sessions will commence with refreshments and will take place in a congenial environment;
* flexibility – the group will be free to adjust the agenda to maximise its relevance to their needs;
* participation – individuals will be encouraged to contribute frankly, without fear of negative criticism;
* authenticity – teaching will be true to the Bible, without denominational bias, to the best of the leaders’ ability!
Notes will be provided as a basis for teaching and discussion, with space for personal note-taking. The default agenda, which the group will be free to modify, will be
Prayer
Refreshments and chat 15 minutes
Presentation 30 minutes
Discussion 40 minutes
Conclusion 15 minutes
Prayer
What the Bible teaches about God's overall purpose, and what are the really important issues in life. Topics covered include: good and evil; life and death; judgement and salvation; how we fit in.
Dealing with the essence of God, His attributes and the ways He reveals Himself to us and relates to us. What is the basis of the Christian concept of the Trinity? The distinctive roles of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. What kind of relationship can we have with God?
Origins of religion. Main influences on religious belief and practice. General features: theological view - moral framework - legal requirements - fear - sacrifice - bondage. The biblical view. Why should the Bible be right? How should Christians relate to other religions?
The world’s principles. Corruption of sin. Spiritual powers behind the events. God’s purpose outworked. The rise and growth of His kingdom. The Church and God’s purpose through it. The part we can play.
The origin and nature of evil. The effects of evil. Tactics of the enemy. How God responds to evil. The end of evil. How we resist and overcome evil.
Journey of faith. Relationship with God. Relationship with God’s people. Grace, love and fellowship. Tribulation and glory.
Teaching will focus on what the Bible has to say about each topic. Our position on the reliability and relevance of the Bible is that expressed by the Apostle Paul to Timothy: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Tim 3:16); and “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Tim 2:15).
Our reliance on the Bible is based on the belief that it is a revelation from God for our edification, and that the Holy Spirit teaches us through it. Our interpretation of the Bible takes into account the multiplicity of authors, styles, figures of speech and historical contexts, and the danger to the unwary of ‘incorrectly handling’ it.