Unitarian & Free Christian Bible Discussion

The Bible Discussion this Monday 18th March 6.30pm will be led by Ruth Jacobs on the topic of the devil. Is Satan the Devil a literal person in the Bible? Passages we will consider: Matthew 16:21-23 NIV 21 From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. 22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” 23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” Romans 7:14-24 NIV 14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good....

Rev Jean Bradley will be leading the zoom bible discussion on Monday 11th March at 6.30pm. She will invite those attending to look at one of the close followers of Jesus, Mary Magdalene. There have been many images of her over time: she has been seen as a woman possessed with demons and a prostitute, yet she has also been seen as a major figure in the creation and growth of Christianity. What do you think? Everyone is welcome to join in our discussion (the Zoom link is below). (Jean is Chair, and also the Pastoral Officer, of the Unitarian Christian Association) Zoom link for the meeting [ https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82378042367 ]( https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82378042367?fbclid=IwAR2TUo5655H9chvhlER2wma5soC8d6gMydgE4TG7ly5zWKn8Awv-nTTHb18 )...... Meeting ID: 823 7804 2367 Passcode: 460019

The Bible Discussion this Monday 4th of March 6.30pm will be led by Donald Jacobs on the topic of work and the life of the mind, considering a passage from book of Sirach, or Ecclesiasticus, which is outside the Protestant canon, and included in Catholic and Orthodox Bibles We’ll begin with a question. Malachi 4.5 states: Lo, I will send you the prophet Elijah before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes. And Matthew 17.10 says: And the disciples asked him, ‘Why, then, do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?’ Question: Why did Jesus’ disciples ask him what the “scribes” say, rather than simply asking about what Malachi wrote? The passage we will consider for discussion is: Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 38.24–39.11 Trades and Crafts 24 The wisdom of the scribe depends on the opportunity of leisure; only the one who has little business can become wise. 25 How can one become wise who handles the plough, and who glories in the shaft of a goad, who drives oxen and is o...

The Bible Discussion Group on Monday 26th February 6.30pm will again be led by Sheena Gabriel - a continuation of the story of Joseph from Genesis (too much to cover last week!) Starting where we left off, we'll focus on the latter part of the story where Joseph meets with, and is reconciled with his brothers in Egypt - Genesis chapters 42-50. We won't have time to read it all, so it would helpful if you can read the text in advance. You are welcome, even if you missed last week's session. Come prepared to engage with the story as a living text and see how the themes of repentance, forgiveness, reconciliation, and providence, might resonate with your own life story. Zoom link for the meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82378042367 Meeting ID: 823 7804 2367 Passcode: 460019 Image - Commons Wikimedia: ‘Joseph and Jacob Reunited' by Owen Jones, from ‘The History of Jospeh and his Brethren’ 1869

The Bible Discussion Group on Monday 19th February at 6.30pm will by led by Rev. Sheena Gabriel - who will consider the story of Joseph, from the book of Genesis. Popularised in the musical 'Joseph and his Amazing technicolour Dreamcoat', this story captures the imagination with its universal themes of sibling rivalry and power struggles, resilience in the face of suffering, faith and providence, revenge and forgiveness, exile and homecoming. One of the most intriguing and uplifting tales in Hebrew scripture, it brings the book of Genesis to a positive end (even as the oppression of the Hebrew nation, and the story of Exodus, lie waiting in the wings). In the session we’ll explore Joseph’s journey through a psychological lens: his transformation from childhood trauma and youthful arrogance - as he grows towards full maturity in a strange land, and finally recognises what true power entails. We’ll consider the role of night dreams as a channel of divine communication, and th...

Our Bible discussion group resumes this Monday, 12th February, at 6.30 p.m.,and will be led by Anthony Leslie Dawson, on the theme 'Our own spiritual wildernesses and our three demons'. The text is from Matthew 4.1-10. You are most welcome, whatever your spiritual or theological views. We look forward to seeing you! Zoom link for the meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82378042367 Meeting ID: 823 7804 2367 Passcode: 460019 Picture: Christ in the Desert, by Kramskoy