Unitarian & Free Christian Bible Discussion

Hello Everyone, Our next meeting will be on Monday 28th September at 6.30 pm, when we will look at Elijah & the ‘Still, Small Voice’ found in  1 Kings Chapter 19 ‘The still, small voice’ is one of the most widely heard quotes from the Hebrew scripture but the story of the prophet Elijah’s mysterious pilgrimage to his encounter with this voice, is perhaps less well known. Rather like Jacob wrestling with the angel, it seems like one of those moments in scripture when the narrative pressure falls away, and we find ourselves opening a little door into another dimension of being – mysterious; tantalisingly just out of reach of the rational, yet vividly alive with the energy of the timeless moment. How does it speak to you? Is it a new revelation about God’s nature; a mythic tale of the soul’s path through life’s travails; or an ancient portrayal of a mid-life crisis or even a nervous breakdown? If you’ve got time, check out the great Sacrifice Stand-off in chapter 18, that precipitates

  The raising of Lazarus in John 11 is our discussion topic on Monday 21st September, beginning at 6.30 pm, led by Bill Darlison Via ZOOM This story generates numerous questions some of which I hope we can consider. Among these are: Why is this stupendous miracle - one of the most amazing in the whole Bible - only reported by John? Why does Jesus behave in such a strange way - not going to see his friend as soon as he learns that he is sick, but waiting for a few days? Does this miracle contradict the theological axiom that Jesus was the first to be raised from the dead (I Cor. 15:20)? Does the story have any relevance for us today? Anyone can attend. You don't need to be a Unitarian and you don't need to be a member of this group. Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3560271583?pwd=N2wrNUExNVJtY014Uk1mSnJpQUxldz09 Meeting I.D. 3560271582 Password: 275040

Dear friends – our next bible discussion on Monday 14th @ 6.30pm, led by Sheena Gabriel, will focus on 2 passages in the Gospels – where Jesus talks about prayer. Like Marmite, ‘the Lord’s Prayer’ generally divides Unitarians into those who love it and those who hate it! Some see it as the last bastion of Christianity in our movement and want it included every week in communal worship; others bristle if it’s ever included! Whatever your personal likes or dislikes, come prepared to grapple with the text – with a few alternative translations thrown in. We’ll also explore a few other key verses on prayer and share our personal views. Questions you might like to consider in advance: What does prayer (including 'the Lord’s Prayer') mean to you – both personally and communally? Do you pray? Why /why not? Does prayer ‘work’? If so, in what way? The key bible verses are: Matthew ch. 6: v. 5-13 and Luke ch.11 v. 1-13 The Zoom link is below: Bible Discussion: ‘Teach us to Pray’ Time: Sep

The first of our regular Bible discussion groups this month will be on Monday 7th September at 1830 hours, starts 6.30 pm (and this is the new pattern: weekly on Monday evenings).    I'll be leading this first session of September.    The theme?    Looking at one of the great 'I AM' passages from John's gospel, when Jesus is quoted as saying: "I am the True Vine .... " : John 15: 1-11.     Now, Unitarians can  struggle with John's gospel and these sayings of Jesus ... but what if we view this as a deeply mystical text -- could we even experience it as this?   Join me for an exploration.  Time: Sep 7, 2020 06:00 PM London Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4339370686?pwd=QkRYYWx6ZWdHMms4N01tbUJuVFY2UT09 Meeting ID: 433 937 0686 Passcode: 3ucWhk