Unitarian & Free Christian Bible Discussion

The text for this Saturday’s Bible discussion is taken from Judges, Chapters 4-5. Please feel free to read both chapters and to familiarise yourself with this story. There are many aspects to this text and points that you may wish to explore. It is said that Deborah held court under the Palm of Deborah and that the Israelites would come to her to have their disputes settled. One day she called for a military leader known as Barak and told him that the Lord God of Israel commanded him to take ten thousand men to challenge Sisera, the commander of King Jabin's army. Deborah told Barak that he would have an easy victory. Barak thought that his own poorly armed troops would be no match for Sisera’s well-armed army with iron chariots, he could only reply, ‘If you go with me, I will go; but if you don't go with me, I won't go.’ All right, I’ll go’, she replied. ‘But I’m warning you that the LORD is going to let a woman defeat Sisera, and no one will honour you for winning the bat...

This week, Mike O'Sullivan will be leading a discussion, looking at one of the best known miracles of Jesus, The Feeding of the 5 Thousand. What do the miracles, if anything, offer us as Unitarians? What do learn about Jesus, and how is this a model for church? Saturday 22nd August 3pm Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85022931940 Meeting ID: 850 2293 1940

Please join us at 3pm on Saturday, when Judith Fantozzi will be leading a discussion that asks: What is the human heart?   What do the Biblical writers have to say about it? Is true religion an affair of the heart? In particular we will be looking at the following verses:  Psalm 37: 4-5 Ezekiel 11: 17 - 20 Matthew 6: 19-21 Zoom link  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85410270178 Meeting ID: 854 1027 0178

'Be Not Afraid' - led by Stephanie Bisby Tomorrow at 3pm we discuss the relationship between fear and faith in the Bible. Our jumping off point will be the story of Jesus walking on water as told in Mark 6: 47 -52 (and alongside that we'll look at Luke 8: 22-25). Any version is fine - the more the merrier - but if you're looking for a good, scholarly-but-accessible version, we usually recommend the NRSV. Topic: Bible Discussion - Be Not Afraid Time: Aug 8, 2020 03:00 PM  Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/ 86245988902?pwd=eVBwbTBxMzh naUpxSWFhcmZ4R1FZQT09 Meeting ID: 862 4598 8902 Passcode: 822647 Image by Myriam Zilles from pixabay  

The Temptation of Jesus - Saturday 1st August 3-4pm led by Francis Elliot-Wright (Doncaster Unitarians) Matthew 4: 1-11 , Mark 1: 12-13 , Luke 4: 1-13 Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81046174655?pwd=QnVwK2pCZFdXN0FmSjY1MWFnaWw3Zz09 Meeting ID: 810 4617 4655 For this discussion, I'd like to see what happens if we put the questions and some background ideas up in advance. The three questions we are going to discuss in small groups are as follows: What point were the gospel authors trying to make to their first readers  in this narrative? How has this text 'played out' in the history of Christianity, and Christian nations?  What, if anything, does this passage have to say to us as 21st Century Unitarians & Free Christians? Some things to consider...(You don't have to read these but you might find them interesting...) What , if anything, is the Devil/Satan? An overview of Satan in Wikipedia References to Satan in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament):  Zechariah ...

‘Sexuality, Sin, and Sodom and Gomorrah’ Online Unitarian & Free Christian Bible Discussion Group, via Zoom (info below) Saturday 25th July, 3-4pm In our next Bible Discussion Group we will be exploring how LGBT+ affirming churches (like the Unitarians and Free Christians) deal with biblical texts which have historically been used to oppress LGBT+ people. In particular, we will be looking at the story of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:1-29). Everyone is welcome and our discussions include people with a range of different opinions and beliefs. You don't have to be a Christian to join and enjoy taking part. If your beliefs and values are welcome at a Unitarian & Free Christian church then you are welcome here. The discussion will be facilitated by Rory Castle Jones, a Unitarian ministry student and a member of the LGBT+ community. Join via Zoom using these details: Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81099356602?pwd=ZG05NEovRWFhSkw0b2VoZERFZHBWUT09 Meeting ID: 810 9935 6602 Passc...

On Saturday 18th July Rev Sheena Gabriel will host a discussion on  the intriguing story of Jacob wrestling with the angel / man / god  (take your pick!) We’ll explore it in the context of Jacob’s relationship with his brother Esau, but also on a metaphorical / psychological level - and Sheena will be screen sharing some works of art inspired by the story. The key passage for exploration is   Genesis ch.32 verses 22-32  – though it would be useful to have read the whole of chapter 32 and 33 - and if you have time, to remind yourself of the ‘back story’ (i.e. Genesis ch.25-v19-34, ch.27, ch.28) Time: Jul 18, 2020 03:00 PM London Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81075164996?pwd=MjlpOTVWS1dEL2FoTGRtMUN0blBUQT09 Meeting ID: 810 7516 4996 Password: 349658