Exploring 2003
This
ten-week course explores some of the main themes in the Christian faith
and how they relate to our lives.
The course is ‘experiential’ in approach — which means we start with our own experience — and we are looking at how some of the symbols and stories of the Christian tradition relate to us and to the world today.
‘Exploring’ is for anyone who feels they might benefit. If you are recently returned to church or quite new to church, wondering about faith but not sure you want to go to church, not quite sure why you still go to church, hanging on by your fingertips after a lifetime of Christian fellowship, excited about your new-found faith, bored with your religion, enjoy coming to church but not sure why, find yourself thinking am I (still) a Christian? — wherever you feel you are, this course is designed to help you think about what the next step on your spiritual journey might be.
The course ran for the first time during autumn 2000, and has been run annually since then.
Exploring 2003 starts on 2 October 2003 and ends on 4 December 2003. The sessions are on Thursdays from 7.30 pm until 9.30 pm, and will be facilitated by Laura Smith and Ray Gaston.
If you would like to book for ‘Exploring’, please fill in the online booking form. The course is open to everyone, free of charge.
Week-by-week details
Some of the areas we will be exploring week by week (not necessarily in this order) are:
How did I get here?
An opportunity to explore and reflect upon our life journey so far using the model of a ‘life snake’.
Who, what, where is God?
In this session we will explore different images of God. How are our ideas about God formed, and how do they change over time? Who, what, where is God for us today?
No more Mr Nice Guy — taking a fresh look at Jesus
In this session we will look at different images of Jesus in music, pictures, film and story. We will ask ourselves: what does it mean to follow the way of Jesus at the beginning of the 21st century, and who is Jesus for me?
Stepping into the gospels — experiencing Jesus in Scripture
How do we read the Bible today when so much was written in a world that is so different from the one we live in? In this session we will be exploring one method of reading and understanding the gospels — the primary Christian texts in the Bible — that can bring it alive for the 21st century.
A ‘Christian Mystery’ tour — exploring our sacred space
Church buildings can often be intimidating as well as wonder-full places. This session will take place in church; we will tour the church building meditatively, finding out why certain things are in certain places. We will also explore how we experience and give meaning to some of our church rituals and what the tradition says about them.
‘Who is my neighbour?’ — a visit to another faith community
An opportunity to visit another faith community’s place of worship and meet and discuss with people from that community.
Away day at a retreat centre
A day outside the parish to explore prayer and meditation. We will be going to a local retreat centre, and the day will be led by a retreat conductor.
Many paths to one God? — Jesus and the other faiths
An opportunity for people to share their experiences of their visits to other faiths and then to explore what following the way of Jesus is about in a multi-faith world.
The Christian way: compassion or holiness? — models of morality and the Christian life
What does it mean to be a Christian and how should it affect the way I live my life?
Where do I go from here?
Looking at the question: what next on my faith journey?