The Parable of the Bags of Gold. The parable portrays a loving God who generously gives us good gifts .... and a people of God who participate in His kingdom by taking opportunities to use their gifts in love for others. Having trust in a loving God gives us the confidence to take these opportunities.

This Remembrance service was part of the Sunday Service on 8th November.

The Beatitudes.

What we can learn from how Paul prays for the Ephesians. Why he prays for them and  how he prays.  The talk also refers to and makes connection with two other readings which were included in the service - Daniel 7 1-3, 15-18 and Matthew 5 1-12.

Daniel's dream of four beasts - Chapter 7 v 1-3, 15-18. This session starts with the reading followed by the children sharing their own pictures and models of scary monsters. Kenny then shows his pictures of the four monsters in Daniel's dream and the monsters in Max's dream in the book "Where the Wild Things are". See pictures here. Max, in his dream, becomes King of the Monsters. Kenny explained that in Daniel's dream the

The Parable of the Wedding Banquet. God's generous invitation into the Kingdom of heaven is offered to all.  We do not need fine clothes to accept this most special invitation but we do need to be prepared with an inner spirituality that is right with God.

A Strange Priority - God Honours His Servants. Daniel made God his first priority despite risking death in the Lion's Den

 A Strange Feast - God Writes the Message. When we are ILL, in body, mind or spirit, we need (I)nformation, but this is not enough. We also need to (L)isten to what we are told and (L)earn to live differently. 

Parable of the workers in the vineyard.  The kingdom of heaven is the greatest gift anyone can receive. None of us deserve it but God, in his great generosity, offers it to us all.

A Strange Tree - God Humbles the King because God is KING

A Strange Fire - God Gets the Glory

The Parable of the Good Samaritan. Whoever is your neighbour in need, it's not someone else's job, it's yours.

A Strange Dream - God is Sovereign, Light & Revelation - SLR.  By trusting in God's sovereign power, Daniel receives wisdom to interpret Nebuchadnezzar's first dream. We are reminded that our security lies in the God's Sovereignty, Light and Revelation.

A Strange Diet - God's Surprising Sovereignty & Daniel's Strong Stand. When the opportunity arose Daniel choose to take a stand, to be different from the society around him and to depend on God. And God showed his sovereignty by intervening and giving Daniel the strength and resources he needed. Our challenge is to be like Daniel, to trust God and be prepared to take a stand when opportunities arise.

The Faith of the Canaanite Woman. With faith, pray persistently for the grace you need but don't deserve - God's grace is freely available for all.

Jesus walks on water. Jesus is the Son of God - he can walk on water and he alone can save us. Trust in the Lord always.

Feeding the five thousand. Jesus gave food to the disciples, who then gave it to the people. God is offering us a partnership; he wants to work through us to help those in need.

Parables of the Mustard Seed, the Yeast, the Hidden Treasure, the Pearl and the Net.  Jesus asks his disciples "Have you understood all these things?"  We too must seek wisdom and understanding from these parables.

Jesus and Beelzebul.  Darkness cannot drive out darkness - only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate - only love can do that.

The parable of the Sower. "The seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the Word and understands it ... ".  Then, such a person can also be a sower and spread the Word to others.

Philip and the Ethiopian. Philip is obedient to God's calling. By listening to the Ethiopian he is able to provide what he needs and bring him to Christ.

The criminal on the cross responds to Jesus, by acknowledging God and admitting his own sin. His broken relationship with God is restored. How will I respond to Jesus?

Zacchaeus the Tax Collector. Jesus demonstrates his 'mission' - he came to seek and to save the lost.

Parables of the lost sheep, coin and son. God cares for us so much that he seeks us out when we are 'lost' and rejoices when we are 'found'.

The parable of the Rich Fool - a man who stored up wealth for himself but was not Rich towards God.

Simon, James and John leave everything and follow Jesus. What should come first in our lives?

Jesus appears to his disciples before his Ascension. He opens their minds to understand - and so to be Convinced and Compelled.

My Father's house has many rooms … I am the Way and the Truth and the Life.

The Good Shepherd. "I know my sheep and my sheep know me"

On the Road to Emmaus. Look again, Invite God in, be Transformed - be LIT up

Jesus appears to his Disciples. Managing Doubt.

Gaining a deeper understanding of Matthew with Ian Tweedie-Smith. Click on the title for session notes.

The Empty Tomb. Hope in the Lord

  The Raising of Lazarus. "I am the Resurrection and the Life"

Paul describes the Characteristics of living like Christ