Disciple Bible Study

We are running this 34 week course in 2008.
Already we have 10 people who are registering.

Click here for more information on the web.
Click here for our brochure for Disciple.
Click here for a video introduction. (adsl)

If you are interested please email me (on web page) and we will keep you posted.
Cost: R200 & Run in School terms.

Group Impact - 25th November

Click here to get the the latest material for your Fellowship Group.

David's blog updated

He makes an interesting point that our sense of the ‘immortality’ of all things breeds insipid sentimentality and/or violent behaviour... click here for more.

Group Impact

Click here to get the latest Group Impact for Fellowship Groups.

David's blog updated

Healing means first of all allowing strangers to become sensitive and obedient to their own stories.... click here

Group impact

Luke 20:27-38

In our scripture reading today we are confronted with a group of Jewish leaders called the Sadducees. And what is most striking in this encounter with Jesus who is at end of his ministry is their belligerence and stubborn minds. Where many are accepting that this man Jesus may be the Messiah, a great healer, the Son of God, these Sadducees are so locked into their thinking that they literally start making fun of Jesus and his views.

They were the wealthy and politically connected in Israel. They were members and supports of the high priest and they accepted the Torah or the first five books of the OT as their authoritative scripture. But what we need to take note of today is that they didn’t believe in the Resurrection. The concept of the Resurrection is not found in the Torah and is not fully developed in the rest of the OT. There are beginnings of the concept found in Job 19:26, the Psalms 16:10, 49:15, Isaiah 25:8, 26:16-19, Daniel 12:2, Hosea 13:14, and Ezekiel 37 with the dry bones coming to live, but it is really a New Testament phenomenon.

So they try and trick Jesus by asking an inane question about the Resurrection to make him look a fool in trying to defend such a theology. They want him to look a fool before the Pharisees who did believe in the Resurrection. There aim, to discredit him and embolden their fixed beliefs and thinking.

… When we ask questions, let the questions be questions that come from a heart that will appreciate new answers. When we ask questions, let us ask recognizing that we don’t have all the answers and never will. None of us hold all the truth at one time. When we ask questions, let us see them as doorways into answers that may not be discernable at first, but may only materialize later on. Doorways into spiritual growth and not barriers to defend our hardened beliefs.

1. What kind of questions keeps God at an arms length?
2. What questions have you asked lately that will lead to spiritual maturity?
3. Are you afraid to ask spiritual questions and if yes, why do you think that is so?
4. Can you think of people in the bible who asked spiritual questions?

David's blog updated

“ I would not have anyone adopt my mode of living on any account... click here

Bongani in Tumbleweed

There is a new minister for a new church near Howick in a town called Tumbleweed. Brentwood United Methodist Church has helped with the building of the church and they came for a visit last weekend. We had the Bishop of our district, the Superintendent, the new minister and the Brentwood guests for lunch in the Hilton Methodist Church last Saturday. I am going to be the supervisor of Bongani and we hope to build close ties with what is now called the "Brentwood Methodist Church (of Tumbleweed). The photo's are of the Mission director of Brentwood UMC giving Bongani a few gifts to set him off on his ministry and the Pastor Ray Huckaby with the local chief in the new church building.

David's blog updated

Our inner search is not a solitary delving to separate us from the world around us.... click here

David's blog updated

“You know, … my whole life I have been complaining that my work was constantly interrupted, ... click here

David's blog update

“Without solitude of heart, our relationships with others easily become needy and greedy, sticky and clinging, dependent and sentimental..... click here

David's blog update

“Instead of running away from our loneliness and trying to forget or deny it, we have to protect it and turn it into a fruitful solitude.... click here

Group Impact (New for Fellowship Groups)

Sunday 4th Nov - Luke 19:1-10

The story of Zacchaeus is a story of transformation. The message is that anything can be transformed, even the worst of tax collectors. There is no soul or system that is irredeemable. This Zacchaeus is famous for climbing a tree and getting a good look at the man Jesus. It hints that he was tired of being the outsider, the onlooker, and he was ready for something new. He must have got an almighty shock when Jesus decides to have dinner with him. The change of heart that is Zacchaeus’ is one of social redemption as well as personal. He is willing to do more than the law required to repay those he did wrong and he was prepared to live a changed life from that day on. If we have done wrong it is important to sort it out and with a sacrificial dimension. It is the sign of the changed heart. We should live as ‘debt free’ as we can. We should live in such a way that is not exploiting or robbing others of abundant life. (David Barbour)

Think back on the moment you accepted Christ as your Leader and heart changer.

What changes in your heart occurred during this time?

What changes happened in your relationships with others?

How can you ensure that your life is showing the same evidence of a changed heart today?

How has your change of heart brought economic justice in the world?

David's blog update

“ The roots of loneliness are very deep and cannot be touched by optimistic advertisement, substitute love images or social togetherness......... click here to get the rest.