As we continue to build our lives grounded in prayer we seek to encourage everyone to get to know their Bible so that we can learn to live a more Christ like life. Being confident in our Bible marks us out as people of the Christian faith who share our light and point to the hope and love that Jesus offers to all.
As part of living out our values in every corner of our diocese, Bishop Richard calls us in 2024 to grow together in our faith. This invitation is offered to everyone. There are events, teaching and study days to join in and opportunities to create your own too either as a school community, church or as part of a small group, or in the quiet of your home.
Bishop Richard will also be encouraging all churches to do the Bible Course together in the summer term after Easter, though you may choose to do this earlier in the year, perhaps as a Lent Course.
We continue to pray that across communities, villages and towns of our diocese, more lives will be transformed and that more people will come to know Christ.
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Bishop's Study Day 1 2024 @ St Laurence's, Church Stretton, Shropshire The day included a number of talks from Paul Williams CEO Bible Society and Rev Andrew Ollerton Presenter of The Bible Course. You can watch these talks which were recorded and are available to view on our XX channel |
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Bishop's Study Day 2 2024 @ St Peter's Church, Hereford The event included a talk from our special guest speaker Revd Preb Isabelle Hamley was recorded. You can listen again via our Sound Cloud channel or download to your favourite podcast app. |
To join any of our Year of Faith events, please visit the relevant month on the events section of our website and register your details.
Do watch this space for further details and please regularly visit our events page for more updates. Events are advertised regularly in our weekly eNews, do sign up to receive this email update from the Diocesan comms team
You can create an event of your own. We encourage churches to advertise their events in all the usual places. If you are looking for ideas and inspiration, don't forget to update your website or Church Near You webpage or contact the communications team for more help, support and guidance on promoting events in your church.
The following are ways to help you advertise your event locally:
A Church Near You / Your Church website
List your onsite and online prayer events or Bible courses on AChurchNearYou.com.
Print / Email
Don't forget to add events to your social media pages and any printed or email newsletters, magazines or pew sheets. You can also share any event taking place in our diocese on our Events in Hereford Diocese Facebook Group
Printed materials
There are a number of useful resources available to help you with discipleship. We are encouraging churches to explore the nationally recognised Bible Course written and produced by the Bible Society. There are many other resources and teaching programmes available online. If you need support or advice, why not drop us an email
Here is a list of some of the exploring faith courses available for use in communities, schools and parishes:
Alpha - Alpha is an 11-week course that creates a space, online or in person, where people are excited to bring their friends for a conversation about faith, life and God. Course can be tailored for topics/length.
Christianity Explored - For anyone looking to explore the Christian faith, who Jesus is and why he matters (7 sessions based around Mark’s gospel).
Start! – the course introduces Christianity through six DVD based interactive, small-group sessions. It makes no assumptions about participants’ background or experience or knowledge of Christianity or the church. Course needs to be purchased.
Discipleship courses
Discipleship Explored - For Christians looking to grow in their love for Jesus and to understand what it means to follow Christ today (8 sessions based around Phillipians).
The Chosen - The Chosen is a historical drama based on the life of Jesus, seen through the eyes of those who knew Him. Three series with accompanying study guides for groups – which can be bought here or free resources are also available here.
Practising the Way – Based on a book written by John Mark Comer, the course features eight sessions of teaching, guided conversation, and spiritual exercises designed to lay a foundation for lifelong apprenticeship to Jesus. Free study guides available when sign up to run the course.
The Bible Course - The 8 week course is aimed at increasing your confidence, equipping you to read the Bible better and help you to see its relevance to daily life. Course videos are free but payment for study guides.
The Romans Course - a ten-session programme which focuses on Paul’s letter to the Romans. The course tackles ten big themes found in the book of Romans which are key to understanding the Christian faith. Videos and group resources are available free but donation is requested.
A Way through the Wilderness – Based on a book by Paula Gooder, a five-session course which explores God's promise to comfort his people as they struggle through life's wildernesses. Book comes with group study plans – Book needs to be purchased.
Living Christianity – Living Christianity consists of 5 studies, each lasting just over an hour. It's aimed at groups and individuals who want to be equipped to engage our contemporary world. Youth edition available free.
On the third day – a five week course based on a book by John Pritchard which focuses on the resurrection and its implications for Christians and the church.
Pilgrim Courses – These are two sets of courses aimed at aspects of faith and discipleship, each with six session courses and all sessions combine a simple framework prayer, reflection on the Bible in the lectio divina style, an article by a modern writer, and time for questions and reflection. There are two streams:
Follow - for those new to faith or affirming faith – courses are Turning to Christ, the Lord’s Prayer, the ten Commandments, and the Beatitudes.
Grow – for those looking for deeper discipleship – courses are The Creeds, the Eucharist, the Bible and Church and Kingdom
Our Education team have created some resources to support schools and colleges with leading and learning more about the Bible as well as how to incorporate into National Curriculum standards. Please email them for further details.
Our intergenerational team are available for advice and support on working with Messy Church, youth and young people church groups. Please email Kathy or Lizzie.
A number of resources have been shared with us from the first Bishop's Study Day held on 14 March 2024 at Craven Arms Community Centre. These include the presentation delivered by The Bible Society and the prayers used during the day.
A recording of the Study Day 2 held on Thursday 24 October at Hereford Cathedral is available to listen to via our SoundCloud channel or download to your favourite audio podcast app.
If you would like to learn more or have any questions about this event, please contact our Mission Enabler, Mark Melluish to arrange a meeting or start a conversation.