#Election 2015

On Twitter, I've asked the question "Christians will you make The Cross Count as you make your cross?" 
Wondering what to ask the candidates and how?
Let me share with you the letter I sent to my local candidates, feel free to copy and tweak it to match your needs. I used Christian Concern's excellent tool #ELECTION2015


Whatever you do, please make The Cross Count as you make your cross


Template letter:


Dear _____________


Election 2015

I’m writing to all of the candidates in my area to help me, and my congregation, decide how to vote in the election. Firstly I would like to thank you for being willing to stand for public office, and assure you that if you are successful you will be supported in prayer.

I would be grateful for your answers to the questions below. Ideally within a day or so, because I intend to publish these to all of my congregation and other local churches. No response will assume lack of interest in the Christian vote.

Family

- How should government promote a married mum and dad as the normal basis for family?

- Would you support the reversal of the same-sex ‘marriage’ law?

- Do you oppose the introduction of sex education in primary schools?

 

Liberty

- Are you aware of challenges faced by Christians in the workplace? What steps would you take in response?

- Would you back new laws to protect freedom of conscience and freedom of religion?

- How would you protect the freedom of Christian parents to bring up their children in line with their faith and to opt out of sex education in schools?

 

Foundations

- What influence does Jesus Christ have on your own life?

- How would you stop the ‘British Values’ drive being used to penalise Christian-based schools?

- How would you stop Sharia law being practised in the UK?

- What code of conduct would restore the link between the public and private morals of MPs?

 

Life

- What steps would you take to end abortion and the destruction of human life through embryology and IVF?

- What will you do to prevent legalisation of assisted suicide?

- Would you work to reverse the law that allows the creation of ‘three-parent’ children?

 

Thank you for taking the time to respond. If you have any questions for me please don't hesitate to contact me. As I said above, I'd very much appreciate an early response.

 

If you would like more information about issues of concern to Christians at this election You might try www.election2015.org.uk

Thank you for your time


Keith Waters

2B - what's that?

This week as Housegroups we're setting off in a different direction, we'll be introducing a mini series on what it means to 'Be' a Christian.
 
Inspired by a couple of Conference teaching sessions by Bob Payne, we'll take a few weeks to consider, unpack and think through the application of Six "B's"
 
You can download the teaching sessions here: Teaching Sessions (just click on the file then click download – the middle arrow at the top of the page).
You'll find two files entitled there is much more sessions 1 and 2 and a bonus track entitled the Holy Spirit and you. Listen to "there's much more" first

Do You Know Your King?

If you missed it, here's a link to the Sermon: Do You Know Your King?

Reading: Matthew 21: 1-17

1. What do the OT prophets tell us about this passage? Zechariah 9:9, Daniel 9 and Isaiah 62:11;
2. Why did Jesus do what He did, specifically at that time?
3. Who's King is Jesus? Does what we believe make any difference to His kingship? Why?
4. Discus as a group how Jesus first coming as king was different to what we should expect at His second coming. (Rev 19f);
5. People misunderstood Jesus intentions on that first Palm Sunday, how might people still miss the point?

Have You Ever Met With Jesus?

Ron shared his poem with us a couple of Sunday's back.

Here it is:

Have You Ever Met With Jesus

If you have never met with Jesus, meet with Him today,

No appointments to make, no forms to fill, all we need to do is pray:

The words we use will profit us, the best we will ever make,

And receive the promise of Eternal Life, even for his Fathers sake.

 

He makes no judgement, no trial for sin we have to face,

Just acknowledge we are sinners, He pardons us by grace;

From this moment onward, He sends his spirit within us to dwell,

No more to face the world alone, the way forward for us He will tell.

 

The past is gone, no way could we go back to put things right,

Only God by His Son Jesus, could die to make us Holy in His sight;

Jesus is the way to Eternal Life, no other way can we find,

When God sent his Son to earth, it was the sinner He had in mind.

 

Jesus knows our faults, yet in us He only believes the best,

We humbly put our faith in Him, trusting His spirit to do the rest;

Jesus the same today, tomorrow, forever, for our good he has a plan,

He has a place prepared in heaven for us, the time unknown to man.

 

The sinner in the world, with a Holy God is out of reach,

Jesus is the sinners friend, His spirit from the word does teach;

All have sinned and short of Gods glory, the wages of sin is death,

Today is the day of salvation, turn to Jesus while we still have breath.

 

We have a birthright its Jesus, from the Bible we are told

Not to be like Esau, who for a bowl of soup, his birthright sold;

With no oil the five virgins, when the bridegroom came could not see,

Its not Gods will that any should perish to a lost eternity.

 

To the sinner without Jesus a life line is thrown,

Like a lamb to the slaughter, His death for us did He atone

Reconciling us back to the Father, who cannot look upon sin

Has opened up the road to Eternal life, that we might enter in.

 

© Ron Hart

My Way or the Highway

If you missed it, here's a link to the Sermon: My Way or the Highway  

Reading: John 14: 15-24

1. According to v. 15, what is the indication that one loves Jesus? What can those who love Jesus expect (v. 21 & 23)?
2. Share with one another some experiences or aspects of your life that you love Jesus? Do people around you know that you are different? Discuss.
3. What commands do we struggle with as Christians and what commands does the world ignore. Why is it so important to be 'salt & light'?
4. In v17 Explain why the world cannot receive the Holy Spirit? What must we do to receive him?
5. What is different about the role and character of the Holy Spirit?

Some Staggering Claims

If you missed it, here's a link to the Sermon: Some Staggering Claims 

Reading: John 14: 7-14

1. Verse (5 &) 8. What have Thomas and Philip failed to understand about Jesus? Then verses 7, 9 & 10: Do people still struggle with this truth?How important is this truth to us as Christians? To the church?
2. Discuss verse 12, What do you understand from Jesus statement here? Greater in what way? What condition(s) does this verse contain?
3. Why do you think the church isn't seeing more of these "greater" works? Discuss what we as individuals and a church an do about it.
4. Verses 13 & 14 contain a stunning promise. Discuss the word anything (in the context of what Jesus has said from verses 1 to 12). Does this mean we will get whatever we ask for? Explain.
5. Prayer should always be within the will of God. What does this mean and how do we do that?
6. There is a lot in this passage for us to apply to our lives. What is that and how do we do it?

 

Trust me!

If you missed it, here's a link to the Sermon: Trust Me 

Reading: John 14: 1-6

1. What does Jesus mean by don't let your hearts be troubled?  What does it mean to trust in God and to trust in Jesus? Is it that Jesus is less than God? (answer in sermon...)
2. Discuss verses 2-4, what does Jesus mean my Father's house? How big is it?
3. What can we know about heaven from the bible? (Revelation 21)
4. How did Thomas respond? Why didn’t he know where Jesus was going? What did Jesus teach him and us about the way to God?
5. Why is Jesus the only way? (John 1:18; Acts 4:12; 1 Tim 2:5,6), what about other faiths...?
6. What does it mean that Jesus is The truth? (Jn 18:37; Jn 1:14; Ro 1:18-20, 25)
7. What does it mean that Jesus is The life? (See John 1:4; 5:24; 20:31)