Over the last few weeks we have been learning more about how to grow holistically and experience a transforming relationship with God through “Becoming more like Jesus”. That needs to be the ongoing focus of our lives, and the formation of Life Groups will play a big part. Now, as we celebrate the new life of our risen Saviour on Easter Sunday, this is not the end!
Dave Smith writes: “Although it took the disciples some time to believe and embrace the full significance of Jesus’ resurrection, ultimately, their personal encounters with the risen Christ completely changed their lives. The same message has the power to change our lives today”.
As we spend time over the coming weeks exploring those resurrection encounters with Jesus, and are “convinced or re-convinced about the certainty of Jesus’ resurrection” (Dave Smith), we too can have our own life-transforming encounter with the risen Christ. As you approach these studies, pray:
• That your FAITH may be strengthened as you, like the first disciples, see convincing proofs that Jesus is alive and the true Lord of all.
• That your LOVE may be deepened as you, like the disciples on the Emmaus road, encounter the living and risen Christ through His Word, through His presence and through the breaking of bread.
• That your HOPE may be increased as you get a foretaste of the future and of what life will be like when Christ returns.
Last in the series “Encountering more with Jesus”. Acts 2:37 – When the people heard this they were cut to the heart and asked “What must we do?”. What will we do in response to our journey through the resurrection appearances of Jesus? Peter’s response saw thousands believe, be baptised, and live in covenant relationship […]
Sixth in the series “Encountering more with Jesus”. Acts 1:8 – “And you will receive power… and you will be my witnesses… to the ends of the earth”. Jesus prepared His disciples well and equipped them fully when the power of the Holy Spirit came upon them (Acts 2:1-13). Seeing, believing, recognising, receiving and living […]
Fifth in the series “Encountering more with Jesus”. Matthew 28:19 – “Go & make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”. Through his resurrection appearances, Jesus enabled the disciples to understand that their mission to tell people about Him was not […]
This is the sixth in the series “Encountering more with Jesus”. John 21:3 – “I’m going out to fish”. It is significant that it was Peter who seems to be the first disciple to go back to what he found his security in before meeting Jesus – fishing. Peter lived with a sense of failure […]
This is the fifth in the series “Encountering more with Jesus”. John 20:21 – “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, I am sending you”. As the day went on, the disciples might have wondered if Mary’s earlier testimony was true. Doubt quickly turned to joy – for most of them (20:25). […]
Fourth in the series “Encountering more with Jesus”. Luke 24:18 – “Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened?”. For the two on the road to Emmaus, it wasn’t until Jesus sat with them at a table and broke bread that “their eyes were opened” (24:31). What […]
Third in the series – Encountering more with Jesus. John 20:16a – Jesus said to her “Mary”. One word transformed Mary’s life from despair & loss (20:10-15), to joy through the experience of new life (20:16b-18). Have we heard Jesus call out our name, and then let our encounter with Him transform our future?
Second in the series “Encountering more with Jesus”. Our BMS Action Team will share with us some of the experiences they have had in Mizoram, India, over the last 6 months. How have they encountered Jesus in new ways in their own lives? How have they seen other people encountering Jesus in life-transforming ways?
Over the last few weeks we have been learning more about how to grow holistically and experience a transforming relationship with God through “Becoming more like Jesus”. That needs to be the ongoing focus of our lives, and the formation of Life Groups will play a big part. Now, as we celebrate the new life […]