I have been spending the week down in Bristol with three of my four children and their spouses, and with all my six grandchildren. Since two little girls were born in lockdown, this is the first time all six have been together. It’s a very special time.

But even families can get into difficulties sometimes. Paul wrote to the church in Corinth saying how fed up he was, because they had split into groups. Some followed Paul; some Apollos, some Cephas, some Christ. He explains how sad this is. They are meant to be a family who love each other.

Jesus met religious people who put the close following of rules ahead of people’s welfare. Somehow, even good rules intended to help people can be twisted to upset people.

Well rules are necessary and good, but we should remember that at the heart of them all is one simple rule: Do to others as you’d have them do to you. If we keep that rule in our hearts, maybe all the others might make more sense!

Hearsall at Home is written and presented by Rev David Sutcliffe, with additional material this week from Eric Bremner

The readers were Colin & Anne Bunting and Andy Thompson.

Music and songs by Martin Prue, Joan Cobb, Seb Farrell, Nick Leonard, Fran Pritchard and John Pettifer.

The written download was compiled by Jackie Pritchard and can be downloaded on this link.

Post Production was by Andy Thompson.

Incidental music and sound effects by Zapsplat.com.

Hearsall at Home is brought to you by the members and friends of Hearsall Baptist Church, Coventry, UK City of Culture 2021.