Part 2. Hallowed be Your Name

The so-called ‘Lord’s Prayer’ is full of surprises. For one thing, the Lord could never have used it himself, with its central and longest plea for forgiveness. Though he gave it as a model for private prayer, it has become the most common corporate liturgy of the church. Its brevity is striking, consistent with his criticism of pagan devotions with their ‘many words’.

Above all, it is comprehensive, covering all the basic concerns of a Christian, while clearly indicating that these should cover God’s needs (honour and loyalty) before his or her own (food and forgiveness).  Even though it begins with God, whom Jesus called ‘my’ Father, but we must say ‘our’ Father, it ends with the devil: deliver us from the evil (one).

It is for weekdays rather than Sundays. Try using it for a month.

Part 1. Our Father in Heaven

The so-called ‘Lord’s Prayer’ is full of surprises. For one thing, the Lord could never have used it himself, with its central and longest plea for forgiveness. Though he gave it as a model for private prayer, it has become the most common corporate liturgy of the church. Its brevity is striking, consistent with his criticism of pagan devotions with their ‘many words’.

Above all, it is comprehensive, covering all the basic concerns of a Christian, while clearly indicating that these should cover God’s needs (honour and loyalty) before his or her own (food and forgiveness).  Even though it begins with God, whom Jesus called ‘my’ Father, but we must say ‘our’ Father, it ends with the devil: deliver us from the evil (one).

It is for weekdays rather than Sundays. Try using it for a month.

Part 11.  The Return of Jesus

An intensive look at the Christian Church down the ages, providing powerful messages for our own times.  Many church members know little or nothing about the story of Christianity between the New Testament period and today.  They therefore may not realise how much they have been influenced by traditions developed during that time. These can have both a negative and positive benefit. Negative, because ‘those who forget history are condemned to relive it’. Most of the mistakes we make and errors we fall into have happened before and we can learn from our forefathers to avoid them. Positive, because we have such a rich heritage it would be folly to ignore. We can draw inspiration and examples from the spiritual giants who went before us and, after all, we can look forward to meeting them personally in glory.

Part 10. The Future. Tribulation, Rapture, The Millennium

An intensive look at the Christian Church down the ages, providing powerful messages for our own times.  Many church members know little or nothing about the story of Christianity between the New Testament period and today.  They therefore may not realise how much they have been influenced by traditions developed during that time. These can have both a negative and positive benefit. Negative, because ‘those who forget history are condemned to relive it’. Most of the mistakes we make and errors we fall into have happened before and we can learn from our forefathers to avoid them. Positive, because we have such a rich heritage it would be folly to ignore. We can draw inspiration and examples from the spiritual giants who went before us and, after all, we can look forward to meeting them personally in glory.

Part 9. 1900-1968 Effects of Two World Wars

An intensive look at the Christian Church down the ages, providing powerful messages for our own times.  Many church members know little or nothing about the story of Christianity between the New Testament period and today.  They therefore may not realise how much they have been influenced by traditions developed during that time. These can have both a negative and positive benefit. Negative, because ‘those who forget history are condemned to relive it’. Most of the mistakes we make and errors we fall into have happened before and we can learn from our forefathers to avoid them. Positive, because we have such a rich heritage it would be folly to ignore. We can draw inspiration and examples from the spiritual giants who went before us and, after all, we can look forward to meeting them personally in glory.

Part 8. 1850-1900 What The Holy Spirit Did

An intensive look at the Christian Church down the ages, providing powerful messages for our own times.  Many church members know little or nothing about the story of Christianity between the New Testament period and today.  They therefore may not realise how much they have been influenced by traditions developed during that time. These can have both a negative and positive benefit. Negative, because ‘those who forget history are condemned to relive it’. Most of the mistakes we make and errors we fall into have happened before and we can learn from our forefathers to avoid them. Positive, because we have such a rich heritage it would be folly to ignore. We can draw inspiration and examples from the spiritual giants who went before us and, after all, we can look forward to meeting them personally in glory.

Part 7. 1800-1850 Great Reformers. Emphasis on Bible Study

An intensive look at the Christian Church down the ages, providing powerful messages for our own times.  Many church members know little or nothing about the story of Christianity between the New Testament period and today.  They therefore may not realise how much they have been influenced by traditions developed during that time. These can have both a negative and positive benefit. Negative, because ‘those who forget history are condemned to relive it’. Most of the mistakes we make and errors we fall into have happened before and we can learn from our forefathers to avoid them. Positive, because we have such a rich heritage it would be folly to ignore. We can draw inspiration and examples from the spiritual giants who went before us and, after all, we can look forward to meeting them personally in glory.

Part 6. 18th Century. Rationalism, Revivalism and Wesley

An intensive look at the Christian Church down the ages, providing powerful messages for our own times.  Many church members know little or nothing about the story of Christianity between the New Testament period and today.  They therefore may not realise how much they have been influenced by traditions developed during that time. These can have both a negative and positive benefit. Negative, because ‘those who forget history are condemned to relive it’. Most of the mistakes we make and errors we fall into have happened before and we can learn from our forefathers to avoid them. Positive, because we have such a rich heritage it would be folly to ignore. We can draw inspiration and examples from the spiritual giants who went before us and, after all, we can look forward to meeting them personally in glory.

Part 5. 17th Century. The Fight for Freedom of Worship

An intensive look at the Christian Church down the ages, providing powerful messages for our own times.  Many church members know little or nothing about the story of Christianity between the New Testament period and today.  They therefore may not realise how much they have been influenced by traditions developed during that time. These can have both a negative and positive benefit. Negative, because ‘those who forget history are condemned to relive it’. Most of the mistakes we make and errors we fall into have happened before and we can learn from our forefathers to avoid them. Positive, because we have such a rich heritage it would be folly to ignore. We can draw inspiration and examples from the spiritual giants who went before us and, after all, we can look forward to meeting them personally in glory.

Part 4. 16th Century. Reformation Becomes Revolution

An intensive look at the Christian Church down the ages, providing powerful messages for our own times.  Many church members know little or nothing about the story of Christianity between the New Testament period and today.  They therefore may not realise how much they have been influenced by traditions developed during that time. These can have both a negative and positive benefit. Negative, because ‘those who forget history are condemned to relive it’. Most of the mistakes we make and errors we fall into have happened before and we can learn from our forefathers to avoid them. Positive, because we have such a rich heritage it would be folly to ignore. We can draw inspiration and examples from the spiritual giants who went before us and, after all, we can look forward to meeting them personally in glory.