Mankind was created in the image of God and enjoyed fellowship with God. When mankind broke this fellowship, God pursued them - through many people and many events.

This pursuit culminated in God sending his Son,  Jesus, to redeem mankind. And this pursuit continues as we obey Jesus' commission to make disciples of all nations.

Genesis 1:26,27, Genesis 3:9,10, Exodus 16:4, 31, 35, Exodus 13:21-22, Psalm 8:3-5, Hebrews 2:6-7, Psalm 144:3-4, Job 7:17-18, Galatians 4:4-5, Mark 15:34, Psalm 22:1, Matthew 28:19-20

The Bible compares the church to a body - the Body of Christ. We are all part of this one body.

Some parts are very different - so we can find some people hard to relate to or understand. But our differences enable us to perform different functions - all of which are essential.

Let's not just tolerate those who are different, but celebrate them - and honour them! Let's also celebrate our own uniqueness, embracing what God is doing in us and serving one another!

1 Corinthians 12:27-30, 14-19, 21-26, 1 Peter 4:10-11

We can learn a great deal from Jesus as we read how he communicated with people. His conversation with a rich young man teaches us to:

-Earn the right to ask questions.

-Help people to see into their hearts.

-Help people to understand the character of God.

-Be indirect - help them to see for themselves.

-Let idols of the heart be exposed.

Luke 18:18-27, Romans 3:23, Matthew 5:21-22 & 27-28, Matthew 6:24, 1 John 3:16-18, Matthew 6:19-21

God has plans & purposes for each one of us. Discovering & living out these plans & purposes is a journey of discovery & adventure. Some are personal - there are specific things that we need to do. Others are corporate - there are things we do as part of a group.

This journey can be challenging, even overwhelming - it requires discipline and there will be battles to fight. There will be times when we need encouragement from others.

All of these plans and purposes align with God's great plan of redemption which will end with a great crowd from every tongue, tribe and nation with him for eternity.

This IS possible because God works in and through us.

Mark 1:36, Luke  4:18, Matthew 20:28, 1 Timothy 1:18, Mark 14:32-34, Revelation 7:9, 2 Peter 1:3-11

The message of the cross of Jesus is absolutely essential because it

- reveals the amazing love of God for mankind

- reveals our desperate need for salvation

- reveals the way of salvation that God has provided

But it also

- demands a response from us

- challenges our personal pride

- challenges our religious pride

1 Corinthians 1:18-25, 1 Corinthians 2:1-2, John 3:16, John 15:13, Romans 5:8, Romans 3:23, Hebrews 9:22, Matthew 26:27-28, Romans 10:9, Acts 4:12

God has taught his people to pass on to the next generation what he has revealed to them.

Moses needed the practical wisdom of Jethro.

Samuel needed the spiritual experience of Eli.

Mary needed the revelation of Elizabeth.

Caleb was ready for action at 85 years old; don't disqualify the elderly!

As disciples of Jesus, we must entrust what we have learned to others - who will, in turn, teach others.

Psalm 145:4-7, Exodus 18:13-19, 1 Samuel 3:4-9, Luke  1:39-45, Joshua 14:10-13, 2 Timothy 2:2

Our new life in Christ does not mean that we won't face struggles - but we don't have to face them alone!

Key questions we must answer are:

-Will I humbly ask others for help?

-Will I make myself available to help others?

-Will I build healthy relationships with other disciples so that I can do these things?

Two are better than one - we are stronger together!

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, 2 Timothy 4:9-16, John 13:34-35, John 15:12-13, Mark 6:7, Luke 10:1, 1 Thessalonians 5:11, 2 Thessalonians 1:3-4

When we put our faith in Jesus as Lord, we become new creations and begin a new life as a child of God. Yet we are all "works in progress" - we are no longer what we were, but we are not yet all we will be! Wonderfully, our present imperfections don't stop God doing truly wonderful things in us & through us!

If we compare ourselves with others, or try to be like someone else, we can miss the joy of walking the path God has planned for us.

Let's walk our road and serve with our gifts - and enjoy God's amazing grace at work in us!

2 Corinthians 5:16-17, John 10:10, John 1:19-23, 1 Peter 4:10-12, 1 Corinthians 15:58, John 21:20-23, 1 Corinthians 3:5, 1 Corinthians 7:21-24

Our relationship with God is the most important relationship that we can ever have. And he wants us to know him - he is on our side as we seek him!

The better we get to know him,

-the more we will trust him,

-the more we will want to obey him,

-the more we will want to be with him, and

-the more we will love him.

If we sincerely seek him, he will make himself known to us - and our lives will be transformed!

John 17:3, Exodus 33:7-16, John 5:39-40, Acts 9:1-6, Philippians 3:7-9, Jeremiah 29:13, Acts 17:26-27, 2 Timothy 3:16

The truth of Jesus' words "In this world you will have trouble" is evident all around us - we experience troubles of many kinds. These troubles can take their toll on our souls and we would be wise to pay attention to this.

Jesus' next words were "But take heart! I have overcome the world." He is here to help!

The Bible records the trials and heartaches of King David, and we can learn from his example of coming to God in brokenness and experiencing restoration of his soul.

John 10:10, John 16:33, 1 Samuel 30:1-25, Psalm 19:7, Psalm 61:2