TEACHING SERIES: Can I Get a Witness?

TITLE: It’s the truth

BY : Sarah Auger

DATE: Sunday 8 December 2024

Bible Passage: John 21:20-25

In court cases, there are usually three types of witnesses: expert witnesses, character witnesses, and eye-witnesses. If you are an expert or character witness, you are usually being asked to comment on the basis of previous experiences, information and expertise.

An eye-witness is very different—you are being asked to comment on what you actually saw and experienced in the current case. The same is true of encounters with Jesus. We all have opinions. But how often do we actually listen to the eye-witnesses?

Welcome:

What's true of Riverside Church when we meet together in-person is still true of us online. We are on a journey together to help people get to know Jesus and grow as his followers across Birmingham and beyond. Riverside is a church made up of people from a diversity of backgrounds and experiences all with one thing in common; our discovery of God and His amazing love. We hope you will feel at home among us and that you will find our weekly services, events and groups welcoming and relevant to your life.

Whoever you are, whatever you believe, you're so welcome in this community. To find out more about Riverside Church please visit our website: https://riverside-church.org.uk/

Useful Links:

ONLINE (YouTube) - https://www.youtube.com/RiversideChurchBirmingham

TEACHING SERIES: Can I Get a Witness?

TITLE: I don’t believe you

BY: Nathanael Ballew

DATE: Sunday 1 December 2024

In psychology, there is a well-known concept called ‘confirmation bias’. It is our tendency to interpret information in line with the beliefs and values that we already have. For example, imagine a scientist doing an experiment in which they get some new data. If that new data backs up their hypothesis, then they readily accept that data. However, if the data appears to contradict their working hypothesis, they presume that the data is somehow flawed and so they need to repeat the test.

It is so easy for us to have confirmation bias in so many areas of life—politics, sport, friendships, even our view of God. But what if Jesus challenges our pre-existing beliefs? What then?

Welcome:

What's true of Riverside Church when we meet together in-person is still true of us online. We are on a journey together to help people get to know Jesus and grow as his followers across Birmingham and beyond. Riverside is a church made up of people from a diversity of backgrounds and experiences all with one thing in common; our discovery of God and His amazing love. We hope you will feel at home among us and that you will find our weekly services, events and groups welcoming and relevant to your life.

Whoever you are, whatever you believe, you're so welcome in this community. To find out more about Riverside Church please visit our website: https://riverside-church.org.uk/

Useful Links:

OUR WEBSITE: https://riverside-church.org.uk/

READ ONLINE (Church Blog) - https://www.riverside-church.org.uk/blog

WATCH ONLINE (YouTube) - https://www.youtube.com/RiversideChurchBirmingham

TEACHING SERIES: Can I Get a Witness?

TITLE He told me everything

BY Judy Moore

DATE: Sunday 24 November 2024

Bible Passages: John 4:1-26, 39-42

Have you ever been nervous to share something personal with your friends or family? Perhaps there are some secrets you hold that you feel too much shame around—but by withholding those secrets, it means no one could ever truly know the whole of you. When one woman encountered Jesus, he knew her secrets. But instead of shaming her, he showed her honour, love and respect and she couldn’t help but tell everyone about him.

Welcome:

What's true of Riverside Church when we meet together in-person is still true of us online. We are on a journey together to help people get to know Jesus and grow as his followers across Birmingham and beyond. Riverside is a church made up of people from a diversity of backgrounds and experiences all with one thing in common; our discovery of God and His amazing love. We hope you will feel at home among us and that you will find our weekly services, events and groups welcoming and relevant to your life.

Whoever you are, whatever you believe, you're so welcome in this community. To find out more about Riverside Church please visit our website: https://riverside-church.org.uk/

Useful Links:

OUR WEBSITE: https://riverside-church.org.uk/

READ ONLINE (Church Blog) - https://www.riverside-church.org.uk/blog

WATCH ONLINE (YouTube) - https://www.youtube.com/RiversideChurchBirmingham

TEACHING SERIES: Can I Get a Witness?

TITLE I’m Not It

BY Sarah Auger

DATE: Sunday 17 November 2024

Bible Passages: John 1:19-37

Have you ever pretended to be something, or someone, you are not? Perhaps you tried to convince a new boss that you knew what you were doing, when you didn’t have a clue. Or maybe, you hoped no-one would notice that you weren’t as impressive as they thought you were. Or maybe you actually believed you were more competent at something, and then discovered you actually had no idea. When it comes to Jesus, history is full of people who have tried to draw attention to themselves, rather than to Jesus. John the Baptist shows a different way—he knew there was something so incredible in Jesus, that meant he could never accept the focus being on him.

Welcome:

What's true of Riverside Church when we meet together in-person is still true of us online. We are on a journey together to help people get to know Jesus and grow as his followers across Birmingham and beyond. Riverside is a church made up of people from a diversity of backgrounds and experiences all with one thing in common; our discovery of God and His amazing love. We hope you will feel at home among us and that you will find our weekly services, events and groups welcoming and relevant to your life.

Whoever you are, whatever you believe, you're so welcome in this community. To find out more about Riverside Church please visit our website: https://riverside-church.org.uk/

Useful Links:

OUR WEBSITE: https://riverside-church.org.uk/

READ ONLINE (Church Blog) - https://www.riverside-church.org.uk/blog

WATCH ONLINE (YouTube) - https://www.youtube.com/RiversideChurchBirmingham

TEACHING SERIES: I Want In

TITLE In A Mystery

BY Nathanael Ballew

DATE: Sunday 10 November 2024

Bible Passages: Ephesians 3:1-21

Have you ever needed glasses? The first time you put a pair of glasses on that have the correct lenses, it’s almost miraculous! The world suddenly becomes much, much clearer! It’s almost as if you hadn’t realised how fuzzy things were until you put on the right pair of glasses. The same is true about Jesus. Once we understand what is available in Jesus, it’s as if the mysteries of life suddenly become clearer.

Welcome:

What's true of Riverside Church when we meet together in-person is still true of us online. We are on a journey together to help people get to know Jesus and grow as his followers across Birmingham and beyond. Riverside is a church made up of people from a diversity of backgrounds and experiences all with one thing in common; our discovery of God and His amazing love. We hope you will feel at home among us and that you will find our weekly services, events and groups welcoming and relevant to your life.

Whoever you are, whatever you believe, you're so welcome in this community. To find out more about Riverside Church please visit our website: https://riverside-church.org.uk/

Useful Links:

OUR WEBSITE: https://riverside-church.org.uk/

READ ONLINE (Church Blog) - https://www.riverside-church.org.uk/blog

WATCH ONLINE (YouTube) - https://www.youtube.com/RiversideChurchBirmingham

TEACHING SERIES: I Want In

BY: Duncan Banks

DATE: Sunday 27 October 2024

From our guest speaker from the Further Faster Network.

It's tough to get life right when you keep getting Jesus wrong. When you look deeper at Jesus, you understand everything about him is counter intuitive, counter cultural, upside down and maybe even a little backwards. So let's take a whistle-stop tour through his life and look at Jesus in a way we’ve maybe never looked at him before.

Welcome:

What's true of Riverside Church when we meet together in-person is still true of us online. We are on a journey together to help people get to know Jesus and grow as his followers across Birmingham and beyond. Riverside is a church made up of people from a diversity of backgrounds and experiences all with one thing in common; our discovery of God and His amazing love. We hope you will feel at home among us and that you will find our weekly services, events and groups welcoming and relevant to your life.

Whoever you are, whatever you believe, you're so welcome in this community. To find out more about Riverside Church please visit our website: https://riverside-church.org.uk/

Useful Links:

OUR WEBSITE: https://riverside-church.org.uk/

READ ONLINE (Church Blog) - https://www.riverside-church.org.uk/blog

WATCH ONLINE (YouTube) - https://www.youtube.com/RiversideChurchBirmingham

TEACHING SERIES: I Want In

TITLE In A Different Kind Of Tribe

BY: Judy Moore

DATE: Sunday 27 October 2024

Bible Passages: Ephesians 2:11-22

It is easy to nod along with Gandhi’s famous quote, ‘I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians.’ But what if our judgement about other Christians is more of a statement about ourselves than it is about them? The beautiful, and inconvenient, truth about being a Christian is that the moment we become Children of God is the same moment we become a brother and so sister to all other followers of Jesus. How do we cope when we really struggle with other people?

Welcome:

What's true of Riverside Church when we meet together in-person is still true of us online. We are on a journey together to help people get to know Jesus and grow as his followers across Birmingham and beyond. Riverside is a church made up of people from a diversity of backgrounds and experiences all with one thing in common; our discovery of God and His amazing love. We hope you will feel at home among us and that you will find our weekly services, events and groups welcoming and relevant to your life.

Whoever you are, whatever you believe, you're so welcome in this community. To find out more about Riverside Church please visit our website: https://riverside-church.org.uk/

Useful Links:

OUR WEBSITE: https://riverside-church.org.uk/

READ ONLINE (Church Blog) - https://www.riverside-church.org.uk/blog

WATCH ONLINE (YouTube) - https://www.youtube.com/RiversideChurchBirmingham

TEACHING SERIES: I Want In

TITLE In A Community Of Grace

BY: Ben Person

DATE: Sunday 20 October 2024

Bible Passage: Ephesians 2: 1-10

EXCERPT:

A famous story is told about C.S. Lewis, the twentieth-century English writer. During a conference on the difference and similarities between the major global religions, Lewis entered a room halfway through a debate. “What’s the rumpus about?”, he asked. He was told that they were discussing what was unique about Christianity. “Oh, that’s easy.” Lewis replied, “It’s grace.”

Welcome:

What's true of Riverside Church when we meet together in-person is still true of us online. We are on a journey together to help people get to know Jesus and grow as his followers across Birmingham and beyond. Riverside is a church made up of people from a diversity of backgrounds and experiences all with one thing in common; our discovery of God and His amazing love. We hope you will feel at home among us and that you will find our weekly services, events and groups welcoming and relevant to your life.

Whoever you are, whatever you believe, you're so welcome in this community. To find out more about Riverside Church please visit our website: https://riverside-church.org.uk/

Useful Links:

OUR WEBSITE: https://riverside-church.org.uk/

READ ONLINE (Church Blog) - https://www.riverside-church.org.uk/blog

WATCH ONLINE (YouTube) - https://www.youtube.com/RiversideChurchBirmingham

TEACHING SERIES: I Want In

TITLE In The Know

BY: Judy Moore

DATE: Sunday 13 October 2024

BIBLE PASSAGES: Ephesians 1:15-21

EXCERPT:

In the prayer of thanksgiving from Ephesians 1:15-21, Paul encourages us to rediscover all the riches that we have by being “in Christ. “ He prays for the church that we would know God more. He asks that we live afresh in the hope we already have in what Jesus has done for us.

His prayer is that we would know that the resurrection power that raised Jesus from the dead is the power that is in us.

How differently do we see our lives through the lens of this prayer?

Welcome:

What's true of Riverside Church when we meet together in-person is still true of us online. We are on a journey together to help people get to know Jesus and grow as his followers across Birmingham and beyond. Riverside is a church made up of people from a diversity of backgrounds and experiences all with one thing in common; our discovery of God and His amazing love. We hope you will feel at home among us and that you will find our weekly services, events and groups welcoming and relevant to your life.

Whoever you are, whatever you believe, you're so welcome in this community. To find out more about Riverside Church please visit our website: https://riverside-church.org.uk/

Useful Links:

OUR WEBSITE: https://riverside-church.org.uk/

READ ONLINE (Church Blog) - https://www.riverside-church.org.uk/blog

WATCH ONLINE (YouTube) - https://www.youtube.com/RiversideChurchBirmingham

TEACHING SERIES: I Want In

TITLE You’re In

BY: Nathanael Ballew

DATE: Sunday 6 October 2024

BIBLE PASSAGES: Ephesians Chapter 1, verse 13-14

EXCERPT:

Mahatma Gandhi famously once said, 'I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians.' It's not difficult to understand what he meant. Why is it that followers of Jesus seem, sometimes, to be so unlike the Jesus they follow? Why does Christianity often appear to be bad news, rather than good? And, for some of us, the question is much more personal... why is it so hard to see any change in our own lives? If Jesus came to change the world, why can't I seem to change the patterns and actions in my own life?

Welcome:

What's true of Riverside Church when we meet together in-person is still true of us online. We are on a journey together to help people get to know Jesus and grow as his followers across Birmingham and beyond. Riverside is a church made up of people from a diversity of backgrounds and experiences all with one thing in common; our discovery of God and His amazing love. We hope you will feel at home among us and that you will find our weekly services, events and groups welcoming and relevant to your life.

Whoever you are, whatever you believe, you're so welcome in this community. To find out more about Riverside Church please visit our website: https://riverside-church.org.uk/

Useful Links:

OUR WEBSITE: https://riverside-church.org.uk/

READ ONLINE (Church Blog) - https://www.riverside-church.org.uk/blog

WATCH ONLINE (YouTube) - https://www.youtube.com/RiversideChurchBirmingham