Enquirers' Courses
Courses for people interested in learning about Jesus
There are two courses we run which are particularly suitable for people looking to enquire into the faith we have in Jesus Christ. We believe that what the Bible tells us about Jesus Christ is both true and wonderfully relevant for us today. This means that we think it can be questioned and tested and still found to be true – so we always want to give plenty of scope for people’s questions. It also means that we won’t be putting any pressure on you to believe anything – we hope you will come to follow Jesus yourself, but we have no desire to force you to do so.
Our next course
If you would like to come along to the next course, then email John Hindley (john.hindley@theplant.net) and he will send you information about it nearer the time and reserve you a place.
Simply Christianity
This is a five week course that aims to introduce people to Jesus Christ, using Luke’s account of the life of Jesus (Luke’s Gospel) from the Bible as its main source. Each week will follow the same format – we will have a meal together, then a talk about an aspect of Jesus’ person or life and then plenty of time for questions and discussion. The five weeks cover the following:
Week 1: Jesus, now and then – a chance to look at the historical reliability of the Bible and also to begin to see a little of Jesus’ character
Week 2: In the presence of greatness – looking more closely at Jesus authority as a teacher and a miracle worker
Week 3: Search and Rescue – this week we see why Jesus came to earth – to search out people who have rejected God’s love and to rescue them from the anger of God
Week 4: Jesus’ death – here we see how Jesus’ execution on a cross was not a defeat, but a wonderful victory that displays God’s love and gives us hope and forgiveness
Week 5: Jesus, here and now – we finish by considering the significance of Jesus’ rising from the dead for all of us today
During the course you will also be given a copy of Luke’s Gospel, and invited to read through it over the five weeks. This is certainly not compulsory homework! However, it is a great way to find out about Jesus yourself, and make up your own mind. There will be lots of opportunities during the course to ask questions that come up in your reading, so the group can discuss them.
Christianity Explored
This course, which we usually run over six weeks (often with an optional away day on a Saturday as well), is similar to Simply Christianity. The main difference is that it is based on Mark’s account of the life of Jesus from the Bible (Mark’s Gospel), rather than Luke’s. Each week we have a meal together, followed by a talk and time for discussion. There is often a Bible study as well to help us see together what Mark is saying about Jesus. The six weeks cover the following:
Week 1: Jesus – who was he? – a chance to look more closely at Jesus’ authority as a teacher and a miracle worker and also to consider the historical reliability of the Bible
Week 2: Jesus – why did he come? – this week we see why God himself should come from heaven to live and die as a man
Week 3: Jesus – his death – here we see how Jesus’ execution on a cross was not his defeat, but instead was a wonderful victory that displays God’s love towards us and gives us hope and forgiveness
Week4: What is grace? – at the heart of God’s relationship with his people is his grace, his undeserved love and kindness towards us. This week we explore this amazing idea in more detail
Week 5: Jesus – his resurrection – we think through the significance of Jesus’ rising from the dead for him and for all of us today
Week 6: What is a Christian? – we finish the course by thinking about what it means to make the decision to follow Jesus Christ for the rest of our lives and, indeed, for all eternity
Day Away: The optional Saturday away is usually held between weeks 5 and 6. During the day we explore Christian life, looking at the topics of the church; the Holy Spirit; prayer and the Bible. This gives us a chance to cover these issues that people are often interested in, but which are not a the heart of the Christian message. The day also gives a longer opportunity to ask questions and discuss things which have come up over the course
During the course you be given a handbook with outlines of the sessions and background information on the Bible. You will also be given a copy of Mark’s Gospel and invited to read through it over the course. This is not compulsory, but it is a great way to learn about Jesus yourself – and there will be a chance each week to ask your questions that come up from your reading.