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Everything You Wanted To Know About Christianity.......

bread and cross

Have you ever sat in church (or anywhere for that matter!) with a confused look on wishing you knew a bit more about the Bible; or what the Creed means; or what happened on the first Easter Day; or what you should make of certain moral issues?

Well, if you haven’t, maybe you should because Christians need to understand their faith and be adult believers, rather than putting their heads in the sand.

If you DO have lots of questions or just want to deepen your understanding of the Christian faith, then you may be interested in....

The Bishop's Foundation Course

This is a 23 session course, one evening a week for two terms (January to July) run by the Portsmouth Diocesan Board of Education.

The course covers a different topic with a different speaker each week (normally a member of the clergy from the Diocese).

Lots of ideas, differing approaches, discussions and questions; the ideal way to learn.

The course will be held in St Johns Church Hall (small hall), Redhill Road, Rowlands Castle, PO9 6DF on Monday evenings from 7-9pm. The first session will be Monday 14th January 2008.

Term 1

  • Session 1 - Introductory session 'Getting to know each other'
  • Session 2 - What is “Faith”?
  • Session 3 - The Bible - Its Authority and Role
  • Session 4 - Outline of the Old Testament History
  • Session 5 - Prophecy - from the Old Testament to today
  • Session 6 - The Influence of St Paul
  • Session 7 - An Introduction to the Four Gospels
  • Session 8 - The Passover
  • Session 9 - The Kingdom of God

Term 2

  • Session 10 - God the Father
  • Session 11 - God the Son
  • Session 12 - God the Holy Spirit
  • Session 13 - Knowing God the Holy Trinity – Prayer
  • Session 14 - Atonement: Why did Jesus Die?
  • Session 15 - The Eucharist: A Saturday Session
  • Session 16 - Holy Baptism
  • Session 17 - The Nicene Creed: People, Politics and Power
  • Session 18 - Outline of Church History up to the Reformation
  • Session 19 - The Reformation
  • Session 20 - The Anglican Church
  • Session 21 - Differing Ministries
  • Session 22 - 2000 on - W[h]ither the Church?
  • Session 23 - Reflection/Feedback on the course and final party!

There is one piece of work to be done (about 1,000 words) which will not be marked, but about which there will be helpful comments.

Each session includes a break for coffee.

There is a charge of £22.50 per term for attending the course.

There are two sessions which take place at weekends (dates to be arranged with course members once the course is underway). In addition, the session on the Passover includes a Passover meal. Neither of these costs are included in the Course Fees.

Further Opportunities

When you have completed the Bishop’s Foundation Course, you may wish to progress further. Following on from this initial Course is the Bishop’s Certificate Course; or you may wish to offer yourself for selection for training in lay or ordained ministry. The session of the Foundation Course involves discussion, with members of the Board of Studies, of what you can do next.

If you are interested, please contact one of the clergy team for further information or

Mrs K Lancaster

Diocese of Portsmouth

First Floor, Peninsular House

Wharf Road

Portsmouth

PO2 8HB