We gathered together again this week to continue “Christianity Explored” Session 3 “SIN” as we work through Mark’s gospel.

We started with a time of sharing Tests & Testimonies, which as always was such a blessed and encouraging time.

We then moved into a time of worship, during which the following prophetic picture / word was shared: “The picture was that Hope Central is Jesus’s, Bits and Pieces Draw. Every house has one, it’s the place where we put all sorts of useful things that would not normally be together. But when you need something, you know where to go. This is how it is at Hope Central, a community of different types of people who probably wouldn’t normally mix together. But just as we have a use for all the items we have in our bits and pieces draw, Jesus has a use / purpose for everyone at Hope Central. It’s no good thinking you’re of no use or thinking you’re different or thinking you’re not good enough because Jesus says you are good enough, that you are useful, that you were created to be different and that He put you in His Bits and Pieces Draw. Jesus has a use and a plan and a purpose for everyone at Hope Central.”  The presence of the Holy Spirit was so tangible that we almost didn’t move from that place but this time it felt right to do so..

So, we moved on to Christianity Explored by recapping the last two sessions with a time of question and answers. We had the normal time of scripture reading (Mark 2;1-12) followed by small group discussions on questions in the handbook and a video, where we learnt the following:

• The reason the world is not the way it’s supposed to be is because we are not the way we’re supposed to be
• Jesus tells us that “sin” comes “from within”, from our “hearts’ (Mark 7:20-22)
• Each of us has a heart problem. We often treat each other and our world in a shameful way, and we treat God in that way too
• We should love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. But we never manage to do this.
• We’ve all rebelled against God, our loving Creator. The Bible calls this ’sin”
• Jesus came to cure our heart problem, the problem of our sin. He came for people who realize they’re bad, not people who think they’re good
• Jesus lovingly warns us about hell because he does not want us to go there. Our sin means we’re all in danger, whether we realize it or not (Mark 9:43-47)

We ran out of time this week! So, we encouraged everyone to do some homework by working through the remaining three questions and reading Mark 6:1 – 8:29 and then answering the questions set in the handbooks. Ready for discussion and question time next week.

Thank you, Jesus, for another great evening at Hope Central, You will build Your church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it…

Thank you Taste & See for your continuing prayer support please continue to do so it is vital

(Psalm 24) This is the generation of those that seek him, that seek your face, O God of Jacob (v6)

A generation with clean hands and a pure heart

A generation with baptised with fire

A generation who pursues and loves Jesus

A generation with a simple but powerful faith

A revival generation

Can you hear those dry bones RATTLING…..