The Vicars Blog

Last Sunday we began our short series on St. Paul’s letter to Titus and we were introduced to the criteria St. Paul insists on for those in positions of leadership within the Church. But we saw too that these criteria were wholly appropriate for any Christian man or...

As you already know, this morning we make a start on a short series of talks on Paul’s letter to Titus. It is known as one of the ‘Pastoral’ epistles because it deals with a situation in the life of certain local churches in Paul’s day. It is addressed to an...

CHRISTMAS CAROL SERVICE 2011 I wonder if, like me, you enjoy a really good mystery story – you know, one that keeps you in suspense right up until the last page. Well for those of you who do, you would have every right to call St. John a bit of a spoil sport. ...

Luke Chapter 1 verses 39 to 55. Lets pray. Father God send your Holy Spirit upon us today that we may receive what you want to say to us. Amen. Did you know that there are over 300 prophecies relating to Jesus in the Old Testament. We have one of them here in today’s...

I realise you have been waiting some time now for the fourth talk in my short series on the Middle East following my sabbatical there last year. Despite several kind urgings to speak, especially now that the Palestinians have received their pretty predictable response...

Rich Young Ruler Bible Study Questions - Luke 18; 18 to 30 1.The Rich Young Ruler seems to have a lot going for him in life.Why then do you think he asks Jesus the question about inheriting eternal life? 2. He claims to have kept the commandments since he was a boy.Is...

Let’s try and picture the scene. Jesus and his band of disciples are about to leave Judea and head towards Jerusalem. This is the Young Man’s last chance to ask Jesus the question that has been troubling him. He’s done his best to lead a good life but he senses there...

‘The Parable of the Good Samaritan’- Remembrance Sunday 2011Luke Chapter 10 verses 25 - 37 Our Gospel reading this morning is probably the most well-known of Jesus’ parables: certainly its hero has entered into not only the English language to describe anyone who...

1. How do you see your faith and with it your discipleship of Jesus? What is important to you? Do you picture it, first and foremost, in terms of duty and service? If not, how else? 2. How would you think others/most people answer the first question? What does faith...

Last Sunday we explored the very well-known parable of The Pharisee and the Tax Collector. It is certainly one of the most well-recognised of the parables, even if its message is not always the most well understood or, more importantly, taken to heart and acted upon!...

1.      Jesus targets this parable at those who are confident in their own righteousness and who look down on other people. Do you think this problem of self-righteous people is as much a problem today as back then?...

As he often does in his parables Jesus here again uses extreme scenarios to demonstrate his point. Thus he presents us with two characters who in Jewish eyes at that time – were at polar opposites of the social spectrum. Tax collectors were despised. They worked for...