acep - Adult Christian Education Promotion Group

acep: Starting Points
‘Life’ Booklet Course Outline

> Introduction
This five session course is designed for use by churches prior to the general distribution of ACEP’s ‘Life’ Booklet at the end of March 2009. It is based on the books and DVD recommended in the Booklet. Churches will be free to adapt it as they may wish.

> Aims
Besides being intended as a general means of helping church members to grow in their Christian faith, the course has two aims related to the ACEP project:

1. To inform members about the project and the Booklet’s recommended ways of learning more about the Christian faith, so that they will be ready to commend these ways to their friends and neighbours.

2. To encourage church members themselves to pursue one or other of the Booklet’s recommended options.

> Course Structure
The course is designed primarily for small discussion groups, using a variety of inputs as further described below. The sessions have suggestions for opening and closing prayer, a study section as well as questions for discussion. After initial refreshments, the sessions should last about 1 ˝ hours.

> Course Outline
1. Storytelling. The session begins with an opportunity to look at the booklet and reflect on its contents and purpose. The rest of the session is designed to introduce the book ‘The God who changes lives’. This will be done by drawing on a small number of stories. We will then reflect on the importance of stories in helping people learn more about the Christian faith and finally we will encourage members of the course to share their own stories.

2. The Unknown God. Alistair McGrath’s book ‘The Unknown God’, describes how the sense of incompleteness that many people experience is remedied by Jesus Christ. A number of themes from the book are illustrated in a play which members can read. These themes can be used as a basis for discussion.

3. So who is this Jesus? The DVD ‘So, who is this Jesus?’ which tells the story of Jesus, is shown. Either the whole programme or selected scenes can be used. A variety of questions are offered to help members reflect on what they learned from the programme and to answer the question ‘Who is this Jesus?’ for themselves

4. Echoes of God. This session explores ways by which, in everyday life, we catch echoes of the nature of God. Whilst based on “Simply Christian” by Tom Wright, this is only the starting point and those who have not read the book should be able to participate fully. Options are given enabling themes most appropriate to group members to be followed.

5. Signs of Life. This session will use quotes from the first 3 chapters of Timothy Ratcliffe’s book ‘What is the Point of being a Christian’, to help look for signs of eternal life in the midst of ordinary life. As in session 4, a variety of quotes are used to give flexibility. The course concludes with a final look at the Booklet and an opportunity to discuss the project.

  acep Questionnaire  
 
  • Read the Life Booklet?
  • Watched the DVD?
  • Borrowed or Bought the Books?
  • Visited the Websites?

If your answer is Yes to any of the above, we want to hear from you. Click here to complete our short online questionnaire. 		 

  acep - contact details  
Address: acep group
  Barnston Church Parish Office
  85 Barnston Road, Barnston
CH61 1BW
Email: info@acepgroup.co.uk
Telephone: 0151 648 2404
Mon - Fri 9.00am - 12.00 noon.
 
When you phone, if you start your conversation by saying you have received a copy of the ‘Life’ booklet, the person answering will know at once what you are phoning about.