Week Four

Part 4: All History

Conversation starter

In the life, death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth — divinity burst into history in a moment of extraordinary love that stands outside of time… resonating forever…. and ever… and ever…

Before we carry on — what do you think are some of the other most significant events in history?

Read Colossians 1: 15-20

All things…

What does it mean, do you reckon, that ‘all things’ hold together through Jesus?

Read Ecclesiastes 3: 9-15

Nothing new under the sun…

These ancient words give us an interesting perspective on time. We tend to think of time in a straightforward line but God is outside of the constrains of time as we know it. The poetic phrase in verse 15: “That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already is; and God seeks out what has gone by.” gives us a glimpse of an alternative way of looking at history as God might, from above rather than in the midst of it. It also sounds eerily like how contemporary physicists sometimes talk about the uncanny nature of time!

What’s it like to have a relationship with God, with someone who is outside of our conception of time?

Read John 1: 1-5, Luke 6: 27-31, John 19: 28-30 and Hebrews 13: 8

Yesterday / today / forever

The Word at the heart of the universe as it was spoken into being, the vagabond teacher turning the world upside down, the beloved friend who gave up his life in the ultimate gesture of love and sacrifice, the person we can speak to now… Jesus has always been, and always will be, there for us.

What do you like most about Jesus?