Simply teaching the Bible, simply

Matthew 10:1-42

This study is part of our series of verse by verse studies of Matthew, the 40th book in the Bible. Taught by our pastor, Simeon Forder, at our Sunday morning service on the 9th February 2025. About this book The gospel of Matthew was aimed primarily at the Jew who was familiar with the Old…

Advent calendar 2024: Day 24 – Christmas carols

If you’re like me, one of the things I look forward to at Christmas is the traditional Christmas carols – on the radio, in the shops, and in church of course.  Many faithfully capture the events of that first Christmas with beautiful words and imagery.  I’m less moved by those that have no basis in…

Advent calendar 2024: Day 23 – The angel Gabriel

We read in the Bible in Luke chapter two, verse 13 that it says, Behold, an angel of the Lord (Gabriel) appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to…

Advent calendar 2024: Day 22 – Extraordinary

In our house the Christmas films seem to start at the end of September No doubt we’ve all seen a Christmas movie or two, and it’s always the same story – two people start out unhappy and end up very much in love and happily ever after. Usually some sort of Christmas miracle happens and…

Advent calendar 2024: Day 21 – Extraordinary

Babies are born all the time, and while it is an utterly amazing event, it’s an ordinary one too. But Jesus birth wasn’t ordinary at all. First, He was born through a virgin. That’s big news. But more than that, He was no ordinary baby. The shepherds, recognising this, immediately left their sheep to go…

Advent calendar 2024: Day 20 – Christmas shopping

Have you done your Christmas shopping yet? Don’t panic, neither have I.  Don’t worry, you’ve still got time!  Maybe you’re one of those super organised people, or perhaps you enjoy the thrill of last minute panic buying!  But however late you leave your shopping, I’m sure you don’t want to leave it too late. And…

Advent calendar 2024: Day 19 – The priests and scribes

When the wise men came to Jerusalem, up to 2 years after Jesus’ birth, they went to King Herod to find out where Jesus was. And Herod, worried that his authority as ruler of Israel would be threatened, called the Jewish priests and scribes to find out where the Scriptures said Jesus would be born.…