Can you think of a place that is special to you? It could be where you are now or somewhere you lived or visited in the past. Why is this place important to you?
110 million people in the world today have been forcibly displaced from their homes. (Source: UN High
Commissioner for Refugees)
A baby boy born in one of the least deprived areas in the UK in 2020 has a life expectancy that is 10 years
longer than a baby boy born in of the most deprived areas. For girls the difference is 8 years. (Source: The King’s Fund)
Scripture Reading: Mark 2.13-17
Jesus Calls Levi
Jesus went out again beside the lake; the whole crowd gathered around him, and he taught them. As he was walking along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up and followed him.
And as he sat at dinner in Levi’s house, many tax-collectors and sinners were also sitting with Jesus and his disciples—for there were many who followed him. When the scribes of the Pharisees saw that he was eating with sinners and tax-collectors, they said to his disciples, ‘Why does he eat with tax-collectors and sinners?’ When Jesus heard this, he said to them, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.’
Mark 2.13-17
Jesus, help us to hear your call to discipleship.
Like Levi, may we follow where you lead.
Show us, Lord, where we should place ourselves in service of you
And of our neighbours.
We thank you, Jesus, for the places that are special to us.
Thank you for the places where we hear your voice, in stillness and through the voices of others.
Be with us, Lord, as we seek a deeper connection with our communities.
Help us to bring about your kingdom, here and now.
Amen.
This Bible Study meets Wednesdays April 24th, May 1st, May 8th, May 15th, May 22nd , May 29th at 7.30pm on ZOOM. A full overview is available here: Act on Poverty – Bible Study 2024
The study materials are available on the Christian Aid Website or in the collated file at the bottom of this page.
If you would like to request the ZOOM details, please fill this form:
Themes Week-by-Week
Week 1 (24th April): Prophetic ‘Let justice roll down like water’ (Amos 5:24)
The Bible shows us that being a prophet is far from easy. But the church is called to speak up about injustice. How, with God’s help, can you and your church develop your prophetic voice?
Week 2 (1st May): Broken ‘Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?’ (Luke 10:36) Our politics, our churches, our world are in many ways be divided and in need of redemption and repair. This pack helps you discuss these divisions and the broken systems that produce poverty. How can we be part of God’s healing and redeeming work?
Week 3 (8th May): Generous ‘For all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had’ (Mark 12:44)
Many people are having to tighten their belts due to the cost-of-living crisis. What might it mean to be ‘generous’ or ‘cheerful givers’ (2 Corinthians 9.7) when we feel like we have nothing to spare? What gifts do we have that we can share?
Week 4 (15th May): Located ‘Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?’ (Mark 2:16)
Beginning with reflections on where Jesus chose to place himself during his ministry, this pack equips your church to look afresh at where you are located. Groups can explore questions about how we discern what God is already doing in our community and who has power in your locality.
Week 5 (22nd May): Hopeful ‘…he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.’ (Luke 4:18, Isiah 61)
How can we develop practices of hope in challenging times? This session explores lament and anger as part of hope and looks at the expansive vision of hope that God offers us. By growing hope we can be part of Jesus’ proclamation of the good news.
Week 6 (29th May): Together ‘It is like a mustard seed.’ (Mark 4:30-32)
Our final pack looks at what we can do together to tackle poverty, local and global. This resource focuses on practical action in community. Use our Seeds of Change action cards and our ‘Sow, Water, Nurture, Grow’ planning sheets to decide what actions you and your church could take.
Wellington Church Glasgow 