Wellington Church Glasgow

Can you think of an occasion when you spoke about an issue that you felt strongly about? What happened? How did you feel?

Scripture Reading: Mark 4.30-32

The Parable of the Mustard Seed

He also said, ‘With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.’

Mark 4.30-32

Lord Jesus,
You promise us that from faith like a mustard seed your kingdom can grow.
You tell us that our hopes for change are enough, if together we nurture them.
You show us that our acts of love for our neighbour are part of the abundance of love that flows
from you, in the power of the Spirit, and blesses all of creation.
Lord Jesus, this day and every day make us planters, growers, waterers, who believe and trust in
the coming of your kingdom. 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.