“Knowing, growing in and sharing Jesus’ love in Burscough ... · Pray that you may discover new and deeper ways of knowing the love of God. You may like to listen to the hymn

Vision: Course Members’ Materials Session 1 – Knowing Jesus’ Love

“Knowing, growing in and sharing Jesus’ love in Burscough and beyond.”

1

Exercise: Would I lie to you?

As a group think up three ‘facts’ about yourselves. Two of the facts should be true and one

‘fact’ made up. Take turns to share your three ‘facts’ and see if the group can spot the lies.

Alternative exercise:

Share with the group the name of a famous person you would like to meet and why you

would like to meet them.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank you for your love, goodness and grace revealed in Jesus.

May we know, grow in and share Jesus’ love with the people of Burscough and beyond.

For your glory and your kingdom’s sake we pray. Amen.

This course is based on a painting by Peter Adderley. A copy of the picture is reproduced

below. Take a few moments to look at the picture.



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Over the next four weeks we are going to use this picture to reflect on our church vision

statement: “Knowing, growing in and sharing Jesus’ love in Burscough and beyond.”

In this session we are going to think about “knowing” Jesus’ love.

Exercise: Who do you think you are?

Share together the names of the people who ‘know you best’. How well do you think people

know you? Are there any things that people might be surprised to discover about you and

your life? You might like to share some experiences of times when you have realised how

well Jesus knows you.

Bible: Acts 27:13-20

This passage describes part of Paul’s journey to Rome and the terrible storm that resulted in

the boat running aground and being shipwrecked. You might like to read the whole of Acts

27 to get a sense of the drama and danger faced by Paul, the other passengers and crew.

13 When a gentle south wind began to blow, they saw their opportunity; so they weighed

anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete. 14

Before very long, a wind of hurricane force,

called the Northeaster, swept down from the island. 15

The ship was caught by the storm and

could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were driven along. 16

As we passed to

the lee of a small island called Cauda, we were hardly able to make the lifeboat secure, 17

so

the men hoisted it aboard. Then they passed ropes under the ship itself to hold it together.

Because they were afraid they would run aground on the sandbars of Syrtis, they lowered the

sea anchor and let the ship be driven along. 18

We took such a violent battering from the

storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard. 19

On the third day, they

threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands. 20

When neither sun nor stars

appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being

saved.

Last year was a stormy experience for St John’s Church with Simon’s illness and death.

Share together your experiences and feelings. You might like to consider the following

questions:

• Were there moments when you felt ‘battered’ by all that was happening?

• What actions did the church take to ‘hold things together’?

• Were there times when you felt like giving up hope?

In Acts 27:33-37 Paul demonstrates calm assurance and faith. He expresses his hope in God

and his salvation.

• In what ways did you know Jesus’ love during the last year?



3

Film Clip:

We are hoping to create some short film clips about the harbour painting which will be

available on St John’s website (www.stjohns-burscough.org). You might like to watch the

first short film.

In the picture:

Look at the boat that is run aground in the harbour and also at the boat that is under repair.

You might like to record some thoughts and feelings about the experience of being battered

by life’s storms below.



4

Bible: Mark 4:35-41

35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.”

36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also

other boats with him. 37

A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that

it was nearly swamped. 38

Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke

him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind died

down and it was completely calm.

40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey

him!”

• Where do you think Jesus was during the events of last year?

• Share together some experiences where you have felt Jesus say “Peace! Be still!”

• When life is tough, what difference does “knowing” Jesus’ love make?



5

Exercise: Will your anchor hold in the storms of life?

As a storm rages ships will often take refuge in a harbour – a safe place. Or they will let

down the anchor to fix themselves to something solid, the seabed. Likewise, trees stand

firm in the face of storms by having roots sunk deep into the ground. As we consider the

first part of our vision statement, jot down some of the ways that help you to know Jesus’

love and be rooted and anchored in him.

You may like to look again at the picture on page 1 and reflect on the harbour as a safe

place, and also look at the tress rooted to the hill in the top right hand corner.

Prayer:

The vision statement of St John the Baptist, Burscough begins with the idea of “knowing”

Jesus’ love. Give thanks that even in the midst of life’s storms it is possible to know Jesus’

love. Pray that you may discover new and deeper ways of knowing the love of God.

You may like to listen to the hymn ‘Will your anchor hold’ or the worship song ‘Faithful One

so unchanging’.

Take away activity:

Every time you see or hear the word ‘love’, remember to thank God for his love.

If there are any thoughts or ideas that have struck you during this session, feel free to share

them with either Elliott Ireton or David Banbury, particularly if they help us to live out our

vision statement:


1.

2.

3.

4.

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Feedback:

Feedback is really valuable and we would like to hear from members of the congregation

about their reaction to this course. In particular, if something struck you that you think the

whole church needs to hear, then please fill in the boxes below.

When completed please return this form to David Banbury, Elliott Ireton or to Mel Critchley

in the parish office.

Things that struck me in this session:

Things we need to remember:

Things God wants to show us:

Documents

“Knowing, growing in and sharing Jesus’ love in Burscough ... · Pray that you may discover new and deeper ways of knowing the love of God. You may like to listen to the hymn