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News | News: CE weekend away

16 October 2008

In autumn sunshine this September, 31 Christianity Explored leaders on the All Souls church course set off for a busy but fruitful weekend together.

The venue was Farnham Castle, the home of the Bishops of Winchester for over 900 years and one of the oldest continually inhabited buildings in Southern England.

This was a time for good teaching from Rico Tice, course leader, on how to lead CE, to worship together and to build vital relationships between people who had been invited to be joint leaders at the twelve tables on the course.

Everyone got straight to work on Friday evening. A welcome session at 8.45pm put participants in the picture as to what they could expect from the training.

After breakfast on Saturday, the group kicked off with ‘Establishing the Essentials’. In the afternoon they covered ‘Teaching Mark’ and ‘Two Ways to Live’ - with a bit of free time in between to stroll through the beautifully landscaped grounds of the castle.

Sunday sessions included ‘A Life of Service’ and ‘Answering Difficult Questions in Mark’. After fellowship over lunch it was time for everyone to return to London, better prepared to run their new course.

Course leaders at the CE training weekend.

Back to the bible

One participant reflects on how the training helped to equip them for leading the course:

“What an incredible weekend. I can’t remember the last time I felt so inspired by a course of bible teaching.

Why was this, I kept asking myself. I’d been to loads of bible study groups over the years, and spent time at tons of conferences, conventions and weekends away getting into the bible.

Well, for a start, Rico was definitely excited about what he was teaching. I think that is an absolute plus if you want to inspire others.

I have to admit that a ting of excitement also came from the element of fear and risk that I felt. If I get involved in helping out with this course I’ll have to tell my friends, family, colleagues and whoever else about it.

What a perfect opportunity for controversial talks and discussions at work. But do I want it? Dare I take it?

There is also the challenge of mission itself that this weekend brought very much to life. It’s sad to admit, but being a ‘fisher of men’ had taken a bit of a back seat in my life and it was exhilarating for that to be awoken and brought to the forefront.

I would have to say that ultimately inspiration came from rediscovering the truth and validity of the bible.

I’ve read through the book of Mark many times now, but during the whole weekend I was stunned by what else it had to offer. In session after session, we kept digging and digging and it never went dry.

I came away from the weekend thinking, thank goodness it’s just the beginning. Now I have two more months to really get into this. . .”

Preparing to share

Another participant reports:

"By the end of our training weekend away for Christianity Explored, we realised that in fact there was only one way to live - at the Bishop of Winchester's Palace at Farnham Castle!

Truly though, there was a deeper realisation as to what had brought us together there. The repentance and forgiveness of sins we share through our belief in Christ.

We considered our role and responsibilities as evangelists and how we fulfill this while acknowledging God's sovereignty, integrity and creativity. We prepared ourselves to share the gospel of Mark over the ten-week CE course and thereafter, seeking to highlight who Jesus was, why He came, and what He requires of us. Identity, mission and call, in other words.

We practised looking at Mark's Gospel, observing the scriptures, interpreting them in context and considering the application of them now. We aimed to internalise the 'Two Ways to Live' model in order to then explore with the participants of the course the issues that are important to them, explain the Bible in relation to these issues and encourage the participants to respond to the scriptural truths they encounter.

We completed the course with prayerful hearts that people would be unblinded, realise the reality of heaven and hell and respond to the Trinity."

How to train your leaders

How to run the course

If you are organising a Christianity Explored course, the ‘How to Run the Course’ book will help you to set up your own training day or weekend for leaders.

Tips include:

open the training to all leaders, even those who have attended before
feel free to vary the exercises so training remains fresh
adapt the sample training schedule for your own team

You should also consider attending a CE training conference, where leaders can build on what they learn at the training day.

More

Order your copy of ‘How to Run the Course’
Check out the latest CE training conferences
Sign up for the All Souls church CE course in London
Find a Christianity Explored course running near you

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