Join the Conversation: Exploring the Bible Together Across Teesside
What is the Bible really about? How do its many books and stories fit together? And could this ancient text still have something meaningful to say to our lives today?
This autumn, churches throughout the region will come together for Bible Conversations: Teesside - a joint initiative involving Bible Society, Transforming Teesside Together and local churches.
The aim is to create friendly and accessible opportunities for people to meet, build relationships and explore the Bible in ways that connect with everyday life. You do not need to attend church, know anything about the Bible or have your beliefs worked out. Bible Conversations is for anyone who would simply like to discover more.
A conversation across Teesside
Throughout September and October, Bible Society will support the initiative with a wide-reaching public campaign across Teesside. Invitations to explore the Bible will appear on buses, billboards, at bus stops, across social media and in other public spaces.
Thousands of people across our communities will have the opportunity to encounter the message and consider taking their next step, perhaps by visiting a church, joining a course or simply beginning a conversation.
Courses at Redcar Baptist Church
At Redcar Baptist Church, we want to be prepared to welcome anyone whose interest has been sparked. As part of this special season, we will be offering several free courses and opportunities to explore the Bible, Christian faith and different approaches to prayer.
The Bible Course - starting Tuesday 8 September
The Bible is made up of 66 books, written by many different authors across thousands of years. With so many people, places and events, it can sometimes be difficult to see how everything fits together.
Created by Bible Society, The Bible Course is an accessible and interactive eight-session journey through the Bible’s big story—from Genesis to Revelation. Each session combines video teaching, group discussion and personal reflection, with accompanying readings to help participants continue exploring between sessions.
The course will help you understand the Bible’s overall storyline, see how its different parts connect and grow in confidence as you read and apply it to everyday life.
Whether you are new to the Bible or have been reading it for years, you are warmly invited to explore it alongside others in a relaxed and welcoming setting. There will be opportunities to reflect, join the conversation and ask questions as we learn together.
Hineni: Quiet Prayer - starting Friday 11 September
In a world that rarely slows down, Hineni: Quiet Prayer offers space to pause, become still and explore prayer in a quieter and more reflective way.
“Hineni” means “Here I am Here” in Hebrew. Whether silence and contemplation are already part of your life or completely new to you, you are warmly invited to come and discover what can happen when we make space to listen to Him.
Alpha - dates to be confirmed
Alpha is a relaxed and friendly course offering space to explore the big questions of life and the foundations of Christian faith.
Each session introduces a different topic and gives everyone the freedom to share their thoughts and questions. No question is too simple or too challenging, and there is no pressure to agree with anyone else.
Lectio Divina - dates to be confirmed
Lectio Divina is an ancient, gentle way of reading and reflecting on the Bible. Rather than trying to study a large amount of text, it encourages us to slow down, notice particular words or phrases and consider how they might speak into our lives.
More information about the dates and format of these sessions will be shared soon. You’re welcome to explore the Lectio 365 app to deepen your prayer life with daily devotions.
There is a place for you
All these courses will be free to attend and open to everyone. You may be curious about the Bible, exploring faith for the first time, new to Christianity, returning after time away or someone who has followed Jesus for many years. Wherever you are starting from, there is a place for you.
You do not need to arrive with the right answers, or even know what questions you want to ask. Simply come as you are, meet others and join the conversation.
Further details about booking, times and the dates for Alpha and Lectio Divina will be announced shortly.
In the meantime, you can learn more about the wider initiative and discover what is happening across the area by visiting the Bible Conversations: Teesside website.
God,
Thank you for the gift of your Word and for the opportunity to explore it together.
May Bible Conversations: Teesside create welcoming spaces
in which people can ask honest questions,
build friendships and discover hope.
Bless every person who comes through the doors of our church,
wherever they may be on their journey.
Help us to listen well, speak with kindness
and remain open to what you may want to show us.
Amen.
