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John 3:1-21 How can someone be born again?

Friday 3rd April 2026 – Good Friday

Read: Ezekiel 36:16-36; John 3:1-21

Sermon: John 3:1-21

 

Introduction:

John 1-5 The Gospel according to John

John 3:1-15 The conversation of Jesus and Nicodemus
3:1-3 You cannot see God’s kingdom without being born again!

3:4-8 How can a man be born again?

3:9-15 How can this happen?

John 3:16-21 God’s love for an evil world

Conclusion

 

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John 2:1-12 The first sign and Jesus’s glory

Sunday 22nd March 2026

Read: Jeremiah 31:10-14; Amos 9:1-15; John 2:1-12

Sermon: John 2:1-12

 

Introduction

The Gospel according to John

Jesus reveals his glory: his first miraculous sign 2:1-10
2:1-4 Not my problem?

2:5-10 Sign 1: embarrassment at a wedding or restoration of the world?

John 2:11 Jesus’s disciples believe him by his signs

John 2:23-25 Inadequate response to Jesus’s signs

 

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John 1:1-18 The Word became flesh that we might have light and life

Sunday 1st March 2026

Read: Psalm 33:1-9; Exodus 25:8-9;29:42-43,45-46;33:18-23;34:4-7

Sermon: John 1:1-18

 

Introduction: The beginning in light of the end (John 20:30-31)

1:1-5 In the beginning was the Word

1:6-8 John’s witness: the Word is the Light

1:9-14 The Word became flesh

1:15 John’s witness: the Word’s pre-eminence

1:16-18 The Son who reveals the Father’s steadfast love and faithfulness

Conclusion: Believe and receive light and life

 

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1 Samuel 20:1-42 Fearing the right things

Sunday 22nd February 2026

Read: Luke 14:1-11,25-35; 1 Samuel 20:1-42

Sermon: 1 Samuel 20:1-42

 

Introduction
Samuel and the Bible

1 Samuel 20:1-11 In the court: David fears for his life by Saul

1 Samuel 20:12-23 In the field: Jonathan fears his house being cut off by David
20:12-17 David’s to keep covenant with Jonathan’s house

20:18-23 Archery and keeping covenant

1 Samuel 20:24-34 In the court; Saul and Jonathan’s particular anger

1 Samuel 20:35-42 In the field: peace between the seed of David and the seed of Jonathan

 

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Church Camp 2026 – Session 4 – Ruth 4

Sunday 15th February 2026

Read: Ruth 4

Ruth 4 – Preserving the Name

What’s in a name?

A quick run through the Bible
Genesis 2 and 3

Noticing Genesis 3:15
    And I will put enmity between you and the woman,
    and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head,
    and you will strike his heel.”
    [Genesis 3:15; NIV]

Tracing a Story
    Genesis 12:1-3
    Genesis 22:15-18

Genesis 38

Joshua 2 and 6

Ruth 4
    Boaz and Rahab
    Boaz at court
    The blessing of the people
    The result

Matthew 1 and 28
    Matthew 1
    Matthew 28

Reflecting on Ruth 4
Noticing the Lack of the Miraculous

Practicing Titus 2:11–14

 

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Church Camp 2026 – Session 3 – Ruth 3

Sunday 15th February 2026

Read: Ruth 3

Ruth 3 – Kindness and Risk

What sort of people are these?
An Introduction to extraordinary people

Orientation to an Extraordinary Chapter
Remembering Where We Were

A Quick Run Through What Happens
    Verses 1-7
    Verses 8–9: Night-Time Initiative (and ‘wings’)
    Verses 10–12: Wish and Desire but Problems
    Verse 13: A Promise
    Verses 14–18: Advice, Gifts, Report to Naomi and Waiting

Some Interesting ‘ambiguities’

What the passage is about

Clues from the author: Rest

What should we make of all this?
Thinking some more about ‘Rest’ and ‘Security’

Risks and Boldness

Results

A few footnotes

What happened on the threshing floor

‘Hesed’ again
    “The LORD bless you, my daughter,” he replied.
    “This ḥesed is greater than that which you showed earlier:
    You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor.
    [Ruth 3:10; NIV]

Emptiness and Naomi (verse 17)
    … “‘Don’t go back to your mother-in-law empty-handed.’”
[Ruth 3:17; NIV]

For us
The Practice of ḥesed

Returning to CT Studd and our initial question

Facing a shortage of risk taking, risk takers, and gospel-hearted people