Avenue Study Day : 'Why the Reformation still matters'
Five hundred years ago - in 1517 - Martin Luther sparked off the Reformation.
On Sunday 8 October, we'll explore together Luther's extraordinary life and ministry, and what important things the Reformation has to say to us today about knowing and living for Jesus.
John Coffey will be leading us through this study day, and it should be a great time together. The timings for the three sessions on the day are as follows:
1) Sunday morning - 10.30-12pm: Martin Luther's great discovery. We'll hear about the extraordinary life of Martin Luther - who he was, how he moved from despair to joy as he rediscovered the biblical gospel of grace, and the enormous impact this discovery had on the world he lived in - right up to the present day.
2) Sunday afternoon - 4.30-5.30pm: Reading Luther. A great opportunity to hear directly fromLuther himself, as we look at one of his most important bits of writing - 'The Freedom of a Christian' (1520). In this short work, Luther celebrates the freedom bought for all believers through the death of Jesus Christ.
A pdf of 'The Freedom of a Christian' can be viewed here. If you're coming to this afternoon session, do make sure to read it and come ready to discuss. (Note: to save time, you can skip the introductory notes, letter of dedication, and open letter to Pope Leo X - just start reading at page 8 to the end (page 27).)
Break for pizza - 5.30-6.15pm
3) Sunday evening - 6.15-7.30pm: Defending the Reformation. Summing up the day, this will be an opportunity to explore some of the accusations made against the Reformation (e.g. it led to loose morals / antinomianism; extreme individualism; disunity among Protestants; anti-semitism... ) and to think through what the Reformation still has to say to us today. With time for group work and discussion.
All these sessions are taking place at the school. Come along to as little or as much of it as you can, and celebrate the light and joy of the gospel rediscovered by Luther and others 500 years ago!
On Sunday 8 October, we'll explore together Luther's extraordinary life and ministry, and what important things the Reformation has to say to us today about knowing and living for Jesus.
John Coffey will be leading us through this study day, and it should be a great time together. The timings for the three sessions on the day are as follows:
1) Sunday morning - 10.30-12pm: Martin Luther's great discovery. We'll hear about the extraordinary life of Martin Luther - who he was, how he moved from despair to joy as he rediscovered the biblical gospel of grace, and the enormous impact this discovery had on the world he lived in - right up to the present day.
2) Sunday afternoon - 4.30-5.30pm: Reading Luther. A great opportunity to hear directly fromLuther himself, as we look at one of his most important bits of writing - 'The Freedom of a Christian' (1520). In this short work, Luther celebrates the freedom bought for all believers through the death of Jesus Christ.
A pdf of 'The Freedom of a Christian' can be viewed here. If you're coming to this afternoon session, do make sure to read it and come ready to discuss. (Note: to save time, you can skip the introductory notes, letter of dedication, and open letter to Pope Leo X - just start reading at page 8 to the end (page 27).)
Break for pizza - 5.30-6.15pm
3) Sunday evening - 6.15-7.30pm: Defending the Reformation. Summing up the day, this will be an opportunity to explore some of the accusations made against the Reformation (e.g. it led to loose morals / antinomianism; extreme individualism; disunity among Protestants; anti-semitism... ) and to think through what the Reformation still has to say to us today. With time for group work and discussion.
All these sessions are taking place at the school. Come along to as little or as much of it as you can, and celebrate the light and joy of the gospel rediscovered by Luther and others 500 years ago!
