Week 3 - Why did Jesus have to die?
If Jesus is God, why did he let people kill him?
Workbook
Workbook for week 3 of the course can be downloaded in PDF format.
Day 1 - How does the death of Jesus fit into the story of God's relationship with humanity?
What is the overarching narrative of the Bible?
What images can help us to understand God's attitude to humanity?
Day 2 - Why doesn't God fill us with love anyway?
If God is love, what stops him from overwhelming us with the sense of his presence so that we have no doubts?
What are the barriers that separate us from God?
God of the moon and stars
A wonderful song with powerful images that can help us reflect on the gap between us an God
Day 3 - How can God encourage people out of hiding?
How can we know whether we can trust God?
What are the consequences of broken relationships?
What steps does God take to open the way for us to return 'home'?
Day 4 - Why is there still so much suffering?
The mime/dance in this video beautifully illustrates how our failings can cause us to lose sight of, and ultimately hide from God.
It shows how the mess in our lives can form a barrier that prevents us from opening ourselves to God, but He never gives up on us and steps in to remove that barrier.
Tom Wright - What happened on the cross?
Why doesn't God just fix the world?
Why doesn't God just fix me?
If I keep messing up, how can I believe that I will be forgiven?
Day 5 - Do people still experience the presence of God today?
Day 5 Bonus - So what?
If this is all true... how should we respond?
If God’s forgiveness is always there for us, does that mean that there are no consequences for sin?
Is there such a thing as 'judgement'?
If there is 'judgement' then what are the consequences?