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What is the Bible, how did we get it, and what is it for? Claire Lynch looks at how the different genres, stories and conversations in the Bible fit together into something which has conveyed truth to people for thousands of years - as long as they knew how to interpret it. How can we do this today?

We're going through Lent spending time every day, not alone but with Jesus in the desert, not empty but full of his Spirit, not resting but wrestling with the things that get between us and God, not relying on ourselves but trusting in God to win every battle thanks to what Jesus did.Matthew 4:5-6Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the highest point of the temple. ‘If you are the Son of God,' he said, ‘throw yourself down. For it is written:‘ “He will command his angels concerning you,and they will lift you up in their hands,so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.”'Can we picture the scene here, and how different it is from being in the desert?Can we imagine how high the temple stood and what visitors expected from the experience of visiting?How carefully constructed was the temple to guide people into God's presence and help them remember how special he is?What did it mean to use the temple as a platform for something different?Can we relate to the idea of using religion as a platform, for ourselves, or to claim God's support?Can we relate to the possibility of doubting whether God might show up? Do we fear that God might not be there, or might not care?Can we relate to the temptation to throw ourselves into a crisis? Do we ever feel we need this to make God show up, or to strengthen our faith?How would we answer the devil here?We're inviting you to spend a few days reflecting on this before we look at Jesus' reply in our next episode.

Why can it feel awkward to think or talk about being “redeemed” or “saved”? Kyle Henderson-Begg looks at how we can understand this better by getting to know God's love, his long-standing promises and the person and work of Jesus.

We're going through Lent spending time every day, not alone but with Jesus in the desert, not empty but full of his Spirit, not resting but wrestling with the things that get between us and God, not relying on ourselves but trusting in God to win every battle thanks to what Jesus did.Matthew 4:4Jesus answered, ‘It is written: “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”'What is surprising about Jesus' response here?Is it as defensive as we might be when undermined, questioned, or accused about our identity and integrity?Is Jesus replying on the enemy's terms, at their choice of battle location, or reframing the battle with a bigger, better way of seeing things?What does it mean to live on God's word? Is it just about the Bible, or something more - perhaps something we can find explained in the Bible, a foundation of all creation, including us?What can we find in the Bible to help us reflect on who God says we are? (Join us in exploring, and find a list if you'd like one at severnchurchbristol.org/lent)We're inviting you to spend a few days reflecting on this before we look at another trial in our next episode.

We're going through Lent spending time every day, not alone but with Jesus in the desert, not empty but full of his Spirit, not resting but wrestling with the things that get between us and God, not relying on ourselves but trusting in God to win every battle thanks to what Jesus did.Matthew 4:2-3After fasting for forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, ‘If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.'How different do we feel when we are hungry? Are we our best selves? Our worst selves? Which of those is closer to who we really are?What is Jesus being tempted to do here? Is it just about bread?What about the word "If" here? How much is that doing to try and undermine Jesus? Can we relate? How does it feel for our identity or integrity to be questioned?How would we respond?We're inviting you to spend a few days reflecting on this before we look at Jesus' response together in our next episode.

Over the next six weeks, we're going to spend time with Jesus in the desert - a place where he was taken at a pivotal point in his life to face a spiritual battle before he began his ministry.The story we have of this battle takes the form of a conversation between Jesus and God's enemy, Satan, "the devil".In this introduction, we look at the whole story and how it fits into the bigger stories of the gospel and the Bible as a whole.The desert was not just a difficult, desolate place. It was the front line of a battle, seen as a dumping ground of isolation, prison for demons and a stronghold of evil, the opposite of good life.Jesus was not heading there for a peaceful retreat but to engage in battle, and he looked to readers of this story like a leader. For a Jewish audience, he would have sounded like Moses who spent 40 days fasting on Mount Sinai before receiving the Jewish law. Others will have noticed that Luke put this story after a family tree which linked Jesus to Adam, everyone's ancestor, and wondered if Jesus could succeed where Adam and Eve failed in dealing with temptation.It's hard for us to find 40 days away from our normal lives, but can we find some time every day in Lent to spend with Jesus in the desert? Can it help us to see ourselves, our relationships and our purpose in the world a different way and get us ready for Easter, where Jesus finishes the battle?Upcoming episodes (one per week every Wednesday):Episode 1 - the bread trial - what the devil saidEpisode 2 - the bread trial - what Jesus saidEpisode 3 - the temple trial - what the devil saidEpisode 4 - the temple trial - what Jesus saidEpisode 5 - the world trial - what the devil saidEpisode 6 - the world trial - what Jesus saidFind more about Lent and Easter at severnchurchbristol.org/lent

What is worship all about? David Jennings looks at how important it has always been for God's people to worship, how this has been reflected in buildings and structures, and how these give us a meaningful picture today.

Where are we as a church, what makes us who we are, and what are we looking forward to in 2026? Owen and Claire Lynch share how Severn is an inclusive community of friends where all people are welcome to encounter Christ Jesus. If you would like to know more about giving to Severn, see severnchurchbristol.org/giving. To find the FAQs and other material to accompany this talk, visit https://severnchurchbristol.org/vision2026.

How can we get to grips with the Bible and what it means? Claire Lynch looks at how it fits together lots of stories as part of one big story of life, purpose, relationships, struggles, suffering, hope and fulfilment. Can looking at the Bible as a box set with recognisable episodes help us to explore it and connect it with our lives today?

How do we find meaning in life through what we regularly do? Owen Lynch looks at the role of repeated patterns, habits or rituals in diverse places, from the minds of sports stars to the tables of families. God's people have also been encouraged for centuries to remember who we and God are to each other through shared festivals with meaningful meals. This year, people at Severn can expect to share the Lord's Supper regularly, and we remember what this means - Jesus' life, given for us - as we share it today.

What might God have prepared you for this year? The story of Esther describes a woman in an unusual work situation, picked out by leaders with their own purposes in mind, but seemingly placed by God for an unimaginably important role. Jewish people regularly celebrate this story and credit God, who is not directly seen in it, for saving and supporting them through Esther's faith and faithfulness. Can we also discern purpose from God in our work, family or community?

What would a meeting with the baby Jesus have been like? Owen Lynch looks at this from the viewpoint of Magi - the “wise men” who came with expectations set by prophecy, valuable gifts and a hazardous journey that brushed with powers who wanted nothing to come from Jesus' life.Could Jesus have held the power to change lives, and could this have been seen at the time we celebrate at Christmas?This talk includes a recitation of TS Eliot's poem, “Journey of the Magi”, a time for guided meditation and reflection, and a celebration of the Lord's Supper.

What difference does faith in Jesus make to our sense of freedom? David Jennings shares experiences of people who have found transformation when starting to believe and trust in God, and looks at how Jesus described what to expect. When we feel a sense of tiredness from heavy burdens as we try hard to do the right things, is this coming from what God wants from us, or could Jesus be looking to relieve, empower and refresh us?

What is special about the new season we're about to enter? Kyle Henderson-Begg looks at the role that festivals play in people's lives, providing inspiration - literally, breath in - to fuel our lives and day to day expressions of faith. They can show us God's character and our purpose, as well as interrupting regular life to refresh and remind us that life ahead can be different, better than what we are used to. How can engaging with Advent in the approach to Christmas help you see life differently this year?

Can God speak to you through pictures? Find out with this approach to prayer and meditation. It contains several long stretches of silence between suggestions for what to do, which can help you engage over a useful period of time.Find pictures and full walkthrough steps here: https://www.severnvineyard.org/sunday-talks-bloglist/2025/11/6/visio-divina-led-by-claire-lynch-9-november-2025

What does it mean to be fully known and loved by God? Can we trust that this is a good thing for us? Karen Green looks at how her understanding and experience of God have grown over years, and considers Psalm 139's reflection that trusting God and growing a relationship with him can lead to intimacy and the release of anxiety. Can this help us to grow in love for people and enjoy a better quality of life?

To celebrate Severn's 16th birthday, people from the church reflected on what they could see God doing with them, individually and in relationships, community, work and the rest of life beyond church gatherings. Some common themes emerged, including the growth of spiritual fruit like love, joy and patience when dealing with difficult situations, and many from the church contributed to a video about how we see the extraordinary in everyday life.To see this and the rest of the day's celebrations, you can watch the whole service at https://youtu.be/G4yHL37vzoo, or browse our videos at youtube.com/@severnvineyard.

Can a garden show us what God wants from us? Phil Joiner shares his experience of life at different paces, with various demands and expectations, including guilt about not doing enough. But does God have a different way of looking at productivity that is less about our industrial machinery and more about what happens naturally in a garden across different seasons? How much of this do we control? And what is God really looking for in our lives?

What does it mean to become spiritually awake? Chris Simmonds shares his experiences of moving between times of feeling that life is comfortable within his own plans and times where reality delivers a wake up call. Sometimes this is challenging, but awakening to who God is and what he does can often be described as simply good, wonderful or awesome. How can we experience this kind of awakening ourselves, and what difference does it make to how we see ourselves, others and the world?

What brings people together better than food and drink? Owen Lynch looks at the role these play in his family and community life, and how Jesus brought people together like this too. What does it mean to share in the bread and wine that Jesus gave to his first followers?

How is life different when we follow Jesus into God's kingdom? Kyle Henderson-Begg looks at how Jesus encouraged and congratulated people in difficult, undervalued and suffering circumstances. They would be the first to welcome the news that Jesus turned life upside down, compared with how most judged success. His way of life was, and still is, open to everyone. So what differences should it make for us?

Can we get to know God's Holy Spirit and the role he wants to play in our lives? Claire Lynch shares experience of this, along with what the Bible and contemporary authors have written, including Carl McColman and Richard Rohr. The Holy Spirit brings nourishing fruit, remarkable gifts and the recognisable character of Jesus to life today, through people around us and, if we are open to this, through us too. How can we do this in practice? This talk contains lots of examples and ends with a contemplative exercise to help us focus on the Holy Spirit.

From the series ‘A community of hope' on the book Acts of the Apostles.How do we know from Acts that the revolution brought by the Holy Spirit is surprisingly inclusive? Owen Lynch concludes this series with reflection on views he grew up with on what it meant to be Christian, and what he thinks and feels about this now. The story of Acts shows the spread of God's kingdom beyond the boundaries set by religious and cultural expectations. Towards the end, Paul's party encountered people who had no stake in Judaism or the dominant cultures of Greece and Rome. Was Paul bringing the Holy Spirit to them, or finding that the Spirit was already there? What does this mean for our part in this revolution of love, and what kind of inclusion we can expect?

From the series ‘A community of hope' on the book Acts of the Apostles.When ideas and faith spread, how much of a culture clash do we expect, and how do we deal with it? Owen Lynch looks at how the early church came into conflict with cultures that required assimilation in a forceful way. Some Jews wanted to force Christians to obey all Jewish laws. At the same time, Judaism was under threat from the Roman Empire, who tolerated differences up to a point, but would cancel and destroy cultures which they thought to be a threat. How different was Jesus' approach, and that of his Spirit-filled followers? Had Jesus given people another way to unite through self-sacrificial love?

How can we hear from God and share this to help others? Claire Lynch looks at our belief that prophesy is about connecting with God's heart of love for someone, and is accessible to all. This is described as a promise in the Old Testament and as practice in the New Testament, thanks to the work of Jesus and the inspiration of his Holy Spirit. But how do we actually do it faithfully, or weigh up whether someone else's words to us are from God? The guidance here can help us to practise.Find the script for this talk and an image Claire mentions for you to pray about and use at https://www.severnvineyard.org/sunday-talks-bloglist/2025/5/30/prophecy-by-claire-lynch-1-june-2025

From the series ‘A community of hope' on the book Acts of the Apostles.Why can disputes about things we believe in passionately turn so bitter and desperate? Owen Lynch looks at what happened when a leader of Jesus' first followers shared his story with people, from his religion, who did not follow Jesus. Emotions ran high and discussion turned to violence and death plots. What happened to the hope they had shared? Can any similar fury and defensiveness rise up in us when we believe we have truth, so people who disagree with us must not? What might Jesus change about our approach to this?

What is the good news about Jesus, and why is it important to us? Dan Morrice looks at how Jesus' life, death and resurrection are part of a bigger story which involves us and echoes through history. If Jesus came to save people, from what? Sin is a thing, but sickness and systems of evil were also big parts of what Jesus talked about, worked against and defeated. If we can see progress that still needs to be made, how is God calling us to join in?

From the series ‘A community of hope' on the book Acts of the Apostles.Are people ultimately divided into groups, say by nationality, family or faith? Owen Lynch looks at what happened in the early church when there were arguments about newcomers and what they might have to do to fit in. People were quick to see reasons to divide and either exclude people or force them to conform. Having some agreed, shared boundaries seemed to be helpful. But what if God's Spirit kept being more inclusive than people expected?

How do you describe yourself? Is it mainly about what you do, or other things about who you are, and what you are becoming? This talk looks at Moses, a key character in Biblical history, and shows how his identity had many sources. This included how he was born, how others saw him, what people had seen him do, and what he took on from what people said about him. But God had a different view, and became the source of Moses' identity. How can we live out our identity with God?

What would it be like to see Jesus enter Jerusalem in his unusual triumph parade, days before he died? Jason Whiley looks at what happened, and what this would have looked like from the different angles of people in the story. If you can imagine yourself there with them, how might God grab your attention? What could he show you about his love, encouragement and purpose for you?

What makes a great leader? Dan Green looks at the differences between what people often expect and what Jesus showed through his service and self-sacrifice. Why was it controversial to put a life-size, captive Jesus (Mark Wallinger's “Ecce Homo”) onto a giant plinth in Trafalgar Square, and would we find this comforting, inspiring or disturbing to see? Could it help to remind ourselves of how people were so surprised to see Jesus lead the way he did, and even more surprised to see the power of his kingdom?Creative Commons image by Dave Pearce, flickr.com

What difference can it make to be told who we are? Joanna Ashby looks at a conversation between Jesus and one of his followers, Simon, who knew the identity and historic role of Jesus as the Messiah or Christ. Jesus gave Simon a new name, Peter, which gave him the identity of a rock that Jesus could build his church on. What has God said to us about who we are and what he can do with us? How can we put that into practice?

How much can God's love change the world? Owen Lynch looks at Jesus' first followers who were discovering that they were not just encouraged and empowered to have better loving relationships, but they were also equipped to challenge the systems of violence in human civilisation. From the most ancient times to the Roman Empire of Jesus' day, and still evident today, people have suffered through personal anger and cycles of vengeance which also feed into systems that brutally oppress enemies of the state. Many early church leaders were legally executed. But Christians recognised that Jesus' self-sacrificial love was God's answer to this. It came with power and hope that the worst oppression could be overcome. How can we experience this and share it today?At the end of the talk, we reflect on a journey taken by fruit grown on a vine, and share the Lord's supper together. See the video mentioned at https://youtu.be/VRUX6YR6z7A

From the series ‘What is God like?'What do we mean by calling God a “trinity”? Claire Lynch looks at the essence of one God as loving relationship, and explores how people have tried to express or explain this. Jesus talked about it in terms of his Father and his Spirit. If we can relate to God through knowing and trusting Jesus, can we do the same? What difference can it make to our lives to know that we are part of God's loving relationship with creation?Find pictures and resources for this talk at https://www.severnvineyard.org/sunday-talks-bloglist/2025/3/1/trinity-overflowing-love-by-claire-lynch-2-march-2025

What do we mean by love, and how do we get better at loving? Kyle Henderson-Begg looks at different kinds of love and what we expect from them, and the kind of self-giving love most talked and written about by Jesus and Paul in the New Testament. This turns out to be something which God grows in us - but how?

How do we grow in God's love, and what does it mean to remain? David Jennings looks at Jesus' teaching that his followers are branches in him, a vine, made for fruitfulness under God's gardening care. This fruit isn't work we do, it's the character of love, joy and peace that grows as we accept Jesus' love and become defined by him and his character. Is it challenging to allow this to happen, sometimes needing to give up what we'd been aiming for ourselves? If so, can we find assurance in Jesus' promise that, by remaining in him, we will be incredibly fruitful?The video and music mentioned at the end can be found at https://youtu.be/0hWnc8Lb2Go - use this to pray and contemplate as you would like to.

What does God's coming kingdom look like in you? Owen Lynch looks at how Jesus compared this to a little bit of yeast that transforms a whole batch of dough - but what does that actually mean for us? Could the apparent weakness of self-sacrifice and small expressions of love, joy, peace, patience and kindness really be all that significant, especially when we love big, spectacular experiences? We might imagine the church's first leaders to have been amazing speakers, full of charisma, but this wasn't how Paul described himself. What else was God doing then that he might be doing with us now?

When people in churches disagree, is there anything we know that should unite us? Owen Lynch looks at how Paul addressed believers who were becoming divided over personalities, leadership, ideas and practical issues. The believers and leaders were diverse, surprisingly inclusive to many. Was the answer to change that? Or was the cross of Christ uniquely powerful and necessary to unite people?Claire Lynch brings a “Lectio Divina” meditation on these words, taken from Paul's letter to the Colossians:The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible.He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

Are you a journey or destination person? This talk looks at what it means to leave the familiar and head towards a deeper spiritual home. How can we tell which way to go? The Magi in the Christmas story had a star to follow, which pointed them to Jesus - can we fix our eyes on him?Audio is included from a sermon by Dr. S.M. Lockridge given in 1976, with video made by Grace Community Church shared under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported licence. Music added by Bern Leckie, sharable under same licence. Video: https://youtu.be/-xHDoGM2Bvc

Does this new year feel light and joyful, or have we loaded ourselves up with burdens? Owen Lynch looks at how spiritual and emotional health are important to us and need to be kept in balance. Jesus criticised religious leaders who brought loads of expectation which they could not carry themselves, and offered a better way of life. Have we taken up Jesus' offer? Maybe we can tell by asking if our faith life is making us weary, judgmental, unapproachable and inauthentic, when it could be lightening our hearts, making us more open minded, hospitable and authentic instead.

Bern Leckie and Owen Lynch share thoughts and feelings about the book of Revelation.Is this the most intriguing book of the Bible? There is a huge variety of views about what this book means and, even if we can understand it, what we should do with that understanding today.Bern and Owen start by looking at the culture it was written into, the challenges Christians were facing towards the end of the first century, and how words from Jesus and visions of future battles, judgements and resolutions would have been received.Jesus had notes for every regional church, and the theme of “repent” - changing of mind - was consistent. Could our understanding of this today be too small? Did Jesus want to “come in and eat” only with new converts to faith, or with every believer throughout life?John's prophetic visions were dramatic and packed with meaningful symbols from stories across the whole of the Bible. But was this a code people needed to crack, or more of an encouragement to suffering people that they were richly connected to the God who had always promised to rescue and deliver them? The world as they knew it was coming to an end - as the world sometimes looks to us too - but they could look forward to a better future. God and his love wins.Thanks for listening! You can review the whole of our Bible listening plan and hear every episode of this podcast at severnvineyard.org/bible.

Bern Leckie and Owen Lynch share thoughts and feelings about the books of Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi, as well as Psalms 132 to 150.Covering a broad stretch of history from before, during and after the exile of God's people, the last minor prophets in the Old Testament are sharing words from God in different situations, looking from a broad range of viewpoints. The different angles of their approaches might even mean that the work they saw God doing looked surprisingly different to them.Bern refers to a physical picture of this - a sculpture with a complex shape that looks like a pair of giraffes from one angle but like an elephant from a different angle a short walk away. (This is hard to imagine, so have a look here: https://youtu.be/S2iq8fYVNt4) Some people in history have seemed to dig in and defend particular viewpoints, giving them certainty that God's kingdom was all about how it looked from their angle - for example, the Sadducees saw it about life centred on a physical temple, while the Pharisees saw it more about what God was doing to bring temple-like life into every home. We can think of modern examples where we've heard conflicting groups argue about what church should be focusing on today.God's people had to move and change their perspective during the time of these prophets, and God seemed to deepen the understanding of people who would listen. A picture of where God was taking people and what his promised Messiah would be like were emerging. But would anyone really understand until they met him?In the next and final part of our boxset, we finish the Bible by listening to the book of Revelation. Listen along at your own pace at severnvineyard.org/bible.

Bern Leckie and Owen Lynch share thoughts and feelings about the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, as well as Psalms 120 to 131.The story of how Jerusalem and the temple began to rebuilt was a major cause for celebration for God's exiled people. Much in this story - formerly a single book - points people to God and the benefits of gathering together, faithfully observing his law and making the best possible effort to avoid the mistakes of the past.But is there more to this story? Had people really taken onboard the fresh perspectives given by God through the prophets about what he really wanted from them, and what he was promising to do next?Looking at how people were proceeding by their own best efforts, doubling down on some traditional ideas but skewing the law in the process, could this really be more of a warning against certain kinds of leadership instead of an encouragement to emulate the leaders described here? And can we see parallels which should give us caution and encouragement today?The “Psalms of ascent” also give encouragement and cause for reflection to people gathering for festivals and worship. When gathering people put their hope in God, was this only to expect good life in the gatherings, or was God going to do something to transform life afterwards too? What are our hopes about this?In the next part of our boxset, we finish the Old Testament by listening to the minor prophets Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi, as well the rest of the Psalms, 132 to 150. Listen along at your own pace at severnvineyard.org/bible.

What makes a great gift? Liz Nixon looks at the value of thoughtful, meaningful gifts and how they can build relationships when we grow love in return. The talk concludes with ten minutes of ‘examen' prayer, which can also be practised with the Pray As You Go app at https://pray-as-you-go.org

Bern Leckie and Owen Lynch share thoughts and feelings about the books of Lamentations and Daniel.Both were written for and about God's people around the time of their exile to Babylon and the loss of their temple and centre of social order.Lamentations expresses huge depths of pain and suffering, though in the Hebrew it's ordered around the alphabet in a similar way to Psalm 119. There is devastation throughout, but also a strong central column of hope which might still feel relevant and needed for us today. Could this book be a good way for us to engage with suffering and find God's presence?Daniel's story is memorable to Bern and Owen from childhood, and it seems to have become even richer in meaning since then. Trusting God in the most difficult times is a central theme, and the way God works through people who trust him can be astonishing. Daniel looks a lot like Joseph and might even look a lot like Jesus. What can we learn about God and his kingdom by following Daniel as he seeks to gain understanding and humble himself before God at the same time?In the next part of our boxset, we continue the story of God's exiled people as they start to return in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, and look at Psalms 120 to 131. Listen along at your own pace at severnvineyard.org/bible.

Bern Leckie and Owen Lynch share thoughts and feelings about chapters 18 to 21 of John's gospel and Paul's letter to the Romans.Was it too ambitious to try and take in these texts in a week? Any of these chapters could be studied for a lifetime, and scholars still debate the details, but Bern and Owen still found massive value in getting an overview from them and reflecting on God's intentions for his kingdom.Since the middle ages, the western church has often focused on a message of personal salvation which can be pieced together from these passages - a “ticket to heaven” necessary to avoid eternal suffering.But an escape from earth to heaven does not seem as important for Jesus or Paul to teach as much as God's plan to pour heavenly resources through believers to renew the earth, through relationships and societal change as well as personal development.Jesus' nature as a suffering servant, along with his willingness to accept a death caused by everyone else's brokenness, show the power of heaven to overturn the worst of what can happen on earth. God's kingdom is a social order which can look “upside down” to us and can turn injustice on its head.Paul's description to the Romans of how God moves to fix brokenness is a challenging one, perhaps requiring us to admit to being more broken than we would like to.Bern and Owen discuss question of whether the fix is our faith in Christ, or the faithfulness of Christ - two alternative readings of the text. With the original culture in mind, some scholars are emerging with a view that this is a both/and rather than an either/or situation; what we call God's “grace” would likely have been understood at the time as his offer of sponsorship or patronage, providing all the resources people needed to work and expecting a faithful response from people using them. This relationship seems irrelevant in terms of obtaining a “ticket to heaven”, but extremely relevant to a plan to renew the earth with heavenly resources. Paul leads from this towards the idea that we can know how to deal with our inner and interpersonal conflicts, and know God's mind in general. What Jesus has done has made a way for us to approach God directly, as priests offering ourselves as sacrifices. What does this mean? For one thing, it means God considers us good and acceptable. For another, it means that we can expect to have to lay down some of the things we think are essential to us - perhaps stuff, perhaps opinions - in exchange for a renewal of our minds. This is a lifelong process within faithful relationship with God.In the next part of our boxset, we turn back to the Old Testament and listen through Lamentations and the book of Daniel. Listen along at your own pace at severnvineyard.org/bible.

What does the story of Jesus' birth tell us about God? Owen Lynch looks at this and shares his own reasons for having faith in Jesus. Do we want the stories which define us to be God's stories about us, our value, and how much we are loved and filled with his love, joy and peace to share this year?

Bern Leckie and Owen Lynch share thoughts and feelings about chapters 1 to 17 of John's gospel.Following the story of Israel from the time of exile and God's promised of a renewed kingdom, it's clear that people wanted their anointed leader, the Messiah or Christ. But their expectations of how to recognise God delivering this differed among various groups. John told the story of how Jesus was this leader, and how people could know, but also of how many kinds of senior leaders rejected Jesus' authority. There may have been lots of reasons for this, ranging from having firm ideas which were hard to displace, to perhaps not wanting to lose some of the status and stability they thought they had. But John's account also shows how many people, especially the marginalised and people hungry for change, accepted Jesus' authority and started to follow him.There are questions for us about what Jesus was really asking from people and promising in return. His call could be seen as “radical”, which is not always a welcome word in discussions of faith today. Jesus' ability to connect with people and transform from the roots, changing the inside out with living water, might make us question whether we should be satisfied with anything less than radical change.In the next part of our boxset, we finish John's gospel and listen to Paul's great summary of Jesus' role in God's plans through history in his letter to the Romans. Listen along at your own pace at severnvineyard.org/bible. We've produced a special audio version of John's gospel with soundscapes, music and time for immersion and reflection built in. Search for “Time, Space, Jesus” on Spotify or find out more at severnvineyard.org/time-space-jesus

Bern Leckie and Owen Lynch share thoughts and feelings about chapters 40 to 48 of the book of Ezekiel and Psalms 107 to 119.After some harsh and harrowing images, Ezekiel's visions turn to glorious pictures of God's designs for Israel's future, including restoration and fulfilment of purposes God always had in mind for his people.An amazing temple is described, bigger and better than people have ever known, and this serves as an image of God living and working with people, redeeming and transforming where needed.This temple is also remarkable for what it produces - life-bringing fresh water that starts to look like a river, getting wider and deeper the further it gets from the temple. It's a picture of transformational holiness, bringing life to the Dead Sea and to incredibly fruitful trees along its banks.Bern and Owen discuss what these images meant to Israel then and to us now. Can we learn more about holiness and what it's for, and could that release us from “holy huddles” into places where God wants to work through us? How important is spiritual fruit in our lives, and what is it for? Linking the river imagery with the Psalms, is our worship sometimes too shallow? What would happen if we became more immersed in the depths of emotions expressed in Psalms, and where can we find places and times to soak in a really comprehensive piece like Psalm 119?In the next part of our boxset, we get back to the story of Jesus as told through John's gospel. Listen along at your own pace at severnvineyard.org/bible. We've also produced a special audio version of John's gospel with soundscapes, music and time for immersion and reflection built in. Search for “Time, Space, Jesus” on Spotify or find out more at severnvineyard.org/time-space-jesus

What does it mean to follow Jesus and end up changing our minds about something important? Owen Lynch looks at Paul's movements in Acts of the Apostles, which were not just physical across Europe, but changes in his long-held beliefs about what the long hoped-for Jewish messiah - their anointed leader - would look like. Many were quoting “clobber” passages from scripture to prove that Jesus could not take this role, but Paul's experience forced him to rethink. How much has Jesus changed our minds since we first encountered him? Do we expect Jesus to change our perspectives from time to time when we read the Bible? What deeply held views, beliefs or doctrines might Jesus be inviting us to reconsider?

Bern Leckie and Owen Lynch share thoughts and feelings about chapters 22 to 39 of the book of Ezekiel.His visions and actions have been difficult listening, with harsh judgements and consequences for God's people as well as loss which Ezekiel felt personally and was not allowed to grieve in the normal way. However, God was not remote from suffering, but walking through it with them.God's heart for people and their ultimate restoration was also revealed not to be restricted to Israel. Ezekiel was given words to share with all the surrounding nations, people with no access to Jewish worship rites but remarkably included in God's promises for renewal.The kind of leadership God promised for a restored situation was also remarkable - good shepherding, concerned for the whole flock, more humble and service-based than strident and dictatorial. How much did that fit anyone expectations then, or ours in similar political situations now?Ezekiel's vision of God's ability to bring life from dead, dry bones might be the most remarkable so far. Did this meet people's expectations of God's power, or exceed them? How much difference would it make to us truly to believe in God's ability to do this today, not just in terms of afterlife but in renewed relationships, trust, hopes and love where these seem to be lost to us?In the next part of our boxset, we complete Ezekiel, looking at his visions for future hope, and also listen to Psalms 107 to 119. Listen along at your own pace at severnvineyard.org/bible.