St Andrew the Great church, Cambridge

Focus

There’s no better way to get clearer on Christianity or grow as a Christian than through studying God’s word together with others. That’s what Focus is all about.

We meet on Tuesdays 7-9pm. There’s a meal all together, we listen to a talk, and then we go into groups, led by older members of the church family, to study a passage, pray and encourage each other.  At Focus we aim to handle God’s word carefully, in order to hear the authentic voice of his Spirit.

Focus is a great way to get to know Jesus better, but it’s also the best way to get more connected with other people at St Andrew the Great. You are free to try it just once; and if studying the Bible is new to you, you are very welcome to sit and listen in.

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At first I didn’t really understand why people seemed so keen on Focus! But over the past year I have seen what a significant impact studying the Bible together has had on the lives of people in my group as we try to follow Jesus. It might not feel that significant in any one week but over the year there has been a big change.
Geraldine Wood, a graduate in History from Downing

Focus on the powerful gospel

The Christian good news is radical. In Romans, Paul shows how it can transform our status, our hearts, our focus, and our communities. Over the year, we will be studying Romans bit by bit, to understand how the gospel draws us ultimately into confident, united and God-centred partnership. 

Here's what we will be studying each term:

Michaelmas       Romans 1-4 How the gospel changes our status
Lent 

Romans 5-11

How the gospel changes our hearts and focus

Easter Romans 12-16     How the gospel changes our communities 

In the past, people's lives have often been changed by studying Romans. Here are some examples:

  • ‘It was as if a light of relief from all anxiety flooded into my heart. All the shadows of doubt were dispelled.’ (Augustine of Hippo, 397)
  • ‘It became to me a gateway into heaven.’ (Martin Luther, 1545)
  • ‘An assurance was given me that [Christ] had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me.’ (John Wesley, 1738)

It’s our prayer that God does a similar work in us over the year. If you want to read ahead, this is how the weeks break down:

Oct 12  How the gospel turns lives upside down    Talk: Introduction    Study: 1:1-7
Oct 19  True gospel partnership Study: 1:8-17 Talk: Overview
Oct 26  Focus Jazz Guest Event

Nov 2 What does God think of us? Talk: 1:18-24 Study: 1:25-32
Nov 9 Good enough for God? Talk: 2:1-16 Study: 2:17-29
Nov 16  Facing up to our biggest problem Talk: 3:1-8 Study: 3:9-20
Nov 23  The best news in the world Talk: 3:21-26 Study: 3:27-31
Nov 30    Friends with God Talk: 4:1-17 Study: 4:18-25


 
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