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What difference does it make to believe we are seen and known by God? Liz Nixon looks at the story of Hagar, a character from near the beginning of the Bible who might be easy to overlook. While what she was made to do might seem difficult for us to process or accept, she was given special significance by God and her family line became important in the world. Could her encounter with God remind us...

What is it like to be forced unjustly from your home country, and what kind of life can you hope to find next? In Refugee Week 2022, Dan Green looks at the story of Joseph, who famously found uses for his gifts and, despite opposition and mistreatment, became a trusted leader in his adoptive country. How does his story challenge us to treat others differently, and perhaps seek to use our gifts to...

Can we imagine waiting for a lifetime to fulfil our purpose? Jack Saunders looks at the story of Joshua and considers his decades-long wait for God to use him to lead his people into the land God promised them. The process of moving into this land probably seems to us like a strange and challenging one, but to Joshua it was a matter of obedience to God and trusting him to sort out the rest. How do...

What can we learn from a very short story about woman who protected foreign spies and had a questionable reputation, and an enduring nickname, which sounds awful to us? Bern Leckie and Joanna Moss discuss Rahab and how her story connects with larger things about faith, justice, big changes and how we find significance in life. Joanna also shares about her experiences as a scientist and believer in...

How would you like to be remembered? Joanna Moss looks at the story of a woman most commonly called “Rahab the prostitute” in history books, and why her recognition of God and practical response shaped a nation in remarkable ways. We might apply labels to ourselves and each other, but what God does with us and who he says we are could radically redefine us. Who does God say you are?

What meaning and purpose can we get from the ancient Biblical book of Genesis today? Dan Green and Bern Leckie discuss the experience of listening through this book at boxset binge pace, how this helps in connecting the Bible with life, and what stood out to Bern when reflecting on what stood out as attention-grabbing or important. They also discuss how people may have originally heard and interpr...

Dan Green and Bern Leckie discuss an approach to the Bible which is different from the short, daily reading and study habits they were brought up with. By listening to the Bible in large chunks, perhaps while also doing other things, it's possible to cover large amounts of ground quickly and gain a sense of the Bible's scope, its big story and the range of characters, situations and life that it m...

Eleanor and John Mumford led the Vineyard family of churches in the UK and Ireland for over 20 years and continue to have a leadership role in the worldwide Vineyard movement. In this talk, Eleanor offers encouragement that, despite some difficult recent times, God remains sovereign and the church still has its God-given purpose and empowerment. When we ask the Holy Spirit to come, others hav...

How many ways can we see God working in a story about an encounter which changes a person, a family and a nation? Rebecca Kishtainy discusses the Old Testament story of Hannah with Bern Leckie, set in a time when people did whatever they wanted (and this seemed not to be a good thing.) As Rebecca and Bern get into the topic of big stories vs. little stories, shared vs. personal viewpoints and "you...

What difference can heartfelt prayer make? Rebecca Kishtainy looks at the story of Hannah to find out. Hannah suffered for years, enduring taunting from enemies and inadequate comfort from friends. People even seemed to blame God for her situation. But a powerful, life-bringing encounter with God changed Hannah and the course of history.

Bern Leckie and Dan Green discuss the story of Ruth, and how this and the rest of the Old Testament might inspire us and shape what we think or do today. What does it mean to have an encounter with God? What does Ruth's story show us about the power of loyalty, the importance of welcoming strangers, and the surprising role of "mundane connectedness" in shaping history more than our biggest ideas,...

What difference can faith and faithfulness make? Dan Green looks at the story of a family which formed across the dividing lines of nations and beliefs. Small but firm personal commitments led to a big faith risk for Ruth to cross boundaries and seek acceptance, and this led to a massively world-changing family line which still seeks to include and value those who think they are outsiders today. G...

Jesus promised to come back, but what does this mean for us? Owen Lynch looks at the way Jesus’ followers experienced changes and challenges in their world and would have gained hope from believing that Jesus would end suffering and injustice soon. But the Bible also records how their views changed over time, how they dealt with mockery that nothing new was happening and how they came to realise t...

How do we form our sense of what to do, and what not to do? Owen Lynch looks at the way we make rules about this, and how Jesus made his from his Jewish heritage, his spiritual experiences and his own experience of social injustice. What does it mean for us to follow Jesus’ example, and what difference could this make in our society?

How can we make sense of Jesus offering himself as a sacrifice for us? Owen Lynch looks at the culture of Israel which showed the role of sacrifices, the importance of Passover celebrations and the vital part that the Temple played for people who wanted access to God. When we look at how Jesus subverted a traditional Passover meal, can we understand why Temple leaders didn't just disagree with him...

What happened to Jesus after the cross? Owen Lynch looks at the difference between what his followers expected and what happened, and how the new life Jesus demonstrated was different from what anyone might expect. Is this what makes it possible for us to have firsthand encounters with Jesus today?

Colossians 1:15-23a is the focus for this "divine reading" meditation in which we look at the Bible for transformation, not information. Claire Lynch leads through an encounter with God, reading, reflecting, praying and contemplating with no agenda or anticipated outlook in mind. It's not about reading this passage, but letting it read you. It will help to have the passage in front of you - here's...

What kinds of victory make the biggest difference to us? Jack Saunders looks at the military victory many were hoping that Jesus would deliver, and how surprising it was that he brought a different kind of victory which would lead to new life for believers. Where in our lives would the ability to live and love like Jesus produce victory we need today?

As we prepare for Easter, some people at Severn Vineyard have been engaging with a traditional spiritual discipline of fasting, with very different experiences! Rebecca Kishtainy and Owen Lynch share with Bern Leckie about how and why they have been fasting, what they have gained from the experience, and how they might encourage others to try it. Please note that fasting may not be for everyone -...

What’s the difference between believing the idea of Jesus and experiencing Jesus firsthand? Owen Lynch looks at how our experiences make impressions and shape us, and what special, mountaintop experience had a massive impact on Jesus’ first followers. For them, it showed how Jesus was not just wise or blessed, but like God. How is it possible for us to share this experience?

Is anything getting in your way in life, or seeming to stop you following Jesus? Dan Green looks at three encounters people had with Jesus in chapter 10 of Mark's gospel and sees what Jesus told them to do to avoid getting stuck. For one rich person, their attachment to wealth was holding them back. For some of Jesus' disciples, their idea of what gives people power and status got in the way. But...

Why was opposition to Jesus deadly? Owen Lynch looks at Jesus’ message clashed with the stories told by the Roman Empire, their Herodian supporters and others like the Pharisees who felt undermined by Jesus. Are there parallels we can see with other power clashes and tyranny in history, and even in Europe today? How might Jesus warn but still motivate and help us if we want to challenge injustice...

What happens when we feel we can’t approach God? Can we learn from someone who persisted? Liz Nixon looks at the story of a woman who found that Jesus seemed less approachable than we might have hoped. But she had good reasons to try and keep trying, not just needing what Jesus offered, but believing that he was good. It’s possible to have false images of God which hold us back from believing and...

How can we find hope in difficult situations? Can we even be empowered to bring hope to others? Claire Lynch looks at how Jesus empowered his followers to feed an incredible number of people in a famous story, the only miracle (apart from his resurrection) which features in every gospel account of Jesus’ life. When we feel stuck, what happened here can provide a pattern for a breakthrough - it beg...

In the first of a short series of chats as we prepare for Easter, Owen Lynch and Bern Leckie discuss what is special about this season, and how fasting might be able to help our spiritual and emotional health. What can we expect from a prolonged period without food? How can the discomfort of this change the way we see and relate to ourselves, other people and God? We look at this and share practic...