A new season on the basics of our faith, starting off with the Ten Commandments. Here you can listen to each week's talk from Worship etc, watch a video of a talk to the adults at the Family Service where available, and find extra videos, worship songs, hymns, classical and contemporary music, resources, and questions for discussion and reflection, as well as links to the bible texts in the English Standard Version (with NIV, NLT, NKJV and many more available on the link page). Below, there's a list of relevant study guides and books we think you may find helpful.

This page will be updated as the series continues.

If you have Spotify® installed on your computer or phone and a suitable account, where available, you can click to listen to the songs and music for free, or you can purchase from your favourite music retailer.

Jump to: 1 : 2 : 3 : 4 : 5 : 6 : 7 : 8 : 9 : 10 : Books


1 : Love God

talk by Jim

Passages - Exodus 20:1-17; Mark 12:28-34

True Christianity is summed up in loving God, and loving others. Jesus makes it clear that it's that kind of life that pleases God. But we can only do this if we take seriously the fact that we'll never be able to do it on our own. We need the hope that Christ offers us – his death for our sin, his life in us by his Spirit, providing us with the forgiveness we need and power to live the life of faith and follow Him.

Video : Roger teaches the kids at the Family Service

Resources :

Music for reflection :

Songs :

  • God of All, Ben Cantelon, Running After You, (2009) Survivor Records
  • You are Love, Rend Collective Experiment, Organic Family Hymnal, (2010) Kingway - link to previous EP version.
  • Because of Your Love, Phil Wickham; Beth Croft, Soul Suvivor Band, Not Ashamed (2009) Surivor Records

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2 : No idols, no other gods

talk by Roger

Passages - Exodus 20:3-6; Isaiah 44:6-20; Psalm 24; Acts 17:16-34

Most basic to our faith is putting Christ at the centre of our lives. This is the heart of true worship, and therefore the heart of true discipleship. Only God can satisfy the desires of our hearts, and therefore only God deserves that central place. The first commandment lays the foundation for all the other commandments – unless we keep this one, there's no point in trying to aspire to the others (we wouldn't be able to anyway.) The second commandment goes further and challenges us to keep God central in all things.

Questions:

  1. What is idolatry?
  2. Why is it so tempting to worship idols?
  3. What makes idols so worthless and destructive?
  4. What are some of the idols that distract us from worshipping God alone, and how can we best deal with them in our lives?

Music for reflection :

  • All My Hope on God is Founded, Michael : A Fanfare Setting performed by the Wallace Collection, Benjamin Bayl and the Choir of King's College Cambridge, conducted by Stephen Cleobury, Best Loved Hymns, (2001) EMI Records
  • Be Thou My Vision by John Rutter, performed by the Cambridge Singers, John Rutter – The Choral Collection (2005) Univeral Classics
  • Like As The Hart by Herbert Howells, performed by The Sixteen directed by Harry Christophers, A New Heaven, (2009) Universal Classics

Songs :

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3 : The Lord's Name

talk by Roger

Passages - Exodus 20:7; Exodus 3:1-15, Exodus 34:5-7; Matthew 6:7-9

Misusing God's name is not just about swearing (blasphemy). We can misuse God's name in three ways; by having wrong ideas about him, by living as his people in the wrong way and by worshipping him in the wrong way.

Video : to watch the video at the end of this talk, based on a speech by S. M. Lockridge, click here.

Video : Roger at the Family Service

Questions:

  1. What are the areas of your life which most glorify God's name?
  2. How can we hallow the name of our Father in worship?
  3. How can we hallow the name of our Father in our daily life?
  4. In what ways do things such as hunger and injustice in the world bring dishonour to God's name?

Music for Reflection :

  • Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence performed by Benjamin Bayl and the Choir of King's College Cambridge, conducted by Stephen Cleobury, Best Loved Hymns, (2001) EMI Records
  • O Thou the Central Orb by Charles Wood, performed by The Sixteen directed by Harry Christophers, A New Heaven, (2009) Universal Classics

Songs :

  • Your Name by Paul Baloche, The Writer's Collection, (2008) Integrity Media. Listen : Lyrics & Chords
  • Yahweh by Reuben Morgan, Faith+Hope+Love, (2009) Hillsong Publishing

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4 : Rest

talk by Jim

Passages - Exodus 20:8-11; Exodus 16:13-30; Mark 2:23-3:6

Our Sundays should be: days of commemoration; days of ceasing work; days of consecration; days of commitment to God; and days of comfort and challenge. The truly biblical sabbath is one that puts the rest of the week (and all our lives) into a proper perspective. If we neglect the sabbath principle, our lives will soon become chaotically and disastrously disordered. Keeping the sabbath principle opens our lives to be blessed by God.

Video : Jim at the Family Service

Questions:

  1. What are the things you do in a typical week?
  2. What keeps you from slowing down in life, and with God?
  3. Why is the value of rest so important?
  4. Slowing down and taking time off often means saying no to things. What might you need to say no to this week in order to build a "day of rest" into your week

Music for reflection :

  • Psalm 23, a setting by Herbert Howells, performed by the Choir of St. John's College Cambridge, directed by Christopher Robinson, NAXOS
  • L'Ultima Volta by Ludovico Einuadi, performed by the composer, (1996) Sony BMG
  • O Lord, in Thee is All My Trust by Thomas Tallis, performed by the Hilliard Ensemble with Jan Garbarek, Mnemosyne, (1999) ECM Records
  • O For a Closer Walk with God by C. V. Stanford, performed by the Choir of King's College Cambridge with John Mark Ainsley, conducted by Stephen Cleobury, Stanford: Sacred Choral Works, (1997) EMI

Songs :

  • Rest in You by Mia Feldes, Hillsong United, Look to You, (2005) Authentic Music
  • Faithful One by Brian Doerksen, You Shine : Live from Dublin, (2002) Integrity Media
  • Still by Reuben Morgan, Hope, (2002) Hillsong Publishing

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5 : Family

talk by Jim

Passages - Exodus 20:12; Ephesians 6:1-3; 1 Timothy 5:1-8

Although it's our duty to God that comes first, it's clear that parents are to be honour by children, not just in words but also in actions (not just during youth by all through life). This principle extendes to families as well (God's plan for the world). The Bible states clearly that the family is the pattern for church. Therefore, we honour our parents. How we do this depends on what stage in life we – and they – are at.

Questions:

  1. What is the most important way to honour parents?
  2. What are the characteristics of a good parent/child relationship?
  3. Why is a society's stability dependant on honour between generations?
  4. How can we encourage our children to honour us?

Music for reflection :

  • Love, by Zbigniew Preisner, performed by Dorota Ślęzak, Leszek Możdżer, Jerzy Glówczewski and the Sinfonia Varsovia, (1998) New Music B.V.

Songs :

  • Today, by Brian Doerkson and Sandra Gage, (2003) Integrity's Hosanna! Music

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6 : Deadly Emotions

talk by Jim

Passages - Genesis 1:26-7; Genesis 9:1-6; Matthew 5:21-6

Fulfilling the commandment not to murder doesn't just apply to deadly, outward actions, but also to deadly inward emotions. This commandment upholds the value and sanctity of human life, and, because we are made in God's image, instructs us that such unrighteous anger and resentment is sin not only against others but also against God – our collective maker and the One whom we represent. To fulfill this command we must therefore be in favour not only of life, but also of love, forgiveness, and peace.

Questions:

  1. Can we be guilty of murder through our words or thoughts?
  2. What are the effects of murder on a society?
  3. When is murder permissible?
  4. How can the image of God be restored in a society that allows capital punishment?
  5. Are there circumstances in which you could "pull the trigger"?

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7 : Adultery or Faithfulness?

talk by Roger

Passages - Exodus 20:14; Genesis 2:8-25; Matthew 5:27-30; 1 Corinthians 7

God made men and women for physical intimacy only within the lifelong, committed and faithful relationship of marriage. Because of its value, sex should not be treated lightly; because of its power it should not be treated casually. We all need to take appropriate action to ensure that our lives honour God in this area. Part of this means reminding ourselves that, if it pertains to us, singleness is a valid state and not a second class form of living.

Questions:

  1. What is God's design for sex and his purpose for marriage?
  2. How is sex and marriage talked about in everyday conversation: in our society?; in our media? How can we influence this for good?
  3. What is adultery such a serious sin?
  4. What are the major areas of attack on Christian marriages? If you are married, what are some practical steps you can take to improve your marriage and flee when tempted?
  5. How can the church maintain God's holy standards and yet express the same qualities of grace that Jesus demonstrated toward those who have struggled in this area?

 

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8 : Coveting, Stealing, or Generosity?

by Jim

Passages –

Questions:

  1. Why do we covet?
  2. What might be the result(s) of dwelling on covetous thoughts?
  3. What is the antidote to covetousness?
  4. What feelings are initiated when one is the victim of theft?
  5. Would theft get easier with repetition? Why?
  6. How can contentment be found?

 

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9 : Do Not Lie

Coming Soon [28–02–2010]

 

 

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10 : No Coveting

See 8, above.

 

 

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Books you may find helpful: (Copies available through the Parish Office, all prices are approximate)

  • Just 10 Study Guide by J John

    Thousands of years ago, God revealed the framework for life as it should be. Simple values for daily living that provide the foundations of our laws and principles. How can we reclaim these timeless truths for living and apply them in a modern world?

    Ideal for use with accompanying DVD talks by J John.

    (Revised Edn, £3. Back-stock of previous edition, subject to availability, £3.)


  • Ten Commandments : Laws that Liberate by Bill Hybels

    The Ten Commandments are a heaven-sent source of liberation. For millennia, God's people have known that these laws bring freedom and sanity to a crazed world.

    Those who want to live with peace and freedom will go back to these commandments often, hold them tightly, and allow them to become formative truths for their daily life.

    (Study Guide, January 2010, £5)


  • Growing Deeper With God: Loving God

    Designed to help you discover how you can become an intimate friend of God. Learn to focus on Him and reorder your priorities as you interact with God personally.

    Evaluate your spiritual life through in-depth questions and apply the practical suggestions of top Discipleship Journal authors through related exercies, quotes, and Scriptures.

    (Study Guide, £5)


  • Keeping the 10 Commandments by JI Packer

    Respected Bible scholar and author, JI Packer, explodes common misconceptions about Keeping the 10 Commandments to reveal God's design for the most wonderful life possible!

    You'll discover the wisdom and priorities you need for relational, spiritual and societal blessing – all from a loving heavenly Father who wants the best for His children.

    Includes discussion questions and ideas for further study.

    (Book, £7)

  • Basic Christianity by John Stott

    Who was Jesus? Why was he crucified? Did he really rise from the dead?

    We need answers to these key questions in order to understand the basics of Christianity.

    The author offers a clear and full explanation, showing what it means to be a Christian today.

    (Book, £7)


  • John: Jesus at the Centre by Jenny Baker

    This workbook asks some challenging questions – would you be accused of being a friend of sinners?

    It offer creatives ideas and covers key issues for today's church - incarnational evangelism, being relational, and the humanity of Christ – and will inspire and motivate small groups and individuals to put their faith into action.

    (Study Guide, £3)

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