Exploring the Bible with the world church
Our study courses explore different aspects of Christian life and mission from the perspective of the global church. By offering insights into how our church partners are putting their faith into practice, we hope these courses will inspire you and your church to engage more deeply with local and global mission.
You can read the courses on this page or click here to order printed booklets.
Freedom in Christ
The word freedom can mean many different things to many people around the world – people can want freedom from conflict, from pain, from their pasts, for their future. Without freedom, we can feel trapped and confined – unable to move forward. Freedom is a fundamental human desire and so it is no surprise that it is spoken about so often in the Bible. Its focus is most frequently related to the spiritual freedom a person can experience in Christ. This is what we hope you will explore in more depth through this study course. Throughout this course, USPG’s partner churches and organisations around the world will offer insights and reflections to what true freedom in Christ means in your life and in the communities you serve. There are five studies in this study guide from Brazil, Zambia, Britain & Ireland, South Korea and Barbados.
Who is our neighbour?
This is a key question that is at the heart of the Parables in Saint Luke’s Gospel. The parable of the Good Samaritan challenges us not to ask but to answer the question, ‘Who is our neighbour?’ My neighbour is not just the focus of my compassion and concern; my neighbour also teaches me what it means to serve. To be a good neighbour, I need to both give and receive, as Christ both gives and receives.
The Church is both the giver and the receiver in mission. In identifying and serving the needs of others, we find not only who our neighbours are, but they too welcome us as neighbours. We become Christ-like, as we should, for as the Church we are the Body of Christ.
There are six studies in this study guide from Jerusalem and the Middle East, the Caribbean, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Sri Lanka, and the Diocese of Europe. Our theme for this guide is informed by the Parable of the Good Samaritan, but you are invited to draw on other readings too, offering shared experiences in the Church, in all its diversity, of what it is to be a good neighbour today.
Pwy yw fy Nghymydog? (Welsh version)
Living Stones, Living Hope
The title of this new course for 2022 is from 1 Peter 2, ‘Living Stones, Living Hope’. 1 Peter is the text of the Bible study for the Lambeth Conference in July 2022: so, in basing our study on this text we are in solidarity with our sister and brother bishops preparing for this important meeting in the life of our communion. The metaphor of the Christian community in 1 Peter 2 as living stones is rich and evocative. We, the Church, are the living stones, and we are called to bring living hope in our diverse situations, though faith in the one who is the cornerstone of our faith, Jesus Christ. In each context this will be lived out differently, and will be underpinned by a range of theologies, yet our bedrock in Christ remains our constant. ‘Living Stones, Living Hope’ explores this from the perspective of five partner churches around the world, inviting us to reflect on our own experience of being ‘living stones’ bringing ‘living hope’ in our own situations, in the light of the experiences of others.
Living Stones, Living Hope (PDF)
A Heart for Mission
What is mission? Anglican Churches hold a range of views ranging from an emphasis on personal salvation, to an emphasis on development and social change. The Anglican Consultative Council recognised that neither evangelism nor development alone did justice to the Great Commission given by Jesus in Matthew 28:19 – ‘Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and proclaim the Gospel to the ends of the earth.’ Following much debate, study and prayer the council identified the Five Marks of Mission - five intertwined parts that together comprise a holistic understanding of mission:
- To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom
- To teach, baptise and nurture new believers
- To respond to human need by loving service
- To seek to transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and pursue peace and reconciliation
- To strive to safeguard the integrity of Creation, and sustain and renew the life of the earth
The aims of this study course are to examine the Five Marks of Mission, ask how they can strengthen our understanding of mission and consider how the Anglican Church of Myanmar puts them into action.
For such a time as this
The world is in crisis; Creation is groaning. People and the Earth have been crying out for many years. But for too long, many people - particularly those in the global North - have chosen not to listen, instead remaining complicit in destruction and continuing to increase inequalities. In such a time as this, what have Christians got to offer?
Our doctrine of creation suggests that it was never meant to be like this, but that human nature is tarnished or fallen. The biblical narrative of salvation provides a remedy and challenges us to play our part in the process of redemption and re-creation. This is the journey that we will take together over the six sessions looking at the implications for our daily lives both as individuals and as communities of faith and hope.
We are here for such a time as this. Called to respond with words and actions. USPG partners with churches across the world in their mission of transforming lives through education, health care and justice for all. USPG’s partner churches offer us insights, hope and encouragement in the ways that they are confronting the issues of ecological justice in their own context: and in doing so, challenge us to respond: are we ready to accept the challenge?
Ar Gyfer Amser Fel Hwn (For such a time as this - Welsh)
Living with a world of difference
A five session study course celebrating diversity within the Anglican Communion.
The Anglican Communion is extraordinary. It is the world’s third largest Christian community, a worldwide family of tens of millions of Christians, from more than 165 countries stretching around the globe. Within the Communion there is an enormous breadth of cultural diversity. Hundreds of languages are spoken. Anglicans and Episcopalians live in modern cities and rural heartlands. And yet, in spite of this wealth of difference and diversity, the Communion shares many aspects of its life and faith in Jesus Christ.
Living with a world of difference (PDF)
Byw mewn byd o wahaniaeth (PDF)
The Prophetic Voice of the Church
Today there are many prophetic voices throughout the world church: calling us to be like Jesus, who stood on the margins, comforting the oppressed and challenging the comfortable. This course explores this through the ministry of the church in India.
The Prophetic Voice of the Church (PDF)
Videos to accompany each week of the study can be found here
All Things Are Possible
Explore how Anglican Churches around the world are supporting global development. We want to suggest that it is only in God that there is any real hope for lasting change.
Living an Authentic Life
Explore the meaning of discipleship, with reflections from the church in India, Malawi, Pakistan, South Africa and England.
We ask what it means to live an authentic life as a disciple of Christ – and suggest it involves being true to ourselves, to those we meet, and to God.
Living an Authentic Life (PDF)
Migration and Movement
We look at the complex issues of economic migration, refugees, human trafficking, and the displacement of communities due to climate change.
We do not claim to have the answers, but hope this course will inspire us to engage more deeply with the issues.
The Gospel in Action
This course looks at the meaning of the gospel from five different countries and five different perspectives.
With reflections from the church in Brazil, Ghana, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Zambia, we look at how the gospel can inspire us to live differently and challenge injustice.