In this way, the letters tap into one of the great biblical themes: the hidden-in-plain-sight reality of the Kingdom of God in this place with these people at this time. God with us. 

Paul reminds the Corinthian Christians that God-in-Christ’s covenant grace has always outworked itself within, not apart from, dysfunctional people and through dysfunctional families and communities like theirs. 

I have so enjoyed reading John together, it is one of my favourite books of the bible. Three themes captured me as we journeyed through the book.

Chris recorded a short podcast exploring the key themes of the three letters - and drawing them together into a Gospel message of grace, transformation and mission. Give it a listen below!

In Ephesians, the apostle Paul is writing a letter to the church in Ephesus, to a predominantly gentile audience. He is exploring the impact of the Gospel, what God’s family should look like, and what this means for how they should live.

Have you ever gone out of London to visit family? You inevitably land up doing some tech support. Often, I land up trying to explain something like how to use the internet. You show them how simple it is, give them very specific instructions and tell them never to give their bank details to a stranger or accept offers too good to be true. 

When I’m looking up an organisation online – whether a restaurant, business or church – I’m always drawn to the Our Story page. There’s something about knowing the history, the people and the heart behind a product or place. And this goes a step further – when you buy from their menu, or join their organisation, you are stepping into that story. Their story becomes my story too.