Welcome
Welcome to Beginning Theology! We are looking forward to having you on the course.
This is your module page for Stepping into God's Story and the perfect course companion. This page will have any handouts, PowerPoints or audio from each session for you to catch up on.
If you have any questions, please email us at beginningtheology@stmellitus.ac.uk
Meet your Host
Rev'd Dr Grace F. Bally-Balogun
Hi, my name is Grace and I will be your host for Beginning Theology Online. I am really looking forward to us journeying together as we consider our purpose in God's great story of salvation and redemption for humanity. It is so exciting that God calls us to be a part of his great plan.
Find out more
Module Overview
A focus on our story in God's story which leads to vocation and calling through theological themes of journeys, encounters, transformation, and mission. We will take a trip through the Old and New Testaments and consider what this means for us.
Session 1 | Stepping into your Journey
Overview: This session gives consideration to biblical stories of journeys and their implications. Metaphors for journeys (maps. landmarks, guides) will be looked at. Students will be asked to relate these stages in their Christian journey.
If you’ve enjoyed this session and would like to continue your learning, we recommend the following books:
- Let your life speak: Listening for the voice of vocation by Parker Palmer
- When Jesus Calls by Marcus Throup
Session 2 | Stepping into Calling
Overview: Through an examination of Moses' encounter with God in Exodus 3 we will consider calling and what it might mean for us today and what might hold us back from stepping into our calling.
Click here for the Power Point
If you’ve enjoyed this session and would like to continue your learning, we recommend the following books:
- Under the unpredictable plant by Eugene Peterson
- Exploring the Old Testament: Pentateuch (Volume 1) by Gordon Wenham
Session 3 | Stepping into Freedom
Overview: We will be introducing the place of the story of Exodus in the wider story of God, man, and heaven meeting earth. The connection between Freedom, Liberty, and Pentecost will also be introduced. We will look at how God calls us to a purpose for which he equips and we will reflect on what our responsibilities to this covenant might look like.
If you’ve enjoyed this session and would like to continue your learning, we recommend the following books:
- ‘Introducing the Old Testament’ by John Drane
- ‘How to read the Bible for All Its Worth’ by Gordon D. Fee & Douglas Stuart
- The book of Exodus
Session 4 | Stepping into the Wilderness
Overview: We will explore those periods on journeys when we feel 'lost' in the wilderness or have 'dry' moments in the desert by looking at some biblical examples. Those may be the moments when it seems God is silent. These can be moments for encounter and transformation.
If you’ve enjoyed this session and would like to continue your learning, we recommend the following books:
- Neither Bomb Nor Bullet: Benjamin Kwashi: Archbishop on the front line by Andrew Boyd.
- Broken by Fear, Anchored in Hope by Rob Merchant.
Session 5 | God's Story: Challenges of the Journey
Overview: This session will look at 1 Kings 18-19, Elijah's mission, his experience with Ahab and Jezebel and God's provision.
If you’ve enjoyed this session and would like to continue your learning, we recommend the following books:
- The Prophets by Abraham Heschel
- Christ Empowered Living by Selwyn Hughes
- Walter Brueggemann, 1 & 2 Kings, Smyth and Helwys Bible Commentary
Session 6 | God's Story: Coming Alive
Overview: This session will explore how the New Testament presents Jesus. Is it primarily through descriptions of encounters with him, or by listing creeds or doctrines? We will consider how we too are invited to know and experience Jesus.
If you’ve enjoyed this session and would like to continue your learning, we recommend the following books:
- Jesus: A Very Short Introduction by Richard Bauckman
- Paul: An Apostle’s Journey by Douglas A. Campbell
Session 7 | God's Story: Being Sent Out
Overview: We will be looking at encounters with Jesus and the Spirit in the book of Acts and the calling of Paul and Barnabas.
If you’ve enjoyed this session and would like to continue your learning, we recommend the following books:
- Jesus: A Very Short Introduction by Richard Bauckman
- Paul: An Apostle’s Journey by Douglas A. Campbell
Session 8 | God’s Story: Playing your Part
Overview: This session will cover the overarching story of salvation and then consider how each of us is drawn by God into that story to play our part. We will therefore explore the theme of ‘calling’ and ‘vocation’ and give some thought to the tricky area of discernment.
If you’ve enjoyed this session and would like to continue your learning, we recommend the following books:
- When Jesus Calls by Marcus Throup
- God calls everyone by Derek Walmsley