See for yourself
Join us as we Uncover the Life of Jesus in 2024.
Our next Discovery Group will start on October 27, running for six weeks on Sunday mornings from 9:15am. Click the button below to register and scroll down for more details on the course.
At the heart of Christianity is the person of Jesus. Revered by billions around the globe, his teaching has shaped much of the world that we inhabit.
Yet who is this person, and what relevance does he have for us today?
Uncovering the Life of Jesus is an excellent resource that gives you the opportunity to see for yourself, and reach an informed opinion, by considering some of the primary sources about him - stories from Luke's Gospel in the Bible.
Over six sessions, this guided tour through Luke's Gospel peels back the layers on the person, teaching, death and life of Jesus.
Scroll down for our online reading companion for Uncovering the Life of Jesus.
Online Reading Companion
Welcome to our online reading companion for Uncovering the Life of Jesus.
Below you’ll be able to find chapter summaries, links to the livestream of our online Book Club, stories of others as they reflect on the chapters and suggested next steps.
If you’d like a copy of this book, contact us.
For more information on the book, click here.
Chapter One: Standing Room Only
Jesus & the Paralysed Man (Luke 1:1-4 & 5:17-26)
Summary
Jesus reveals our great need and his true identity. We need forgiveness, and as God’s Son, he is the only one able to meet this need.
Online Book Club
For a fuller discussion on this chapter, you can catch up on Episode 1 of our online book club here. Note: excuse the intermittent audio on this episode!
Campbell’s Story
Watch Campbell as he reflects on his own story in light of what we encounter in this week’s chapter.
Chapter Two: Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner
Jesus, the Pharisee & the Woman (Luke 7:36-50)
Summary
Jesus shows us that he is forgiving and his forgiveness is available to all who come to him in faith.
Online Book Club
For a fuller discussion on this chapter, you can catch up on Episode 2 of our online book club here.
Bec’s Story
Watch Bec as she reflects on her own story in light of what we encounter in this week’s chapter.
Chapter Three: You Can Go Home Again!
Jesus’ Parable of the Lost Sons (Luke 15:1-3; 11-32)
Summary
Jesus' forgiveness of sinners is based upon radical grace - in love he does not treat us as our sins deserve.
Online Book Club
For a fuller discussion on this chapter, you can catch up on Episode 3 of our online book club here.
James & Amelia’s Story
Watch James & Amelia as they reflect on what we encounter in this week’s chapter.
Chapter Four: Everybody is Somebody to Jesus
Jesus, the Beggar & the Tax Collector (Luke 18:31-19:10)
Summary
Jesus' purpose is to seek and to save the lost. We are saved and found through faith in him.
Online Book Club
For a fuller discussion on this chapter, you can catch up on Episode 4 of our online book club here.
Randa’s Story
Watch Randa as she reflects on her own story in light of what we encounter in this week’s chapter.
Chapter Five: Game Over?
Jesus’ Death (Luke 22-23)
Summary
Jesus intentionally went to the cross to offer himself as as substitute for us. He sacrificed himself for our sins so that we might be forgiven of our sins and rescued from God’s wrath.
Online Book Club
For a fuller discussion on this chapter, you can catch up on Episode 5 of our online book club here.
Jim’s Story
Watch Jim as he reflects on his own story in light of what we encounter in this week’s chapter.
Chapter Six: The Son Also Rises!
Jesus Rises from the Dead (Luke 24:36-49)
Summary
According to Gods plan, Jesus really has risen from the dead, so that the forgiveness made available in his name might be made known to all people.
Online Book Club
For a fuller discussion on this chapter, you can catch up on Episode 6 of our online book club here.
Robbie’s Story
Watch Robbie as he reflects on his own story in light of what we encounter in this week’s chapter.
Ready to discover more?
For those who’ve read through Uncovering the Life of Jesus, you might want to discover more via one of the following opportunities -
Join A Discovery Group in 2024
Our next discovery group will run for six weeks beginning May 19. At 9:15am on Sunday mornings, we’ll host a small group which will read through and discuss Uncovering the Life of Jesus together. The group will be lead by one of our ministry team here at St James. It will be a great opportunity to ask questions, meet others and enjoy some morning tea. For those with kids, you can drop them off at our excellent and safe kids programme. To RSVP, contact us. The group will wrap up on 23 June. If you miss it, don’t stress, we’ll run another one in October/November.
Have A Chat
Perhaps you’d like to speak with one of the ministry team here individually. If so, contact us, as we’d love to help you as you take your next steps.
Discover Online
You might not be ready to chat or connect with us in-person yet, and that’s okay. We’ll keep up the Book Club links on this page for those wanting to revisit any of the episodes. We also recommend a great website, Two Ways to Live, which explains the Christian faith and the person of Jesus with reference to the wider story line of the Bible.
Join Us On A Sunday
Joining us for church on Sunday is a great way to discover more. We’d love to have you along to one of our Sunday gatherings. You might particularly be interested to join us over the next three weeks as we consider the Bible and why we trust it and believe what it is. Click here for service times and details.
Take the Plunge!
Having read Uncovering the Life of Jesus, you might be ready to accept Jesus as your king and receive the gift of forgiveness and eternal life that he offers you.
We read in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
One great way we can express this belief is through talking to God in prayer. In prayer we can admit that we have sinned against God, and ask him for the forgiveness that Jesus alone makes possible. You could pray something like the following* -
Dear God,
I know that I am not worthy to be accepted by you. I don’t deserve your gift of eternal life. I am guilty of rebelling against you and ignoring you. I’m sorry, and I need your forgiveness.
Thank you for sending your Son to die for me so that I may be forgiven. Thank you that he rose from the dead to give me new life.
Please forgive me and change me, so that I may live with Jesus as my ruler. Amen.
If you've prayed that prayer, and taken the step of trusting Jesus as your king and rescuer, then we’d love to celebrate with you and help you take your steps. Please contact us.
*See twowaystolive.com