Lenten Bible Studies – Downloads

Lent 2020: Caring for the Garden of the Earth

This five-part study guide draws on Margaret Daly-Denton’s book, John: An Earth Bible Commentary: Supposing Him to be the Gardener

  1. What we must we do to perform the works of God?;
  2. Supposing Him to be the Gardener;
  3. ‘My Father is still working and I am also working’;
  4. God, the Love of Life;
  5. Jesus feeds five thousand people

DOWNLOAD (PDF): 2020 Lenten Study PDF

Lent 2019: Transforming Repentance — Coming Home to God

  1. Temptation – resisted by ‘coming home’Repentance – turning towards our death;
  2. Repentance – turning towards our death;
  3. From Roots to Fruits – the barren fig tree;
  4. Coming Home – the prodigal son5. All My Love – Mary anoints Jesus’ feet;
  5. All My Love – Mary anoints Jesus’ feet

DOWNLOAD (PDF): 2019 Lenten Study PDF

Lent 2018: The Anglican Five Marks of Mission

  1. TELL: To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom
  2. TEACH: To teach, baptise and nurture new believers;
  3. TEND: To respond to human need by loving service;
  4. TRANSFORM: To transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and pursue peace and reconciliation;
  5. TREASURE: To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and sustain and renew the life of the earth.

Download (PDF): 2018 Lenten Study PDF


Lent 2017: God’s Heart for Migrants: Biblical Wisdom for a World in Turmoil

‘The refugee, or immigrant, is not just someone we are called to do good to, but someone who – like the “Samaritan” normally rejected by the Jews – turns out to be one who blesses or even saves us, as much as we save him or her. This year’s study — in reading old stories in new ways — shows that this idea of the outsider as helper/contributor is found in the Old Testament and flowering in the teaching of Jesus.’ (Canon Dr. Ginnie Kennerly, BACI)

This Study is designed to be used over a period of five weeks, encompassing the following areas:

  1. God’s People as Migrants
  2. God’s Heart for Migrants
  3. Ruth – a Story of Migration
  4. Ruth – a Story of Integration
  5. A Migrant People

Download (PDF): Lent 2017 Migrant Bible Study

Lent 2016: Reconciliation

‘The message of reconciliation’ was BACI’s unanimous choice of subject for our Lenten Bible Study theme this year. The theme has been a constant one in church discourse for many years. Recently, both the need and the hope for reconciliation – within and between churches, between religions and between races, cultures and continents, rich and poor, male and female, liberal and conservative – have captured more and more of our attention. New leadership in major churches, Francis in Rome, Justin Welby in Canterbury, and voices in The Episcopal Church has increased our hope and offered new inspiration. But the work of reconciliation has to be done at the grass roots. Without us and the people around us, especially in our relationships with those we see as ‘different’ or fear as ‘alien’, it will not come about.

Following are the chapter subjects:

  1. Power and Service
  2. Transcending Boundaries
  3. Reaching out to Others
  4. Taking down the Walls
  5. Do as you would be done by

Downloads (PDF):

Lent 2015: Same Sex Issues and the Bible

BACI’s study for 2015 deals with one of the major issues which has been causing division within the Anglican Communion and within the Church of Ireland. The issue is the one of same-sex relations and the Bible.

As in the previous four studies, the study consists of five weeks.

Week 1. Teaching of Jesus.

Week 2. Leviticus – Prohibitions of Chapters 18 and 20

Week 3. Genesis 1 and 2 – Implications from the Creation narratives

Week 4. Romans 1.18- 32 – Paul’s teaching on unnatural and depraved sexual activity

Week 5. 1 Corinthians .6.9-11. & Acts 10–11. Sin lists, condemnation and redemption

The authors this year were Rev. Dr. William Olhausen, Rev. Dr. Ginnie Kennerley, and Rev. David Compton.

Downloads (PDF):

Lent 2014: Church and Culture

The 2014 offering is on “Church and Culture.” The full study in three formats, two electronic and one in print. Like the previous three BACI Lent studies, it comprises five weeks of readings from both testaments, with introductions, notes, and discussion questions. It has been specifically designed to promote thoughtful discussion at parish level of Christian attitudes to our surrounding culture, whatever our specific tradition within the Church of Ireland family (or, indeed, the Anglican and Christian communities worldwide). The weeks for 2014 are as follows:

1. Affirmation and Celebration (Psalm 104:1,5-27; 1 Timothy 4:1-6)

2. Definition and Separation (1 Samuel 8; Acts 11:1–18; 2 Corinthians 6:14-17)

3. Understanding and Compassion (Ezekiel 34; Matthew 9:35-10:7; Luke 15:11-32)

4. Faithfulness and Service (Daniel 1; Mark 10:35-45)

5. Lifestyle and Proclamation (Isaiah 2:1-4; Acts 2:42-47; 17:16-34 Colossians 3:12-17)

A sample cover with introduction can be downloaded here.

Downloads (PDF):

Lent 2013: Gender Justice

In association with the Anglican Consultative Council’s project, the Bible in the Life of the Church, Phase 3, BACI offers a third themed Lent study — on Gender Justice. As in previous years, it consists of five weeks of paired OT/NT readings with introductions, notes, and reflection questions. To these are added additional resources and prayers.

Week 1: Pushing social boundaries

Numbers 27:1-11; Matthew 15:21-28

Week Two: Sin, responsibility and justice

Genesis 38; John 8:1-11

Week Three: Gentile women in Nehemiah and Acts

Nehemiah 13; Acts 16:11-24

Week Four: Power, abuse, victimhood and mutuality

2 Samuel 13 ; Ephesians 5: 10–13, 21–33

Week Five: Destitution, determination and inspiration

Ruth 1 and 4; Galatians 3:23–29

This year’s authors and editors were Dr. Katie Heffelfinger, Dr. David Hutchinson Edgar, Rev. Canon Dr. Ginnie Kennerley, Rev. Dr. William Olhausen, Dr. Jason Silverman, Rev. Canon Helene Steed, and Ms. Jacqui Wilkinson.

Downloads (PDF):

Lent 2012: Economic Justice

In association with the Anglican Consultative Council’s project, the Bible in the Life of the Church, Phase 2, BACI presents this Lent course on the theme of economic justice.

The texts are:

Week 1: Deuteronomy 15; James 2:1-17

Week 2: Amos 6; Mark 10:17-34

Week 3: Psalm 73; Luke 1:39-58

Week 4: Ezekiel 27:1-36; Luke 6:17-38

Week 5: Isaiah 58; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

(Additional readings: Job 29-31; Deut 24:17-22; James 5:1-6; Mark 14; Rev 18; Micah 3:5-12.)

The authors this year were Rev. Dr. Ron Elsdon; Dr. Katie Heffelfinger; Dr. David Hutchinson-Edgar; Rev. Dr. Virginia Kennerley; Rev. Darren McCallig; Rev. Dr. William Olhausen; Dr. Jason M. Silverman; Rev. Helene Steed.

You can help spread the word with this A5-sized flier. Even though the study is designed for 2012, it will be usable in future years as well. A flier is also available for the study: Economic Justice Flier.

Downloads (PDF):

Lent 2011: Creation

The Lenten biblical study on the theme of Creation was launched on Sunday, 6 March in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin following Evensong. The speaker was Rev. Canon Kenneth Kearon, Secretary General of the Anglican Communion. EcoCongregations Ireland attended to offer their materials.

The texts for communal reflection on Creation are:

Week 1: Psalm 104 and Romans 8:12-27

Week 2: Genesis 1-2 and John 1:1-14

Week 3: Jeremiah 4: 11-31 and Revelation 21-22:5

Week 4: Mark 4:26-41 and Isaiah 40:12-34

Week 5: Ecclesiastes 3 and 2 Peter 3:1-13

The Bishop of Cashel and Ossory, The Right Reverend Michael Burrows, considers this effort to be “a valuable contribution from within the Church of Ireland in response to a very important international Anglican initiative. As chair of the Anglican Affairs working group I laud the energy, learning and vision of those who have taken up this cause and gladly commend the fruits of their labours.”

The Creation materials were compiled through the gracious efforts of the following: Dr. Máire Byrne; Dr. Margaret Daly-Denton; Dr. Katie Heffelfinger; Dr. David Hutchinson-Edgar; Rev. Dr. K. Virginia Kennerley; Rev. Darren McCallig; Dr. Andrew Pierce; Dr. Jason M. Silverman.

Download (PDF): 2011 Bible Study

 

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