Teaching Day | A Clash of Kingdoms

A Clash of Kingdoms

“They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.” 

— John 17:16

Jesus said that we are not of the world, even as He was not of it. Though He was fully aware of the ways of men (John 2:24-25), His primary purpose was to preach and advance the good news of the kingdom of God (Luke 4:43).

As followers of Jesus, should we not be embracing this same purpose? If so, why are the political, cultural and ideological forces currently dividing our world becoming increasingly influential and creating division within the Body of Christ?

Is something other than the good news of God's kingdom shaping our destinies? How are we responding — and how should we respond? What does it mean to seek first the kingdom of God, and how do realign ourselves with the concept of 'thy kingdom come'?

Join Joe as we explore these questions together through teaching, discussion and much-needed prayer, seeking to rediscover what it means to live as Kingdom people in a divided world.

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Programme

10:00 - 10:30am: Start – Welcome/Registration/Hot drinks

10:30 - 11:30am: First Session — What Is Shaping Us? Exploring how political, cultural and ideological influences from the world can shape our thinking, our faith and our relationships within the Church.

11:30am – 11:35am: Short Break.

11:35am – 12:30pm: Second Session — How Are We Responding — and How Should We Respond? Examining our reactions to a divided and changing world, and asking what a distinctly Christlike response might look like.

12:30pm – 1:30pm: Lunch.

1:30pm – 2:30pm: Third Session — What Does It Mean to Seek First the Kingdom of God? Rediscovering our primary allegiance to Jesus and considering how we can live as Kingdom people who influence the world without being conformed to it.

2:30pm – 2:35pm: Short Break.

2:35pm – 3:30pm: Fourth Session — Your Kingdom Come. An extended time of worship and prayer, responding personally and together by surrendering competing allegiances and asking God to renew His Church as a people shaped by His Kingdom.

3:30pm – 4:00pm: End - Closing Fellowship (Hot Drinks & Cake)

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About Your Event Leader

For the past ten years, Joe has taken a particular interest in geopolitics, media, and the cultural and ideological forces shaping our world. Alongside this is a growing passion to see a genuinely united Church — not defined by the political and cultural divisions of the age, but centred on Jesus, shaped by the values of His Kingdom, and equipped to be a distinctive influence in the world.

About The Wellspring Ledbury

The Wellspring was founded by wardens, Joe and Cathy Silmon, in early 2023 as a non-denominational Christian retreat and events centre. Established to serve, support, and resource the Body of Christ primarily in the Malvern Hills and surrounding three counties areas, we organise and host public and private events, provide venue hire, plus rental of a residential, self-catering, retreat cottage.