POP-UP DISCIPLESHIP GROUPS
​Discipleship - learning to follow Jesus ever more closely - is at the heart of what we do at BEC, and Life Groups are key to it. However, we recognise that there are many rich aspects of discipleship which we just don't get to in our services and Life Groups, and that there is much knowledge, passion and expertise amongst us which doesn't get widely shared. Pop-ups are an opportunity to equip one another in discipleship without crowding out mission from our lives and the church calendar throughout the year!
We hope that these groups will give everyone a chance to explore something that interests them and that will help them in their discipleship journey. They will also help us all to make or deepen friendships across the church.
​
So, please have a look at all the different Pop-ups on offer and sign-up to one!
321 COURSE
​​
Leaders: Peter & Tonia Vincent
Day: Mondays 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th June
Time: 18:30 - 20:30
​​​​
The 321 course is for our friends who don't yet know Jesus but have got questions. The course invites them to see life the way Jesus does.
Over the course of four sessions Glen Scrivener presents Jesus' vision for life through interactive videos that help them better understand God, the world and ourselves.
The course considers God's three-ness, the world's two-ness and their one-ness. The sessions will begin with a meal followed by a thoughtful question and then storytelling and commentary through two 10-12 minute videos. It aims to engage in thoughtful conversation in a friendly environment.
THE GRACE COURSE
​
Leader: Helen Douse
Day: Wednesdays 14th, 21st May, 4th 11th, 18th June
Time: 19:30 - 21:30
​​
God's Grace is all around us but often we fall back into well-worn paths of discouragement, trying harder, or thinking we've failed as Christians. The key to a fruitful life lies in the life-changing, heart-changing power of God's powerful grace for yourself?
If so, this may be the pop up for you! The Grace Course (2012 version) is a 6-session course from Freedom in Christ ministries with DVDs and discussion.
​
Please note: One session will be on either Saturday 14th or 15th June (to suit members of the group) for ministry time and a meal together.
CHRISTIANS WRITING LETTERS
​​
Leader: Sylvia Mandeville
Day: Thursdays 8th, 15th, 22nd May, 5th, 12th, 19th June
Time: 14:00 - 16:00
​​
Let us revive the lost art of letter writing through shared discussion – the dos and don'ts as Christians, and discover afresh way of supporting and loving and caring and listening to people.
We will hopefully cover: Writing to people in prison; writing to missionaries; letters of condolence; letters of complaint or appreciation to the Council/MP/the Pastor etc.; cards and letters to people in hospital/care homes; cards and letters to new students in Uni who have left home for the first time.
Bring Bible, pen/biro and a notebook plus relevant details as needed for missionary society/and other names and addresses.
Preferably work will be hand-written so that feeling can flow from head to pen to paper.
CAMPFIRE CHAT
​
Leaders: Will and Rachel Swales
Day: Wednesdays 7th, 14th May, 4th, 11th June
Time: 20:00 - 21:45
​
A low key gathering around the Campfire. We hope to chat get to know each other better, pray for each other and unpick a little of how to slow down in a hurried world. We'd love to get to know new people!
BUILDING FAITH
​​​
Leader: Tim Rice
Day: Mondays 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th May
Time: 17:30 - 19:30
​​
An exploration of how faith builds. A group for people who enjoy building with LEGO. 5 sessions planned and will include food!
All ages welcome, the programme will be adapted to the ages of the people who choose to join.
A structured programme:
- Icebreaker
- Minibuild
- Techniques
- Bible passage and discussion
- Build something! (and photograph it)
BODY AND SOUL
​
Leaders: Derek and Carmelita Egan
Day: Mondays 19th, 26th May, 2nd, 9th, 16th 23rd June
Time: 19:00 - 21:00
​​
Helping people live healthier more active lives!
This will be a 6-week course where we will explore, using science and scripture, what wise and healthy eating looks like – what foods to avoid and what to eat more of!
We will look at how much activity our bodies need to maintain our physical health, and how much rest we should be getting. We will also cover the importance of our social connections.
SECURELY SINGLE
​​
Leader: Chris Legge
Day: Thursdays 8th, 15th, 22nd May, 5th, 12th June
Time: 19:30 - 21:00
​​
This group is for any person who wants to discuss questions and issues around singleness, and to reclaim the single life as a fruitful and honourable state.
There will be 5 sessions, covering:
1. Is there something wrong with me?
2. Who are you? Unveiling God's Promises
3. Is singleness a Gift?
4. What about intimacy and celibacy?
5. Moving On: Making the most of singleness
Suitable for most age groups, and for single, divorced and widowed people.
THE MARRIAGE COURSE
​
Leaders: Alf and Isobel Berridge | Andy & Liz Dernie
Day: Thursdays 8th, 15th, 22nd May, 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th June
Time: 19:15 - 21:45
​
This is the Holy Trinity Brompton Marriage Course. There will be 7 sessions in which couples get a chance to reflect and discuss between themselves (privately as a couple- no group work) various aspects of marriage in a way that will help them build a stronger relationship.
The subjects include things like communication, conflict, forgiveness, the impact of family, and good sex.
​​
Suitable for all married couples, even if they have done the course before a few years ago.
PARENTING FOR FAITH
​​
Leaders: Carl Brown and Alex Holton
Day: Sundays 4th, 11th, 18th & Saturday 31st May
Time: 12:45 - 15:00 Sundays
09:30 - 14:30 Saturday
​
​Parenting for Faith is a course for any parent of under-18s wanting to raise their child(ren!) in a way that helps them to develop their own relationship with Christ. Over the sessions we'll be sharing food together, having a movie club for children on the Sunday sessions and looking at a range of things, from thinking about the way parents are positioned to influence their children's spiritual lives, to prayer, to looking at how to help children make sense of life from a Christian perspective. We'd love to have you there!
THE BEREAVEMENT JOURNEY
​​​
Leader: Helen Siddaway
Day: Wednesdays 7th, 14th, 21st May,
4th, 11th, 18th, 25th June
Time: 19:30 - 21:30
​​
The Bereavement Journey is for anyone who has been bereaved at any time and in any way. Through a series of films and discussion groups, this course gently guides those who've been bereaved through the most common aspects of grief, enabling them to process the implications for themselves and discern next steps.
For further details about this course visit the The Bereavement Journey website.
ISRAEL IN THE BIBLE
​​​​
Leader: Françoise Ugochukwu
Day: Wednesdays 7th, 14th, 21st May,
4th, 11th, 18th June
Time: 19:30 - 21:30
​​​
The history of Israel as revealed in the Bible is rarely studied. This is what we intend to do, from Genesis to Revelation, chronologically, to better understand the current events but through Bible study and in a strictly APOLITICAL way. For adults only.
We hope to cover:
- How God raised up a people
- Prophecies over Israel that have already been fulfilled
- How Israel filled and divided the land according to God's instructions
- The need to look at Israel in a biblical way, and to use a variety of sources to understand what is happening
- Recent history- how did we get here?
- Does the New Testament say God is finished with Israel?
This group is suitable for adults.
NEW LIFE IN CHRIST
​​​​​
Leader: Ellie Hicks
Day: Tuesdays 6th, 13th, 20th May,
3rd, 10th, 17th June
Time: 10:00 - 12:00
​​​​
This is a course for new Christians, those who are still searching and wanting to know more about Jesus or just want to go back to the basics of what being a Christian looks like.
We will explore different topics each week including; Begin Here; What Has Gone Wrong; Who is Jesus Christ?; Being Sure; Talking to God (Prayer); Learning from God; Enemy Action; Be Baptised; Bread and Wine (Communion); Power for Living (The Holy Spirit); Battle-Ground; Gifts for All; In the Family; What Should I Do? and get to know our way around the Bible.
GRACE GARDENERS
​​​
Leaders: Karen Swaffield and Martin Williams
Day: Thurdays 8th, 15th, 22nd May, 5th, 12th, 19th June
Time: 19:00 - 21:00
​​
​Garden clearance for a neighbour in need!
This may involve cutting grass; pruning large shrubs; working at height (using a ladder); lifting and shifting; cutting hedges, and weeding.
Group members will need to have a good level of fitness and mobility, and a big heart to serve.
'Gardeners who are full of grace' understand that any act of kindness or service is offered freely and without judgement. We seek to sow seeds of Christ's love and joy as we serve with humility and grace.
For people 18 years +
Please note:
Due to the vulnerability of this neighbour, group members must be prepared for cancellation of this pop-up group at short notice. Poor weather conditions will also limit activity and may result in last-minute cancellations.
Venue we are meeting up at to begin with is not the one where the garden clearance is taking place. We will start with coffee, cake & prayer first!
IGNITING PRAYER
​​​​​
Leaders: Candi Ireson, David & Audrey Brumpton
Day: Wednesdays 7th, 14th, 21st May,
4th, 11th, 18th, 25th June
Time: 19:30 - 21:15
​​​
Based on 'The Prayer Course' by Pete Greig (which you can check out on RightNow Media), this Pop-Up is suitable for anyone who wants to deepen their prayer life – for the fledgling who is curious to know how to start, to the prayer warrior who is hungry for more. All of us will be learning new things, and as we step out together, we are looking forward with excited anticipation to what the fire of the Holy Spirit does as he ignites our prayer lives.
READ AND FEED
​​​​​​
Leader: Georgina Newton
Day: Tuesdays 6th, 13th, 20th May,
3rd, 10th, 17th June
Time: 18:30 - 20:00
​​​​
An evening to meet round the table, share food together and feast on the Word of God.
Using a Bible passage, we will "read and feed" together, pray for each other and take actionable wisdom from God's Word, for application in our day to day lives.
Open to Christians and non-Christians.
THE BIBLE COURSE
​​​​​​
Leader: Mark Richmond
Day: Wednesdays 7th, 14th, 21st May,
4th, 11th, 18th, 25th June
Time: 19:30 - 21:30
​​​
Together we will explore the big story of the Bible and discover how Bible characters, stories, and themes are connected, from Genesis to Revelation. This overview of the Bible will provide us with the groundwork for understanding the key topics and teachings that it brings us, revealing God to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
We will use material from the Bible Society. To know more about these sessions, watch the excellent introductory video (2 minutes) on this page:
S.H.A.P.E.
​​​​​​​
Leader: Erica Richmond
Day: Tuesdays 6th, 13th, 20th May,
3rd, 10th, 17th June
Time: 19:00 - 21:15
​​​​​
Do you want to discover the essential part God wants you to play in his kingdom? God created each of us with a unique mix of traits and abilities. Understanding these will help us to extend God's love to others at home, at work, at church and in our community- and thrive as we do so!
This group is for anyone over 16 who wants to explore the way God has wired them, and to develop and use that to serve others.
We will eat a meal together each week, and explore our:
- Spiritual Gifts
- Heart
- Abilities
- Personality
- Experiences
RETIREMENT OR RE-TYREMENT?
​​​​​​
Leaders: Colin Stronach and Nick Cook
Day: Tuesdays 6th, 13th, 20th May,
3rd, 10th, 17th June
Time: 19:45 - 21:30
​​​​​
After my retirement from paid work:-
- Who am I?
- Where am I?
- What should I do?
- What does it mean to do good?
- How can I keep growing?
- What is my real legacy?
This group will be particularly useful for those planning retirement and the recently retired.
DISCIPLE
​​​​
Leaders: Chris & Julie Surey and Dorothy Couling
Day: Thurdays 8th, 15th, 22nd May,
5th, 12th, 19th, 26th June & Saturday 21st June
Time: 19:00 - 21:00 (negotiable if start too early)
​​​
Christians have been given everything we need for our life to make an impact that will last for ever. "Disciple" is a course from Freedom in Christ ministries which helps us to base our identity and purpose on truth, and to combat the untruths which can sometimes trip us up.
This group is for anyone who wants to put unhelpful beliefs and influences behind you, to walk in freedom, and to experience the transformation which leads to becoming the amazing person your loving heavenly Father created you to be.
To get the most out of this course, you will attend 7 sessions plus an away day (Saturday 21st June).
STRENGTHEN YOUR CORE
​​​​​​​
Leaders: David Swaffield, Gerald Telfer, Peter Newton
Day: Wednesdays 7th, 14th, 21st May,
4th, 11th, 18th June
Time: 18:30 - 20:30
​​​
This is for a group of 8 men to come together and practically develop their spiritual core. We will work through the book "Strengthen Your Core - Practical Spiritual Formation for Every Day" by Jenny Campbell, which has chapters such as "Prayerful submission to the mission", "Hungering for righteousness and the fast" and "Purity and pilgrimage".
It is suitable for men in search of spiritual growth and friendship, and who are willing to be authentic and engage in campfire conversation.
THE RIVER
​​​​​​​​
Leaders: Mark Mansell, Andy Bastable, Simon Lau
Day: Sundays 11th, 18th May, 1st, 8th, 15th June
Time: 18:30 - 19:30
​​​​
The purpose of this group is to slow down from the busyness and distraction of life and come together to worship God soaking in His presence. Each week we will create a space to enable people to practice and grow in the spiritual disciplines of praise and worship, sharing testimony and prayer.
This session is suitable for all ages with an intention to connect with people in church we don't know so well.
The leaders are part of the "Strengthen Your Core" men's group and feel called to offer a space for others to practice a few of the specific disciplines which are central to deepening our discipleship and then being able to share our faith and joy in the Lord with others.