Good News

The beginning of John's gospel takes us to the heart of Christianity by telling us four things about Jesus:

1. Jesus is the God who made the world

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. John 1:1-3

Everyone has an idea about the God who made the world, but Jesus is that God. He made us, so he owns us and should rule over us.

2. Jesus is the God we've all rejected

He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. John 1:10-11

Jesus came to earth to offer us a relationship. But our instinct, and this is also true of people who actually met Jesus, is to reject that relationship. We just like running our own lives too much, but it is a wicked thing to reject our creator like this.

3. Jesus is the God who graciously will take us back

Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. John 1:12-13

Despite how we have treated him so far, Jesus wants us in his family. He's done everything necessary to make that possible, even dying on a cross so that we might be forgiven.

4. Jesus is, therefore, the only way to God

No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known. John 1:18

Jesus is described as the Word because he is God in the flesh. God is not hiding from us. If we are willing to find out about Jesus, we will come to know God. The talks happening during Life are a good first step to doing that.

More information about this message of life in Christianity can be found at matthiasmedia.com.au/2wtl.

If you have lots of questions about Christianity, a good place to start finding answers is bethinking.org.

Talks

International Event / 7:30pm in the Henry Martyn Hall / Bartow Wylie

Fri

1st Feb 08

What is Life all about?

You can click on the link to the right of the talks to download them.

Lunchtimes / 1:10pm in Holy Trinity Church / Nathan Buttery

Mon	4th Feb 08	Jesus Said "I am the way" But don't all paths lead to God?
Tue	5th Feb 08	Why bother with the Bible?
Wed	6th Feb 08	Life without God is no life at all followed by an extended time of questions

Evenings / 8:00pm in St. Andrew's St. Baptist Church / Vaughan Roberts

Thu

7th Feb 08

The truth about God
John 1:1-18

Evenings / 8:00pm in St. Andrew the Great Church / Vaughan Roberts

Fri	8th Feb 08	The way to God John 3:1-21
Sat	9th Feb 08	Hope in the face of death John 11:17-44

Speakers

Nathan Buttery

Nathan was born and brought up in the South West of England before moving to East Anglia. He completed a first degree in classics at Cambridge, and then worked in North London as a youth worker for a few years. After that he did another degree in theology before moving to Hull to work for a church there. He is married to Debbie, and they enjoy walking in the hills north of the city. He is also an avid fan of Liverpool FC.

Vaughan Roberts

Vaughan was an undergraduate law student at Cambridge and is currently the minister of a church in Oxford. He has written many Christian books and works extensively with students, often speaking at Christian Unions. In his spare time he writes books and plays cricket, tennis and golf.

Colleges

Different events will be hapenning in the colleges during the course of Life; you can get in touch with your College Reps to find out more:

Caius:
Ceilidh | Sun 3rd Feb | 8pm
Amazing Grace film night | Wed 6th Feb | 8pm

Catz:
Grill-a-Christian | Sat 2nd Feb | 7pm | Rushmore Room
Email questions to catzgrillachristian@hotmail.co.uk

Churchill:
Churchill Cafe of LIFE | Thu 31st Jan | 8-11pm | 2nd Pav Room
Is being good good enough for God? Pudding party with talk | Sun 3rd Feb | 7:15pm | Bar

Clare:
Video event with drinks and snacks | Sun 3rd Feb | 5pm | Gatehouse

Corpus:
Talk and discussion: 'Why bother with Jesus in 2008?' | Thu 31st Jan | 6:30-7:30pm | I7
Chinese New Year Party | Wed 6th Feb | 7:30pm | I4

Emma:
'Why won't Christians leave me alone?' - short talk, drinks and nibbles | Fri 1st Feb | 6-6:30pm | C2, Front Court

Fitz:
'Pints of View' | Sat 2nd Feb | 9pm | Fitz Bar
Does the Christian Faith Stand Up to Questioning? Short talk and question time.

Homerton:
'Me, here, now...is there more to life?' | Thu 31st Jan | 5-5:30pm | Undergraduate Common Room

John's:
'Medicine, Death and the Christian Perspective' - talk by a recently qualified doctor and discussion for medics; dinner and dessert provided! | Sun 3rd Feb | 6:45 for 7pm | 19 St. John's Rd.

Lucy Cavendish:
'What's life all about?' - Talk/pancakes | Tue 5th Feb | 8pm

Magdalene:
'Life's a bittersweet symphony' - is there any meaning to the melody? | Mon 4th Feb | 8:30pm

Newnham:
'ANY Question (within reason!) Time' - Informal question and answer time based on the Christian faith, with a current Newnham science student and a former Japanese missionary | Wed 6th Feb | 5-6:30pm | Clough 208
You can email questions in advance to amb204

Pembroke:
Grill-a-Christian | Mon 4th Feb | 7:15pm | O Supervision Room

Peterhouse:
Grill-a-Christian | Sat 2nd Feb | 8pm | Music Room

Queens':
Grill-a-Christian | Thursday 7th Feb | 1:30pm | The Bar

Robinson:
Grill-a-Christian | Sat 2nd Feb | The Bar

Sidney:
Quiz with a short talk | Sat 2nd Feb | 8pm | The Bar

Trinity:
A quiz and talk | Sun 3rd Feb | 5-6pm | OCR

Trinity Hall:
Pancakes are flat, Jesus is risen! A talk with pancakes | Tue 5th Feb | 7pm | B-Dining Room

Life Explored

Life Explored is a great chance to investigate the claims of Jesus further in a relaxed, informal atmosphere over coffee. The sessions will run on two different nights a week to give you some choice and will last for four weeks. There will be a short talk and then chances to discuss and ask questions round tables. Feel free to come on your own or with a friend. For more details please contact Simon Langmead.

When?
Every Thursday from 14th February to 6th March,
or every Friday from 15th February to 7th March,
both from 7:00–8:30pm.

Where?
Caffè Nero, Market Street

Feedback

I'd like to meet up with a Christian and discuss things.
I don't want to meet anyone, is there a book that I could read?
I'd like to join a small informal discussion group. Please send me details about Life Explored.

Comments:

Name:
College:
Email:

For more information, or to tell us what you think, please contact Simon Langmead.