St Mary's Church, Dymock

Christianity - What's it all About?

Christianity is the world's largest religion with over 2 billion members who believe there is a supreme being called 'God' who created the universe and everything in it and who continues to guide its development today. That belief explains why everything exists and happens, and so gives life meaning.
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No-one can prove God exists but no-one can prove he doesn't either - when you believe something without absolute proof, you're said to believe it 'in faith'. So who is God and why believe in him or not? There are many reasons, the more popular include:
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Belief: Because you were bought-up that way; or the people around you believe and you don't want to appear different or odd; or because you have reasoned it might be possible so give it the 'benefit of the doubt'; or because you've had a personal experience of God.
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Non-Belief: Because you've never had a personal experience of God; or science doesn't seem to support it; or others around you suggest it's not true and you don't want to appear different or odd.
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As well as the on-screen introductions, every page is provided in PDF format so you can click on it to print it out if you would like a paper copy. If you don't have the Adobe PDF Reader App, click here to download it for free.

• Modulo is a series of ‘Modules’ designed to explain in an easily understood way what Christians believe and why.
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• There are 3 versions depending on how much time you want to spend and how much detail you want to know.
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• Whichever version you choose you can do Modulo on your own, but it's best in a group; and even better if shared over a meal or with refreshments.
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The Basics is the shortest version and provides an introduction to Christianity in two parts for beginners plus a useful revision if you already know about it.
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Module 1 explores if God exists and what he's like, how he made himself known to humanity, gave us Laws for respecting him and each other, and the result of our disobeying those Laws (we become separated from him).
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Module 2 explores the life and teaching of Jesus Christ, who is God's answer to save us from the separation caused by our failing to obey his Laws, which restores the opportunity of a caring, loving relationship with God - which was always intended.

• The Basics can be done in one session and should take about one hour each Module.
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• If you're doing it in a group with a meal or refreshments, you might take a short break between the two Modules to serve dessert, or refill any cups or glasses.
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The Essentials The Essentials is a bit longer and also has two parts that cover the same topics as The Basics, but in a bit more detail.
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Each of the two parts has three Modules, six in all, which also take about one hour each.

• You can do The Essentials at any time, or you might do it in 6 sessions, eg: 1 Module for each of the six weeks of Lent.
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The Big Picture is the longest version and starts with the same two topics as the other versions but goes into much more detail for those who want to go deeper. Consequently, there are six additional Modules which explore:
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Module 3 how Jesus’ disciples responded.
Module 4 how authority responded and gave us the church we know today.
Module 5 invites us to make our own response.
Module 6 explores God’s response, as revealed in the Bible’s last book called ‘Revelation’.
Module 7 gives a simple guide to prayer and praying – a helpful way of getting to know God for yourself.

• Each Module of The Big Picture should also take about an hour, but as there are many more Modules, you might like do it as a series of meetings over several weeks, eg: as part of a Study or House Group.
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• Module 8 is an optional guide for people who want to lead a group, but who would like help to do that.
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