For the Journey
Christian Resources
These short introductions are written for anyone curious about Christian faith. They are a beginning, not the last word.
Introductions
I
Introduction to Christian faith
Christianity begins with God's love for the world, shown most fully in Jesus Christ. To be a Christian is to trust in him and to follow his way of life.
II
Understanding the Bible
The Bible is a library of books written over many centuries — law, history, poetry, prophecy, gospels and letters — telling the story of God and his people. A good place to begin is the Gospel of Mark.
III
The life and teachings of Jesus
Jesus taught that we should love God with all our heart and love our neighbour as ourselves. His life, death and resurrection are at the centre of Christian faith.
IV
The importance of prayer
Prayer need not be complicated. The Lord's Prayer, which Jesus taught his followers, is a wonderful place to start.
V
Christian values
Faith, hope and love — and kindness, forgiveness, humility and honesty — are the marks of a Christian life.
VI
The Anglican tradition
Anglicans worship through common prayer, value Scripture and the sacraments, and seek to be thoughtful, generous and rooted in community.
VII
Christmas and Advent
Advent is a season of hopeful waiting; Christmas celebrates God coming among us as a child in Bethlehem.
VIII
Easter and Lent
Lent is forty days of reflection and renewal. Easter proclaims that Christ is risen, and that death does not have the last word.
IX
Christian living
Faith is lived in ordinary days: at home, at work, in our community, in how we treat one another.
X
Prayer and reflection
Taking a few quiet minutes each day to read a short passage of Scripture and pray can transform a life over time.
Further reading
The Church of Ireland (ireland.anglican.org) provides authoritative resources on worship, prayer and teaching, including the Book of Common Prayer.