A new teaching programme in a group of rural churches has been put together that hopes to reveal twelve important characteristics about Jesus’ life and how we can apply them in our lives today.

Churches in Peasedown St John, Foxcote, Shoscombe and Wellow over the next year will look at the theme of ‘I AM’, as taught in John’s Gospel. They aim to delve deep into the Bible to look at what guidance the scriptures have for us in the 21st century.

Sunday sermons from January through to December will work through a different topic each month.

Revd Matthew Street, who leads the set of churches known as the St J’s Group, said: “The Bible is a powerful book with information that not only tells us about historical events, but how teachings revealed by God to prophets, holy men and His Son, Jesus, still have relevance for us today.

“Jesus Christ, for 2 billion people on earth, is the most significant and influential person to have ever lived. His teachings on prayer, generosity, Godly devotion, caring for others, and compassion still have as much meaning as they did 2,000 years ago.

“Utilising the ‘I AM’ statements in John’s Gospel, our sermon series for 2022 will reveal twelve important characteristics about Jesus that we can apply in our daily walk with God. Every month we will allow the Old Testament to illuminate our focus characteristic.”

Sunday talks include: ‘I am the bread of life’, ‘I am Jesus’, ‘I am the light of the world’ and ‘I am the good shepherd’. The ‘I AM’ teaching programme will run across 44 Sundays in 2022 at these services:

• 10.00 am - Morning Service at St Julian’s, Wellow

• 10.30 am - Morning Service at St John’s, Peasedown

• 11.15 am - Morning Service at St Julian’s, Shoscombe

• 4.30 pm - Soul Food at St John’s, Peasedown

Recordings of each talk will also be available after each Sunday at: www.stjsgroup.church, which also includes details of future events, the church’s work in the community, and details of activities going on during the week.