We're not closing down in August

Sometimes it can feel as if church family life shuts down in August with many away on holidays, summer camps and mission trips. But we want to recognize that many will be in Bristol and are keen to meet up and grow together as Christians.

So this August we'll be running our Discernment Course over three Wednesday evenings (5th, 12th, 19th) in the Alma Church Hall in Clifton (BS8 2ES) from 7.45-9.30pm.

But why do we need a course on discernment?! Well have you ever asked:

• "Was that sermon God’s Word or not – and so do I actually need to change?”
• “How do you tell the truth from error – are they a heretic or not?”
• “How do you make a good decision – and recognize a bad one?”

We all need discernment on a regular basis – a lack of it can be disastrous for both us and those we love. But how can we get it?

Discernment is a skill. It has no inherent ability like breathing or chewing but is a skill like reading or public speaking that must be practiced and must be improved. There is not a person on earth who has been born with a full measure of discernment or who has all of the discernment he will ever need. There is not a person who has attained a level of expertise that allows him to move on and to leave discernment behind. Like the master musician who practices his skills more as his acclaim grows, a discerning person will see with ever-greater clarity his need to increase in discernment. He will want to sharpen and improve this skill throughout his life.Tim Challies

So why not come and practice the skill of discernment with others?

• 5th August – How to discern a Good Sermon
• 12th Augst – How to Discern a Good Idea
• 19th August – How to Discern a Good Decision

You can sign up here.