“Nick’s teaching on sex, marriage and gender was timely and directly relevant to the confusion we see not only in the world but also in the church today. We were grateful for his clarity, his faithfulness to scripture and the depth of his teaching, whilst his sensitive and pastoral handling of many current topics was much appreciated. The course left us better equipped to live faithfully to Christ as friends, spouses and parents; in the home, the church and the workplace.”
Martin Lane, Vicar, Emmanuel Hastings.
Short courses are ideal for the whole church or for particular leaders eg homegroup or youth ministry leaders. The programme is flexible for example it could be 4 one hour sessions over mid-week evenings, 2 sessions per evening for 2 weeks or 2-4 Saturday morning. The courses are free of charge to SGP member churches and £30 per session for non SGP churches. We ask hosting churches to cover the travel expenses of the course leader and additional donations to the SGP are welcome.
Please browse below to find out more details of the short courses we offer. To enquire about organising a course in your Church please contact Wendy
ONE KINGDOM, ONE PLAN, ONE BOOK (4-8 hours)
A foundational course for those who want to get to grips with the Bible plot line from Genesis to Revelation. A great aid to Bible understanding and confidence.
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LET THE READER UNDERSTAND (4 hours)
An introduction to understanding the Bible especially helpful for those involved in Bible-teaching of any kind (preaching, children’s and youth work, small groups or one-to-one) as well as those who would like to be.
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BEHOLD YOUR GOD (4 hours)
Digging deeper into the Bible’s teaching about the God who made us to know him; for anyone who wants to know God better.
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BEHOLD YOUR KING (5 hours)
Digging deeper into the Bible’s teaching about the Christ who came to save us; for anyone who wants to know their King and Saviour better.
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MEET THE SPIRIT (4 hours)
Digging deeper into the Bible’s teaching about the Holy Spirit who unites us to Christ; for anyone who wants a greater understanding of the Spirit and His work.
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REAL CHURCH (4 hours)
There are lots of churches. We go to church, give to the church, maybe serve in the church. But what is the church and what is it for? A short course to help Christians understand the place of the church in the plan and purpose of God.
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THE END IS JUST THE BEGINNING (4 hours)
Digging deeper into the Bible’s teaching about millennialism, the last day, the final judgement, heaven and hell and all that; for anyone who wants to live today with eternity in view.
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SEXUALITY IN A SEX-MAD WORLD (3 hours)
Three sessions attempting to shine biblical truth and grace into the confusion and brokenness of a society that both worships and abuses sex. Aimed at everyone, but especially helpful for youth leaders, parents, young people and those engaged in pastoral care and discipling.
CREATED MALE AND FEMALE (3 hours)
Three sessions attempting to get to grips with what the Bible teaches us about gender identity and gender roles. For Christians who want to hear what the Bible says amidst the many voices and the fierce debates.
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THE CHRISTIAN AND CULTURE (4 hours)
Christians are called to live in the world, engage with the world and yet not conform to the world. These sessions are aimed at equipping Christians to do this in everyday life by helping them to see their world more clearly.
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IF JESUS IS LORD... (4-8 hours)
Christians are called to live in the world, engage with the world and yet not conform to the world. These sessions are aimed at equipping Christians to do this in everyday life by helping them to see their world more clearly.
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WHY BELIEVE (4 hours)
Four sessions on the foundations for Christian faith that would encourage Christians struggling with doubt; strengthen Christians who want to be more confident in speaking for Christ in the world; and help non-Christians investigating the Christian faith.
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TRUTH TO TELL (4 hours)
A basic training course in evangelism for Christians who long to see friends, family, neighbours and workmates come to know Jesus.
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APOLOGETICS – WHAT’S THAT? (4 hours)
A basic training course in evangelism for Christians who long to see friends, family, neighbours and workmates come to know Jesus.
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THE GOSPEL AND CHURCH PLANTING (4 hours)
A training course aimed at helping a church or a church leadership team begin to get motivated about church planting by helping them to see the gospel imperative and gospel motivation for planting churches.
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The courses are led mostly by Nick McQuaker and Jon Hobbs
Jon is the SGP's Trainer, teaching on the training courses and speaking at training events. Alongside his role with the SGP, he now leads Grace Church in Haywards Heath following eight years in parish church ministry, first in Lindfield, and then in Maresfield and Nutley. Prior to taking up local church ministry, Jon had spent five years as a Regional Staffworker with the Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship (UCCF) before training at Oak Hill Theological College in London.