Peacemaking Programme

Gospel in Conflict

Loving our Neighbour Peacemaking Course

This introductory 5 week course on peace building aims to challenge, equip and support Presbyterians to contribute more actively to peacemaking as an integral part of Christian discipleship. The sessions are designed to help Presbyterians reflect biblically on peacemaking as an integral part of discipleship. They focus on the biblical mandate to "love our neighbour" and root it within the current experience of participants. The style of the course is participatory, eliciting participants' reflections and experience, encouraging discussion and dialogue.

Living amid differences and division presents both challenges and opportunities to Presbyterians today. Deep sectarian divisions still exist in our society. They affect where we love, who our friends are, what schools our children attend, where we socialise and what sports we follow. There continues to be a strong need to work towards reconciliation. How can the Church model a vision of reconciliation in Northern Ireland? What does it mean for us as Christians to live out the Gospel today?

The course is intended to be informative and enjoyable! It is designed to be adaptable to any congregational setting. It has been used in homegroups, Sunday services and midweek settings.

Themes:

Living in a Divided Society - wherever we live, conflict and division has influenced our lives. How should our Christian faith help us to respond?

Exploring Our Presbyterian Identity - explores our rich Presbyterian heritage and how we distinguish between politics, culture and faith in terms of identity.

Dealing with Disagreement - what does the Bible say about dealing positively with difference? How can we handle conflict well?

Relating to our Neighbours - the challenges and opportunities in building relationships with those who are different.

Taking Steps in Building Peace - further peacemaking steps as an outcome of the course.

For more information about running this course in your congregation or to purchase course materials, please contact peace@presbyterianireland.org.