Themes of suffering in the Bible (Online)

What is it?

This Online Course contains recordings from the Zoom version of ‘Themes of Suffering’ which took place in 2024. During this course you will explore the theme of suffering from a Biblical perspective. Each session will explore a different type of suffering that we see in the Bible to help us think more deeply about it. And, in doing so help us consider what we might draw from the Bible for today’s world.

None of the sessions aim to solve the tension between suffering and an all-knowing and all loving God. But they do aim to help us dig deeper into stories of suffering and seek God within them and our wider world.

Course information

• Session 1 – The Book of Job – Fr Dexter Bracey, Rector of St John the Baptist, Coventry.
  • Why do bad things happen to good people? An opportunity to see how the Book of Job helps us explore the question of suffering by innocent people and our response to it.
• Session 2 – War and exile – Revd Su McClellan, Church Engagement Lead at Embrace the Middle East and Curate at Coventry Cathedral.
  • Tracing armed conflict through the Bible from war for land and position to periods of being forcibly removed and unable to be a part of their home nation. And, noticing the physical, psychological and emotional suffering caused for generations..
• Session 3 – Facing death – Revd Sharon Crofts, Chaplain at University Hospital.
  • Reflecting on various biblical stories of death and grief. We will consider how the reality of suffering is considered both before, and in the light of, Jesus’ death and resurrection.
• Session 4 – Family struggles – Rob Harrison, Director of Ministry & Leadership (and writer of novels rooted in stories from the Bible)
  • Exploring Bible stories that involve a wide range of dysfunctional family dynamics surrounding key characters in the Bible (including struggles with children, parents, spouses, siblings and extended families). We will consider how these stories compare with the moral ideals of Biblical teaching, and the part that God plays in each story.
• Session 5 – Oppression and exploitation – Revd Jeremy Bevan , Curate at St. Barbara’s, Coventry
  • Using the lens of liberation theology to open up stories of oppression where people are mistreated in the Bible. They may be viewed as ‘lesser’ because of who they are or due to circumstances beyond their control, and suffer injustice as a result.
• Session 6 – Disability – Revd Charles Higgins, Disability Advisor for the Diocese of Coventry and Vicar of Bulkington and Burton Hastings.
  • Looking at disability through the Bible where we often see isolation, fear and rejection but also stories of God using people as they are and of healing.

Pathways

This learning course is part of the Pastoral ministry Pathway. Pathways are a series of training events, learning courses and personal formation groups to grow in your ministry. Click here to find out more about Pathways.

Contact us

For more information please contact Pathways@Coventry.Anglican.org