2021: A Review

It is hard to believe another year has passed! 2021 felt like an extension of 2020… face masks, vaccines, and more time spent in the digital world than the physical! At the start of a new year, we want to look back at how God has been at work, and share about where we believe God is directing our focus for this incoming year.

Socially distanced study in a cold shed (April 2021).

Studies & Classes:

While restrictions on physical meetings ebbed and flowed throughout the year, we were delighted to know of around 50 classes that were running, representing some 500 individuals, all studying God’s Word together. Some of these classes had actually stopped at the beginning of the pandemic in 2020 and made the move online in 2021 which was wonderful! During those periods when restrictions were lifted, some classes found new locations where they could meet and ensure social distancing, with one group making use of a rather unusual location!

Throughout the year we sold over 1,500 books, manuals, and Bibles (and we gave away a few too!).

These figures are still a long way from pre-Covid days, but we have been greatly encouraged by the determination and enthusiasm of leaders and students to continue their study of the Bible.

Workshops:

Equipping Christians with the skills to study the Bible for themselves using the inductive study method has become a key focus of our work. During 2021 we hosted 10+ workshops both in person and online with the help of our vision team. These included;

Introduction to Inductive Bible Study Workshop (November 2021).

• An Introduction to Inductive Bible Study (a short workshop with a brief introduction to the technique);

• A Bible Skills Workshop (a 2.5 hour workshop with more detailed study);

• How To Lead A 40 Minute Bible Study (a new workshop focusing on our 40 Minute Study series);

• Precept Leader Training (a day of training for those wanting to lead Precept Upon Precept studies).

The great thing about the online workshops was that we could advertise them across Ireland, and so there were attendees from various parts of the island at different workshops.

Refresh Leaders Event in Belfast, Co. Antrim (August 2021).

Refresh 2021:

During the summer of 2021 we were pleased that we were able to host an event for leaders, both in-person and providing online access. This was a wonderful morning of encouragement, fellowship and teaching, with attendees from across the north and south. We had wanted to take the opportunity to meet with leaders and encourage them in the midst of another difficult year.

Equip Southeast took place in Gorey, Co. Wexford (November 2021).

Equip Southeast:

One of our highlights of 2021 was a visit to Gorey, Co. Wexford in November. Equip Southeast was held on Saturday 13th November in coordination with two local churches: Calvary Church Gorey, and Gorey Christian Assembly. We were delighted to have 17 attendees, mostly from the two local churches, but also from further afield, including Kilkenny and Wexford Town. We led two workshops, shared fellowship with the church leaders, and attended the two churches on Sunday. We are delighted that 4 of those who attended the workshops are now attending a monthly study online looking at the book of Nehemiah!

So where do we go from here in 2022?

As we look ahead to this new year, there are two areas that we believe God is leading us toward.

The first is to continue the expansion of the ministry in the south of Ireland. We have been praying for God to open doors in the south, and we are seeing Him answer those prayers. The event in County Wexford has given us a lot of insight into how we could do this, and so we are hoping to do 2 or 3 similar visits to different parts of Ireland, including a visit to the northwest in March, and possibly a return visit to the southeast.

If you know Christians in the south, then please share with them about the work and how it has encouraged you in your own study of the Bible. Pray for new opportunities for us to share about the method and to encourage local churches.

We know that the inductive Bible study method has helped many believers in their relationship with God, and we want to share it with as many individuals and churches as possible, but these trips do require financial support. If you would like to support one of these trips, please contact us directly or make a donation via the Donate button on the website. Please mark the gift as “Equip Ireland” and we will make sure it is used for this purpose.

The second area of focus is towards young people. We believe God is directing us to engage with students; those who will become the home group leaders and church leaders of the future. To do that, we are planning a 3 day Bible study course, spread over 6 months, where we will share with students about inductive Bible study, and look at key areas of discipleship.

This will be based in Belfast, restrictions permitting, and it is hoped that we will be able to run the course again for more students in the future. Please pray for this event, that young people will attend, and that they will be enthused about God’s Word.

We are encouraging classes and groups to consider sponsoring a student for the course, and asking people to personally approach those in their churches who they think would benefit from and enjoy this experience. You can find out more about this event here.

On behalf of Precept Ireland, we would like to thank you for your prayers, giving, and encouragement throughout 2021. Please pray for us as we continue the work of helping Christians across Ireland to know God deeply, and to live differently.

May God bless you this year.

A Prayer Of Commitment

START THE YEAR RIGHT…

The following is a prayer of Catherine Parr, the sixth wife of King Henry VIII, written in the 16th Century.

This is a big prayer to pray: one that declares your intention to live for God; to put His plans and His will above your own. It acknowledges God’s sovereignty and our place as His servants. It should not be prayed lightly, but prayed in the Spirit, recognising that it is only through the humbling and renewing work of the Holy Spirit that we can bow the knee to His will.

May God equip you to live the life you pray for.

You can read the Anglo-Saxon version below, or scroll down to our attempt at a more modernised version!

Grant that I may ever desire and will that which is most pleasant and acceptable to thee.
Thy will be my will, and my will be to follow alway thy will.
Let there be always in me one will, and one desire with thee;
And that I have no desire to will or not to will, but as thou wilt.
Lord, thou knowest what thing is most profitable and most expedient for me.
Give, therefore, what thou wilt, as much as thou wilt, and when thou wilt.
Do with me what thou wilt, as it shall please thee, and shall be most to thine honour.
Put me where thou wilt, and freely do with me in all things after thy will.
Thy creature I am, and in thy hands, lead and turn me where thou wilt.
Lo, I am thy servant, ready to do all things that thou commandest; for I desire not to live to myself, but to thee.
Amen.

Give to me the desires and will which is most pleasant and acceptable to you.
Your will be my will, and my will to always follow your will.
Let there always be in me one will, and one desire with you; and that I would have no desire to follow my own will, but yours.
Lord, you know what is most helpful and best for me.
So give me what you want to, as much as you want to, and when you want to.
Do with me what you want to, as it pleases you, and in whatever way which will bring you the most honour.
Put me where you want me, and equip me in order to fulfil your will.
I am your creation, and in your hands, so lead and turn me where you want.
Lo, I am your servant, ready to do all the things that you ask of me; for I desire not to live for myself, but for you.
Amen.