Changes to Postage Rates & New Collection Option!
Changes to our postage rates & a new collection option in Belfast!
POSTAGE RATES CHANGE
As a ministry we want to be good stewards of the resources that God has given us through your support. In line with this, after review of our U.K. postage rates, we have moved from posting U.K. orders as of today, from 1st class (next day delivery) to 2nd class (2-3 working days delivery) and updated our rates accordingly.
However, what has not changed is our commitment to providing a good service and ensuring you get your order in a timely manner, but we kindly ask that you now allow extra time to receive it.
Note: Postage rates to Ireland are unaffected by this change.
NEW COLLECTION OPTION
Want to save on postage? Well - you can now save money by choosing to pickup your online order from the Precept office in Belfast! With the addition of this option you can now choose on the checkout page, under Order Options, whether you want your order to be shipped or are picking it up by clicking either Shipping or Pickup button. This is a slight change to the checkout process and we kindly ask that you take a minute to familiarise yourself with it by clicking the button below.
Should you have any further questions on this please don't hesitate to get in touch - just give us a call on 028 9074 6082 (Monday - Thursday 9 AM - 1 PM) or email info@preceptireland.org
Week Of Prayer
Prayer is vital to all we seek to do as a ministry.
Prayer is vital to all we seek to do as a ministry. We want God to stir up peoples hearts to engage with His Word. We want Him to lead us as we seek to equip His church with skills to study the Scriptures and extend the work of Precept across this island.
We want you to join us in praying these things, and so we will be hosting an online prayer week from Monday 12th - Friday 16th April. Each day our prayer room will be open, at various times, to help facilitate as many people as possible to join us. Hopefully there is a time that suits you!
Whether it's for five minutes, an hour or more, please join us this April as together we seek the Lord and pray for the needs of Precept Ireland.
Monday 12th April - 7:00am to 8:00am
Tuesday 13th April - 10:00am to 11:00am
Wednesday 14th April - 2:00pm to 3:00pm
Thursday 15th April - 8:00pm to 9:00pm
Friday 16th April - 1:00pm to 2:00pm
To join the prayer time, click the LET'S PRAY button below during any of the times above.
For further help on connecting to the prayer time via Zoom click here.
ReLaunch Event Report
On Monday 17th August we hosted an online Precept Leaders Get Together - ReLaunch. This was an opportunity to get together to study God’s Word, provide some feedback on groups, and be encouraged as we look to a new autumn term.
RELAUNCH LEADERS EVENT
On Monday 17th August we hosted an online Precept Leaders get together - ReLaunch. This was an opportunity to get together to study God’s Word, provide some feedback on groups, and be encouraged as we look to a new autumn term.
Valerie opened the evening by leading us in a Lightning Study looking at 1 Corinthians 15:17-20, 51-58. One of the key verses in the passage is verse 20:
“But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.”
Christ has been risen! And we now live to serve a risen Saviour! We were greatly encouraged as we considered this and the implications of Christ’s resurrection and what it means for us now.
Following this, Karen facilitated a discussion around current groups and how they have found it during lockdown. We also discussed plans for the new term with contributions from both current and potential leaders. It was especially good to have contributions and the perspective of leaders serving in the south.
Dave then talked the group through the two options for Bible Study during this time of Covid19: online study, and in real life study. Digital has provided many groups to continue their studies, but we can also make use of meeting in small numbers as restrictions change. Though many may want to wait to start a study group once larger numbers can meet, we should not ignore the value in groups of 2 or 3 people, who can meet in a home or in a café to study together. Dave challenged everyone to consider how they could even encourage one other believer in their study of God’s Word, and the impact that could have.
For those who were new to leading, Dave suggested 3 P’s to help:
Pray - We cover everything we do in prayer, for if God isn’t invited to be part of it, then what’s the point?
Plan - Think about the who to invite, the what to study, the where to meet (online / offline), when to meet, why are we meeting?
Propose - Not for marriage! Propose the study to other people. Invite them to join you as you study God’s Word
Following this, Gavin led the group in a time of prayer, when we were able to commit one another into God’s care and pray for leaders across Ireland.
Overall it was a great evening, and was really good to have leaders from the south of Ireland as well as those who are interested in starting new groups, and we look forward to seeing what God will do across Ireland this term!
“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labour is not in vain.”
You can download the Lightning Study we used on the night by clicking the button below.
If you would like to find out more about becoming a Precept Leader or want to browse our resources, please use the buttons below.
My Story: Studying the Bible Together in a Digital World
Being a leader in 'normal' times has many challenges. Then with lockdown came the additional challenge of classes no longer able to meet face-to-face. However, with lockdown came a great opportunity. Two leaders share their experience.
Being a leader in 'normal' times has many challenges. Then with lockdown came the additional challenge of classes no longer able to meet face-to-face. However, with lockdown came a great opportunity. An open door inviting (and challenging) us to think of different ways of connecting.
As a ministry it has been so encouraging to see how you as leaders have embraced technology to stay connected with your class and keep studying together.
Two such leaders (among others) are Janet and Margo. Both have adapted to the changed circumstances by moving their classes online. In this edition of 'My Story' we hear from them of the benefits and challenges they have faced in doing so.
We pray that as you hear their story you will be both encouraged and challenged.
Encouraged that God's Word is not bound and that through technology we are reaching more people than ever before.
Challenged to seize the opportunity, whilst physical restrictions on meeting continue, to move your own class online and so help others to continue to know God more deeply through the study of His Word.
Here Janet shares her experience of leading a Precept class during lockdown, and of moving from meeting in person to meeting online.
Dave also had the opportunity to speak to one our Precept leaders Margo in Wexford to hear about her experience of taking her Precept class online.
Dave: Hi Margo. Tell me a bit about the study you were doing with you class.
Margo: We were studying a Precept Upon Precept course, Romans Part 1, and would meet most Fridays.
D: And as lockdown took hold, how did you feel about taking your group online?
M: Going online was necessary for us as we wanted to continue, and there was no alternative for us: the virus kind of mandated it! Thankfully I use it in my job regularly, and so had no qualms about going online. It wasn’t as daunting for me as it may have been for others as I was already familiar with it.
D: That was a blessing for you as a leader, but I suppose for some people it may have been a barrier?
M: There were a couple of hesitations from some in the group. For some, the technical aspect may have presented a challenge. For others, it wasn’t practical for them with a family at home at the same time. Most of the group did however join in, and we got one new person who joined. It meant there were six of us online on a regular basis, usually four out of that number would show up in any given week. The first meeting took a bit of getting used to for the group, but everyone picked it up very quickly. Those who did attend online generally were the ones most comfortable with the technology.
D: How did the study progress?
M: We were able to go at the same pace and enjoyed the banter as normal really – but the biggest thing we noticed was how we missed the closeness of meeting in person. Online can seem a bit cold, and there is a warmth in meeting together. When you can give one another a hug or pray together in person; these were important elements that we really missed.
D: Studying together in person is often such an important part of what makes a Precept study special, and it’s very hard to replicate that online. Were there any other disadvantages from meeting online?
M: You are relying on technology, and sometimes technology isn’t always reliable! A lack of internet connection or disrupted internet was a nuisance. As I mentioned, some people weren’t comfortable with the technology, which means you may lose a couple of regulars from the class.
D: What have been the benefits of studying online?
M: There are some very practical benefits from meeting online, particularly time and travel. There is no setting up tables and cleaning up like you have after a physical meeting. Nobody has to spend time travelling to a group either. We would have some people who may have travelled 20 minutes to our study, and so that barrier is removed.
D: What have you learned from this time of studying online during lockdown?
M: Studying online is a workable alternative to meeting in person. It’s given us another option for being able to study if circumstances mean that we can’t meet in person. Though it’s not my preference, it has given us a substitute way of doing things that can hold us over temporarily when necessary. It has also been a means of connecting with those who have been isolated during lockdown. It has definitely made me more sensitive to how isolation can affect someone when it is enforced and not by choice. It’s really made me appreciate how important face to face contact and church fellowship is!
D: I totally agree and studying online in a group can sometimes be the only contact for those who are isolated, which is wonderful! Thank you for taking the time to share some of your insights with us, and may God continue to bless you and your group as you study God’s Word.
The impact of Covid19 will be felt for quite some time and the future is uncertain, as restrictions may be lifted, and at other times may be reinstated. We would encourage you to consider how you can connect with students online and study the Bible together. If you would like any help with setting up an online study, please contact us.
Reopening Our Office
We are reopening the office! Kindof…
We are really pleased to announce that we will be reopening the Precept office in Belfast on Monday 3rd August!
This will allow you to telephone your order, as well as collect orders during opening hours.
This has all been planned in accordance with current regulations and recommendations, in order to ensure the safety of the staff as they work there.
Our new hours are:
Monday: 9am - 1:30pm
Tuesday: 9am - 1:30pm
Wednesday: 9am - 1:30pm
Thursday: 9am - 1:30pm
Friday: Closed
We have decided that for the meantime we will not be permitting non-staff to enter the office. Instead, books and orders will be taken to the foyer of NCM House to be collected.
Our monthly Prayer Meeting will continue to take place via Zoom.
You can still make purchases and order materials through the online shop. During the week orders are normally processed within 1 working day, while any orders made on Friday will be processed the next working day.
We are unsure of what the future will bring, and so this new routine may be subject to change at short notice. We greatly appreciate your understanding and patience with us as we navigate this difficult time. Many people are struggling with the uncertainty of the present, and anxiety about the future. It is an incredible blessing to know the words of Psalm 46:
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.”
No matter what is happening in the world, even if it feels like it is falling down around us, God is our refuge and strength. May you know the truth of this and continue to look to Him at this time.