On arrival at the Scottish Women’s Bible Convention everyone will need to sign up for their seminar. To avoid long queues, we’d encourage everyone to have decided beforehand what they’d like to sign up for. Below are the seminar description with links to the post from the seminar leader sharing more about the topic.

Morning seminars

Empty cradle and early grave – Miriam Montgomery

The seminar will look at the place of grief and suffering in the Christian life. We will explore what different Biblical texts, from the psalms to the gospels, have to say on the subject. We will also discuss how the church, and individual Christians, can comfort those who are dealing with trials.

Bird’s Eye View of Romans – Amy Wicks

We’ll be looking at a Bird’s Eye View of Romans – trying to understand what the book of Romans is about as a whole and why Paul bothered to write it.

A better story about Gender for our Children – Eleanor Dickson

How we help our children and young people navigate the complex challenges of life with regard to the gender agenda.

Afternoon seminars

Prayer – Sharon Dickens

How often have we heard a sermon or read a book on prayer that has challenged us to pray more? Yet, no matter the prayer plans we make the challenge somehow doesn’t move us to pray more regularly. All too often it’s a struggle to pray. Why are we not desperate to pray? We become self-reliant. All too often when we do pray it becomes more about us than God. How can we love to be desperate to pray and become dependent on God?

How to grow in Godliness – Karen Clark

Growing in godliness is what are supposed to do once we are saved but it’s not always easy!! Why should this be our life’s goal? How do we do it? And how do we not get discouraged and give up when it gets tough!

How to be a Christian Friend – Alison Watson and Rachel Sloan

How to develop friendships that build and encourage each other as we walk through real life together, each one as an integral part of the body of the church of Christ.

Morning and afternoon

Lies girls believe – Laura Porteous

The first seminar will focus on the lie that ‘God’s ways are too restrictive’ and the second seminar will focus on the lie that ‘If I’m not in a relationship or having sex then I’m missing out’.

One of our seminars has changed speaker. Below Karen Clark, from Edinburgh, updates us on what this seminar on ‘How to grow in godliness’ will cover.

What is the seminar about?
Growing in godliness is what are supposed to do once we are saved but it’s not always easy!! Why should this be our life’s goal? How do we do it? And how do we not get discouraged and give up when it gets tough!

Who is the seminar for?
Anyone!

Why is this area important?
I think as Christians we can get apathetic or discouraged in our striving to be like Christ.  We know we are saved and will one day be like him, but the process of being transformed into his likeness is a daily struggle. We are going to look at how our motivations, desires and our battle with sin can help us pursue the godly life God wants us to live while still here on earth.

Besides your seminar, what one thing about the Scottish Women’s Convention are you looking forward to and why?
Romans 8 is a favourite passage of mine and there will be so much to learn from Amy as she teaches and from one another as we try to apply help each other apply God’s word to our lives. Also love meeting sisters in Christ from churches around the country.

Tickets can be purchased from Eventbrite here –Tickets

On Mondays we like to draw your attention to certain aspects of the Scottish Women’s Convention. We asked our speaker Amy Wicks to share more about what she will be speaking on. Amy will also be running a seminar “A Bird’s Eye View of Romans”.

What are you speaking about at the Scottish Women’s Convention and why?

I’ll be speaking on Romans 8. This is a great chapter of the Bible full of verses that you might be familiar with. When we get to grips with the whole chapter I think we learn some massive truths about the gospel that shape our understanding of what its like being a Christian here and now. It’s a chapter that I hope will shape our expectations for the Christian life in the mess of this world, and help us keep going until the end.

What is the title of your seminar at the Scottish Women’s Convention?  What is it about?

We’ll be looking at a Bird’s Eye View of Romans – trying to understand what the book of Romans is about as a whole and why Paul bothered to write it.

Why is this seminar topic important?

When you’re studying any book of the Bible its helpful to think about the message of the whole book, not just the individual chapters or paragraphs. Its especially helpful when it comes to application, helping us to think carefully about how God wants us to change in response to his word. So for the book of Romans, we’re going to be thinking about the purpose of Paul’s letter, and how that helps us to understand and apply each section. But I’m also hoping we’ll pick up some skills for doing the same with other Bible books that we go on to study.

Tickets can be purchased from Eventbrite here –Tickets

On Thursdays we want to give you an insight into the lives of some of the women involved in the Scottish Women’s Convention.  Some of these women are involved in full time ministry in the local Church, while others balance serving in the church with a secular job.

We sent various people a questionnaire asking them to give us a taste of what they do, the challenges they face and what they are looking forward to about the Scottish Women’s Bible Convention.

Meet Amy, our speaker…from Southgate, in North London

What area of ministry do you work in?

For the last 7 years I’ve been involved in women’s ministry with younger women in central London. However I’ve just moved and have started Bible College. I haven’t been to my new church yet, but I’m looking forward to getting to know them and working out how to serve there.

Give one great challenge and one great joy of working in gospel ministry?

I think the answer is probably the same – people. Its amazing to watch the Lord grow people and a privilege to walk alongside them as they get to know Jesus better and live for him more. But people are also a great challenge. There a massive disappointments and sadness when you see people walk away from the Lord or pursue something that you know is going to make it hard to stay Christian.

What one thing has the Lord been teaching you about yourself and himself in recent times?

The last few months have been marked by massive change – changing where I live, changing church, changing what I do, and who I spend my days with. I realised how secure I felt in my old setting and how extremely sad I was to leave it all. In the midst of it all, every talk I’ve heard recently, and every verse that friends have pointed me to, has been about God’s kindness, his goodness, his steadfastness and the need to keep going. So I’m trying to learn that he is good and faithful, and that what I need isn’t my old life back, but to know him better.

Tickets can be purchased from Eventbrite here –Tickets