What is THE WAY?
It is the outreach programme of the Institute for Orthodox Christian Studies. It is a course of 12 sessions, usually over 12 weeks, and consists of:
a meal together
a talk on a central aspect of Christian belief
free discussion in small groups
a "question and answer" session, where members of each group put questions to a panel
Where is its name from?
THE WAY is probably the earliest term by which the followers of Jesus Christ referred to themselves. Jesus said "I am the way, the truth and the life" (John 14.6). St Paul said "I worship the God of our fathers as a follower of the Way" (Acts 24.14).
What about the badge?
Its logo comprises the Chi Rho, a very early Christian monogram for Christ, as used by Constantine, by the early Roman emperors who were Christian, and by ordinary Christians as a sign on tombs and liturgical vessels. The superimposed Greek letters are the first two in the name "Christ". The Chi Rho symbol has always been in the form of a cross, with the upright Rho standing for the crucified body, and in the version we have adopted (which is taken from a coin of an early Emperor) the arms of the Chi are in fact nails, with their heads pointing to the point of intersection. The Cross is therefore at the centre of THE WAY.
What does THE WAY do?
The course aims to present the basics of Orthodox Christian faith in an atmosphere of friendship, free exchange and trust, where no position is forbidden and no question treated as foolish or unworthy of attention.
What are its key topics?
The titles of the twelve talks are:
The Search for Faith
God the Holy Trinity: "The Lover of Mankind"
Being Human: Fully Alive
Why Did Jesus Come to Us?
Salvation in Christ
The Holy Spirit
What on Earth is the Church? Isn't God Enough?
Living the Faith: (1) The Divine Liturgy - "A Pearl of Great Price"
Living the Faith: (2) The Holy Mysteries
Living the Faith: (3) The Bible, Prayer, and Fasting
Living the Faith: (4) Christian Behaviour
"Heaven on Earth": Members of the Church and Citizens of Heaven
Who is the course for?
The course is taught in English and was initially designed for people between 18 and 45 who had completed secondary school. In practice, it has been enjoyed by those of all ages and attainments, people with considerable Christian knowledge or very little, those from a variety of racial backgrounds, by Orthodox wanting to better understand their faith, by other Christians seeking to know more, and by those of goodwill who have a curiosity as to what Christians believe.
It is the outreach programme of the Institute for Orthodox Christian Studies. It is a course of 12 sessions, usually over 12 weeks, and consists of:
a meal together
a talk on a central aspect of Christian belief
free discussion in small groups
a "question and answer" session, where members of each group put questions to a panel
Where is its name from?
THE WAY is probably the earliest term by which the followers of Jesus Christ referred to themselves. Jesus said "I am the way, the truth and the life" (John 14.6). St Paul said "I worship the God of our fathers as a follower of the Way" (Acts 24.14).
What about the badge?
Its logo comprises the Chi Rho, a very early Christian monogram for Christ, as used by Constantine, by the early Roman emperors who were Christian, and by ordinary Christians as a sign on tombs and liturgical vessels. The superimposed Greek letters are the first two in the name "Christ". The Chi Rho symbol has always been in the form of a cross, with the upright Rho standing for the crucified body, and in the version we have adopted (which is taken from a coin of an early Emperor) the arms of the Chi are in fact nails, with their heads pointing to the point of intersection. The Cross is therefore at the centre of THE WAY.
What does THE WAY do?
The course aims to present the basics of Orthodox Christian faith in an atmosphere of friendship, free exchange and trust, where no position is forbidden and no question treated as foolish or unworthy of attention.
What are its key topics?
The titles of the twelve talks are:
The Search for Faith
God the Holy Trinity: "The Lover of Mankind"
Being Human: Fully Alive
Why Did Jesus Come to Us?
Salvation in Christ
The Holy Spirit
What on Earth is the Church? Isn't God Enough?
Living the Faith: (1) The Divine Liturgy - "A Pearl of Great Price"
Living the Faith: (2) The Holy Mysteries
Living the Faith: (3) The Bible, Prayer, and Fasting
Living the Faith: (4) Christian Behaviour
"Heaven on Earth": Members of the Church and Citizens of Heaven
Who is the course for?
The course is taught in English and was initially designed for people between 18 and 45 who had completed secondary school. In practice, it has been enjoyed by those of all ages and attainments, people with considerable Christian knowledge or very little, those from a variety of racial backgrounds, by Orthodox wanting to better understand their faith, by other Christians seeking to know more, and by those of goodwill who have a curiosity as to what Christians believe.
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