This seven week course is aimed at guests with little or no Christian background, or those who have lost touch with their Christian faith. It forms the most coherent way of presenting the Christian faith to non-believers. It gives plenty of time for the participants to get to know each other and to become comfortable in the sessions. Each session gently builds on the one that precedes it, but it is still possible for new guests to start attending for the later films. These films try not to use Christian jargon or technical language but to present the faith to those who may be hearing about it for the first time.

This includes the first seven Sycamore films, and therefore introduces some of the main Christian doctrinal and credal themes, but excludes the more personal and existential topics around Prayer (Film 8), Freedom (Film 9) and Love (Film 10). You can find the complete list of Sycamore films here and the complete list of Session Guides here.

If you want to have a follow-on course after this one, you can run the Sycamore Enquiry Group, Part II, and invite participants to this.

 

(1) THE SEARCH FOR HAPPINESS [“Film 1” in Series: click here to view]

The impossibility of sitting still. What is happiness? How to press the pause button.

 

(2) THE EXISTENCE OF GOD [“Film 2” in Series: click here to view]

Why bother thinking about religion? Five reasons not to believe in God. Arguments for the existence of God?

 

(3) A GOD WHO SPEAKS? [“Film 3” in Series: click here to view]

The hiddenness of God. When God broke the silence. Discovering the face of God.

 

(4) WHO IS JESUS? [“Film 4” in Series: click here to view]

He came to bring life to the world. The Saving Death of Jesus. The light of the Resurrection.

 

(5) THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE CHURCH [“Film 5” in Series: click here to view]

How the Holy Spirit can change your life. No one gets into heaven alone. Why we need signs, symbols and sacraments.

 

(6) THE BIBLE [“Film 6” in Series: click here to view]

What is the bible? Can we trust the bible? How the bible can change your life.

 

(7)  THE GIFT OF FAITH [“Film 7” in Series: click here to view]

What is faith? Are Christians just stupid or are there good reasons to believe? How to take a step of faith.

 

The following three sessions could be run as a short series of follow-up sessions as a way of re-connecting with those guests who wanted to meet again and be involved:

 

(8) THE POWER OF PRAYER [“Film 8” in Series: click here to view]

What is prayer? Does prayer make a difference? How to pray.

 

(9) FINDING TRUE FREEDOM [“Film 9” in Series: click here to view]

Is there such a thing as right and wrong? Where can we find moral guidance? How do you discover your true identity?

 

(10) THE MEANING OF LOVE [“Film 10” in Series: click here to view]

What is love? How to love your neighbour. Knowing the love of God.

 

Please note that the accompanying “Film Number” (e.g. “Film 13”) and Session Number (e.g. “Session 13”) refer to the complete list of Sycamore films and not to the order of each module in this course.

You can find the complete list of Sycamore films here and the complete list of Session Guides here. The “Film Number” and “Session Number” is a fixed code number so you know which film is being referred to, even if it appears in different places in different courses.

If you are using Sycamore as a central part of your sacramental preparation and catechesis, see the page here about Sycamore and sacramental preparation.

If you are using the YouCat readings as part of your course, see the page here about using the YouCat.