The Bishop of Norwich's Certificate in Christian Learning: (Unit 2) Exploring the New Testament
2026-11-25 19:00 - 20:30, 2026-12-02 19:00 - 20:30, 2026-12-09 19:00 - 20:30 UTC | Norwich Cathedral
The Bishop’s Certificate in Christian Learning is a flexible programme designed for anyone aged 18 and over who wants to explore, deepen or refresh their Christian faith. It is open to people who are new to Christianity as well as those who have been Christians for many years. Participants can study individual units or complete all five units to gain the full Bishop’s Certificate in Christian Learning. The course combines in-person teaching, online learning and group discussion, providing opportunities to engage with scripture, prayer, discipleship and mission alongside other learners from across the Diocese of Norwich. The five units are:

Inhabiting the New Testament
Exploring the Old Testament
Praying
Shaping the Christian Life
Sharing in God’s Mission

Together, these units help participants develop a deeper understanding of the Bible, Christian belief and practice, prayer, ministry, vocation and the Church’s mission in today’s world.
Unit 2: Exploring the Old Testament The second unit, Exploring the Old Testament, is led by Charles Read and introduces participants to the history, context and key themes of the Old Testament. Through five sessions, learners will explore how to read some of the Bible’s oldest texts, engage with challenging passages, discover the message of the prophets and uncover the relevance of wisdom literature for Christian faith today. Dates and Times In-person session

Saturday 14 November 2026

Arrival: 2.00pm
Session: 2.30pm to 4.30pm

Online Zoom sessions (7.00pm to 8.30pm)

Wednesday 18 November 2026
Wednesday 25 November 2026
Wednesday 2 December 2026
Wednesday 9 December 2026

Unit 2 Content

The World of the Old Testament
How do I read Genesis?
Horrible Histories
Reading the Prophets
Seeking Wisdom

This unit provides an accessible introduction to the Old Testament, helping participants understand its historical background, literary styles and enduring significance. It offers valuable foundations for reading and interpreting the first part of the Bible with greater confidence and insight.
Read more about the course and full set of units here: The Bishop’s Certificate in Christian Learning

LECTIO DIVINA - a way of being with scripture and other sacred texts
2026-12-11 14:30 - 15:00, 2027-01-08 14:30 - 15:00, 2027-02-12 14:30 - 15:00, 2027-03-12 14:30 - 15:00, 2027-04-09 14:30 - 15:00, 2027-05-14 14:30 - 15:00, 2027-06-11 14:30 - 15:00, 2027-07-09 14:30 - 15:00 | Norwich Cathedral
We host a monthly group Lectio Divina session in the cathedral library, on the SECOND FRIDAY of every month at 2.30pm.
Lectio Divina is a contemplative way of reading the Bible, focusing on a short passage and allowing it to speak to us. The passage is read aloud, and we may share a word or phrase that resonates with us, but without discussion. It is a traditional Benedictine approach to the scriptures.
Open to all, readings and full outline of the approach provided. Come along to try it out, or contact Gudrun at gwarren@cathedral.org.uk if you would like to know more.

The Bishop of Norwich's Certificate in Christian Learning: (Unit 3) Praying
2027-01-09 14:30 - 16:30, 2027-01-13 19:00 - 20:30, 2027-01-20 19:00 - 20:30, 2027-01-27 19:00 - 20:30, 2027-02-03 19:00 - 20:30 | Norwich Cathedral
The Bishop’s Certificate in Christian Learning is a flexible programme designed for anyone aged 18 and over who wants to explore, deepen or refresh their Christian faith. It is open to people who are new to Christianity as well as those who have been Christians for many years. Participants can study individual units or complete all five units to gain the full Bishop’s Certificate in Christian Learning. The course combines in-person teaching, online learning and group discussion, providing opportunities to engage with scripture, prayer, discipleship and mission alongside other learners from across the Diocese of Norwich. The five units are:

Inhabiting the New Testament
Exploring the Old Testament
Praying
Shaping the Christian Life
Sharing in God’s Mission

Together, these units help participants develop a deeper understanding of the Bible, Christian belief and practice, prayer, ministry, vocation and the Church’s mission in today’s world.
Unit 3: Praying The third unit, Praying, is led by Nick Garrard and explores a variety of approaches to prayer, drawing on both Christian tradition and contemporary practice. Participants will discover new pathways in prayer, reflect on prayer through creativity and creation, engage their imagination and experience in prayer, consider prayer during difficult times, and explore pilgrimage as a spiritual journey. 【1-2bd2ee】 Dates and Times In-person session

Saturday 9 January 2027

Arrival: 2.00pm
Session: 2.30pm to 4.30pm

Online Zoom sessions (7.00pm to 8.30pm)

Wednesday 13 January 2027
Wednesday 20 January 2027
Wednesday 27 January 2027
Wednesday 3 February 2027

Unit 3 Content

New pathways in prayer and learning from tradition
Being with God in creation and creativity
Praying with experience and imagination
Praying in the darkness
Journeying in prayer: pilgrimage

This unit invites participants to deepen their prayer life through a range of spiritual practices and perspectives, helping them develop a richer and more confident relationship with God in everyday life. 【1-2bd2ee】
Read more about the course and full set of units here: The Bishop’s Certificate in Christian Learning

The Norwich Shared Vocations space 2026/27: Onwards and Outwards!
2027-01-11 19:00 - 21:00, 2027-02-08 19:00 - 21:00, 2027-03-08 19:00 - 21:00, 2027-04-12 19:00 - 21:00
This six-session course, over six months, invites you to learn about the ways in which you might be called to go ‘onwards and outwards’ in sharing your Christian faith as a Licensed Lay Minister (sometimes known as Reader), ordained minister, chaplain, pioneer evangelist, Authorised Worship Assistant (AWA) or Authorised Pastoral Assistant (APA).
Together we will hear stories of how people have heard and responded to the call of God, go deeper into what the Bible teaches about Christian ministry and explore some of the big questions, joys and challenges of ministry today. Time in small groups will give you space for sharing thoughts and experiences, and by the end of the course you will be well prepared to take the next steps, either to a formal selection process for licensed lay or ordained ministry, or to consider what part God might be stirring you to play in the life of the Church and in sharing the good news of Jesus in our world today.
Register your interest via email to lucy.dallas@dioceseofnorwich.org

The Bishop of Norwich's Certificate in Christian Learning: (Unit 4) Shaping the Christian Life
2027-02-27 14:30 - 16:30, 2027-03-03 19:00 - 20:30, 2027-03-10 19:00 - 20:30, 2027-03-17 19:00 - 20:30, 2027-03-24 19:00 - 20:30 | Norwich Cathedral
The Bishop’s Certificate in Christian Learning is a flexible programme designed for anyone aged 18 and over who wants to explore, deepen or refresh their Christian faith. It is open to people who are new to Christianity as well as those who have been Christians for many years. Participants can study individual units or complete all five units to gain the full Bishop’s Certificate in Christian Learning. The course combines in-person teaching, online learning and group discussion, providing opportunities to engage with scripture, prayer, discipleship and mission alongside other learners from across the Diocese of Norwich. The five units are:

Inhabiting the New Testament
Exploring the Old Testament
Praying
Shaping the Christian Life
Sharing in God’s Mission

Together, these units help participants develop a deeper understanding of the Bible, Christian belief and practice, prayer, ministry, vocation and the Church’s mission in today’s world.
Unit 4: Shaping the Christian Life The fourth unit, Shaping the Christian Life, is led by the Revd Richard Lamey and explores how Christian faith is lived out in practice. Participants will reflect on the sacraments, Christian beliefs, ministry, discipleship and vocation, considering how faith shapes everyday life and how God calls people to serve in a variety of ways.
Dates and Times In-person session

Saturday 27 February 2027

Arrival: 2.00pm
Session: 2.30pm to 4.30pm

Online Zoom sessions (7.00pm to 8.30pm)

Wednesday 3 March 2027
Wednesday 10 March 2027
Wednesday 17 March 2027
Wednesday 24 March 2027

Unit 4 Content

Baptism and breaking bread
We believe – creeds and the framework of faith
Sharing in ministry
Faith in daily life
Hearing God’s call

This unit helps participants connect Christian belief with everyday living, exploring how worship, service and vocation can shape a faithful and purposeful Christian life.
Read more about the course and full set of units here: The Bishop’s Certificate in Christian Learning

The Bishop of Norwich's Certificate in Christian Learning: (Unit 5) Sharing in God's Mission
2027-04-17 14:30 - 16:30, 2027-04-21 19:00 - 20:30, 2027-04-28 19:00 - 20:30, 2027-05-05 19:00 - 20:30, 2027-05-12 19:00 - 20:30 | Norwich Cathedral
The Bishop’s Certificate in Christian Learning is a flexible programme designed for anyone aged 18 and over who wants to explore, deepen or refresh their Christian faith. It is open to people who are new to Christianity as well as those who have been Christians for many years. Participants can study individual units or complete all five units to gain the full Bishop’s Certificate in Christian Learning. The course combines in-person teaching, online learning and group discussion, providing opportunities to engage with scripture, prayer, discipleship and mission alongside other learners from across the Diocese of Norwich. The five units are:

Inhabiting the New Testament
Exploring the Old Testament
Praying
Shaping the Christian Life
Sharing in God’s Mission

Together, these units help participants develop a deeper understanding of the Bible, Christian belief and practice, prayer, ministry, vocation and the Church’s mission in today’s world.
Unit 5: Sharing in God’s Mission The fifth and final unit, Sharing in God’s Mission, is led by the Revd Richard Lamey and explores how Christians can participate in God’s work in the world. Participants will examine mission in parish ministry, chaplaincy, pioneering contexts and social action, while considering how the Church is called to share the good news and serve local communities.
Dates and Times
In-person session

Saturday 17 April 2027

Arrival: 2.00pm
Session: 2.30pm to 4.30pm

Online Zoom sessions (7.00pm to 8.30pm)

Wednesday 21 April 2027
Wednesday 28 April 2027
Wednesday 5 May 2027

Unit 5 Content

God’s activity and the five marks of mission
The parish and mission
Chaplaincy and mission
Pioneer ministry
Social and environmental action

This concluding unit encourages participants to think about how faith can be put into action through service, outreach and mission. It offers practical insights into the many ways Christians can contribute to God’s work in their communities and beyond.
Read more about the course and full set of units here: The Bishop’s Certificate in Christian Learning
