Exploring Church, Jesus and Faith in Sheffield
Questions about God, Christianity and finding a church
Many people today are asking big questions.
Questions like:
Is there more to life than what I can see?
Who is Jesus?
Does God really exist?
Why is there suffering in the world?
What happens after we die?
Can I believe in God and still value science?
What is the purpose of my life?
Is church still relevant today?
You might be asking these questions because you have never been to church before. You might have grown up around Christianity but drifted away. You might have recently moved to Sheffield and be looking for community. Or you might simply be curious about Jesus and want to understand what Christians believe.
At STC Sheffield, we believe questions are a good place to start.
Faith is not about pretending to have no doubts or having every answer immediately. Christianity has always involved people bringing their questions, searching for truth and discovering who Jesus is.
This page exists to help answer some of the most common questions people ask about church, Christianity and faith.
Whether you are exploring Christianity for the first time, looking for a church in Sheffield, or wanting to reconnect with faith, we hope this helps you take your next step.
Looking for a church in Sheffield?
If you are searching for a church in Sheffield, you are not alone.
Every year thousands of people move to Sheffield for university, work, relationships or a new chapter of life. Many people find themselves asking:
"How do I find community in Sheffield?"
"Are there churches in Sheffield where I would feel welcome?"
"Can I visit a church if I am not sure what I believe?"
"Where can I explore Christianity?"
STC Sheffield is a contemporary Christian church in Sheffield where people from different backgrounds gather to worship Jesus, learn from the Bible, build friendships and serve our city.
People who are part of STC Sheffield have many different stories.
Some have followed Jesus for many years.
Some grew up in church.
Some are new to Christianity and are still exploring what they believe.
Some had never considered faith before meeting people who introduced them to Jesus.
Wherever you are on your journey, you are welcome.
What is STC Sheffield like?
STC Sheffield is a church community centred on Jesus, committed to loving God, loving people and seeing lives transformed.
We believe church is not simply a meeting that happens on a Sunday. It is a family of people learning to follow Jesus together.
At STC Sheffield you will find:
Contemporary worship
Our Gatherings include worship led by a live band.
We believe worship is more than singing songs. It is a response to who God is and an opportunity to draw near to Him.
Our worship style is contemporary and includes space to celebrate, reflect, pray and encounter God.
You do not need to know the songs or be comfortable singing. Many people simply listen during their first visit.
Biblical teaching
The Bible is at the heart of what we do.
Each week we explore Scripture and ask how it connects with everyday life.
We believe the Bible is not simply an ancient book but God's Word that continues to speak into the questions, challenges and hopes of people today.
Community
One of the things many people are looking for today is genuine community.
Church provides a place where people can build friendships, find support and journey through life with others.
Through gatherings, Life Groups, events and serving opportunities, people at STC Sheffield develop relationships that go beyond Sunday.
Prayer and the Holy Spirit
We believe God is active today.
Prayer is central to our life as a church because we believe God hears us, speaks to us and transforms lives.
We believe the Holy Spirit continues to work in people's lives, bringing comfort, guidance, healing, freedom and a deeper relationship with God.
What happens when I visit STC Sheffield?
Visiting a church for the first time can feel unfamiliar.
Many people wonder:
Will people notice me?
Will I have to introduce myself?
What should I wear?
Will I be expected to believe everything?
What actually happens during a service?
The answer is simple: come as you are.
When you arrive, members of our welcome team will be available to help you find your way and answer any questions.
You do not need to know anyone beforehand.
You do not need to understand everything that happens.
You do not need to pretend to have faith.
You are welcome to simply come, listen and explore.
What should I wear to church?
Whatever you normally wear.
There is no dress code at STC Sheffield.
Some people dress casually in jeans and trainers. Others choose to dress more formally.
The important thing is not what you wear, but that you feel comfortable coming.
Can I attend church if I am not a Christian?
Yes.
In fact, many people who attend STC Sheffield today began by simply asking questions.
You do not need to:
understand the Bible,
know how to pray,
believe everything Christians believe,
have your life completely sorted,
or call yourself a Christian.
Church is a place where people can explore faith alongside others.
We believe honest questions are part of the journey.
What if I have never been to church before?
You are very welcome.
Many people imagine church as something only for people who already know what they believe.
But throughout history, Jesus consistently welcomed people who were searching, uncertain, curious or far from God.
The first followers of Jesus were not people who had everything figured out. They were ordinary people who encountered Jesus and discovered that He changed their lives.
Today, people still come to church with questions about meaning, purpose, hope, identity and whether God is real.
Why do people go to church?
People attend church for many different reasons.
Some come because they believe in Jesus and want to worship God.
Some come because they are looking for community.
Some come because they are searching for answers.
Some come because they want their children to learn about faith.
Some come because they have experienced God and want to grow deeper.
At its heart, church is about people discovering Jesus and learning how to follow Him together.
Is Christianity still relevant today?
Many people wonder whether Christianity belongs to the past.
But the questions Christianity addresses are questions every generation asks:
What is the meaning of life?
How should we live?
What is right and wrong?
Can broken things be restored?
Is there hope beyond suffering?
Are we loved by God?
Christianity claims that Jesus is not simply a historical figure, but someone who is alive today and invites people into relationship with Him.
What makes Christianity different?
At the centre of Christianity is not simply a set of beliefs or moral teachings.
It is a person: Jesus.
Christians believe that God came into the world through Jesus Christ.
Jesus showed people what God is like, taught about God's Kingdom, welcomed outsiders, forgave sinners, healed the broken and ultimately gave His life on the cross.
Christians believe Jesus rose from the dead, defeating sin and death, and that through Him people can know God personally.
Where do I start exploring Christianity?
If you are curious about Christianity, there are several simple ways to begin:
Come to a Sunday Gathering
Joining a church gathering is one of the easiest ways to experience Christian community.
You can listen, ask questions and meet people.
Read about Jesus
The Bible accounts of Jesus' life are found in the Gospels:
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Many people start with the Gospel of John because it explores who Jesus is and why He matters.
Ask questions
Talking with Christians can be a helpful way to explore faith.
You do not need to worry about asking the "wrong" question.
Join Alpha
Alpha is a course designed for people who want to explore the Christian faith.
It creates space to ask questions, discuss ideas and discover more about Jesus in a relaxed environment.
You are welcome at STC Sheffield
Whether you are searching for a church in Sheffield, exploring Christianity for the first time, returning to faith after many years or simply curious about Jesus, you are welcome.
We believe everyone has a story, everyone has questions and everyone is invited to discover the hope, purpose and life that Jesus offers.
Who is Jesus?
One of the most important questions anyone can ask is:
Who is Jesus?
Almost every major historian agrees that Jesus of Nazareth was a real person who lived in the first century in the region of Judea. He is one of the most influential figures in human history, with billions of people around the world following Him today.
But Christianity claims Jesus is more than a historical figure or a wise teacher.
Christians believe Jesus is the Son of God — God Himself entering into human history to reveal God's love, rescue humanity and restore our relationship with Him.
Understanding Jesus is at the heart of understanding Christianity.
Was Jesus a real person?
Yes.
Jesus lived around 2,000 years ago during the time of the Roman Empire. He was born in Bethlehem, grew up in Nazareth and spent much of His public life teaching, healing and gathering followers.
His life is recorded in the four Gospels of the Bible:
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
These accounts describe Jesus' teachings, miracles, death and resurrection.
Jesus is also referenced by several non-Christian historical sources from the ancient world, showing that His life and impact were recognised beyond the Christian community.
What did Jesus teach?
Jesus taught about the Kingdom of God — the idea that God is bringing His love, justice and restoration into the world.
Some of Jesus' most famous teachings include:
Love God and love others
Jesus said that the greatest commandments are to love God with everything we are and to love our neighbours as ourselves.
Christianity is not simply about following rules. It is about being transformed by God's love and learning to love others.
Forgiveness
Jesus repeatedly taught people to forgive.
He welcomed people who had made mistakes, offering them a new beginning rather than shame and condemnation.
Serving others
Jesus showed that greatness is found in humility and service.
He cared for the poor, the overlooked and those society often rejected.
Trusting God
Jesus invited people to place their lives in God's hands and discover that God is a loving Father who knows and cares for them.
Why is Jesus important?
Christians believe Jesus answers some of the deepest questions humans ask:
Can I know God?
Jesus reveals what God is like. Christians believe that by looking at Jesus, we see the character of God — His love, compassion, holiness and mercy.
Can my mistakes be forgiven?
Christians believe Jesus' death on the cross makes forgiveness possible and offers people a new start.
Does my life have purpose?
Jesus invites people into a life of meaning, identity and relationship with God.
Is there hope beyond death?
Christians believe Jesus' resurrection shows that death is not the end and that God offers eternal life.
Why do Christians believe Jesus is God?
Christians believe Jesus is God because of what He said, what He did and what happened after His death.
Jesus did things that, according to the Bible, revealed God's authority:
He forgave sins.
He spoke with God's authority.
He performed miracles.
He accepted worship.
He claimed a unique relationship with God the Father.
The Bible describes Jesus as:
"the image of the invisible God"
(Colossians 1:15)
Christians believe Jesus is both fully God and fully human — God coming near to humanity.
Why did Jesus die?
The death of Jesus is central to Christianity.
Jesus was crucified by the Romans, but Christians believe His death was not simply a tragic ending. They believe it was part of God's plan to restore humanity.
Christians believe that sin — humanity's rejection of God and turning away from His ways — has broken our relationship with God and with one another.
The cross shows both the seriousness of sin and the depth of God's love.
Through Jesus' death, Christians believe forgiveness and reconciliation with God are possible.
What does the cross mean?
The cross is the central symbol of Christianity because Christians believe it shows how far God was willing to go to reach humanity.
At the cross:
God's justice and mercy meet.
Sin is dealt with.
Forgiveness is offered.
Love is demonstrated.
The message of the cross is that people do not have to earn God's love. Christians believe God loved humanity first and offers grace as a gift.
Did Jesus really rise from the dead?
The resurrection of Jesus is one of the central claims of Christianity.
Christians believe that after Jesus was crucified and buried, He rose physically from the dead three days later.
The resurrection is important because Christians believe it demonstrates that:
Jesus truly is the Son of God.
Death has been defeated.
There is hope beyond the grave.
New life is available through Him.
The early Christian movement began because Jesus' followers believed they had encountered the risen Jesus.
Why does Jesus matter today?
Some people wonder whether a person who lived 2,000 years ago can really make a difference today.
Christians believe Jesus matters because the human questions He addressed have not changed.
People are still searching for:
purpose,
forgiveness,
belonging,
hope,
peace,
meaning,
and a relationship with God.
Millions of people around the world would say that following Jesus has transformed their lives.
They have found freedom from guilt, a deeper sense of purpose, a community of faith and hope in difficult circumstances.
What does it mean to follow Jesus?
Following Jesus means becoming His disciple — someone who learns from Him, trusts Him and seeks to live His way.
It is not about becoming perfect overnight.
It is a lifelong journey of:
knowing God,
growing in faith,
becoming more like Jesus,
loving others,
receiving God's forgiveness,
and discovering God's purpose.
Christians believe Jesus does not simply invite people to believe ideas about Him. He invites people into relationship with Him.
Can I follow Jesus if I have doubts?
Yes.
Doubt is a normal part of faith.
Many people in the Bible had questions and uncertainty.
The Christian journey is not about having every answer immediately. It is about honestly seeking God and being willing to explore who Jesus is.
At STC Sheffield, we believe questions are welcome and conversations about faith should be honest and open.
How can I learn more about Jesus?
If you want to explore who Jesus is, some good places to start are:
Read one of the Gospels
The Gospel of John is often recommended for people exploring Christianity because it focuses on Jesus' identity and His invitation to believe.
Join Alpha
Alpha is a relaxed course where people can explore the basics of Christianity, ask questions and discuss faith with others.
Visit a church
Meeting Christians and experiencing church community can help you discover what following Jesus looks like in everyday life.
Talk to someone
If you have questions about Jesus, faith or Christianity, we'd love to talk.
The invitation of Jesus
At the heart of Christianity is an invitation.
Jesus said:
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
Christians believe Jesus welcomes everyone — regardless of their background, mistakes, doubts or questions.
The invitation is not simply to learn about Jesus, but to know Him.
At STC Sheffield, we would love to help you explore what that could mean for your life.
Does God Exist?
One of the biggest questions humans ask is:
Is there a God?
People have wrestled with this question for thousands of years. Some people are convinced that God exists. Others are unsure. Others reject belief in God altogether.
At STC Sheffield, we believe questions about God are worth exploring honestly.
Christians believe God is not simply an idea or a force, but a personal God who created the universe, loves humanity and invites us into relationship with Him.
Why do Christians believe in God?
Christians believe there are many reasons to believe in God.
The existence of the universe
Many Christians believe the existence of the universe points beyond itself.
The question "Why is there something rather than nothing?" has challenged philosophers and scientists for centuries.
Christians believe the universe ultimately has its origin in God.
The beauty and complexity of creation
Many people look at the natural world — the complexity of life, the order of the universe and the beauty of creation — and see evidence of a Creator.
Human experience
Christians believe things such as love, morality, beauty and our desire for meaning point towards something beyond the physical world.
Jesus
For Christians, the strongest evidence for God is Jesus.
Christians believe that in Jesus, God made Himself known in a way humanity could understand.
Can science and Christianity exist together?
Yes.
Many Christians believe science and faith are not enemies.
Science helps us understand how the universe works. Faith explores deeper questions about why we are here, what life means and whether there is a purpose behind existence.
Many scientists throughout history have been Christians, and many Christians today see scientific discovery as a way of understanding more about God's creation.
Science asks questions about how things happen.
Faith asks questions about meaning, purpose and relationship with God.
Why does God allow suffering?
This is one of the hardest questions people ask.
If God is good and powerful, why is there suffering?
The Christian answer begins with the belief that the world is not as God originally intended.
The Bible describes humanity's rejection of God as bringing brokenness into creation. Christians believe suffering, injustice and pain are consequences of a world that has fallen away from God's purposes.
However, Christianity does not present a God who watches suffering from a distance.
Christians believe God entered into human suffering through Jesus.
Jesus experienced rejection, pain and death. The cross shows that God understands human suffering and has acted to overcome it.
Where is God when life hurts?
Many people discover faith not when life is easy, but when life is difficult.
Christianity teaches that God is close to those who are hurting.
The Bible describes God as:
a comforter,
a source of strength,
a refuge in difficult times.
Christians do not believe faith removes every difficulty. Instead, they believe God walks with people through difficulties and offers hope beyond them.
What is the Bible?
The Bible is the central book of Christianity.
It is a collection of writings created over many centuries by different authors, telling one overarching story: God's relationship with humanity.
The Bible contains:
History
Poetry
Wisdom
Prophecy
Letters
Accounts of Jesus' life
Christians believe the Bible is inspired by God and helps people understand who God is, who we are and how we can live.
Can the Bible be trusted?
Many people ask whether the Bible is reliable.
Christians believe the Bible can be trusted because:
It has been preserved through history.
Its writings have been carefully passed down.
Its central message has remained consistent.
It has transformed the lives of billions of people.
At the same time, Christians recognise that the Bible contains different types of writing and should be read carefully, considering context and meaning.
How do I start reading the Bible?
If you have never read the Bible before, it can feel overwhelming.
A good place to start is one of the accounts of Jesus' life:
John
Mark
Luke
Matthew
Many people also find it helpful to read a small section regularly and reflect on questions such as:
What does this show me about God?
What does this show me about humanity?
How might this change the way I live?
What is prayer?
Prayer is simply communication with God.
It is not about using special words or knowing the right formula.
Prayer can include:
talking to God,
listening,
asking for help,
expressing gratitude,
admitting mistakes,
bringing worries and hopes to God.
Christians believe prayer matters because God is relational and wants to know us.
Does God answer prayer?
Christians believe God hears every prayer.
Sometimes prayers are answered in the way people hope.
Sometimes the answer looks different.
Sometimes the answer takes time.
Prayer is not about controlling God. It is about building relationship with Him and trusting Him.
What is worship?
Worship is responding to who God is.
For many people, worship is expressed through singing, but it is much bigger than music.
Christians believe worship includes:
how we live,
how we treat others,
how we use our gifts,
how we respond to God.
At STC Sheffield, worship is a central part of church life because we believe God is worthy of our attention, love and praise.
What is the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit is God present and active with us today.
Christians believe the Holy Spirit:
reveals God's love,
guides people,
gives strength,
transforms lives,
brings spiritual gifts,
helps people become more like Jesus.
Many churches, including STC Sheffield, believe the Holy Spirit continues to work powerfully today.
What is baptism?
Baptism is a Christian practice that represents a person's decision to follow Jesus.
It symbolises:
leaving behind an old way of life,
being made new,
identifying with Jesus' death and resurrection.
Many Christians describe baptism as a public declaration of their faith.
What is Alpha?
Alpha is a course designed to help people explore Christianity.
It is especially for people who:
have questions about faith,
are curious about Jesus,
are unsure what they believe,
want to discuss life's big questions.
Alpha usually involves food, a short talk and conversation.
There is no pressure to believe anything. Questions and discussion are encouraged.
What is church?
Church is more than a building or a Sunday event.
In Christianity, the Church is a community of people following Jesus together.
Church is about:
worshipping God,
learning together,
supporting each other,
serving others,
sharing life.
Christians believe people were created for relationship with God and with one another.
Why should I go to church?
People attend church for many reasons.
Some want to know God.
Some are searching for meaning.
Some want community.
Some want to explore Christianity.
Some want their children to learn about faith.
Christians believe church is a place where people encounter God, grow spiritually and find belonging.
What if I have been hurt by church?
Sadly, some people have experienced disappointment, rejection or hurt through churches.
The actions of Christians do not always reflect the love and character of Jesus.
At STC Sheffield, we want to be a community marked by humility, kindness, honesty and grace.
If church has been difficult in the past, you are still welcome to explore faith again.
How do I become a Christian?
Christianity teaches that becoming a Christian begins with responding to Jesus.
Christians believe this involves:
recognising our need for God,
trusting in Jesus,
receiving God's forgiveness,
choosing to follow Him.
It is not about becoming perfect.
It is about beginning a relationship with God.
Why STC Sheffield?
STC Sheffield is a place where people can explore faith, build friendships and grow as followers of Jesus.
We are a Christian church in Sheffield welcoming:
students,
young adults,
families,
those exploring faith,
those returning to church,
people from all backgrounds.
We believe Jesus is good news for Sheffield and for every person.
If you are asking questions about God, Christianity or what church is like, we would love to welcome you.
You don't need to have all the answers.
You simply need to start exploring.