The Character Course, is an eight-week small group programme for churches with a psychological twist. Designed by psychologist, Dr Roger Bretherton (University of Lincoln), produced by Blink Creative and funded by the John Templeton Foundation. It combines evidence-based psychological interventions with biblical insights and spiritual disciplines. 

Over the course of eight weeks, participants will journey prayerfully through eight positive qualities of character (learning, love, hope, forgiveness, gratitude, persistence, humour and curiosity), meeting Jesus in the light of these uplifting characteristics. 

Each session is easy for a group leader to lead, involving a short video, a bible study and an exercise to take away and try at home.

Right now the course is being piloted with churches around the UK as a research project, measuring changes in character, spiritual health and wellbeing before and after participation. In 2020 it becomes an open access resource for anyone to use. If you’d like to know more, please contact the research team on character@lincoln.ac.uk.