SUNDAY
Short Term Classes
Serendipity
This ongoing small group meets through the year at 10:00, and explores varied themes and topics relating faith to contemporary issues. Our next study will be Mainline or Methodist?: Rediscovering our Evangelistic Mission. Join us in room 120 to study whether the dynamic history and identity of the United Methodist Church is lost among the pluralistic landscape in America today. Dr. Scott T. Kisker , Professor of Church History at Wesley Seminary, argues that the Church seems to have lost its missional foundation as it climbed to mainline American Protestant church status. He says we must reclaim the rich roots of salvation, disciple-making and witness that made the tradition so strong. In Mainline or Methodist? he reveals what's not working and unveils a vision to renewal that embodies the distinctive Wesleyan tradition of the apostolic and universal Christian faith. Could such a vision apply to CUMC? Come and see if you agree.
Leader: Bob Downs 10:00 AM October 2 – November 6
CANCELLED See Wednesday for class information.
Journey with Adam Hamilton as he travels from Nazareth to Bethlehem in this fascinating look at the birth of Jesus Christ. Using historical information, archaeological findings, and personal reflections, Hamilton illuminates this most amazing moment in history. We follow the footsteps of Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and others, gaining insight into our own journeys with Christ. Adam Hamilton writes: It is one of Western civilization’s best-known stories. For two thousand years it has been told and retold, preached and sung about. And yet, its very familiarity may keep us from fully grasping its riches. The purpose of this book is to explore the story of the birth of Jesus with fresh eyes and ears…We’ll draw upon insights gained from historians, archaeologists, biblical scholars, theologians and from walking in the places the story occurred, all in an effort to discover the real meaning of Christmas.
Leaders: Dominique Alban & Ann Loper 10:00 AM November 13 – December 18
Long Term Classes
Long Term Classes
DISCIPLE BIBLE STUDY
Indepth knowledge of the Bible NOT required
Disciple is an exciting, inspiring, and transforming in-depth study of the Bible. Its aim is to help us meet the Living God in Scripture. The study features daily reading assignments as well as weekly small group discussions. Disciple invites us to bring all our questions, our experiences and our struggles to Scripture. You do not need an in-depth knowledge of the Bible to participate in Disciple, only a heart-felt desire to know God, and the willingness to commit to a 34-week spiritual journey where you can bring all your questions of faith to a loving, supportive, and accepting small group environment.
This foundational study will take you on a journey from Genesis through Revelation in nine months. This study requires reading large portions of Scripture each week and is based on careful study and preparation. During the course of thirty-four weeks, groups will move through the biblical stories ofCreation to the New Jerusalem. The titles of the sessions along with theme words; theme verses; and major persons, events, and topics will set the sequence of the biblical story in the minds of the participants. The principal Scripture for each session follows the chronological movement of the biblical story. Completion of Disciple 1 is a pre-requisite to all other studies in the Disciple program. All other Disciple classes may be taken in any order.
This 32-week study of the Writings, the Gospel of John, and Revelation. The focus is on community and individual life. The Hebrew version of what Christians call the Old Testament has three divisions: Torah (the first five books of the Bible), the Prophets, and the Writings. The Writings include all the books that are not part of the Torah or the Prophets.
UNDER THE TREE OF LIFE concentrates on the writings in the Old Testament – Ruth, 1 and 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, Lamentations, and Daniel. New Testament Scriptures include the Gospel of John; 1, 2, and 3 John; James; Jude; and Revelation.
Emphasis on the Psalms as Israel’s hymnbook and prayer book leads naturally to an emphasis on worship in the study. Present though the entire study is the sense of living toward completion, toward the climax of the message and the promise, extravagantly pictured in the Revelation.
This study was created for graduates of Disciple. As a person who bears his name, how much do you really know about the teachings and ministry of Jesus Christ? As a student of all or most of the DISCIPLE Bible Series, how much time have you spent studying the core lessons and life example of our Lord? Have you ever read the “red” – that is focused on those parts of the Gospels that report the spoken word of our Savior? If you have ever seriously contemplated any of these questions, join us this year for a 30-week study entitled Jesus in the Gospels. We will look at the way each Gospel writer presents events and teachings and at the picture of Jesus that emerges in each of the Gospels. As the title suggests this study takes the unique approach of reading stories and accounts of what Jesus said and did in order to draw conclusions about their meaning and about who Jesus was. If you seek a transformed and transforming life in Christ, get to know the Master.
Companions in Christ is a 28 week small-group spiritual formation journey in which we will explore various spiritual practices such as Scripture reading, prayer, serving, journaling and discerning God’s will for our lives. We do this to lead us into a more intimate relationship with God and with one another. This curriculum consists of reading one relatively short chapter each week and then completing one brief daily journaling exercise. We will come together once a week to share how the material spoke to us, share prayer concerns and joys and how we have felt or recognized God’s presence with us during the week. It is not a “Bible study” in the true sense of the word, but we do explore scripture weekly as a means of grace and God’s revelation to us. This study is designed to help you deepen your experience of God, to explore the fullness of life in Christ and receive the grace and guidance of the Spirit in community. There are no pre-requisites for the study.
***EACH OF THESE LONG TERM CLASSES REQUIRE A MINIMUM OF 12 PARTICIPANTS. OR SIGN UP AT THE SPIRITUAL GROWTH TABLE ON SUNDAY MORNINGS 28 AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER 4.
How Can I find out more? Where Can I sign-up?
- OCTOBER Spire: The Fall 2011 Adult Spiritual Formation Offerings will be included in the September Spire.
- Bulletin Boards: During the month of August, the Bulletin Boards will feature upcoming Adult Spiritual Formation offerings.
- Web Page: www.christumc.org. – click on Adult Ministries,
- Dominique@Christumc.org: For more information, or to express interest, please e-mail or call Dominique Alban at 293-3151.
For more information, or to express interest in any of the above, please call Dominique Alban (937-293-3151) or e-mail: Dominique@Christumc.org
