Bible Study at MDUMC
A variety of learning opportunities are available through Bible and other studies that are intended to help participants grow in the knowledge and love of God. Long-term studies begin in the fall, but short-term studies are offered year-round. There are studies that are just for men or women, and studies for parents. The popular Disciple Bible Studies are offered each year. Some studies which have been held in the past include Companions in Christ, Listening for God, "What's So Amazing about Grace " by Phillip Yancey, Beginnings: An Introduction to the Christian Faith, Living the Heart of Christianity and a study on discovering your spiritual gifts.
Sunday Mornings, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Contemporary Theology Class (Saving Jesus Grow, Witness)
Jesus played a particular role in history. What was that role and how are we to respond to it is the challenge before us. Learn about Jesus through the ages, the world into which Jesus was born, and Jesus’ ministry of compassion, as well as other insights about Jesus. The basic format for each weekly 1 hour session includes conversation around the readings, a 20-minute video segment and guided discussion.
Day: Sundays in D219
Time: 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Begins: September 12 - 12 weeks
Leaders: Garland Smith & Ruth Donaho
Cost: $5
Contact: Ruth Donaho, ext. 134 or ruthdonaho@mdumc.org
The Shack (Grow, Witness)
Mackenzie Allen Philips’ youngest daughter, Missy, has been abducted during a family vacation and evidence that she may have been brutally murdered is found in an abandoned shack deep in the Oregon wilderness. Four years later in the midst of his “Great Sadness,” Mack receives a suspicious note, apparently from God, inviting him back to that shack for a weekend. Against his better judgment he arrives at the shack on a wintry afternoon and walks back into his darkest nightmare. What he finds there will change Mack’s world forever. In a world where religion seems to grow increasingly irrelevant “The Shack” wrestles with the timeless question, “Where is God in a world so filled with unspeakable pain ” The answers Mack gets will astound you and perhaps transform you as much as it did him. You’ll want everyone you know to read this book!
Day: Sundays in D218
Time: 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Begins: October 10 - 3 weeks
Leaders: Brad & Amy Richards
Cost: $12 if you need a book
Contact: Ruth Donaho, ext. 134 or ruthdonaho@mdumc.org
The Thirteen Apostles (Grow, Witness)
Come join this study by Dr. J. Ellsworth Kalas about the original twelve apostles plus one: their lives, characteristics and their impact on the world. Learn about the twelve men, plus one added later, that Christ trusted to carry out his mission and message. The spiritual descendents of these men fill the world today. Hopefully, this study will help you draw closer to the Lord who called them and who has called you and me. Day: Sundays in D218 Time: 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Begins: October 31 - 4 weeks
Leaders: Randy & Ellen Lee
Cost: $12 includes book
Contact: Ruth Donaho, ext. 134 or ruthdonaho@mdumc.org
Christian Education: Short-term Bible Studies
The Creation Story ~ Genesis 1-11 (Grow, Witness)
This is not the story you learned in Sunday school. Hopefully you will discover a new way to read the stories – yes that’s right “stories”- of Creation in The Bible and learn a new way to approach all of your reading of Holy Scripture. From “the beginning” through Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, to Noah and the flood, we will go verse by verse in class- no homework necessary- using literary critical methodology if you are not sure what that means, come to class and find out . The goal of this Bible study is to understand the richness and depth of meaning in the Holy Scriptures that will enable you to read scriptures over and over again and discover new meaning and insights in our faith and to deepen our spiritual relationship with God and Christ.
Day: Tuesdays in D217
Time: 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Begins: September 7 through December 7
Leader: Dr. Rick Goodrich
Cost: None, childcare available by reservation
Contact: Ruth Donaho, ext 134 or ruthdonaho@mdumc.org
The Way of Transforming Discipleship (Grow, Witness)
This Companions in Christ study challenges Christians from the viewpoint of a white South African pastor who has lived through the political changes in that country and experienced with rare vulnerability the spiritual struggles inherent in the processes of truth-telling, reconciliation, deep pain, and poverty. Trevor Hudson brings a message of vital, transforming spirituality through knowing who we are, changing from the inside out, listening to the groans of others, and discovering the deep spirituality of belonging.
Day: Tuesdays in D218
Time: 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Begins: September 7 - 5 weeks
Leader: Dave Harris
Cost: $12, childcare available by reservation
Contact: Ruth Donaho, ext 134 or ruthdonaho@mdumc.org
Meeting God in Scripture – Entering the Psalms (Grow, Witness)
Praying the psalms is praying life itself. Entering the Psalms models the movement from reading Scripture to personal prayer, using provocative entry point questions to deepen our engagement with scripture. Those experienced in spiritual formation will be refreshed, and those new to formational reading will feel gently led into openhearted listening through Scripture. We will explore various types of psalms through lectio divina, writing, drawing, reflection, and other interactive practices.
Day: Thursdays in D219
Time: 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Begins: September 9 - 6 weeks
Leader: Vicky Harris
Cost: $8, childcare available by reservation
Contact: Ruth Donaho, ext 134 or ruthdonaho@mdumc.org
Biblical Math: The Additions, Subtractions and Contradictions in Scripture (Grow, Witness)
Can we trust the Bible we have This study will be using the new Narrative Theology and Literary Analysis to examine our Bible in an honest study of the Scripture. We will not minimize the differences in some of the stories but will attempt to use the latest models to examine and understand the stories. We hope to look at the common misunderstandings about the Bible that often confuse what the Bible is really about. It will be a combination of lecture and dialogue with direction from those attending as well as the teachers.
Day: Mondays in D126
Time: 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Begins: September 13 - 4 weeks
Leaders: Bill McLeod & Helen Williams
Cost: No charge, childcare available by reservation
Contact: Ruth Donaho, ext 134 or ruthdonaho@mdumc.org
Embracing the Journey: The Way of Christ (Grow, Witness)
Study the Scriptures in a whole new way! This spiritual formation study invites you to powerful daily devotional material and amazing group discussion where you may experience a life-changing spiritual journey toward wholeness and holiness, through the grace of God!
Day: Tuesdays in D220
Time: 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Begins: September 28 - 5 weeks
Leaders: Rev. Susan Wiley & Rev. Suzy Reedstrom
Cost: $8, childcare available by reservation
Contact: Ruth Donaho, ext. 134 or ruthdonaho@mdumc.org
The Way of Grace (Grow, Witness)
The Way of Grace invites us to travel with 8 Biblical characters or groups of characters who discover God’s grace through their encounters with Jesus. The eight characters include: Andrew, Simon, Philip, and Nathaniel; Nicodemus; the Samaritan woman; the lame man; the woman caught in adultery; the blind man; Mary and Martha; and Simon Peter. The study is a transforming interaction with the events and the characters. And it is an invitation for us to open our hearts to a deeper knowing of God’s grace.
Day: Tuesdays in D218
Time: 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Begins: October 12 - 9 weeks
Leader: Dave Harris
Cost: $12, childcare available by reservation
Contact: Ruth Donaho, ext 134 or ruthdonaho@mdumc.org
Three Simple Rules for Christian Living (Grow, Witness)
Based on Bishop Rueben P. Job’s book Three Simple Rules: A Wesleyan Way of Living, these sessions provide extended reflection on three principles of Christian life: do no harm, do good, and stay in love with God. Each rule has a session to help us understand the rule and a session to help us explore ways to practice the rule.
Day: Thursdays in D219
Time: 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Begins: October 21 - 6 weeks
Leader: Vicky Harris
Cost: $6, childcare available by reservation
Contact: Ruth Donaho, ext 134 or ruthdonaho@mdumc.org
Christianity’s Family Tree (Grow, Witness)
In this book, Rev. Adam Hamilton presents a welcoming, inspiring vision of eight Christian denominations and faith traditions.
Comparing the Christian family to our own extended families, he contends that each denomination has a unique, valuable perspective to offer on the Christian faith. The traditions he examines are Orthodoxy, Catholicism, Lutheranism, Presbyterianism, Anglicanism, Baptists, Pentecostalism, and Methodism. For each group, Hamilton gives a brief history, outlines major beliefs, and describes some things we can learn from that tradition to strengthen our own Christian faith.
Day: Sundays in D219
Time: 3:30 - 5:00 p.m.
Begins: October 24 - 8 weeks
Leaders: David Paul & Kimery McKaskle
Cost: $10, childcare available by reservation
Contact: Ruth Donaho, ext 134 or ruthdonaho@mdumc.org
Ten Commandments (Grow, Witness)
This study challenges Christians to re-examine popular stances on the issues touched by the Ten Commandments. Dr. Maxie Dunnam and Rev. Kimberly Dunnam Reisman offer reflections on the Ten Commandments as these biblical laws intersect contemporary life. We will look at the implications of the commandments that prohibit the making of idols and points out that we can make an idol of nearly anything which can relate to our lack of trust in God. Throughout the book, the authors connect wisdom from the Bible and Christian tradition with daily life.
Day: Thursdays in D219
Time: 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Begins: December 9 - 8 weeks
Leader: Vicky Harris
Cost: $11, childcare available by reservation
Contact: Ruth Donaho, ext 134 or ruthdonaho@mdumc.org
Christian Education: Long-term Bible Studies
Listening for God (Grow, Witness)
Short stories, essays, and relevant movies are the source of lively discussion as this class listens for the many ways in which God speaks through the experiences of everyday life. Class members are asked to secure their own copy online of Searching for Your Soul: Writers of Many Faiths Share Their Personal Stories of Spiritual Discovery, edited by Dr. Katherine Kurs.
Day: Tuesdays in D220
Time: 2:30 - 4:00 p.m.
Begins: September 7 through May 10
Leader: Rev. Susan Wiley
Cost: $15, childcare available by reservation
Contact: Ruth Donaho, ext 134 or ruthdonaho@mdumc.org
Disciple I (Grow, Witness)
BECOMING DISCIPLES THROUGH BIBLE STUDY is the foundation of the DISCIPLE Bible Study program and assumes that the Bible is the key to renewal in the church. This study gives equal time to both the Old and New Testament and aims at transformation by being changed by God’s Word. It uses biblical language and images and draws upon the work of scholars to aid understanding of the Bible. With reading large portions of Scripture each week, we will move through the biblical stories of Creation to the New Jerusalem and follow the chronological movement of the biblical story.
Day: Tuesdays in D216
Time: 6:30 - 9:00 p.m.
Begins: September 7 - 34 weeks
Leader: Roy Yeager
Cost: $32, childcare available by reservation
Contact: Ruth Donaho, ext 134 or ruthdonaho@mdumc.org
Disciple II (Grow, Witness)
INTO THE WORD INTO THE WORLD encourages us to open ourselves to hearing what God has to say through the Bible and to be guided into service in the world by Scripture and the study of it. This study concentrates on four books: Genesis, Exodus, Luke, and Acts and is for those who have completed Disciple I. It emphasizes the rhythm of coming to God and going for God, of being in the Word and in the world individually and corporately and approaches all experiences of life as opportunities for faithful witness and service.
Day: Mondays in D217
Time: 6:30 - 9:00 p.m.
Begins: September 13 - 32 weeks
Leader: John Adams
Cost: $32, childcare available by reservation
Contact: Ruth Donaho, ext 134 or ruthdonaho@mdumc.org
Contemporary Theology Class
Meeting Jesus Again For the First Time: The Historical Jesus and the Heart of Contemporary Faith (Grow, Witness)
The book-club style class will probe deeply into the work of well-respected scholar of the historical Jesus, Dr. Marcus Borg, directing our focus away from the traditional church doctrines about Jesus toward a relationship with the Spirit of God. Borg’s small but eloquent book offers profound insights into Jesus’ life and message that guides us on a journey of transformation to a more dynamic and meaningful level of Christian faith.
Day: Sundays in A201
Time: 3:30 - 5:00 p.m.
Begins: September 12 - 6 weeks
Leaders: Corinne Maddox & Maggie Parker
Cost: $12, childcare available by reservation
Contact: Ruth Donaho, ext. 134 or ruthdonaho@mdumc.org
Day: Wednesdays in D218
Time: 9:30 - 11:00 a.m.
Begins: September 15 - 6 weeks
Leaders: Maggie Parker & Jay Clark
Cost: $12, childcare available by reservation
Contact: Ruth Donaho, ext. 134 or ruthdonaho@mdumc.org
In Search of Belief (Grow, Witness)
We say the words mechanically, sometimes without thinking....“I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.” It goes on...“Jesus Christ, conceived, born, suffered, died, rose, ascended, Holy Spirit, life everlasting.” What does it all mean Surely they are more than words that we recite. What does it mean to profess what we believe in the Apostles’ Creed Using the book, In Search of Belief, by Sr. Joan Chittister, we will look at these words in a way that we never have before and hopefully make them more than just words that we say but, truly, words that we believe and to which we can commit our very lives.
Day: Wednesdays in D217
Time: 9:30 - 11:00 a.m.
Begins: November 3 - 4 weeks
Leader: Helen Williams
Cost: The book is optional for $14, childcare available by reservation
Contact: Ruth Donaho, ext. 134 or ruthdonaho@mdumc.org
Special Interest
Labyrinth (Worship, Grow, Witness)
Too busy to pray Do you need some quiet time Do you need time to listen to God For many of us, the labyrinth is a powerful walking path for reflection, meditation, and a deeper knowledge of God. Someone will be there to give directions and answer any questions you might have. Come, walk!
Day: Sundays in the Gym – September 26, October 31 & December 12
Time: 8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. walk anytime and feel free to bring others with you
Cost: None
Contact: Vicky Harris, ext. 129 or vickyharris@mdumc.org or Ruth Donaho, ext. 134 or ruthdonaho@mdumc.org
Greater Houston Leadership Education School (Worship, Grow, Witness, Give)
Drink Deeply, Share Generously is the theme for this year’s Greater Houston Leadership Education School GHLES . The GHLES is an annual event with 30 classes to help better equip teachers and leaders in the church, whether you are in ministry with children, youth or adults or you want to attend a class for your own spiritual enrichment! Dr. David Otto, Chair of the Religious Studies Department at Centenary College, is our preacher during worship!
Day: Saturday, September 18 at Chapelwood UMC, Houston
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., childcare available by reservation
Cost: $25 if registered by Sunday, August 22 with Ruth for the group rate; or online at www.ghles.org for $30 by August 31; or $35 from September 1-18. Brochures are available
Contact: Ruth Donaho, ext. 134 or ruthdonaho@mdumc.org
Crossroads: Where “Our Story” Intersects The “Gospel Story” (Worship, Grow, Witness, Give)
Crossroads is an equipping workshop offered to the entire congregation. Join fellow members as we learn what it means to “speak out for Him.” Fun, food, fellowship, and facts!
Day: Saturday, October 16
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Leaders: Dr. Chuck Simmons and others
Cost: $10.00
Contact: Rev. Susan Wiley, ext. 161 or susanwiley@mdumc.org
Walk to Emmaus (Worship, Grow, Witness, Give)
The Walk to Emmaus is a 72-hour Thursday evening – Sunday evening spiritual renewal program that is wrapped in prayer and meditation with special times of worship and daily celebration of Holy Communion. Rediscover Christ’s presence in your life, gain fresh understanding of God’s transforming grace, and form friendships that foster faith and support spiritual maturity! The next Men’s Walks are October 28-31, 2010; February 10-13, 2011; September 22-25, 2011; and October 20-23, 2011. The Women’s Walks are November 4-7, 2010; March 24-27, 2011; August 11-14, 2011; and October 27-30, 2011. Contact: Anita Jacobs, Emmaus Council Chair at ahjacobs2@msn.com or Vicky Harris, ext. 129 or vickyharris@mdumc.org
An Evening in Old Bethlehem (Worship, Grow, Witness, Give)
Step back in time 2000 years to experience what life was like during the time of Jesus’ birth. Journey through this live re-enactment of the era, complete with villages filled with artisans, Roman soldiers, animals, dancers, food from the era, and a live nativity! Caesar Augustus suggests a $1 tax.
Friday, December 3, 6 - 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, December 4, 5 - 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 5, 4 – 5 p.m.
Special Needs and 5 - 7:30 p.m.
Contact: Vicky Harris, ext. 129 or vickyharris@mdumc.org