Bible Study at MDUMC
Memorial Drive UMC offers a variety of classes in Christian education (beyond Sunday School ) for adults. There are long- and short-term Bible studies; courses geared to the novice and those who are more experienced in Bible study; traditional Bible studies as well as ones which focus on spiritual formation or contemporary theology.
Now is the time to sign up for our summer classes. All long-term classes begin in the fall and end in May.
Class Offerings
If you have questions or need more information about any of the classes listed below, contact Vicky Harris, Director of Spiritual Formation, at 713/468-8356 or
vickyharris@mdumc.org.
To register for these classes, contact Sabrina Whitehurst at 713/468-8356 or
sabrinawhitehurst@mdumc.org. You may also register online by clicking on the following link.
Long-Term Studies Begin in September 2008
Disciple I: Becoming Disciples through Bible Study
This course is the prerequisite for all studies in the Disciple series. Participants in Disciple I spend 35 weeks discovering the Bible as the means through which God speaks to humankind, as divinely inspired and revealing of God’s nature and character. Equal time is spent in the Old and New Testament covering 80% of the scriptures. Daily lesson preparation and weekly 2½-hour group sessions offer a balance of individual and group study and exploration.
Disciple II: Into the Word, Into the World
In this course, participants spend 33 weeks in an in-depth exploration of Genesis, Exodus, Luke and Acts. In addition to teaching basic study skills for thoroughly exploring Scripture, this study emphasizes the practice of spiritual disciplines and links Bible study to witness and service in the world. It calls for evaluating and reordering life’s priorities in response to God’s call.
Disciple III: Remember Who You Are
In 33 weeks, participants will find themes weaving through this study: the call to remember who we are as Gods’ people; the call to repentance—to turn our lives toward God’s will; the need for renewed vision; and the need for community. The Old Testament Prophets and the Paul’s Letters are studied.
Disciple IV: Under the Tree of Life
The fourth phase of Disciple concentrates on the Old Testament Writings; 1, 2, 3 John; James; Jude and Revelation. The 33-week study presents the sense of living toward completion—toward the climax of the message and the promise extravagantly pictured in Revelation. The word “under” in the title conveys invitation, welcome, sheltering, security, and rest—home at last.
Thursday Morning Bible Study
This group, meeting through the school year, uses three very different studies from Bible Study to Spiritual Formation.
Listening for God
Books, essays and an occasional movie will be the source of lively conversation as this group listens for the many ways in which God speaks to individuals through the experiences of everyday life.
Short-Term Studies
The Gospel of John, in Context
If everything in the Bible is there for a purpose, why do we need a fourth Gospel? Were the Synoptic Gospels written to present the “physical facts” and John written for spirituality? What was happening in the community of John at the time this book was being written? Why was John 1:1 controversial?
Day: Tuesday evenings, July 15 - August 19
Time: 7:00–8:45 p.m.
Leader: Ben Taylor
Cost: $14
Contemporary Theology Courses
Serious Answers to Hard Questions Ten Christian and Jewish theologians, world experts in their respective fields as well as people of faith, were asked to address a single perplexing issue, such as the existence of evil or the relationship between religion and science. The result is the
Serious Answers course, which will encourage energetic discussion and sustained reflection by both believers and seekers.
Day: Sunday afternoons in D126
Dates:
Jun. 28 ( Gnostic Gospels); July 28 (Sins of the Church); Time: 2:00–4:00 p.m.
Leader: Rev. Suzy Reedstrom
Cost: $20