Winter 2017 Bible Study Catalog

Concord UMC Classes & StudiesWINTER & SPRING 2017 Schedule

“Christianity without discipleship is always Christianity withoutChrist. It remains an abstract idea, a myth which has a place for theFatherhood of God, but omits Christ as the living Son . . . There istrust in God, but no following of Christ.” Dietrich Bonhöffer, TheCost of DiscipleshipThe mission of Concord United Methodist Church is “SharingChrist. Serving Others. Growing In Faith.”Sunday morning worship is the primary time in the life of thedisciple where one remembers and reflects that they are each abeloved child of God and each person can respond to such love andcommune with God by a dedicated time of glorifying and worshipingHim Christian community.Becoming a faithful disciple begins in worship, but it is deepenedthrough dedicated discipleship to grow in one’s faith. It is a lifelongprocess in the context of Christian community that includes infor-mation (what we know), formation (who we are and are becoming),and transformation (how the world is changed because of who weare and what we do).To affirm the calling to discipleship, classes and studies are regular-ly offered to provide a framework for people to become deeply com-mitted Christians through their head (theologically informed), heart(spiritual transformation) and hands (putting faith into action). InActs 8:30-31 we read, “So Philip ran up to it and heard him readingthe prophet Isaiah. He asked, \"Do you understand what you arereading?\" He replied, \"How can I, unless someone guides me?\"And he invited Philip to get in and sit beside him.” As shown by thestory of Philip and the Ethiopian, we grow in our faith by learningtogether and the following classes/studies are offered so that eachdisciple of Christ may come to a deeper and more meaningful faith.Contact Glenna Manning, Pastor of Discipleship, for more infor-mation or to arrange childcare for any class/study in which you de-

SUNDAYSCONNECT TO CONCORDIf you are new to Concord UMC or have yet to connect to an adult Sundaymorning class, join us for a six-week course taught by the ministers of Con-cord. In this class we will cover such topics as FoundaƟons of Methodism,Structure of the UM church, structure of Concord UMC, the primary teach-ings of John Wesley, and how to worship and live life in the community ofCUMC. Offered at least twice a year and led by the pastoral team of CUMC.MEETS: January 22—February 26— 9:50-10:45 AM, Room 202 MONDAYSADULT STUDYCOUNTERFEIT CHRISTIANITY: The Persistence of Errors in theChurchHeresies are not limited to Ɵmes of long ago. True, major hereƟcal controver-sies originated ages ago, but many of these same errors and myths conƟnueto circulate through congregaƟons of today. Author Roger E. Olson helpschurch pastors and leaders know how to deal with these arƟficial truths—howto explain that they are not simple confusions or misunderstandings, but areinstead counterfeit teachings that plague modern-day churches by undermin-ing and dangerously distorƟng faithful living. He also demonstrates how here-sies can serve the church by opening up a dialog that will ulƟmately educatecongregaƟons about Jesus, God, and salvaƟon. Led by pastor MikeStallings.MEETS: January 9—February 13, 10:00-11:30 AM - Room 226

TUESDAYSLUNCH & LEARNBring your lunch if you desire and join with other adults for weeklystudy. (Note: Same study is offered on Wednesdays and participantscan attend either day).SESSION 1God’s Mysterious Ways: Suffering, Grace, andGod’s Plan for Joseph by Gary InrigThe realiƟes of pain and suffering can easily push you tothe point of quesƟoning whether or not God truly cares.Even though He promised to work all things together forgood, someƟmes it can seem as if that s never going tohappen. In God s Mysterious Ways, Gary Inrig examinesthe Old Testament story of Joseph, one of the most in-sighƞul examples of divine care. Seeing the twists andturns of Joseph s life intertwined with the sovereignty of God, you ll under-stand how God worked not only through the faithfulness of Joseph, but alsothrough the sinfulness of Joseph s brothers. Led by pastor Glenna Manning.MEETS: January 17— February 14, 11:30—1:00, Room 296SESSION 2 - Lenten Study Restored: Finding Redemption in our Mess by Tom Berlin SomeƟmes our lives are in such disarray we can’t envision a way through to redempƟon. But when we look at the mess through the eyes of Christ, we not only find redempƟon, we can clearly see spiritual restoraƟon. In Restored, author Tom Berlin encourages us to reflect and meditate through our own brokenness, showing us that it is only when we focus on the cross as a place to surrender control that we can leave our mess and find true redempƟon Led by pastorGlenna Manning.MEETS: February 28—April 4, 11:30—1:00, Room 296CENTERING PRAYERThis group studies and discusses the role of prayer and meditaƟon on our spir-itual journey, parƟcipates each week in a silent prayer session centered onGod, and engages in intercessory prayer for those in need. Led by Jack Wilson.MEETS: Every Tuesday, 5:00–6:00 PM, Room 131 (ongoing)

TUESDAYSADULT NEW TESTAMENTSTUDYDisciple I - New TestamentJoin in this updated study of one of the most popular and best-selling Biblestudies in recent Ɵmes. This 12 week study helps parƟci-pants to develop a deeper understanding of their faith bylooking at the historic formaƟon of our Judeo-ChrisƟanfaith through context and culture. Led by Rev. Jim BailesMEETS: January 10—March 21, 10:00—11:30, Room 226DINNER & NEW TESTAMENT STUDYDisciple I - New TestamentJoin in this updated study of one of the most popular and best-selling Biblestudies in recent Ɵmes. This 12 week study helps parƟcipants to develop adeeper understanding of their faith by looking at the historic formaƟon of ourJudeo-ChrisƟan faith through context and culture. A FREE dinner will be pro-vided before study and the study will be facilitated by reƟred Methodist min-ister, Rev. Jim Bailes. So that adequate food can be prepared, please let Glen-na Manning know if you plan to aƩend ([email protected]).MEETS: January 10—March 21, 6:00–8:00 PM, Room E-109FINANCIAL PEACE Financial Peace teaches God's ways of handling money. Through video teaching, class discussions and interacƟve small group acƟviƟes, FP presents biblical, pracƟcal steps to get from where you are to where you've dreamed you could be. This plan will show you how to get rid of debt, manage your money, spend and save wisely, and much more! (Cost for the kits is $100; HOWEVER, those whocomplete the course will be reimbursed 50% of the cost of the kit). Childcareis provided. Contact Dennis Collins at [email protected] to register.MEETS: January 10—March 7 :00-8:00 PM, Room 293 For the word of God is living and acƟve, sharper than any dou- ble-edged sword, piercing unƟl it divides soul and spirit, joints and marrow, as it judges the thoughts and purposes of the

WEDNESDAYSLUNCH & LEARNBring your lunch if you desire and join with other adults for weeklystudy. (Note: Same study is offered on Wednesdays and participantscan attend either day).SESSION 1God’s Mysterious Ways: Suffering, Grace, andGod’s Plan for Joseph by Gary InrigThe realiƟes of pain and suffering can easily push you tothe point of quesƟoning whether or not God truly cares.Even though He promised to work all things together forgood, someƟmes it can seem as if that s never going tohappen. In God s Mysterious Ways, Gary Inrig examinesthe Old Testament story of Joseph, one of the most in-sighƞul examples of divine care. Seeing the twists andturns of Joseph s life intertwined with the sovereignty ofGod, you ll understand how God worked not only throughthe faithfulness of Joseph, but also through the sinfulness of Joseph s broth-ers. Led by pastor Glenna Manning.MEETS: January 18— February 15, 1:30—1:00, Room 296SESSION 2 - Lenten Study Restored: Finding Redemption in our Mess by Tom Berlin SomeƟmes our lives are in such disarray we can’t envision a way through to redempƟon. But when we look at the mess through the eyes of Christ, we not only find redempƟon, we can clearly see spiritual restoraƟon. In Restored, author Tom Berlin encourages us to reflect and meditate through our own brokenness, showing us that it is only when we focus on the cross as a place to surrender control that we can leave our mess and find true redempƟon Led by pas-tor Glenna Manning.MEETS: M arch 1—April 5, 11:30—1:00, Room 296

WEDNESDAYSFOOD FOR THOUGHTJoin each Wednesday for discussion on a variety of topics and issues from afaith perspecƟve. The topics for fall are as follows: InformaƟon on the UMGeneral Conference and a discussion of the future of the United MethodistChurch, study of famous prayers, study of hymns, and a study of the BeaƟ-tudes. Led by Rev. Bill Kilday, Le Ann TroƩer, and Janie Wendelken.MEETS: August 19, 6:00-7:00 PM, E-109 (ongoing)MEN’S PLAY & PRAYAdult men are invited to stretch your bodies and your spirit as you fellowshipwith men for informal games of pick-up basketball in our gym on Wednesdayevenings, followed by a brief devoƟon and prayer.MEETS: 6:30-7:30 PM, Gym (ongoing)ADULT STUDYA Way Through the WildernessAt one Ɵme or another, everyone has a wilderness experi-ence, a Ɵme when life is barren and difficult and we feelalone and desperate, not knowing where to turn. Wheth-er it’s the loss of a loved one, a financial or health crisis,divorce, or some other painful experience, we see no endin sight and wonder how we can make it through anotherday.In the Scriptures we see that oŌen God’s people wentthrough a wilderness experience, and these experienceschanged them in profound ways. The truth is that it’s impossible to gothrough the wilderness without being changed. There’s a way through thewilderness that can leave us broken and biƩer and far away from God. Butthere’s another way through—God’s way—that leaves us with a deeper faithand draws us closer to God than we ever imagined. Led by Joan De Tar.MEETS: January 11—February 15, 6:30–7:30 PM, Room 296

WEDNESDAYSWOMEN’S STUDYSeamless: Understanding the Bible as One Complete Story by Angie Smith Seamless covers the people, places and promises of the Bible, tying them together into the greater story of Scripture. ParƟci- pants will gain an overarching understanding of the fundamen- tal layout and meaning of God's Word. Seamless helps replace insecurity that holds parƟcipants back with clarity and helping them move forward with confidence in their understanding of Scripture Led by Kim Mink.MEETS: January 11—February 22, 5:30-6:30 PM, Room 127THE ESSENTIALSThe EssenƟal series conƟnues in 2017 with a new unit: what it means to be aUnited Methodist and its Wesleyan doctrines and pracƟces. Join in as oŌen aspossible as we study the text, Top 10 United Methodist Beliefs by Don Adams. What were the non-negoƟables for the founder of the Methodist movement, John Wesley? Wesley’s first priority was to grow ChrisƟan disciples who loved God and neighbor with a holy love that keeps those Commandments. Using John Wesley as guide, Top 10 United Methodist Be- liefs describes the 10 most important United Methodist be- liefs, so that we are equipped for every good work. It also describes how a passionate Wesley can sƟll inspire us totravel the road to perfecƟon using these basic beliefs as signposts, not hitchingposts, so that we can more fully follow Jesus. Led by Pastors Larry TroƩer andWil Cantrell.Meets: January 11—March 22, 6:30—7:30, Room 226

WEDNESDAYSIn Revival, author Adam Hamilton uses his capƟvaƟng,storytelling talent to take you on a six-week journeythrough England tracing the life of John Wesley. Wesley’smessage and his faith conƟnue to speak to twenty-first-century ChrisƟans, calling for a revival of our hearts andsouls so that our world might be changed. His story is ourstory. It’s our heritage, it defines our faith, and it challeng-es us to rediscover our spiritual passion. Led by PastorGlenna Manning.MEETS: March 8—April 26 (No Class during Holy Week—April 12), 6:30—7:30, Room 226And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed bythe renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what thewill of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

THURSDAYSWOMEN’S STUDY: SOUL SISTERSThe Longing in Me: How Everything You Crave Leads to the Heart of God bySheila WalshDoes the search for fulfillment have you going around incircles? You re probably looking in all the wrong places.Do you feel like you keep coming to the same pricklypoints in life over and over again? You vowed you dnever repeat the same mistakes, yet you find yourselfright back where you started. Didn t you learn all youhad to learn the last time?Walsh uses her story to guide you to recognize thelonging that keeps you reaching out to the wrong people at the wrongtimes in your own life. What we really long for is God. Led by Joan De Tar.MEETS: Begins January 12, 10:00 - 11:30 AM, Room 296

FRIDAYSMOMS GROUPThis is a group that exists to encourage and inspire moms to do more thanjust survive. This group provides weekly encouragement and support throughfellowship and studies relaƟng to their lives as mothers, wives, and women.OPEN YOUR BIBLE – Whether you are a seasoned Biblereader or struggle to keep up with studying Scripture,Open Your Bible will leave you with a greater appreciaƟonfor the Word of God, a deeper understanding of its au-thority, and a stronger desire to know the Bible inside andout. Join us for this study as we learn how God’s word isfor you and for now. Led by Kim Mink.MEETS: Begins January 13, 9:15-11:30 AM, Room 296 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, cor- recƟng and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17