 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
||||||||||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
|
||||||||||||||||
 |
|
||||||||||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
||||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|||||||||||||||
 |
 |
|
|||||||||||||||||
 |
 |
|
|||||||||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|||||||||||||||
Disciple - Bible Study for TransformationNassau Presbyterian Church offered four Disciple Bible study groups which began in September 2007
WHAT IS DISCIPLE?
A DISCIPLE study group is composed of twelve participants and group facilitators. DISCIPLE is a
structured, intensive 32 week study of selected books. Daily Bible reading and journaling are an
important part of the study. At the weekly meetings, participants explore questions designed to
stimulate group discussion. DISCIPLE aims at transformation, not just information, and calls on
persons to submit themselves to examination by Scripture, to put themselves under the power of
God’s Word, and to be changed by God’s Word.
• WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO COURSES OFFERED THIS YEAR AT NASSAU?
INTO THE WORD INTO THE WORLD encourages persons to open themselves to hearing what God has to say to them through the Bible and to be guided into service in the world by Scripture and their study of it. Participants will read familiar passages, see them in fresh ways, and anticipate that God will speak through them.
This study proclaims the transforming power of Scripture while teaching Bible study skills that take
participants deeper into the Scripture. The importance of keeping Bible study related to witness is
reinforced while participants are encouraged to practice spiritual disciplines arising out of Scripture.
The purpose is to change habits and transform lives. The study also emphasizes the rhythm of
coming to God and going for God, of being in the Word and in the world individually and corporately.
This study understands the growing Christian as under discipline in community and in ministry to the
world. INTO THE WORD INTO THE WORLD approaches all experiences of life as opportunities for faithful witness and service.
REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE: Resident in the title is the driving idea in this study--the connection
between memory and identity as the people of God. The word You in the title is meant to be heard
both in its singular form (the individual) and in its plural form (the community). We are a community of
memory.
Several themes weave their way through the study: the call to remember, the call to repentance, the
need for renewed vision (eyes to see, ears to hear), and the place of community. REMEMBER WHO
YOU ARE concentrates on the Old Testament prophets and the letters of Paul. The prophets and
Paul are continually calling hearers and readers back to their God and to a sense of who they are as a
people “set apart.” The prophets and the community cannot be separated. The prophets spoke for
God, out of the community, and to the community. Paul’s experience of the risen Lord, his relationship
to the community he addressed, his Jewish traditions, and the Greco-Roman culture of his day
merged in his writing of the letters. Paul used the language of his culture to carry the message that
arose out of his roots in the Hebrew Scriptures and Judaism.
• DO I HAVE TO TAKE ONE CLASS BEFORE THE OTHER?
No. The courses are structured similarly but are not consecutive.
• WHEN IS DISCIPLE SCHEDULED?
Usually morning and evening sessions are available beginning in mid-September and ending mid-May. Time is taken off for holiday periods and special church events. Individual course descriptions will give specific date and time information.
Childcare may be provided for the morning session, if necessary.
• WHAT IS MY COMMITMENT?
Participants make a commitment to prepare for the lesson for 30 minutes each day. Some students
choose to study in larger time segments several times a week. Participants find creative ways to make
time to study. There is a two hour group meeting each week.
• WHAT ABOUT STUDY MATERIALS AND COSTS?
For 2007, each participant purchased a study manual for $40. A number of recommended Study Bibles will be available for purchase at a discounted price through the church.
• WHAT IS A TYPICAL WEEKLY MEETING LIKE?
Each meeting starts with prayer and a short introduction to the topic for the lesson. Then a fifteen
minute video is shown which features an expert in the specific lesson material. There is a discussion
period that seeks to bring the daily readings alive in the lives of the participants. Before closing, time
is taken to pray for people the group wants to remember during the following week.
• HOW DO I FIND OUT MORE?
For information contact Joyce MacKichan Walker, Minister of Education, 609-924-0103 or
by email: joyce @ nassauchurch.org.
• WHEN IS REGISTRATION DUE?
In early September.
• HOW DO I REGISTER?
Registration forms will be available online and at the church.
