Additional Adult Bible-Study Class Ideas

Posted on | August 14, 2005 | No Comments

My attendance at church this summer has been dismal. The easy explanation is that it’s hard to get anything out of the service when one is chasing after a 3 year old and trying to keep a 2 year old happy and quiet long enough to hear a complete sentence -? much less get into the spirit of the service. However, in all honesty, with the exception of communion I really get more of a spiritual recharge by spending some time, like now, studying and reflecting on my personal spirituality than I do by taking part in the normal Sunday services. I DO enjoy seeing and talking with the other members of the church. One of my best friends is the cantor and does a wonderful job with the music -? adding a lot to the service. This is his contribution; we’?ve talked about it. It’?s how he recharges spiritually during the Sunday service. I don’?t have this type of talent.

My talents lean more toward leading discussions and helping people engage their brains on the way to engaging their spirits. It’s why I’?m excited to be teaching the Bible 101 class again starting in October. It’s how I’?ll be able to make a strong weekly contribution to our church community. Based on my experience at First Lutheran back in Cedar Rapids, it will also lead toward continuing discussions with members of the church ad hoc after the class has completed. These one-on-one discussions that happen regularly after the end of the formal classes really make me feel like I’?m part of a spiritual community. I hope they lead toward a regular offering of the Bible 101 class, and hopefully to some more advanced classes -? possibly using the following books as the basis of study:

1. ‘When Religion Becomes Evil,” by Charles Kimball
a. 7 Weeks
i. Intro & Chapter 1
ii. Absolute Truth Claims
iii. Blind Obedience
iv. Establishing the Â?IdealÂ? Time
v. The End Justifies Any Means
vi. Declaring Holy War
vii. Inclusive Faith & Conclusion

2. “The Gnostic Gospels,” by Elaine Pagels
a. 5 Weeks:
i. Intro
ii. Matthew
iii. Mark
iv. Luke
v. John

3. “The Gnostic Paul,” by Elaine Pagels
a. 6 Weeks
i. Intro &? Romans
ii. 1 Corinthians
iii. 2 Corinthians
iv. Galatians & Ephesians
v. Philippians & Colossians
vi. Hebrews & Conclusion

4. Mystery Cults & Early Christianity, Various Texts including: “The Jesus Mysteries,” by Timothy Freke & Peter Gandy and “The Pagan Christ,” by Tom Hurpur.
a. 4 Weeks
i. Intro – Osirus
ii. Dionysus
iii. Mithras
iv. Conclusion – Synthesis

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