The Bethel Bible series has been in existence well over 20 years. It is designed as a two-year program, separated into 4, ten-week sessions. Persons can join in at the beginning of each ten-week session. The units are separated into themes and historical periods in the Bible, that inter-relate both Old and New Testament scripture readings. It is designed to be a non-denominational bible study that examines various points of view of interpretation, and encourages discussion in small groups. The time commitment for this series is approximately three hours of preparation each week, followed by 1 1/2 hours of group study and discussion.
** Material Course Fee $35
Sun.
Jan. 12 – Mar. 16
Christian Believer
This course would be especially appealing for the person who likes the challenge of digging deep in reading and conversation. Christian Believer is a thirty-week study with daily preparation and a weekly two-hour small group session. This course integrates scripture and the study of the basic beliefs and doctrines of the Christian faith. By reviewing and explaining church doctrines, participants will have a stronger understanding of what Christ’s church was, is, and should be to Christians. Students will understand more fully and talk more confidently about what we the church believe. At the end of this course one will be more closely attuned in voice, ear, eye, and heart to the language of the Christian faith.
**Materials Course Fee $40
Tues.
Thurs.
Who is God? What is my relationship to God? Who is Jesus?
Why did Jesus come? What is salvation? Sin? Who is the
Holy Spirit? What is the Church? What is heaven like? What does it mean to be a
Christian? What is the
**Material Course Fee $12
Sun.
The Way of Forgiveness, by Marjorie Thompson, uses scripture meditation as well as other spiritual practices to guide you through an eight-week exploration of the forgiven and forgiving life. These groups meet once a week for a two-hour session. Daily outside reading and reflection time is also an important part of the participant’s commitment.
**Materials Course Fee $12
Wed.
Thurs.
Leaders: Ed
Cantey, DeWitt Carriker, David Dulin, Liz Hamrick, Amy Johnson, Barbara Lee, Randy Matz, Allan
Maxwell Jr.
Disciple I invites persons to submit themselves to examination by scripture and invites persons to bring their experiences and struggles to Scripture. It gives Old and New Testament equal time, emphasizing the wholeness of the Bible as the revelation of God. Groups move through the biblical story from Creation to the New Jerusalem. Each session features a theme, theme word, theme verses, major persons and events to fix the sequence of the biblical story in the minds of the participants. Group discussion is based on careful daily readings and reflection on commentary and questions through 34 weeks of study. Participants commit to weekly two-hour group sessions and outside Bible reading and preparation of approximately 20-30 minutes each day.
**Materials Course Fee $40
Sun.
Mon.
Mon.
Tues.
Wed.
Thurs.
Through this study, disciples learn to approach all experiences of life as opportunities for faithful witness and service. Emphasis is placed on the rhythm of coming to God and going for God, of being in the world individually and corporately. Equal attention is given to Old and New Testament with concentration on Genesis, Exodus, Luke and Acts. The thirty-two week study goes deeper into these specific portions of scripture. Each week requires 2+ hours of study and a group session of two hours. Completion of a Disciple I class is a required prerequisite for this class.
Wed.
Leaders: Charles Hite, Mary Nethercutt
The driving idea behind this study is the connection between
memory and identity as the people of God. Participants in this program will
understand the study of the Bible as a call to repentance, that is, to change
directions and to turn life toward God’s will. Study
during the thirty-two weeks is divided between the prophets and Paul’s letters
with other scripture to establish historical context. Each week requires 2+
hours of study and a group session of two hours. (Completion of a Disciple I
class is a required prerequisite for this class.)
**Materials Course Fee $40
Sun.
Leader: Debbie Wood, Kent Wood
This 9-week study provides new insights into nine of Jesus’ most beloved parables, including The Good Samaritan, The House on the Rock, The Father and His Two Sons, The Mustard Seed and five others. Each 1 1/2 hour session includes study helps and questions. Kalas, the writer, presents the Bible in a simple and direct fashion that allows all to truly contemplate its deeper Truths. The course invites the participants to delve deeply into this ancient font of Jesus’ teachings and to open themselves up to their transformative power.
**Materials Course
Fee $12
Mon.
Sunday
Parables
Disciple II