Christian Education at FUMC
Fall Into Bible Study
DISCIPLE I
DISCIPLE I will be offered beginning Monday, September 12, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at FUMC. DISCIPLE I is a 34-week program of disciplined Bible study. It focuses on the disciple as learner, believer, follower, proclaimer, and servant while providing the fellowship of a small group for study, prayer, preparation, support, and servanthood. The DISCIPLE model assumes that the Bible is key to renewal in the church and affirms that the canon was formed as it is in order for God to speak to us. The study gives the Old and New Testaments equal time, emphasizing the wholeness of the Bible as a revelation of God and draws upon the work of scholars to aid understanding of the Bible. The course is open to any and all who are interested. Individual study time is approximately 40 minutes each day and students are asked to commit to attending each Monday night session for the duration of the class. For more information about DISCIPLE I, contact Carole duBois (e-mail: CMTduBois@hotmail.com; phone 540-361-1589). To register for the class, contact Pam Bosch (Pamb@fumcva.org; phone 540-373-9021).
DISCIPLE III
Would you like to explore the relationship between the Prophets of the Old Testament and the Letters of Paul in the New Testament? If so, we are forming a Disciple III course that will meet on Monday evenings starting September 12 at the church from 6:30 until 9:00 p.m. each week. This is a 32-week course that looks at all of the prophets (except Daniel) as well as the 13 letters of Paul to call us to remember; to call us to repentance; to remind us of the need for renewed vision; and our sense of community. If you are interested in this journey, please contact Rick Moseley at r.moseley2@verizon .net. Please include your name, e-mail address and preferred phone number in your message.
PASTOR’S BIBLE STUDY, Wednesdays, 6:40 p.m., Starting September 14
This is your opportunity to jump into Bible Study! No prerequisite or preparation is necessary. Pastor Larry will lead a large group presentation in Kobler Hall. Participants will be organized into tables for discussion, small group and prayer. Journey with the same table each week. Groups will conclude at 7:30 p.m. (Unless you are exceptionally lively, in which case you are on your own!). We will start with Genesis and work our way through the Bible. Newcomers may come and pick up the study at any time. If you have never been in a Bible Study before and feel a little intimidated, this is a great place to begin. A youth table is being planned. Children’s programming (K-5th grade) will take place concurrently. Nursery is also provided. Come. Engage. Connect. Grow. See you there.
Brothers Isaac & Ishmael
The Call of God, Genesis 12.
Video for Previous Sessions:
ALPHA - EXPLORE THE MEANING OF LIFE
Have you ever asked, “What’s the point of life?” Who do you know who is asking that questions right now? Why don’t you invite them to check out ALPHA with you! ALPHA is an opportunity to explore the meaning of life in a relaxed, friendly setting. The ALPHA Introductory Dinner, on Thursday, September 8, at 6:30 p.m., gives you a chance to check out ALPHA - by yourself or with a friend. The ALPHA Course begins September 15 (6:30-8:30 p.m.), meets once a week for 10 weeks, and includes an all-day get-a-way on Saturday, October 22. Each session, people enjoy great food, laughter and learning in a fun and friendly atmosphere where no question about life or God is seen as too simple or too hostile. Free child care. Invite your friends, family and co-workers to attend the ALPHA Introductory Dinner with you! If you like it, you can start the course on Thursday, September 15, at 6:30 p.m. Bring a friend and help them learn about the God who loves them! The ALPHA Course is free to attend. Free childcare must be reserved in advance. A free-will offering will be taken each week to put toward the cost of the meal. Reservations recommended. RSVP to Rita at (540) 207-1963 or ritag100@verizon.net.
More Fall Classes . . .
Sundays 5 – 6 p.m., Old Testament Simplified, classroom 210
This is a fun way to acquire a skeletal structure of the Old Testament so you can flesh it out the remainder of your life as you study the scriptures. The study led by Rev. Nancy Compher starts with the 7 geographic moves of God’s people in the Old Testament and goes on to have you learn the 20 key persons in the Old Testament with a short narrative about each person. There is much, much more to this class so sign up for it and join us on the adventure. It will run from Sunday evening, September 11 through Sunday evening, November 20. There is no book for you to purchase, but handouts will be used so a small 3-ring binder would be necessary.
Sundays 6 – 7 p.m., Honor God in All the World, classroom 210
This lecture/discussion opportunity is led by Rev. Nancy Compher and based on the text, Serve God, Save the Planet by J. Matthew Sleeth, M.D. It is in response to the Bishop’s Initiative on Creation Care and addresses Fredericksburg United Methodist Church’s mission statement to Go Fish! (the “h” being Honor God in All We the World). It is being offered in cooperation with our Green Team Committee and will run October 2, 9, 16, and 23.
Mondays (1st and 3rd) year round, except major holiday, classroom 210, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m., Spiritual Formation
Discussions led by Rev. Nancy Compher are currently centered around readings from the text, Spiritual Classics, edited by Richard J. Foster and Emilie Griffin. Each discussion is self-contained as this opportunity is not a continuous, ongoing study of a particular book but rather readings from a collection of spiritual renewal authors. A textbook is necessary. Regular attendance is optional but recommended. For more information, to arrange childcare, or ask for a list of scheduled reading/discussion selections, contact Ann Braz at 710-6588.
Thursdays 7:00 – 8:30 p.m., Small Group Discussion, classroom 201
Small group format with regular attendance expected. This group led by Rev. Nancy Compher will begin October 6th and run through November 17th. The study for this timeframe is Get Acquainted With Your Bible by Gary L. Ball-Kilbourne. This is an ongoing small group which meets for specific periods of time to study a specific text. Textbook is required.