Covenant Bible Study: “Creating the Covenant”

Sundays, 5:00-6:30pm, 8 weeks, beginning September 12

Facilitators:  Kim Ford and Christy Benitez

Creating: God establishes the covenant to be in relationship with us. This first module, Creating the Covenant, examines how the covenant community is created and established, by focusing on several books of the Bible.

It discusses the story of our origins in Genesis, the Exodus narrative, the teachings of Moses, the Gospels of Matthew and Mark, as well as other books from each Testament that focus on the foundation of Christian faith. In doing so, it lays out the framework for a life lived in concert with God and others.

Covenant Bible Study guides small groups through a comprehensive, in-depth study of the whole Bible over twenty-four sessions broken into three eight-session modules. This study emphasizes the biblical concept of covenant as a unifying theme through both the Old and New Testaments, underscoring the unique relationship that God chooses to have with us as God’s people. This relationship is grounded in the faithfulness of God’s love and on our ongoing commitment to stay in relationship with God while we share signs of God’s love with others.

For those choosing to participate in the entire 24-week study, “Living the Covenant” will begin in January 2022 and “Trusting the Covenant” will begin in March 2022.

Order the book here: https://www.cokesbury.com/Covenant-Bible-Study-Creating-Participant-Guide

The Book of James, by N.T. Wright

Tuesdays, 10am, 9 weeks, beginning September 7

Facilitator:  Murray Adams

The Book of James, believed to have been written by the brother of Jesus in the first century of Christianity, was written to encourage Christians across the world to face up to the challenge of faith.  James is a general letter to all Christian churches and focuses on the many aspects of Christian faith. Patience and wisdom are major themes in the book, as James encourages members of the Christian communities to live and act on their faith in their everyday lives.  In reading and discussing James we discover the power of love and prayer.

Book available at first class.

American Sign Language for Beginners, 4 weeks

Wednesday, 4:30-5:15pm, Room A113

Facilitator:  Amy Crew

Join us for a fun, basic introductory Bible sign language class. We will learn basic verses and songs.

John Wesley’s The Character of a Methodist, by David Wentz, 4 weeks

Wednesdays, 6:30-7:15, Room A107, beginning October 6th

Facilitator:  Cory Smith

What was unique about John Wesley’s grasp of the Christian faith? Come join the conversation in which we will explore Wesley’s purpose and mission of the people called Methodists. No matter where one stands in the wide umbrella of our denomination, this summary of its root emphasis provides a vital foundation.  Come join us!

Book link: https://www.amazon.com/John-Wesleys-Character-Methodist-Introduction-ebook/dp/B0846MF61N

Faith After Doubt, by Brian McLaren

Tuesdays, 12-1pm — BYOL small group, 4 weeks, beginning October 5

Facilitators:  Tony Jeck and Paige Holaday (Auburn Wesley Foundation directors)

Using his own story and the stories of a diverse group of struggling believers, Brian D. McLaren, a former pastor and now an author, speaker, and activist shows how old assumptions are being challenged in nearly every area of human life, not just theology and spirituality. He proposes a four-stage model of faith development in which questions and doubt are not the enemy of faith, but rather a portal to a more mature and fruitful kind of faith. The four stages–Simplicity, Complexity, Perplexity, and Harmony–offer a path forward that can help sincere and thoughtful people leave behind unnecessary baggage and intensify their commitment to what matters most, following Jesus.

Book order link: https://www.amazon.com/Faith-After-Doubt-Beliefs-Stopped/dp/1250262771

Pursued – Gods Relentless Love for YOU, by Jennifer Cowart (zoom)

Wednesdays, 6:30-7:45pm, September 8 – October 27

Facilitator:  Betty Corbin

In this study, Jennifer Cowart explores the main theme that runs throughout the stories in the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation: God’s relentless love for us. Like Cain, Abraham, Sarah, Rebekah, David, the adulterous woman, Peter, and many others, we have broken relationship with God. Yet God runs after us anyway to bring us home. We will use the daily readings from the participant book and Jennifer’s videos as together we explore God’s love as evidenced in the stories of creation, the patriarchs, the judges and prophets, Jesus, and the early church.

Book Link: You may purchase the participant book from amazon.com or cokesbury.com (https://www.amazon.com/Pursued-Womens-Participant-Workbook-Relentless/dp/1791014755)

Elijah: Faith and Fire, by Pricilla Shirer

Sundays, 4:30pm, 7 weeks, beginning September 12

Facilitators: Melanie Flynt, Pat Giddens and Cissy Yarbrough

Join Bible teacher Priscilla Shirer for a fresh look at Elijah and the difficult choices of obedience that kept him anchored, sharpened his faith, broadened his impact, and invited heaven’s fire to fall.
Book order link: https://www.amazon.com/Elijah-Bible-Study-Book-Faith/dp/1087715423

Limited number of books will be available at the first class.

Epic of Eden: Psalms, by Sandra Richter

Mondays, 9:30-11:30am, 12 weeks, beginning September 13

Facilitators:  Cindy Hudon and Susan Rogers

The book of Psalms is well-known and well-worn. It is the Old Testament book most often quoted in the New Testament. Why so much attention? The Church Father Athanasius said it best—most of Scripture speaks to us, but the Book of Psalms speaks for us. Come explore how to bridge the gap between the culture and practices of ancient Israel and today, how you can trust God with all your emotions: grief, anger, praise, fear, and hope, how and why the people of Israel used the Psalms in worship, why the book of Psalms is critical in our devotional lives today, and how the Psalms can empower your prayer life.

Book order link – https://www.amazon.com/Book-Psalms-Study-Guide-Epic/dp/0310120527

Fall GriefShare

Thursdays, 11:30am-1pm, 12 weeks, beginning September 2
Facilitator: Julie Hare

GriefShare combines teaching from top grief experts with small group discussion and support. Cost for the workbook that accompanies class is $15 which can be paid at the first meeting. For more information or to register, please contact Rev. Julie Hare at julieh@aumc.net or 334.826.8800, ext. 232.