"Only by understanding itself as the extension of the biblical community of faith, which was called into existence by God and which derived life and direction solely from communion with God, can the contemporary community of faith fulfill its divine calling."
-- Inagrace Dietterich |
|
 |
| Discerning God's Call - BIBLE STUDY RESOURCES FOR CONGREGATIONS |
| |
The Bible is a living voice through which the Holy Spirit calls the church to discover and discern God's mission and sends it to participate in God's mission. Consequently, the Bible is an indispensable source of learning for the church and for the church's transformation journey. There is something we need to learn, and the only place we can find the subject matter for that learning is in the Bible. |
Why communal Bible study?
The Bible is not a reference manual for humans to manipulate to give direct answers to modern problems. Rather, the Holy Spirit - God's active presence - illuminates and inspires the Christian community, enabling the community to grow in understanding of God and God's purposes. The Holy Spirit enables the witness of the biblical communities recorded in biblical texts to enlighten the vision of contemporary communities.
Rather than a task for the individual working alone, biblical interpretation takes place within the ongoing life and worship of the congregation. The Bible is not a dead document, but a living voice waiting to be heard, a voice seeking to give identity and purpose to God's people. And all of God's people are called to contribute to the discovery of the mind or will of God. But this is what makes Bible study a difficult but exciting practice. Enabling people’s differences to be enriching and to contribute to the building up of the whole community is both a challenge and wonderful opportunity for each congregation. The challenge, in particular, is to establish a climate and a process that enables people
- to dig in and study together, to be confused and frustrated as they confront unfamiliar words or concepts,
- to argue honestly but lovingly with one another,
- to discuss with commitment but openness to differing opinions,
- to ponder realistically but hopefully the relevance of Scripture to concrete issues facing the church,
- to be open to the movement of the Holy Spirit among them, bringing inspiration and illumination.
Most importantly, Bible study needs to be done with a prayer-filled attitude and approach. It invites all to approach with gratitude, humility, and awe for God's undeserved love and mercy. The goal of Bible study is to contribute to the expectation that Christians are called to live a particular way of life together. It is to contribute to the experience of living together in community, as purposeful Christian community. It is to contribute to the discovery of what it means for God's people obediently and faithfully to participate in what God is doing in today's world.
From the introduction to The People Called by God Bible study, by Inagrace T. Dietterich
|
Consider the following resources for cultivating the practice of Bible study in your church for the mission of the church. All of these resources have been created out of the Center's experience with congregations moving through transformation processes. Bible study is formational and foundational to the renewal of the church. |
| CLICK TITLE FOR DETAILS |
|
The Beatitudes: The Practice of Christian Community.
In ten sessions explores the Beatitudes as the distinctive "ethic" of Christian communities. It is by living the way of life taught by and embodied in Jesus Christ, that the church participates in the blessings to be found in a faithful and obedient relationship with God. Integrating exercises are included along with suggestions for study group facilitators. $10.00
|
|
Behold: There is a New Creation!
In six sessions illumines the powerful biblical image of new creation by considering what it might mean to become a "people of God's dream." Key themes of the biblical story: God's good creation, humanity's rejection of the dream, the healing of relationships in Jesus Christ, and the manifestation of the dream in the household of faith. Each sessions includes an introduction, study process, and options for additional reflection and discussion. $7.00
|
|
The Biblical Mission of the Church.
This four session Bible study focuses on the mission of the church as found within Jesus' final charge or commissioning of the disciples within each of the four Gospels. To gain a richer vision of the church's calling, each "commission" is placed within the context and content of the full Gospel of which it is the climax. Discussion questions, integrating exercises, and other helps are provided for group facilitators. $7.00
|
|
The Church and the Coming Reign of God.
This six session Bible study explores the mission of the church as a sign, foretaste, and instrument of the coming reign of God. Within the context of the reign of God, as God's "dream" for the world, participants will engage the Bible as an inspiring book of visions. Integrating exercises are included along with practical suggestions to help study group facilitators make this study process especially meaningful. $10.00
|
|
Developing the Missional Church.
A collection of three essays reprinted with permission from the Reformed Review which explores features of the missional church, trends within missional congregations, and cultural currents. 1998. $3.00
|
|
Discerning God's Vision Together.
A short essay, originally published in Transformation, sketches an image of discerning communities where faithful imaginations are cultivated. As a people of hope and faith - listening and hearing, studying and reflecting, sharing and testing - congregations will creatively discern new possibilities for their life and ministry. $2.50
|
|
Gathered Together to Seek and to Do God's Will.
Offers an approach to decision making that moves beyond win/lose competitive struggles to a way of seeking wisdom together and agreement about God's will for shared life and mutual ministry. Using Acts 10-15 as an illustration of early church decision making, this study includes a process for exploring your church's narrative of decision making, and offers a guide for planning to become more fully a "wisdom community." $10.00
|
|
Missional Church: A Vision for the Sending of the Church in North America (Study Guide).
A Study guide created in partnership between the Center for Parish Development and the Synod of the Sun, Presbyterian Church (USA). $3.00
|
|
A People of Salt and Light: Jesus' Model for Community.
Considers the Sermon on the Mount as a model for the life and practice of the Christian community. Topics include: Jesus' vision of right relationships, the practices of Christian faithfulness, and the church as a contrast community. Questions for reflection and discussion accompany each of the six sessions, helping participants explore the implications of Jesus' vision for their local church. $7.00
|
|
The People Called by God.
This eleven session Bible study explores biblical images of the church: the People of God, the Body of Christ, and the Communion of the Holy Spirit, all of which illuminate the identity and purpose of the church as a "called" community with a distinctive witness and mission. Integrating exercises and suggestions for study group facilitators to enable congregations to make the best use of this resource are included. $10.00
|
|
The Practice of Sabbath Time.
In a culture characterized by accomplishment and accumulation, the simplicity and freedom of sabbath time calls for intentionality and creativity. This resource explores four central sabbath themes: the trust of ceasing, the faith of resting, the joy of embracing, and the hope of feasting. Along with questions for reflection and discussion, examples, illustrations, and ideas for practicing sabbath time are drawn from several cultures. $10.00
|
|
Sign, Foretaste, and Instrument.
A brief four sessions Bible study which introduces a vision of the church as sign, foretaste, and instrument of the coming reign of God. $3.00
|
|
Teach Us to Pray. Nurturing Christian Prayer.
This twelve session study enables participants to share their current understanding and practice of prayer as they explore the context, content, and purpose of the foundational prayer of the church: the Lord's Prayer. Integrating exercises are included along with aids for group facilitators and suggestions for helping study groups discover how prayer is nurtured within their congregation. $10.00
|
|
We Believe: Shaping and Shaping Christian Belief.
This twelve session study invites participants to investigate, test, and interpret the Nicene Creed as a powerful and living expression of the church's confession of praise and thanksgiving to the God of Jesus Christ. Integrating exercises are included along with recommendations for group facilitators and suggestions for discovering how their congregation shapes and shares Christian belief. $10.00
|
|
Which Story Will Shape the Church in the 21st Century?
A short essay, originally published in Transformation, explores the contrast between churches shaped by the story of the crucified Messiah and those shaped by the story of Constantine. $2.50
|
|
|
|
|
Shipping Costs - U.S. & Overseas
| Order Amount |
Standard Shipping |
$0 to $9.99
$10 to 19.99
$20 to 34.99
$35 to 49.99
$50 and up
|
$2.95
$3.95
$4.95
$6.95
$8.95
|
Note: Exact UPS charge for orders over $150. There is no shipping charge for the Center Letter, Seminars or Housing Costs.
|
For orders that are shipped to countries
outside of the U.S. or Canada:
|
- Place your order, which will not include shipping costs. *Include your email address.
- After your order has been placed, you will be sent an email requesting payment of shipping and handling costs. (Exact shipping plus a $2.00 handling fee will be charged).
- After shipping charges are paid, your order will be shipped within the following 2 days.
- If you want to know shipping costs before placing order, Contact Center by phone or email.
|
|
|
