Bible study
Looking for a Bible Study during our September - May program year?
Here are several options. For more information, contact the Church Office. Join at any time!
SUNDAY MORNING CLASSES
9:30 AM ~ "The Bible at 9:30 a.m." - French room.
The Reverend Ed Koster leads this group, currently taking an in-depth look at the book of Jeremiah. Join anytime!
11:00 AM Classes - Spring 2012 Schedule
January 8 - February 26 ~ The Origins and Nature of Islam, Monteith Hall
This class will provide an overview of the origins of Islam, its institutional features, and the main impulses for its historical success. It will focus on the historical and religious contexts of Islam’s beginnings, on the figure of Muhammad in Mecca and Medina, the Quran, its teaching on Jews, Christians and the role of women, the development of law (sharia), and on prayer and the annual pilgrimage (hajj) among the pillars of the faith. The class will be taught by Waldemar Schmeichel.
Composite notes for this class are available in church office for $1 (to cover the cost of paper).
March 4 ~ April 1 - A Quantum Leap of Faith, Led by Michael Bodner, Monteith Hall
As in his book, A Quantum Leap of Faith, Dr. Bodner will examine the role of religious thought and practices in our everyday lives. Issues such as abortion, Intelligent Design, and the impact of technology on us all seem to pit religion against Science. This study attempts to build a bridge from Science to Faith and back, and opens the Mind of the Child, the Mind of Man and relates them to the Mind of God. The book A Quantum Leap of Faith by Dr. Bodner is available in the office for $15.00
April 15 & 29 ~ Body, Mind and Spirit, Led by Lillian Henry, Lewis Room
We read in Genesis that we are created in God's image. What knowledge and understanding of our body do we have? How do we care for this body? What guidance and instruction does God give us about our bodies? Does our body, mind and spirit function separately or as one? These are questions we will explore. Our study source will be the Bible. Preparation: Search your Bible for verses concerning God's guidance about our bodies.
April 22 ~ Is Israel Western?, Monteith Hall
Speaker: Sammy Smooha, Phd. Professor of Sociology, University of Haifa. Currently a Fellow at the Frankel Institute for Advanced Judaic Studies, University of Michigan
Israel is internationally known and perceives itself as Western. In this talk Israel as a state, a society and a culture will be compared to contemporary Western countries by various criteria (including ties with the West, science and technology, economy, democracy, socio-demography, the military, nationalism, and way of life), problematizing Israel's fitting into the Western model but not as a modern and developed country.
Dr. Smooha will be our guest at a Potluck lunch following his talk and will answer questions at that time. So please bring a simple dish to share and stay for lunch with us.
Sunday, May 6, 11:00 AM ~ Michael Bodner Q and A Session, Monteith Hall
For all who attended the Quantum Leap of Faith lectures with Michael Bodner, please join us for this follow-up Question and Answer Session.
OTHER STUDY OPPORTUNITIES
Bible 101 — Offered in conjunction with Wednesday 2:42, in February & March 2012. Two times: 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. in the Vance Room. Led by Rev.'s Brennan Pearson and Mel Prentice-Hyers. Contact Budge Gere for more information, bgere@firstpresbyterian.org.
Kerygma Bible Study Group — meets at different members' homes on Sunday evenings, approximately every two weeks, using a Kerygma resource book on a specific topic. Join us by contacting Judy Stuart for dates and times, judystuart@comcast.net
Woman's Evening Bible Study (W.E.B.S) - Offered the first Monday evening of each month, 7:00 p.m., in the Curtis Room. Contact Sue Dempsey to find out about materials and attending, suedmpsy@yahoo.com
Women's Reading Group - Second Wednesdays, 1:00 p.m. All are welcome to join this group, which meets in members' homes. Meeting locations are announced in First Press and in the bulletin. For more information, contact group coordinator Marolin Bellefleur, bellecello@peoplepc.com.
Campus Core Group Program - Various days and times. Core groups are small groups of 3-5 students, led by an adult church member, who come together for two hours each week to build authentic relationships with Christ and one another through Bible study, prayer sharing and fellowship. There is an opportunity for new groups to form. If you are interested in being a core group leader or member, contact Rev. Dave Prentice-Hyers at dprentice-hyers@umich.edu.
Moms' Bible Study - Second and fourth Thursdays, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.. Women of all ages are invited to attend this twice-monthly Bible study in the French Room/Library. For more information, contact Diana Gardner, drgatgard@aol.com or Resident Minister Brennan Pearson, at bpearson@firstpresbyterian.org.
In addition, several fellowship groups meet in homes twice each month. For more information, contact Rev. Melissa Anne Rogers, mrogers@firstpresbyterian.org 662-4466, ext. 390. These groups engage in meaningful Bible study and Christian fellowship.