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Adult Education
Many of us have indelible memories of that unique American institution, the Sunday School.
Perhaps this was the first organized group activity you ever participated in. Perhaps this was your first experience of song, stories and other intellectual challenges encountered outside your home. Maybe you glimpsed intimations of things seen and unseen that you never dreamed existed in this earthly life.
As parents begin to plan for their child's development they often develop concerns for the child's spiritual growth and search about for an appropriate guide and teacher. Maybe you have found yourself in this very situation. Often, once we have received this basic religious instruction and been confirmed in the faith community chosen for us, we participate in the corporate life of the church with little or no instruction to help us deepen our religious experience.
Since the Christian life is one of transformation we cannot expect to change unless we learn what skills and techniques encourage our inner growth and development. Fortunately for us at Saint Paul's there is the opportunity to participate in the Adult Forum that meets each Sunday in the Parish House, after Eucharist, at about 10:15 AM. Here we conduct readings and discussion specifically designed to help mature adults develop a new perspective concerning the life and experience of the religious community.
More than a dozen of us currently gather together to examine our beliefs and better understand the nature of our worship. Come share with us as we attempt to learn this faith of Our Lord, Christ Jesus, in order that we might follow more closely in His footsteps. There is room for everyone on this Path.
Central to many of the Bible stories we encounter each Sunday is the experience of ordinary people responding to ?the call?. This year the Adult Forum is meeting to explore the theme ?No Experience Necessary? where we will learn how to read the Bible with a beginner's mind.
We do this in order to be able to hear and understand how the spirit works in us to accomplish the new creation proclaimed by Christ Jesus. As the Jewish tradition evolved in a Palestine governed by Rome, there was a marked turning within to encounter the religious experience. It was from this stream that the message of the Baptizer and the Messiah developed, spreading quickly throughout the Empire. This opening to God's voice is made clear and simple for all of us today using resources we already possess.
Everybody's welcome.
No roadblocks. No jargon. No experience necessary.
God is speaking, right here, right now.
That is the radically simple assumption at the heart of this Bible study.
Come as you are.
You can read. You've got common sense.
You've got your own experiences. No special knowledge needed.
You decide.
What you think, what you bring to the table, what works best for you and your group.
There's plenty of support and relevant information in every session.
But you choose what to do with it, what works best for your group.
Expect change.
Things are going to happen.
The Spirit's at work. You'll never be the same.
That's the expectation of this Bible study.
Because when you engage God's Word, things change.
For you.
For your congregation.
For the world.