Some Bible Challenge thoughts...

One of the great things about The Bible Challenge is that you can participate on your own and when it suits your schedule. It is said that 23% of Americans have a work conflict that makes it difficult for them to attend church on Sunday morning. Fortunately, there is not set time when you must participate in The Bible Challenge. You can read the Bible in the morning, afternoon or evening. One thing is vital. You and I need to participate four, five or six times a week to make true progress in your Bible reading. This is what President John Adams, our second President of the United States, did every year during his adult life. Adams read the entire Bible each year from cover to cover. He studied the Scriptures every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning.

Unlike John Adams, who could read the Bible only in a printed form, we can listen to the Bible on CDs, MP3 or on Pandora or read it on a mobile device such as an iPad, iPhone, Kindle, Nook or Blackberry. The genius of The Bible Challenge is to give the Bible back to people. Yes, the Bible is the Church's book, but more importantly it is your book. The Bible is God's Word intended for you to read like a love letter from God written directly to you.

Bibles studies are not daunting. Everyone in them is an amateur. All of us are learning. Each person had to start out somewhere and begin reading and studying together for the first time. Most Bible studies love to see someone new join them. Please let me know if I can personally help you with this. All of our Bible studies are open to you to join them. There is no secret pass code or no level of education or Bible understanding that you must have reached before you can join, visit or inquire about participating.

The Bible is meant to be read and studied in a community. Jesus says, "Whenever two or more of you gather together in my name, I will be in the midst of you." The implication is that when we come together to study God's Word, to learn from God's wisdom and to discuss and share what we hear and see that God has revealed for us in the Word, then Jesus will truly be present with us. (words borrowed from St. Thomas Church, Whitemarsh)
We will have a Bible 201 class on March 4 and you are invited to share how you are doing with your own Bible Challenge!

Film & Food ~ Saturday Nights

Please join Ann Robinson for Film & Food Saturday Nights at St. Peter’s

6 PM ~ Memorial Room

“A Mature (or not) Perspective on Life”

March 3
Autumn Spring
(Czech)

March 24
Autumn Sun
(Argentina)

April 14
Away from Her
(Canada)

from our Bible 101 Forum

This what we covered in Bible 101:

Opening Prayer:

Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.  (from the BCP)

Bible Challenge:

Information taken from the website of St. Thomas' Episcopal Church, Fort Washington, Pennsylvania (Center for Biblical Studies).

This year I have decided to join others in the Bible Challenge, to read the Bible every day. It is so fruitful that I want to encourage you to do this as well! Here are some of the Bible Challenge options for 2012:

• Read the entire Bible (cover to cover) 
• Read the New Testament or Apocrypha
• Read the Psalter (150 Psalms) during Lent
• Read the Gospel of Mark in a slow, meditative fashion
• Use the CT Bible Society Daily Bible Reading Guide for those who want to join me in reading the bible every day.

Bible 101:

from The Thoughtful Christian

Old Testament (Hebrew), Apocrypha, New Testament (Greek)

• The Bible as Anthology, not as “one” book.
• OT: Law (Torah), History, Poetry & Prophecy.
• NT: Gospels, History, Epistles, Apocalyptic Writing

Purpose: describe the nature of God & the will of God.

Hermeneutics – principles of interpretation (tools & approaches we use when we study the Bible.)

There are three handouts from the meeting:

• Bible 101
• Teaching your Child about the Bible
• The Bible & the Episcopal Church

additional copies available in the Undercroft.