We're nearing the end of the second week of the Bible in 90 Days (BIND) classes. At the end of the week we will have read Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and about 2/3 of Deuteronomy. Whew!
The groups are going very well. As expected we have had a few drop out or not start and a few join at the last minute. Despite the limited availablity of the Thinline Large Print NIV Bible we had enough for everyone and a few extra that I sold to another church in our area who needed them. So we have about 115 people reading, reading, reading.
Jack Modesett is the presenter on the DVD lessons that are part of the course. So far people in the groups are quite enthusiastic about his video lessons. He is an excellent speaker who sprinkles his presentation with amusing stories that make the readings relevant to the listener.
Our Sunday School group cannot use the DVD's because they are about 30-35 minutes long and we only have 45 minutes for our SS period. Fortunately we have two very gifted, experienced Bible teachers leading that group who are able to bring in supplementary material and set up good small group discussions. We made the decision that the group process was more important than the DVD's if a choice had to be made in the interests of time, and so far that seems to be the right choice.
I did set up a "virtual BIND" group, by creating a Yahoo discussion group for several women who could not attend any of the groups but wanted to participate. I'm the moderator of the group and I've been posting supplementary information each week and asking the group members to report their current reading status and encouraged them to post their own reactions and comments on what they've been reading. We have 3 members of the group and have had a few exchanges. I'm hoping to hear something from each of them weekly. I do see them around church and we also talk informally.
Our pastors have decided to do a "Cover 2 Cover" sermon series for the 14 weeks of the program. Usually they follow the lectionary, but they are going to choose scripture from the BIND reading for the week as the Bible readings and sermon topic. Last week they choose Genesis 3 and talked about the problem of evil. Since this week covered Leviticus, Numbers and part of Deuteronomy I set up an office pool to see who could predict their choice. Let's see, ritual laws about sacrifice, census reports, "clean" and "unclean" rules, and whining, whining, whining.
How to choose?
It's really been fun to have so many conversations about the Bible around church. People who are involved in BIND are discussing their reading with each other. Almost every day someone stops by my office and chats about it. Imagine!
The groups are going very well. As expected we have had a few drop out or not start and a few join at the last minute. Despite the limited availablity of the Thinline Large Print NIV Bible we had enough for everyone and a few extra that I sold to another church in our area who needed them. So we have about 115 people reading, reading, reading.
Jack Modesett is the presenter on the DVD lessons that are part of the course. So far people in the groups are quite enthusiastic about his video lessons. He is an excellent speaker who sprinkles his presentation with amusing stories that make the readings relevant to the listener.
Our Sunday School group cannot use the DVD's because they are about 30-35 minutes long and we only have 45 minutes for our SS period. Fortunately we have two very gifted, experienced Bible teachers leading that group who are able to bring in supplementary material and set up good small group discussions. We made the decision that the group process was more important than the DVD's if a choice had to be made in the interests of time, and so far that seems to be the right choice.
I did set up a "virtual BIND" group, by creating a Yahoo discussion group for several women who could not attend any of the groups but wanted to participate. I'm the moderator of the group and I've been posting supplementary information each week and asking the group members to report their current reading status and encouraged them to post their own reactions and comments on what they've been reading. We have 3 members of the group and have had a few exchanges. I'm hoping to hear something from each of them weekly. I do see them around church and we also talk informally.
Our pastors have decided to do a "Cover 2 Cover" sermon series for the 14 weeks of the program. Usually they follow the lectionary, but they are going to choose scripture from the BIND reading for the week as the Bible readings and sermon topic. Last week they choose Genesis 3 and talked about the problem of evil. Since this week covered Leviticus, Numbers and part of Deuteronomy I set up an office pool to see who could predict their choice. Let's see, ritual laws about sacrifice, census reports, "clean" and "unclean" rules, and whining, whining, whining.
How to choose?
It's really been fun to have so many conversations about the Bible around church. People who are involved in BIND are discussing their reading with each other. Almost every day someone stops by my office and chats about it. Imagine!
5 comments:
"It's really been fun to have so many conversations about the Bible around church."
I did a slight doubletake at the last two words.
I'm glad this program is going well, and congrats for making the effort.
Will, what's up with the PCUSA Elders blog. I can't log onto it any more--get a message saying I'm not authorized.
Impressive! (Can't wait to hear what this weeks sermon selection pool winner was.)
Problem with the server. Hopefully this will be corrected soon.
you are all putting real effort into this and it will be repaid many fold
I find it encouraging that you are also looking at other ways to include people who can't make the group (like us :)
be blessed
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