eginning in September of each year and lasting until May, on Sundays at 6:00 p.m., in Chapel Hall, a year-long course of study is offered for interested adults. Led by Dr. Robert Dibble and others, participants build a community where serious intent, personal preparation, and active involvement provide the basis for significant learning.

The courses of study have ranged from Discovering the Bible, a comprehensive introduction to the Bible as a whole, to Bible book studies such as Genesis, Exodus, Job, Psalms, Amos and Hosea, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

The study for this year (2007-08) is:

BECOMING DISCIPLES THROUGH BIBLE STUDY is the foundation of the DISCIPLE Bible Study program. DISCIPLE assumes that the Bible is the key to renewal in the church. It recognizes the human-divine nature of the Bible: The actual texts of Scripture were written by human beings like ourselves in their cultural settings, under the divine inspiration of God.

DISCIPLE affirms that the canon was formed as it is in order for God to speak to us. BECOMING DISCIPLES THROUGH BIBLE STUDY gives equal time to both the Old and New Testament, emphasizing the wholeness of the Bible as the revelation of God. DISCIPLE aims at transformation, not just information, and calls on persons to submit themselves to examination by Scripture, to put themselves under the power of God’s Word, and to be changed by God’s Word. DISCIPLE invites persons to bring their experiences and struggles to the Scripture. All persons know something is amiss with their existence and yearn for the Word from God.

BECOMING DISCIPLES THROUGH BIBLE STUDY uses biblical language and images and draws upon the work of scholars to aid understanding of the Bible.

This study requires reading large portions of Scripture each week and is based on careful study and preparation. During the course of thirty-four weeks, groups will move through the biblical stories of Creation to the New Jerusalem. The titles of the sessions along with theme words; theme verses; and major persons, events, and topics will set the sequence of the biblical story in the minds of the participants. The principal Scripture for each session follows the chronological movement of the biblical story.

Through a process of reading, reflection, discussion, and creative expression learners discover people, events, and places and encounter a variety of biblical ideas. The focus of the studies is to aid adult learners in their appreciation of the Bible and to promote new understandings and experiences of faith and life.

There is a cost to participants for the books used during the course. Reservations are received on a first-come, first-served basis and may be made to the adult ministries office, 288-1131. All questions should be directed to Robert Dibble at the same number or by email, bobdibble@rrcb.org.