Pastor Led Bible Studies for 2024– 2025
70 Hebrew Words Every Christian Should Know
by Matthew Richard Schlimm
October 2 - November 20
Wednesdays at 7:00 pm
Genesis Room and on Zoom
The basic message of the Bible can be understood in any language. At the same time, many biblical texts are hard to understand because they don’t quite make sense when translated into English. Something is missing. Quite frequently, what readers miss has been lost in translation. Many Hebrew words have multiple meanings, but the English translators have to just pick one. Even more common are Hebrew words that have much wider meanings than their English translations. The original language allows various parts to click together like well-constructed puzzle pieces. With Hebrew in mind, interpreters see new details they didn’t realize were missing before. They make new connections. They immerse themselves in scripture more fully.
That’s where this book comes in. Learning a language is like learning a worldview. Those who learn biblical Hebrew can better understand not only what biblical authors wrote, but also how they thought. This book is about getting right to the important, exciting insights. It’s an opportunity to be transformed by the renewing of our minds as we better understand how biblical authors used their language to express their experience of God and the world.
If you have no intention of learning biblical Hebrew but want to better understand the Bible, this book is for you!
Holy Disruption: Discovering Advent in the Gospel of Mark
by Tracy S. Daub
December 1 - December 29
Sundays at 11:30 am
Genesis Room and on Zoom
Where’s the baby?
The Gospel of Mark doesn’t have a nativity story―so where’s the Advent message? It’s in every aspect of Jesus’ life, to his death and beyond. The Incarnation―God come to earth in human form to be baptized, teach, heal, eat, and die―is what we celebrate at Christmas, and Mark shows us just how radical and celebration-worthy it is!
Holy Disruption presents a fresh understanding of the holiness of Christmas grounded, not in a conventional cozy Christmas message, but through Mark's disquieting gospel which invites its readers to experience God's disruptive but transformative love for us and our world.
The Gospel According to Mark
by Pastor Jeff
January 8 - February 26
Wednesdays at 7:00 pm
Genesis Room and on Zoom
The Gospel According to Mark is traditionally viewed as the first gospel in written form. It is attributed to John Mark, as identified in Acts of the Apostles, who followed Peter, and later accompanied Paul and Barnabas. In this first gospel, we come to find the first tellings and uses of Jesus' ministry including parables and miracles. In our study, we will look at how the gospel format came into being, the peculiarities of this writing and its content, along with a study of how Jesus is portrayed and how Mark wants us to see and know Christ.
Turning Over Tables
by Kathy Escobar
March 9 - April 13
Sundays at 11:30 am
Genesis Room and on Zoom
With keen insight and unwavering conviction, visionary pastor Kathy Escobar guides readers on a Lenten journey inspired by the ways of Jesus to dismantle the systems that perpetuate inequality and injustice.
From flipping the moneychangers’ tables in the temple to uplifting the poor and marginalized, Jesus’ actions and words turn the world’s idea of power on its head.
With each week of Lent, readers will dig deeper into Jesus’ challenge to the pervasive influence of privilege and oppression that have dominated since ancient times. Through poignant reflections and thought-provoking practices, readers will discover how they can harness the disruptive power of Jesus’ teachings to bring about meaningful change in their communities and beyond. Together, we can turn the tables and build a world where justice, healing, and greater equity reigns supreme.
The Letters of John
by Pastor Jeff
May 7 - May 28
Wednesdays at 7:00 pm
Genesis Room and on Zoom
The author of the Gospel According to John is attributed as writing 1 John, sharing many similarities in tone, style, and word choice. 2 and 3 John have similar styles to each but not as much in common with 1 John, but remain in the "Johannine Tradition". These letters bring an extension and support of the gospel, but offer some new understandings. We will walk through these letters and explore their depths, even in their brevity, while looking at how we understand authorship and inclusion in the biblical canon.