Christian Formation and Bible Study
  

"But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All scripture is inspired by God and is* useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work."   2 Timothy 3:14-17

John Wesley was a great reader, lover, and preacher of Scripture and Christian doctrine.  He famously exclaimed his love for God's holy Bible by praying, "O let me be a man of one book!"  Of course, the irony is that Wesley was committed to studying Scripture as well as the great writings of the Church Fathers and contemporary Christian authors.  He edited a huge "Christian Library" to strengthen the faith of the early Methodists.  He advised his preachers that, if they did not have a taste for reading, they ought to find different work.

At West Bend, we continue in the Methodist tradition of group studies that move the heart, soul, and mind.  Our studies are typically on Wednesday afternoon at 1:00 and in the evening at 6:30.  All are welcome to join in these studies, whether you are from our church, another church, or no church at all.  Recent studies have included the Book of Acts, The Shack by William Young, and What's So Amazing About Grace? by Philip Yancey. We recently finished the Revelation of John, and, with some help from Mickey Efird, looked behind the myths surrounding this book in search of the hopeful and glorious message of the resurrection to come and the consummation of Christ's New Creation.

Contact Pastor Drew for more information about current and future studies...hope to see you soon!
 

2011 Summer Study: The Bible and the Sacraments

In this summer study, we will look at Baptism and the Lord’s Supper through the lens of Scripture and with some study aids from the United Methodist Church. We will look at Biblical references to the sacraments and talk about how these are understood by United Methodists and other Christians. This will be mostly a selfdirectedstudy, so that you can participate from home or while you are travelling this summer. The study will cover two months, July and August, and we will meet at the end of each month to share a meal and have fellowship and discussion. This will allow you to go at your own pace but still have a study experience in the summer months. The study aids from the church are available free on the internet and will be provided at no July will focus on Baptism, and we will be looking at an 18-page document called By Water & The Spirit in addition to several scripture references. We will meet Sunday, July 24, after church for food, fellowship, and discussion. August will focus on Communion, and we will be looking at a 43-page document called This Holy Mystery as well as multiple scripture references. This session will meet August 21 after church with the same structure as the July discussion.

“We baptize infants?? I thought baptism was only for adults?”
“Why do we sprinkle and not immerse? Do we immerse?”
“Why do we have Communion so often??”
“Is it really the body and blood of Jesus?”
“Is any of this stuff in the Bible?”

 
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