This study pack was created to provide a structured sampling from our Bible and Theology section. Particpants will delve into the Bible to study the Apochrypha, learn why some books were left out of the Bible, and examine some of the many names for God. Specific characters and their writings will also be studied. Leaders will also be able to work with their groups on the thological concepts of angels and the anti-Christ. Below is a breakdown of the studies.
Books That Didn't Make the Bible and Why. How did Christians decide which books got into the New Testament? And what about all the ones that didn't? Session 1 explains the process of deciding which books were considered essential and which were not. The second session looks particularly at the Gospel of Thomas as a case study for inclusion/exclusion from the Scriptures.
The Books between the Testaments: What Christians Should Know about the Apocrypha. Have you ever noticed that some Bibles have the words "with Apocrypha" written on their spines? How did these books come to be placed in the middle of the Bible, and what value, if any, do they have? These are some of the questions that we will consider in the first session. The second session looks specifically at the book of Tobit and examines arguments for and against its inclusion in the Bible.
Mary Magdalene: Tradition and Gospel. This two-session study is designed to help participants think about what we know about Mary Magdalene and what her story means to us. It looks at what the Bible actually says about her and how tradition evolved to create her popular image as a penitent prostitute. The second session looks specifically at the Gospel of Mary, a book that was not included in our Bible but was known by many of our biblical writers.
Angels: God's Messengers. In this two-session study we'll explore the role of angels in spirituality. The first session offers a broad survey of the history of angels. In the second session we'll consider how the earliest Christians tried to understand the identity of Christ by drawing upon ideas about angels.
Who Is the Antichrist? The figure of the antichrist is of central importance in many popular teachings about the end of the world. This one-session study explores the three biblical texts that use the term and how it has been used by Christians throughout history.
Names for God in the Bible. There are different names for God in our Bibles: LORD, Yahveh, Jehovah, Adonai, Elohim. This two-session study looks at the names that are used for God throughout the Bible, giving us a wider understanding of how God works and is understood.
Jonah. Far too often the significance of this Minor Prophet is completely overlooked as people concentrate on the issue of the "great fish." This one-session study uncovers the real story of Jonah, which presents a timeless challenge to faithful people who don't accept or preach God's unlimited grace, justice, love, and freedom.
Moses. There is no more important human figure in the Old Testament than Moses. Prophet. Priest. Politician. This one-session study traces the major events in Moses' life and how he responded to God's call.