Brochure

Living the Christian Life

A two-part Study

Confronting the Controversies

Biblical Perspectives on Tough Issues

September 10 – November 19

AND

SO, YOU WANT TO BE LIKE CHRIST

Eight Essentials to get You There

January 7 – March 4

Memorial Room Adult Christian Education Program

2006-2007

This year the Memorial Room Class program will be divided into two separate studies, different and yet related. During the first part of the program year (September to Advent), we will be using a study entitled Confronting the Controversies: Biblical Perspectives on Tough Issue.

During the Advent season, a five week study/program appropriate to the season is in the planning stages. Hopefully, this will be presented by a guest of Central Church.

Beginning in 2007, a second study will begin entitled So, You Want to be Like Christ? Eight Essentials to Get You There. This study is based on the book by the same title written by Charles R. Swindoll. This study will conclude in early March. The remainder of the program year is open for suggestions and a presenter.

You are encouraged to attend these studies each Sunday from 9:00 to 9:45 AM. We will be beginning promptly at 9:00AM and ending class at 9:45AM to allow choir members and greeters to participate in the entire discussion. Some members may wish to continue the discussion past the 9:45 hour. The facilitator for both studies will be Harold Pitz.

CONFRONTING THE CONTROVERSIES

Biblical Perspectives on Tough Issues

This study is based on a series of sermons preached by the Rev. Adam Hamilton, pastor of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas.

Confronting the Controversies: Biblical Perspectives on Tough Issues is a video-based group study and outreach program that explores some of the most challenging topics of our time: the separation of church and state, creation and evolution in the public schools, abortion, the death penalty, euthanasia, prayer in public schools, and homosexuality. These socially and morally relevant issues are of great concern to people not just within the church, but throughout our communities as well.

The purpose of this study is to help participants learn how to think through complex moral issues, applying both biblical teaching and theological thinking; to provide a model for how to dialogue about moral issues, and maintain respect for persons on both sides of the divide; to teach how the Christian faith relates to critical issues in contemporary society; and to encourage discipleship and offer prophetic challenges.

Rev. Hamilton is pastor of the fastest growing United Methodist Churches in the country. He has authored several books and was named by PBS’s Religion and Ethics Newsweekly as one of the “top ten people to watch.” This is the same person whose sermons were the basis for last years study Christianity and World Religions.

The format will consist of background material from the presenter, group discussion, and a ten to fifteen minute video presented by Rev. Hamilton. Throughout the study there will be no attempt to sway anyone’s current beliefs; rather, we will try to provide the framework for evaluating those beliefs in light of Christian ethics and scripture.

SO, YOU WANT TO BE LIKE CHRIST?

Eight Essentials to get You There

Charles Swindoll realized after a trip to visit Houston, Texas, a place he once lived, that change is necessary and perspective is essential. Within the Christian life, each of us needs to return to our spiritual roots to reflect on changes that have taken place and to gain fresh perspective. We may need to ask ourselves some tough questions about what changes have taken place in our lives as followers of Christ. Have we hit a plateau? Bottomed out? Am I just pretending to be a Christian? Do I need to start fresh? How does my understanding of Christ shape my understanding of the controversies of life? Mr. Swindoll suggests eight essentials to living a Christ like life: intimacy, simplicity, silence, surrender, prayer, humility, self control, and sacrifice. As we consider each of these qualities of the Christian life we should find ourselves drawn more deeply into a relationship with the man who we name Jesus Christ.

This study will be different from most of our previous students. It will be more personal and involve each student in examining their faith and especially in considering what it means to be a Christ like person. Charles Swindoll has written over seventy books plus numerous other publications. He is currently Chancellor of Dallas Theological Seminary. He is generally considered to be a mid-road conservative and often incurs criticism from both fundamental and reformed Christians. One of his more popular books is entitled Living on the Ragged Edge,” a book about facing the difficulties of life.

This study will involve, Bible study, thought provoking questions, demonstrating the relevance of the Bible to modern life, and personal reflection.

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Program Calendar for 2006-2007

Confronting the Controversies

September 10 -

Introduction/Separation of Church & State

September 17 -

Separation of Church & State continued

September 24 -

Creation & Evolution in Public Schools

October 1 - The Death Penalty

October 8 - Euthanasia

October 15 - Prayer in Public Schools

October 22 - Abortion

October 29 - Homosexuality

November 5 - Summary, Review, and Comment

November 12 – Open

November 19-December 17 Advent Study

December 24 - No Memorial Room Class

So, You Want to be Like Christ?

January 7 - Intimacy: Deepening Our Lives

January 14 - Simplicity: Uncluttering Our Minds

January 21 - Silence and Solitude: Slowing our Pace

January 28 - Surrender: Releasing our Grip

February 4 - Prayer: Calling Out

February 11 - Humility: Bowing Low

February 18 - Self Control: Holding Back

March 4 - Sacrifice: Giving Over

March 11 - Summary, Review, and Comment

March 18 – May 27 - Open

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Confronting the Controversies:

Biblical Perspectives on Tough Issues

Adam Hamilton

So, You Want to be Like Christ

Eight Essentials to Get You There

Charles Swindoll