RYM

While for the first part of our lives we grow up mostly dependent upon our parents (or others) to meet our needs, as we get a little older we start reaching for independence. Something almost instinctive inside us longs for it and so much of our cultural and daily experience promotes it - independence. It’s in our history and part of what it means to “be an American”...for we celebrate our Declaration of Independence! To be sure, there is plenty of truth and health involved when you begin to grow into your own person and take responsibility for your life...your own thoughts, words, and deeds. However, as we do this we often begin to experience a great deal of stress and anxiety because we are all too aware of our weaknesses and limitations. In contrast, the Bible has a lot to say about our lives being marked with joy, peace, and purpose even though we are weak. Is it possible to become more independent and experience this joy and peace at the same time? Yes! Join us in this seminar as we consider how the quest for independence, without a proper understanding of what it means to be human, will actually restrict freedom, joy, and peace. For to be truly human we must remain dependent upon God through each and every day. Join us for some fun and encouraging content helping us better understand what it means to live in dependence!

While for the first part of our lives we grow up mostly dependent upon our parents (or others) to meet our needs, as we get a little older we start reaching for independence. Something almost instinctive inside us longs for it and so much of our cultural and daily experience promotes it - independence. It’s in our history and part of what it means to “be an American”...for we celebrate our Declaration of Independence! To be sure, there is plenty of truth and health involved when you begin to grow into your own person and take responsibility for your life...your own thoughts, words, and deeds. However, as we do this we often begin to experience a great deal of stress and anxiety because we are all too aware of our weaknesses and limitations. In contrast, the Bible has a lot to say about our lives being marked with joy, peace, and purpose even though we are weak. Is it possible to become more independent and experience this joy and peace at the same time? Yes! Join us in this seminar as we consider how the quest for independence, without a proper understanding of what it means to be human, will actually restrict freedom, joy, and peace. For to be truly human we must remain dependent upon God through each and every day. Join us for some fun and encouraging content helping us better understand what it means to live in dependence!

While for the first part of our lives we grow up mostly dependent upon our parents (or others) to meet our needs, as we get a little older we start reaching for independence. Something almost instinctive inside us longs for it and so much of our cultural and daily experience promotes it - independence. It’s in our history and part of what it means to “be an American”...for we celebrate our Declaration of Independence! To be sure, there is plenty of truth and health involved when you begin to grow into your own person and take responsibility for your life...your own thoughts, words, and deeds. However, as we do this we often begin to experience a great deal of stress and anxiety because we are all too aware of our weaknesses and limitations. In contrast, the Bible has a lot to say about our lives being marked with joy, peace, and purpose even though we are weak. Is it possible to become more independent and experience this joy and peace at the same time? Yes! Join us in this seminar as we consider how the quest for independence, without a proper understanding of what it means to be human, will actually restrict freedom, joy, and peace. For to be truly human we must remain dependent upon God through each and every day. Join us for some fun and encouraging content helping us better understand what it means to live in dependence!

"You need to read your Bible!" How many times have you heard this or been given this advice?! While this is good counsel, oftentimes we struggle to read the Bible because it’s a hard book to read! The Bible is a collection of ancient books, from a different culture, spanning across history, and yet it is the very Word of God that reveals God to us, speaks to modern life, and is intended to change us from the insideout. Jesus Himself emphasizes in Matthew 4:4 that "man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” But how do we learn to “eat” this word that is intended sustain and change us? How can the Bible become for you the life-changing book that it is - revealing God to you? We need help, and we need guides as we desire to learn the ways of the Word. This elective class hopes to provide exactly that: guidance in the ways of the Word as you, by the power of the Spirit, try to make sense of Scripture - so that you might “eat," be satisfied, and share with others the “good food” you have tasted.

"You need to read your Bible!"  How many times have you heard this or been given this advice?!  While this is good counsel, oftentimes we struggle to read the Bible because it’s a hard book to read! The Bible is a collection of ancient books, from a different culture, spanning across history, and yet it is the very Word of God that reveals God to us, speaks to modern life, and is intended to change us from the inside-out.  Jesus Himself emphasizes in Matthew 4:4 that "man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”   But how do we learn to “eat” this word that is intended sustain and change us?  How can the Bible become for you the life-changing book that it is - revealing God to you? We need help, and we need guides as we desire to learn the ways of the Word.  This elective class hopes to provide exactly that: guidance in the ways of the Word as you, by the power of the Spirit, try to make sense of Scripture - so that you might “eat," be satisfied, and share with others the “good food” you have tasted.

"You need to read your Bible!"  How many times have you heard this or been given this advice?!  While this is good counsel, oftentimes we struggle to read the Bible because it’s a hard book to read! The Bible is a collection of ancient books, from a different culture, spanning across history, and yet it is the very Word of God that reveals God to us, speaks to modern life, and is intended to change us from the inside-out.  Jesus Himself emphasizes in Matthew 4:4 that "man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”   But how do we learn to “eat” this word that is intended sustain and change us?  How can the Bible become for you the life-changing book that it is - revealing God to you? We need help, and we need guides as we desire to learn the ways of the Word.  This elective class hopes to provide exactly that: guidance in the ways of the Word as you, by the power of the Spirit, try to make sense of Scripture - so that you might “eat," be satisfied, and share with others the “good food” you have tasted.

Psalm 19:7-10; John 4:5-29

Psalm 19:7-10; John 3:1-15

Luke 18:18-27, 19:1-10

Philippians 3:4-10