All scripture is inspired by God and is useful… so that everyone who belongs to God may be profi cient, equipped for every good work.
– 2 Tim. 3:16-17

Years ago, at the end of a Disciple Bible Study class, one of the students sent me this:

The Bible in 50 Words

God made, Adam bit, Noah arked, Abraham split. Joseph ruled, Jacob fooled, bush talked, Moses balked, Pharaoh plagued, people walked, sea divided, tablets guided, Promise landed, Saul freaked, David peeked, poets warned, Jesus born, God walked, love talked, anger crucified, Hope died, Love rose, Spirit flamed, Word spread, God remained.

She concluded with this pithy reflection: "And to think that this Disciple Class took 34 weeks!"

If you weren’t able to follow the catchy little poem, then you should seriously consider signing up for Disciple Bible Study I this fall. (See pages 10-11 for details). It is a huge commitment and takes planning and perseverance. While I’ve heard people complain along the way over the 15 years I’ve been facilitating Disciple classes, I’ve never had a student finish the class and say that it wasn’t worth it.

At the General Conference of the United Methodist Church this past spring, the Council of Bishops issued a Call to Action to guide us as we move forward in our missions as United Methodists. It has four parts which I’ll be addressing in future columns. But the first one says "Live the United Methodist Way." The Bishops want to encourage congregations to have effective systems of reaching, forming, equipping and sending disciples of Jesus Christ in the world. Living the United
Methodist Way means that we form disciples who practice both personal holiness and social holiness.

One of the ways we nurture our personal holiness is through Bible Study and reflections. I notice that many people in our church feel a little nervous about reading the Bible. It feels overwhelming,
intimidating and hard to understand. That’s why it’s especially helpful to join a Disciple Bible Study class where you get support and encouragement.

It’s helpful to learn the difference between reading the Bible literally as inerrant and infallible versus the United Methodist Way. We believe the Bible is the primary source of authority (in tension with tradition, reason and experience) for our theology. We believe that it is inspired
by God yet we also read it critically acknowledging the historical and cultural context through which God’s voice is heard.

Rather than believing that the scripture has one fixed meaning across culture and time, we believe that God continues to speak to us as we engage in the text. We hear God speaking to us as we reflect and meditate and study. So, we believe the Bible is God’s holy word for us today. We find meaning for our individual journeys and community ministry together.

When we are nourished by reading the Bible, we are equipped to be sent forth to demonstrate God’s love and justice in the world in practical ways. John Wesley said that there is no personal holiness without social holiness. The life of discipleship leads us to act in the
world. We hold the two in tension.

In mid-August, our worship themes will turn to social holiness. (See page 4) for the schedule. We will consider how scripture, tradition, reason and experience inform our decisions as prepare for the
November election. We’ll consider Christians responses to two ballot measures involving Gay Marriage and Farm Animal Ethics. We’ll also reflect on immigration issues with an emphasis on Mexico and Central America.

Each of those sermons will be followed by a Wednesday night panel discussion in the Fellowship Hall in which we can hear more about the topics from various experts and also have a chance to discuss our views and ask questions.

I hope you take these opportunities — Bible Study, Worship and Community Discussion — to grow as a disciple in the United Methodist Way.

Walking with you as we follow Jesus,

Debra