Each week I am made aware of new curriculum for adult Sunday school or small group studies. Some of it appears to be well written and user friendly. Others seem to be lightweight and consumer friendly. One that usually can be trusted to provide good Bible study is Adult Bible Study, commonly referred to as International Lessons. Through this material, a number of our adult classes at First UMC join millions of Christians each week in studying the same scriptural passage. The Uniform Series International Bible Lessons for Christian Teaching is prepared and used by Christians of widely diverse theologies and understandings of Scripture. What a wonderful expression of Christian unity!
The Uniform Series has its origins in a resolution of the National Sunday School Convention in 1872 for general study of the whole Bible by Sunday schools throughout the country. A committee was named to develop this study. Eventually this task came under the National Council of Churches. Forty-six writers, editors and Bibles scholars from 18 evangelical mainline denominations (i.e., United Methodist, National Baptist Convention, Church of God, Presbyterian) study, debate, pray to reach accord on outlines and lesson guides. They work several years in advance so that lessons can be developed by the 18 denomination's publishing houses and 33 independent publishing houses. The United Methodist Publishing House produces our Adult Bible Study series using United Methodist clergy and scholars as writers. Recent press releases indicate that there will be some design and layout changes beginning this fall. A preview may be found at www.Cokesbury.com.
We are blessed at First UMC to have so many persons intentionally studying the Bible through Adult Bible Study and other classes and studies. However, wouldn't it be exciting if every member would enter into a learning/sharing relationship with others?
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