Disciple Bible Study

Posted: August 19, 2009

DISCIPLE is an extraordinary Bible study program emphasizing disciplined reading of and listening to Scripture. DISCIPLE’s aim is not the accumulation of biblical fact, but the transformation of participants into faithful disciples of Jesus Christ. The Disciple series is designed in such a way to allow everyone to participate, regardless of background or knowledge of the Bible.

Currently, several in-depth Bible studies are being formed at Mt. Bethel to help each of us equip ourselves with the tools, knowledge and foresight to strengthen our faith and follow Christ’s teachings. These 30-34 week studies engage participants in a small-to-medium size group format focused on these Christian attributes:

Transformation: Investing yourself in Bible study will help organize your life’s priorities

Knowledge: Tie the Old and New Testaments together by reading and learning key Biblical themes

Increasing Faith: Whether you’re a new believer or a Christian for many years, you’re in for an experience unlike any other Bible study

Christian Fellowship: Develop deep and lasting friendships as your group studies, reflects, prays and grows together

Often we ask the question “What does Jesus expect of me?” or “How can I serve Him better?” Ephesians 4:11-13 answers these questions quite clearly:

“The gifts He gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of the ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the full measure of the full stature of Christ.” (NRSV)

Sign up for a Disciple Bible Study today!!!

What’s Left to Believe?

Posted: August 19, 2009

Sometimes, I feel like our self-proclaimed, religious “experts” have spent so much time debunking the so-called “myths” of religion, or “mistakes” in the Bible that many people are left wondering “what’s left to believe?”

Is there anything left for us to believe? Many young people, in particular, find it hard to cope with all the confusing contradictions generated by society and some churches. Many of the traditional understandings regarding what constitutes sin and morality are being challenged by both those outside and inside the church. All of us have moments when we come under heavy fire regarding our beliefs. The desire for help in sorting out the particulars of our faith is one most of us share, and surely people have a right to expect some assistance from the church.

Perhaps now is the time for all of us to look at the basics of our faith. Our sermon series dealing with the ten commandments is examining the core of our basics. We may not agree on everything; it’s not necessary that we do, but it’s important that we, as Christians, come to an understanding regarding the basic tenets of our faith.

Our personal faith is limited and incomplete at best, but with God’s help, it should be growing. The authority in our faith is God’s Word – the Bible. If the Scriptures do not support your beliefs, it’s time to re-examine your beliefs. Bible study provides opportunities to “fine-tune” our beliefs and to grow in our faith. Our spiritual lives are dependent upon the accurate interpretation of God’s Word. Unless we place ourselves in a Bible study, the chances of accurate interpretation are greatly reduced.

Mt. Bethel offers 16 different Bible studies this fall. I invite you to join one and discover all there is to believe! Get a “Know, Grow, Go” brochure and sign up today!

Randy

Mt. Bethel Bible Studies

Posted: July 23, 2009

We are God’s children. Our Heavenly Father loves us so much and desires to have a personal relationship with us. Bible Study is one of the most important means we have to get to KNOW our Creator. As we spend time in His Word, the Holy Spirit teaches us and enables us to GROW our relationship with God. The more time we spend in His Word, we are transformed and equipped to GO out into the world to share His light and His love with others.

Mt. Bethel offers numerous small group opportunities for adults to…

KNOW, GROW, and GO!

Whether you’re looking for in-depth Disciple classes or a short term study focusing on a specific concept or Book(s) of the Bible, there’s a class for you! For more descriptions about class offering and times, visit one of the information tables in the corridor or next to the fellowship hall each Sunday, or log onto www.mtbethel.org/biblestudy and register online.

Can “Financial Peace University” change your life?

Posted: August 27, 2008

I must confess that I began this journey as the reluctant spouse. My husband asked me to give this Dave Ramsey guy a chance at helping us figure out our finances. Now, I am eternally grateful that my stubbornness didn’t get in the way. What I learned through Financial Peace University ultimately helped not only our finances, it strengthened our marriage, increased our communication and improved my relationship with God. The concepts we learned are pretty straight forward, but I found that it was in the small group discussions that helped keep us accountable along this path. Through this process, we managed to pay all debts (except the house), begin our retirement accounts, establish college funds for our children and establish a six month emergency fund. During this time we even dealt with a company lay-off and moved our family without diving back into our old spending habits! Three years ago, this would definitely not have been possible! I am so thankful for what we have learned and am passionate about changing our family tree and never allowing debt to be an issue in our situation. Sure, we are weird… but Normal is BROKE!

There is definitely some discipline required to follow through with the program, but having been there already… it is so worth it! This program has truly blessed this family and I am forever grateful for this knowledge.

Kate Beaty

(more information about Financial Peace University can be found on our Bible Studies page)

Israel: One Nation Under God

Posted: August 14, 2008

Cindi Fain will be leading a new Bible study on the history of our Hebrew heritage and our relationship to Israel.  The study will last through the school year; however, people can start at any given time.

We will begin Tuesday, September 9 at 9:30am in Room A-18.  There is a book charge of $15.  Please contact Cindi at 770-998-5068 to register.

Sermon Notes

Posted: August 5, 2008

For the past few weeks, Rev. Jody Ray has been providing excellent discussion questions to go with each of his sermons.  Rev. Diane Parrish did the same thing with her sermon this past Sunday.

The response to that has been huge.  Many of you have been downloading the notes and using them in your Life Groups.  To help better facilitate that, we’ve moved the sermon notes to our forum.  This allows us to show you the notes along with the scripture and the Podcast for each sermon.  In addition, it gives you a place to discuss the sermon right on the site!

Go check them out and share your thoughts on each one with your fellow Mt. Bethel members.

Why Do We Study the Bible?

Posted: June 25, 2008

As we begin to prepare for our Fall Bible studies here at Mt. Bethel I find myself asking this question.  “Why do we study the Bible?”  Is it really that important?  We have to answer with a resounding YES!

The most compelling reason to study Scripture is transformation to becoming more and more like Christ. I can speak to this from a personal perspective.  When I graduated from college and started into the business world I was approached by a close friend to become a volunteer with Young Life ministries.  I explained to my friend my life was in no condition to be ministering to teenagers.  He told me “that is fine but why don’t you help us with some behind the scenes activities and start coming to our leadership training sessions.”  I reluctantly agreed.  The training sessions were actually an in depth Bible study.  Immediately God began to transform my life.  Soon I was actively volunteering with Young Life.  After a while I was spending more time volunteering than I was doing my “real” job.  It is because of the study of Scripture that I am in the ministry today.  It is because of the study of Scripture that I came to understand the purpose God has for my life.

We have the class offerings up on the church website for the Fall. Look through these offerings and find one that fits your schedule.  As you study the Scriptures, my prayer for you is God will reveal his will and purposes for your life.  And by finding God’s purpose for your life you will find the joy of serving Christ.

Jon