This class will help in your understanding of the Christian message especially as we experience it in the Episcopal Church. The class begins by telling the basic story of our creation, sin and exile, restoration, and new life that is shot through the pages of the Bible. Then we explore what it means to be a disciple of Jesus in our daily lives. The culmination of the class is typically Holy Week and the Easter Vigil, but with the Pandemic, we will explore other options for Baptism and Confirmation as the time gets closer.
Class meets on Saturday mornings at 10:00 -11:30 via Zoom.
Week 1: Videos and Resources
January 16, 2021
YouTube Video: Basic Christian Formation Class - Week 1
Resources
- Basic Episcopal Christian Formation Course - Word Document
- Basic Episcopal Christian Formation Course - PDF Document
- Holy Bible (NRSV) Paperback - Amazon
- Common English Bible - Amazon
- Traveling Home: Tracking Your Way Through the Spiritual Wilderness
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Week 2: Videos and Resources
January 23, 2021
YouTube Video: Basic Christian Formation - A Creator Who Has A Dream
Week 3: Videos and Resources
January 30, 2021
YouTube Video: Basic Christian Formation - Wandering The Reality of Human Sin
Week 4: Videos and Resources
February 6, 2021
YouTube Video: Basic Christian Formation - God's Search The People of Israel
Week 5: Videos and Resources
February 13, 2021
YouTube Video: Basic Christian Formation - Jesus' Journey
Week 6: Videos and Resources
February 20, 2021
Videos
YouTube Video: The God's Aren't Angry by Rob Bell
Rob Bell's amazing presentation on the human longing for connection with the divine and the notion of sacrifice as bringing healing.
Resources
The Bible Project is a great resource to get simple descriptions of themes running through the Bible as well as each individual book. The Bible is one unified story despite its vast and varied literary styles and history. These videos and podcasts are really helpful to understand the Bible.
The Bible for Normal People provides challenging insights into topics of the Bible and contemporary Christian Spirituality. Check it out wherever you search or podcasts
BOOKS
A History of the Bible: The Story of the World's Most Influential Book by John Barto
This is a more intense look at the development of the bible as a whole. "In A History of the Bible, John Barton argues that the Bible is not a prescription to a complete, fixed religious system, but rather a product of a long and intriguing process, which has inspired Judaism and Christianity but still does not describe the whole of either religion. Barton shows how the Bible is indeed an important source of religious insight for Jews and Christians alike, yet argues that it must be read in its historical context--from its beginnings in myth and folklore to its many interpretations throughout the centuries." (Amazon book description)
One of the great New Testament scholars and a Bishop of the Church of England, Tom Wright gives a thorough introduction to the New Testament. Note -- this has a textbook format.
Jesus: A Pilgrimage by James Martin
A spiritual reflection on the life of Jesus that references the author's pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Fr. James Martin, a Roman Catholic and Jesuit writer, is one of the most accessible teachers of the faith writing in America today.
