Revving-up the Book of Faith Initiative

[Book of Faith Social Network]

As fall nears, churches are preparing for new Bible studies and continuing programs. What are you doing, or what will you do, in your church to promote the Book of Faith Initiative?

[Linda Staats]

Mt Cross in Payson, AZ has made pew stuffers for folks to take home. The tri-fold brochure lists 52 Bible stories and invites households to make a pledge to read one story a week. (Thank you Jodi!) Other congregations are promoting Book of Faith on Rally Sunday - recruiting households to pledge to read one Bible story a week. PDF of Mt Cross's brochure is attached below.

What would a congregation look and sound like where 75% of its households became Book of Faith households?

[Trent Chaffee]

Thanks for sharing and for attaching the PDF, Linda. One story a week is an amount that many people can fit into their schedules. Best of luck and godspeed.

[Sandy Kay]

It seems the other folks are a little bit more organized than we are. Right now we are discussing offering one of the People of Faith studies in the Fall with a second one in the early summer. We plan to advertise the Fall sessions in the local paper. Other offerings include a study of Isaiah and our annual Alpha course. I do like the 52 weeks of Bible study and will be sharing this with our Christian Ed committee.

[Linda Staats]

Sandy, if you need some more ideas/resources, take a look on My Page (Linda Staats) as well. Under my Blog I have posted five more down-loadable resources to support the Book of Faith for Households of Faith - specifically the reading of one story a week approach for ALL generations!

I also like the People of Faith series. A small group or Forum offering combined with support for people in their own homes or nursing homes or colleges . . . as you so well know already, no one approach is going to fit for everyone. My particular passion is supporting the home and bringing generations together around The Story, so is where I put my efforts. Blessings to you in your planning!

[Rev. Lisa C. Anderson]

In Brooklyn CT, we'll be giving Lutheran Study Bibles to our confirmation class as they begin their two year confirmation ministry using the Here I Stand materials. During Sunday School, the youth will study the Old Testament one year and the New Testament the second year (which will continue to rotate) while in confirmation class, we will study the Small Catechism and Luther's theology. I'm excited to put such a strong emphasis on Scripture as part of our confirmation ministry. We'll also be starting the SPARK curriculum for the preschool-6th graders. Since we've already done some of the initial studies in the Book of Faith, we're excited to be using the new materials out to study Ephesians during and adult Bible Study group in the evenings.
Thanks for the 52 Bible Stories a year idea, I like the idea of working that in to everything else we're doing.
Lisa Anderson, St John, Brooklyn CT

[Victoria Everett]

Wow Linda, thanks so much, I am starting up a Women's bible study group at our church in Sept. so these are great references we can use for reading. Thanks a million Vicky Everett