Grand Canyon Synod

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Comment by Naomi on February 2, 2009 at 12:07am

Our bible class at Spirit of Joy in Cottonwood, AZ has come a long way since we started this series! It wasn't easy at first to get the idea across that a biblical text could or should be studied in various ways! We are now studying John 8:31-36 and for the next 2 weeks each class member will read outloud their prepared one-minute devotion on the text. As the leader, I am excited already in anticipation of what will be shared. We are all growing - thank you!

Comment by Linda Staats on February 1, 2009 at 3:52pm

I want to share the following BOF related comments from the Director of Adult & Family Faith Formation at Peace Lutheran in Peoria, AZ.

We at Peace have implemented the use of the BOF book through our new members class called “Growing Disciples”.

As we reorganized our class this past year we decided to add a Bible study aspect to it. “The Book of Faith” has been an excellent tool to use for our newest members. I just new it was going to be a hit when I asked on of our beloved Bible teachers ( who is 80 years old!) to look at it and she loved it! Gathering and training the teachers for using this book was simple and straightforward. They brought their own uniqueness to each group but the material covered was the same for each group.

How we used this book:
The class was divided into small groups and each week we examined one aspect of how Lutherans view the Bible. The Bible study teachers led the same group each week. We only took one aspect from each weekly Bible study to study. This worked well as it allowed us to focus on one method of how Lutherans look at the Bible.

Each group seemed to enjoy learning each week and as time went on people become more engrossed in the study aspect.

Here are some comments from our class:
• We loved the idea of incorporating a Bible study. It really helped us think about using the Bible more in our daily life.
• The Bible study helped open our eyes to how we look and use this amazing book!
• I hadn’t been part of a Bible study in way too many years… since my confirmation.
• Learning the different ways to read the Bible helped me to look at this book in a whole new way!
• The Bible study helped me realize how relevant it is to me today. I need to start reading it more.

We found that after using this study in the fall we had more people from our Growing Disciples class finding a Bible study for our winter programming. It has been very exciting! There are a plethora of ways that I can see using this book in the future.

Blessings,
Nanette Christofferson

Comment by Linda Staats on October 22, 2008 at 6:24pm

An official welcome to Paul Campbell, Exec. Director of Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center. The GCS will be partnering with SITD to support the BOF Initiative in 2009. SITD is an official ELCA Life Long Learning Center in our very midst! (Wow, there are a lot of acronyms in these few sentences!) Watch for announcements of BOF training and events for 2009.

Comment by Brian Stoffregen on October 9, 2008 at 10:32pm

We had our first classes on Opening the Book of Faith. I inherited two weekday adult Bible study groups (Wed night and Thurs morning). They had been going through the Gospel of Matthew before I arrived. I continued that, and when we finished. I thought I'd try BoF.

I did none of the "exercises" in the leaders guide -- pictures, art work. Partly, it's not my style and with only five folks in each group sitting around a small table, they are more accustomed to just talking with one another.

I did hear a few comments that it was good. I'm looking forward to the next class. I greatly appreciated Powell's essay in the book (and just about everything else Powell has written.)

Comment by Linda Staats on October 4, 2008 at 1:57am

Yea!" to all of you for joining this BOF social network. This Group Site is where we in the Grand Canyon Synod will come together for our conversations. Please invite others.

The planning for our synod is just beginning.
• What ideas do you have for the BOF in your congregation?
• What ideas are you gaining from others on this site that you would like to see initiated in our synod? Other ideas?
• How do you want the synod or the Advocate (me) to support you?
• If you are interested in serving on a synod BOF leadership team, let me know.
• Please send me names of folks whom you know in your congregations who already read the scripture as one aspect of their daily faith practice - not as preparation for a sermon or Bible Study but for own personal joy. Linda