Bible Study
Bible Study
Thursdays, 11am – 12pm
Bible Study at First Church is not your ordinary study group! Here we vary what we read, sometimes a book about the Bible, sometimes a book combined with scripture and sometimes just scripture. The key is we all respect one another’s interpretations and help each other go deeper in our own personal understanding.
Advent 2023
During Advent this year we will be using Richard Rohr’s book The Universal Christ and companion book Everything is Sacred. Below is scheduled readings:
Thursday, November 16
Sacred Time
“… you know what time it is. The hour has already come for you to wake up from your sleep… the night is far gone, the day is near.” — Romans 13: 11-14
“Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.” — Matthew 24: 36-44
The Universal Christ, Chapter 4
Everything is Sacred, Reflection 14
Thursday, November 30
Sacred People
“May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus…” — Romans 15: 4-13
“This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, ‘The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.’” — Matthew 3: 1-12
The Universal Christ, Foreword and Chapter 1
Everything is Sacred, Reflection 4 & 8
Thursday, December 7
Sacred Space
“…the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” — Isaiah 35: 1-10
“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for the Holy One has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed…” — Luke 1: 46b-55
The Universal Christ, Chapter 9
Everything is Sacred, Reflection 19
Thursday, December 14
Sacred Knowing
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel.” — Isaiah 7: 10-16
“Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” — Matthew 1: 18-25
The Universal Christ, Chapter 16
Everything is Sacred, Reflection 37
Thursday, December 21
Sacred Being
“But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” — Titus 3: 4-7 (Proper II)
“… she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger…” — Luke 2: 1-20
The Universal Christ, Chapter 2
Everything is Sacred, Reflection 9