Adult Studies

This weekend at CRLC (and at almost every ELCA Church in our area) we celebrate Rally Day....the Sunday when the new year of Christian Education and Formation begins. This year, more than in the past, we are emphasizing Adult Christian Education and Faith Formation. The reasons for that emphasis are amazingly simple--perhaps so simple that it is easy for even the most faithful families to allow the adults to encourage and engage their children in Bible Study even as they place their own ongoing Christian Education on hold.

The reasons:

Information -- Even though some of us have read the Bible cover to cover in the past, there are constantly new resources available to help us process the message of the Living Word of Scripture. It is amazing how many "new" things are learned each time an adult enagages in Bible Study. New information about the historical context, or the process through which the stories of faith have been transmitted...or new information about some of the ways Modern History has been impacted by the ancient wisdom of scripture.

Knowledge....and Wisdom -- Adult study moves us from "knowing" more about the Bible to internalizing the message. In other words -- we develop wisdom...wise blood begins to course through our veins and we begin to view life through a wise lens of faith. Although secular education imparts knowledge, the family of faith relies upon the wisdom of God for guidance and authority. Adult Bible Study is one tool where each person can glean wisdom that can be applied to daily life.

Formation and Transformation. Formation as a child of God is a life long process. We are constantly being molded by God and as we are molded we discover and live out our purpose (our "fit") in the Kingdom of God. We may experience phases of transformation during that ongoing formation, and we discover that the way we understood situations or relationships in the past no longer applies to the way Christ has claimed and transformed our mind.

I encourage you to prayerfully consider these reasons to include Bible Study in your list of spiritual practices -- Seek and you shall find:

Information
Knowledge
Wisdom
Formation
Transformation

Embrace the lifelong process of education as a Child of God!