Are You Thoughtful? - Youth and Adult Sunday School Lessons on Today's Topics

New This Week - "The Role of Singing in Worship" & "Promoting Positive Body Image"

2009-07-09T11:17:00.001-04:00

Dear Thoughtful Christians,

There’s something that’s been on my mind for the past few weeks but I’m a bit hesitant to bring it up. It's called worship. Specifically the role of singing in worship.

There's a lot of passion and heated debates around this conversation. We may not agree on the style of music that should be sung, but I think we can all agree that the role of singing in worship is a crucial part of the worship experience for many. This week we're launching a new adult study titled, "The Role of Singing in Worship ." This one-session study offers grounding in the historical reasons behind why singing in worship matters, explores what it means to call music “appropriate” for worship, and engages discussion for how we can begin to discern what that means for us as communities of faith beyond our personal preferences. The Leader’s Guide offers specific ways to help group members reflect on and evaluate music for worship with a variety of multimedia tools.

We have a number of other worship related studies that could make a great worship study series. As these summer months bring longer days, take some time to reflect on your church’s worship practices.

The Role of Singing in Worship

Worship: Why Do We Do What We Do?

Worship 101

What Is Multicultural Worship?

Here are this week's new studies as well as other highlights.

New Parenting Study (Parenting)

Promoting Positive Body Image

Self-image and body perceptions are sensitive issues for most teens. In this study for parents, information about marketing and media aimed at teens, and information about the body image issues facing your son or daughter provide a backdrop for considering a biblical alternative to obsessing about our bodies.

New Adult Study (Bible and Theology - Worship - Adult)

The Role of Singing in Worship

“Worship wars” over music and singing seem to get a lot of attention—but is that the right way to be looking at how we worship together? In this adult study, learn about the historical roots of singing in worship, and how to cooperatively evaluate songs for your congregation.

Staff Study Pick (Contemporary Issues - General - Youth)

Wonderfully Made: Building Body Image in Youth

Looking at the media and the Bible, this youth study explores teen self-image, body perceptions, and what beauty truly is.

Last Week's Top Five

Christians and Patriotism (Contemporary Issues - Religion and Politics - Adult)

Wonderfully Made: Building Body Image in Youth (Contemporary Issues - General - Youth)

Health-Care Reform: The Moment Is Now! (In the News - Adult)

The Theology of The Shack (Popular Culture - Books - Adult)

“Prophetic Citizenship,” by Cheryl J. Sanders (Free Studies - Adult)

Visit us again next week for our new youth study titled "How to Eat Responsibly" and our new adult study titled "Doubt."

Peace,

Andrew Yeager-Buckley

Click on any of the links above to be redirected to the site for more information.

Join the conversation by reviewing a favorite study. Follow us on twitter and facebook.

New This Week - "Wonderfully Made: Building Body Image in Youth" & "Health-Care Reform: The Moment Is Now!"

2009-07-02T15:01:00.001-04:00

Dear Thoughtful Christians,

This weekend we celebrate our independence and commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. When I hear "Fourth of July" the first thing that comes to mind is fireworks, barbecues, and signs of patriotism. To help your group celebrate Independence Day, we suggest using The Thoughtful Christan study titled "Christians and Patriotism." This one-session study examines the various elements of patriotism, including its noble and potentially dangerous aspects. It then addresses the question, what is Christian patriotism? Perhaps there is a way to be both Christian and patriotic.

This week we're also offering the FREE gift of an essay from our Reading Room titled “Prophetic Citizenship,” by Cheryl J. Sanders. The Reverend Cheryl J. Sanders is senior pastor of Third Street Church of God in Washington, D.C., and professor of Christian ethics at Howard University School of Divinity. This essay was adapted from a commencement address she gave at Anderson University in Anderson, Indiana, on May 5, 2007. The subject of her address was prophetic citizenship, an appropriate discussion to have around the Fourth of July. To download this essay, click here.

Here are this week's new studies as well as other highlights.

New Youth Study (Contemporary Issues - General - Youth)
Wonderfully Made: Building Body Image in Youth
Looking at the media and the Bible, this youth study explores teen self-image, body perceptions, and what beauty truly is.

New Adult Study (In the News)
Health-Care Reform: The Moment Is Now!
As the newest round of debate concerning health-care reform in the United States continues, this study provides a clear outline of three of the most prominent proposals for reform of the nation’s health systems and the justice issues they raise.

Staff Study Picks
Health-Care Reform
This three-session study is a great addition to this week’s “In the News” study for groups that want to gain an in-depth understanding of this prevalent issue. It looks at how people of faith can work together to promote health-care reform.

Sicko
In this session on Sicko, we’ll discuss three clips from the film. In the process of our viewing and discussion, we’ll explore theological and ethical questions as well as medical and political ones: What responsibilities do people have toward one another? What does the Bible say about health and healing, about care for the sick and disadvantaged?

Last Week's Top Five
Understanding Iran (Contemporary Issues - Understanding Our World - Adult)
Shi'ites and Sunnis: Sibling Rivalry in the Muslim Family (Contemporary Issues - World Religions - Adult)
Introduction to the Middle East (Contemporary Issues - Understanding Our World - Adult)
Changeling (Popular Culture - Movies - Adult)
What Does God Require of You? (Bible and Theology - Theology - Youth)

Visit us again next week for our new parenting study titled "Promoting Positive Body Image" and our new adult study titled "The Role of Singing in Worship."

Peace,

Andrew Yeager-Buckley

Click on any of the links above to be redirected to the site for more information.

New This Week - "Changeling"

2009-06-24T13:49:00.000-04:00

Dear Thoughtful Christians,

On June 12, 2009, Iranians went to the polls to cast their vote. With rallies held in support of both the incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the main opposition leader Mir Hossein Moussavi, it was sure to be a tight race. The very next day, believing there to be counting violations, Moussavi asked for the vote counting to stop. Still, Ahmadinejad declared himself the winner with 63 percent of the vote; angry crowds took to the streets in the largest protest since the 1979 Islamic revolution. On June 15 eight protesters were killed. A week after the protests began, and despite warnings from supreme leader Khamenei to stop the protests, scores of Iranians clashed with police on the streets of Tehran.

Iran remains the center of much attention in the news, yet many Americans don’t know much about this part of the world. We suggest taking the time this summer to learn more about this country, the surrounding regions, and the United State’s interactions with Iran to gain a richer and more balanced understanding of a country that we only ever seem to see in a state of unrest. We suggest the following order of studies, totaling eight weeks of sessions. Please note that the study titled “Should the United States Invade Iran?” is an In the News study from 2006; however we feel it is still relevant today and provides important information about our recent involvements in Iran.

Introduction to the Middle East, 3 sessions
Shi’ites and Sunnis: Sibling Rivalry in the Muslim Family, 1 session
Should the United States Invade Iran?, 1 session
Understanding Iran, 3 sessions

Here are this week's new studies as well as other highlights.

New Adult Study (Popular Culture - Movies - Adult)
Changeling
This study provides an opportunity to reflect on the power of faithful perseverance even against severe odds. This movie is based on true historical events involving a single mother in search of justice and the Presbyterian pastor who advocates on her behalf.

Last Week's Top Five
What Do Lutherans Believe? (Bible and Theology - Denominational Beliefs - Adult)
What Do Presbyterians Believe? (Bible and Theology - Denominational Beliefs - Adult)
What Does God Require of You? (Bible and Theology - Theology - Youth)
What Do United Methodists Believe? (Bible and Theology - Denominational Beliefs - Adult)
The Theology of The Shack (Popular Culture - Books - Adult)

Visit us again next week for our new youth study titled "Wonderfully Made: Building Body Image in Youth" and our new In the News study titled "Health-Care Reform: The Moment Is Now!"

Peace,

Andrew Yeager-Buckley

Click on any of the links above to be redirected to the site for more information.

Join the conversation by reviewing a favorite study. Follow us on twitter and facebook.

New This Week - "What Makes a Hero?" & "Eight Is Enough?! Questions Raised by Reproductive Technologies"

2009-06-03T20:34:00.000-04:00

Dear Thoughtful Christians,

Over the past week we have heard from President Barack Obama and members of Congress about new legislation regarding the health-care system. While most of us will agree that reform does need to take place, we are still left with some questions. Can’t the United States work toward health-care reform that is just, affordable, and sustainable? With health-insurance costs rising and the number of uninsured Americans growing, at what level(s) of government does reform need to take place? What should the role of Christians be in advocating change?

We suggest using our Thoughtful Christian study titled “Health-Care Reform” to help you make informed decisions about what is currently going on. In this three-session study, participants will examine the history of health-care delivery in the U.S. and the current challenges and efforts of health-care reform. It explains how religious values inform health-care reform and explores how we can take faith-based action. Throughout this study, participants are encouraged to educate themselves and participate in efforts to reform health care.

Consider continuing the political discussions by using our Religion and Politics Study Pack I and our Religion and Politics Study Pack II.

Here are this week's new studies as well as other highlights.

New Youth Study (Christian Living - General - Youth)
What Makes a Hero?
What makes a hero? How can we separate fictitious heroes from real heroes? As Christians, how can we know that—if called to act—we’ll act heroically?

New Adult Study (In The News)
Eight Is Enough?! Questions Raised by Reproductive Technologies
Jon and Kate Plus Eight. The “Octomom.” What are the ethical, theological, and regulatory responses to reproductive technologies.

Last Week's Top Five
The Theology of The Shack (Popular Culture - Books - Adult)
The Shack (Popular Culture - Books - Adult)
Understanding Zimbabwe (Contemporary Issues - Understanding Our World - Adult)
The Green Study Pack (Premium Study Pack)
Introduction to the Middle East (Contemporary Issues - Understanding Our World - Adult)

Visit us again next week for our new parenting study titled "Parenting during Divorce" and our new adult study titled "James."

Peace,

Andrew Yeager-Buckley

Click on any of the links above to be redirected to the site for more information.

Join the conversation by reviewing a favorite study. Follow us on twitter or facebook.

New This Week - "Understanding Zimbabwe"

2009-05-27T18:38:00.000-04:00

Dear Thoughtful Christians,

The world is a colorful landscape of different cultures, skin colors, languages, politics, and religions. It's important to develop an appreciation for different cultures in order to become a well-rounded person who is sensitive to the unique qualities of others. One way to develop this appreciation is by learning about other cultures around the world. This week we're adding a study on the African nation of Zimbabwe. Consider doing a summer series called "Understanding Our World" and use the following studies from our Contemporary Issues category:

-Introduction to the Middle East
-Understanding Cuba
-Understanding Iran
-Understanding Kenya
-Understanding Sudan/Darfur
-Understanding Zimbabwe

Here are this week's new studies as well as other highlights.

New Adult Study (Contemporary Issues - Understanding Our World - Adult)
Understanding Zimbabwe
What can learning about a foreign country such as Zimbabwe teach us about ourselves? How can this knowledge help us grow as Christians and as responsible citizens?

Last Week's Top Five
The Theology of The Shack (Popular Culture - Books - Adult)
Angels: God's Messengers (Bible and Theology - Theology - Adult)
Colossians (Bible and Theology - Books of the Bible - Adult)
The Shack (Popular Culture - Books - Adult)
Who's Your Family? (Christian Living - General - Youth)

Visit us again next week for our new youth study titled "What Makes a Hero?" Next week also begins our monthly In the News studies; June's In the News study is about reproductive technologies.

Peace,
Andrew Yeager-Buckley

Click on any of the links above to be redirected to the site for more information.

Join the conversation by reviewing a favorite study. Follow us on twitter and facebook or subscribe to our blog.

May Highlights from TheThoughtfulChristian.com

2009-05-22T17:41:00.000-04:00

May, 2009

Dear Thoughtful Christians,

Yes, it’s true. We dropped the price by 40% for subscriptions until the end of the year. Some of the Thoughtful Christian staff were concerned this might give the wrong impression to our users. Maybe we’re sinking and making a last minute, desperate attempt to gain users. In fact, the reverse is true, so I promised to write you and explain. We are definitely no toxic asset!

The Thoughtful Christian staff gathers monthly with a larger group to talk about upcoming studies, marketing plans, and sales progress. A recent meeting found us proudly showing how we’ve again met our budget despite the slacking economy. To our pleasant surprise it was our president who made the suggestion to slash prices and help churches whose budgets may be taking a hit. They are the reason we exist. Why not help them out when times are hard? So, that’s it. Nothing more. Nothing less. Enjoy it while it lasts! A thoughtful gesture to our wonderful users. For more information, click here .

New In the News Offerings

Beginning in June the first week’s adult study will be an In the News study. It will consist of a four-page handout giving up-to-date information on a current topic in the news and discussing related theological and ethical issues. Possible action steps Christians may take and three to five discussion questions will be provided. Given the quick nature of producing these studies, a generic Leader’s Guide will accompany the handout to help facilitate a discussion, but it will not specifically address the topic of a particular month. A great pool of talented authors (including Martin Marty, Kathleen Kern, Stephens Lytch, and Kate Ott) have offered to write for this series. Let us know if you have topics you wish to be considered (feedback@TheThoughtfulChristian.com ).

Summer Study Suggestions

With sporadic summer attendance it’s often difficult to plan multi-week studies much less find a volunteer teacher willing to commit to multiple classes. Here are three suggestions of multiple-session studies that do not require consecutive attendance or leadership:

The Green Study Pack includes six one-session studies on issues related to global climate change and practical things individuals and churches can do.

What They Saw: Telling Biblical Stories Through New Eyes is a six-session Bible study that offers a playful and imaginative twist on some of the most beloved stories of the Bible by presenting them through the perspective of another biblical character present at the time. For example, Martha of Bethany writes a chatty letter to Lydia of Phillipi, sharing household hints and stories of Jesus. In another session, Moses and Aaron’s sister Miriam offers her take on the events in Exodus. In another, Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward, shares her memories of Jesus with Luke.

The Summer Study Pack is a way to save money for churches who do not subscribe. For just $50 you may choose any twelve one-session studies on the site. Once you pay for the study pack you may select the studies you choose at any time. There is no time limit. Many churches enjoy a selection of movies and book studies for the summer.

May Studies

For Adults

Angels: God’s Messengers is a two-session study examining how the Bible depicts Angels and how they are used in our culture.

Understanding Zimbabwe is a one-session study explaining the history of this beautiful country and some of its current challenges.

Colossians is a two-session study on Paul’s letter to this early Christian community.

For Youth

Loving Your Enemy . When others hurt us, what does it mean to love them? Where is the line between forgiveness and abuse? How should Christians love our enemies?

Who’s Your Family? Families in the Bible and our society come in many sizes and shapes. Teens discuss how to define “family” and draw and reflect on their own family.

For Parents

Eating Disorders in Teens is this month’s parenting study. June’s study will be on parenting during divorce.

Thank you for your continued support!

Peace,

David Maxwell, editor

Click on any of the links above to be redirected to the site for more information.

Join the conversation by reviewing a favorite study. Follow us on twitter or facebook .

New This Week - "Who's Your Family?" & "Colossians"

2009-05-21T09:34:00.000-04:00

Dear Thoughtful Christians,

Graduation season is upon us again. For some parents this is a reminder that their adolescent is closer to leaving home. Most parents of teens have some feelings of empty-nest syndrome whenever one of their children leaves the home. One of our studies for parents of teens, “Facing the Empty Nest ,” gives parents advice on how to talk to their family about the change at home and provides a comprehensive look how the process of grieving is involved in the empty-nest syndrome. This study also examines the new opportunities waiting for parents as their children leave home. For more information on this study, click here .

If you or your church group have youth who will soon be moving out of their parents’ home for work or school or else stay at home but leave their current routines and enter new worlds, check out our youth study, “Movin’ Out .” If you have a youth group of mixed ages, this study will still work for your group as it reflects on where God has already been involved in participants’ lives when they have left home and discusses where God will be when they have short-term trips or long-term moves in their lives.

Here are this week's new studies as well as other highlights.

New Youth Study (Contemporary Issues - General - Youth)
Who's Your Family?
How have divorces, stepfamilies, international adoption, parenting by same-sex couples, and other contemporary family constructs affected our personal and legal definitions of family? As Christians, how do we define “family?”

New Adult Study (Bible and Theology - Books of the Bible - Adult)
Colossians
A foundational Bible study on Paul’s letter to the Colossians

Staff Study Pick (Christian Living - General - Youth)
Is Torture Ever Justified?

Last Week's Top Five
The Theology of The Shack (Popular Culture - Books - Adult)
Angels: God's Messengers (Bible and Theology - Theology - Adult)
The Shack (Popular Culture - Books - Adult)
Eating Disorders in Teens (Parenting)
The Place of Children in Worship (Bible and Theology - Worship - Adult)

Visit us again next week for our new adult study titled "Understanding Zimbabwe."

Peace,

Andrew Yeager-Buckley

Click on any of the links above to be redirected to the site for more information.

Join the conversation by reviewing a favorite study. Follow us on twitter and facebook

New This Week - "Loving Your Enemy" & "The Green Study Pack"

2009-05-07T16:07:00.000-04:00

Dear Thoughtful Christians,

Today we're excited to launch our latest premium study pack titled, "The Green Study Pack ." This six-session study pack takes a down-to-earth look at the practical concerns we should be aware of relating to global climate change. Specifically, how is global climate change actually affecting our land, our water, our air? And what should we be doing about it? Consider making "The Green Study Pack" part of your summer educational plan. It's available for order now and subscribers can download at any time.

Last week we responded to the economic challenges facing so many of our faith communities by instituting an immediate discount of 40% on all new subscriptions and renewals through December 2009. We know that strengthening our faith is more important than ever in these trying times. We made this change to help get this amazing and accessible resource into even more congregations.

To take advantage of this great new deal, click here .

Here are this week's new studies as well as other highlights.

New Youth Study (Christian Living - Relationships - Youth)
Loving Your Enemy
How can you love someone you don’t even like? Can you be a Christian if you hate those who’ve harmed you?

New Adult Study (Study Packs – Premium)
The Green Study Pack
A practical guide to addressing the issue of global climate change. Included in this study pack are the following sessions:

-Air Pollution: Inside and Out
-A Return to Recycling
-Land: Conservation and Renewal
-Being Green at Home
-Being Green in Daily Life
-Water: Precious Gift and Endangered Resource

Staff Study Picks
Global Climate Change: Facts and Solutions
An Inconvenient Truth: Ethical Challenges
An Inconvenient Truth: Facts about Global Warming
What's in Your Water Bottle?

Last Week's Top Five
The Theology of The Shack (Popular Culture - Books - Adult)
The Place of Children in Worship (Bible and Theology - Worship - Adult)
The Shack (Popular Culture - Books - Adult)
Does Prayer Change Anything? (Bible and Theology - Theology - Youth)
What They Saw: Telling Biblical Stories through New Eyes (Study Pack – Premium Studies)

Visit us again next week for our new parenting study titled "Eating Disorders in Teens" and our new adult study titled “Angels: God's Messengers.”

Peace,

Andrew Yeager-Buckley

Click on any of the links above to be redirected to the site for more information.

A Price Cut of 40%? Now that's a NEW DEAL! - New This Week - The Place of Children in Worship

2009-04-30T15:27:00.000-04:00

THE THOUGHTFUL CHRISTIAN

INTRODUCES A SPECIAL DEAL FOR OUR LOYAL SUBSCRIBERS!

Here at The Thoughtful Christian we recognize the economic challenges facing so many of our faith communities. We also know that strengthening our faith is more important than ever in these trying times. Therefore, from now until December 2009 you can renew your annual Thoughtful Christian subscription at a 40% discount!

New Subscription Price: $195

New Renewal Price: $150

Small Church Discount Price & Renewal: $150

To take advantage of this great new deal, renew now by signing into your "My Account " page.

Here are this week's new studies as well as other highlights.

New Adult Study (Bible and Theology – Worship - Adult)
The Place of Children in Worship
How does your church include children in worship?

Staff Study Picks
Worship 101 (Bible and Theology – Worship – Adult)
Worship: Why Do We Do What We Do? (Bible and Theology – Worship – Youth)
What Is Multicultural Worship? (Bible and Theology – Worship – Adult)

Last Week's Top Five
The Theology of The Shack (Popular Culture - Books - Adult)
The Shack (Popular Culture - Books - Adult)
Does Prayer Change Anything? (Bible and Theology - Theology - Youth)
What They Saw: Telling Biblical Stories through New Eyes (Study Pack – Premium Studies)
Should Churches Pay Taxes? (Contemporary Issues - Religion and Politics - Adult)

Visit us again next week for our new youth study titled "Loving Your Enemy" and our new adult study pack titled “The Green Study Pack .”

Peace,

Andrew Yeager-Buckley

Click on any of the links above to be redirected to the site for more information.

New This Week - "The Theology of The Shack" - Happy Earth Day!

2009-04-22T14:23:00.000-04:00

Dear Thoughtful Christians,

Earth Day is a time to celebrate God’s creation and to take actions to protect our planet. While we celebrate Earth Day on April 22 each year, every day is Earth Day and every day we use (or misuse) the earth in very significant ways:

The earth’s population will grow by 211,000 people; that’s a new Akron, Ohio every day.
An area the size of Boise, Idaho (about 40,000 acres of land) will be converted to desert, 200 million tons of topsoil will erode, and 50,000 acres of forest will be eliminated.
At least twenty species will disappear from the planet forever each day. One in four mammals is at risk of extinction.
Every day in the U.S. we produce enough trash to equal the weight of the Empire State Building. Recycling one aluminum can save enough energy to watch a TV for three hours—it's equivalent to half a gallon of gasoline; if every newspaper was recycled, we could save about 250 million trees each year.
The average person in the United States uses anywhere from 100 to150 gallons of water per day and much of this consumption is from flushing the toilet.
The average adult consumes 3,000 gallons of polluted air every day; nearly 200 people in the U.S. dies each day because of air pollution.

With these kinds of statistics, it often seems there is nothing we can do to change what is happening to the planet. However, this is not true; here are some basic ways that you can start taking action this week.

Commute to Church

-Start a carpool or walk, bike or use mass transportation instead of driving.

Reduce Energy Use

-Turn off your computer monitor, printers, copy machines, and the lights when they are not being used.

Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle Office Products

- In the

United States

, we use enough office paper each year to build a ten-foot-high wall that’s 6,815 miles long, or two and a half times the distance from New York to Los Angeles. To offset this, buy recycled content, remanufactured, and recyclable office products, and recycle them when appropriate (including e-cycling electronics). At a minimum, buy recycled paper and recycle it again.

These conversations shouldn’t be limited only to Earth Day. To help continue the conversation at your church, we will be launching The Green Study on May 6. This six-session study pack takes a down-to-earth look at the practical concerns we should be aware of relating to global climate change. Specifically, how is global climate change actually affecting our land, our water, our air? And what should we be doing about it? The Green Study Pack is available for Pre-Order today by clicking here .

Additionally, over the last few years we’ve released a number of studies that speak to environmental issues. We highly recommend studying these as well.

-An Inconvenient Truth: Ethical Challenges
-An Inconvenient Truth: Facts about Global Warming
-Global Climate Change: Facts and Solutions
-What's in Your Water Bottle?

Here are this week's new studies as well as other highlights.

New Adult Study (Popular Culture - Books - Adult)
The Theology of The Shack
What is the theology of The Shack? What does it have to say about salvation, the Trinity, and why bad things happen to good people?

Staff Study Picks
The Shack
This small-group study explores the work of fiction by William P. Young in which a man is invited to spend a weekend with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.

Last Week's Top Five
Does Prayer Change Anything? (Bible and Theology - Theology - Youth)
The Shack (Popular Culture - Books - Adult)
Should Churches Pay Taxes? (Contemporary Issues - Religion and Politics - Adult)
Why We Pay Taxes (Contemporary Issues - Religion and Politics - Adult)
Does Science Conflict with Religion? (Contemporary Issues - Social and Ethical Issues - Youth)

Visit us again next week for our new adult study titled "The Place of Children in Worship."

New This Week - "Should Churches Pay Taxes?" & "Does Prayer Change Anything?"

2009-04-16T16:02:00.000-04:00

Dear Thoughtful Christians,

As the 2009 tax season draws to a close we hope you will take the opportunity to investigate and reflect on the custom of paying taxes. Last week we launched our first of two tax-related studies titled, "Why We Pay Taxes ." It looked into what the Bible says about paying taxes and some of the issues Christians must consider when paying taxes. This week we launch our second study titled, "Should Churches Pay Taxes? " This study helps answer what it really means to be tax exempt and examines the historical rationale of tax exemptions for religious organizations.

Here are this week's new studies as well as other highlights.

New Youth Study (Bible and Theology - Theology - Youth)
Does Prayer Change Anything?
Does prayer change God or does it just change us?

New Adult Study (Parenting)
Should Churches Pay Taxes?
Why are churches exempt from paying taxes? Is it time for the custom to be reconsidered?

Preorder Today (Study Packs - Premium)
The Green Study Pack
A practical guide to addressing the issue of global climate change.
This six-session study pack takes a down-to-earth look at the practical concerns we should be aware of relating to global climate change.

Staff Study Picks
What Happens When We Pray?
How to Pray
Why Pray?

Last Week's Top Five
The Shack (Popular Culture - Books - Adult)
Body Art and Teens (Parenting)
Four Accounts of Jesus' Resurrection (Bible and Theology - Thematic - Adult)
Why We Pay Taxes (Contemporary Issues - Religion and Politics - Adult)
What They Saw: Telling Biblical Stories through New Eyes (Premium Study Pack)

Visit us again next week for our new youth study titled "The Theology of The Shack."

Peace,
Andrew Yeager-Buckley

Click on any of the links above to be redirected to the site for more information.

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New This Week - "Why We Pay Taxes" & "Body Art and Teens"

2009-04-08T17:21:00.000-04:00

Dear Thoughtful Christians,

Starting today we're taking preorders for The Green Study Pack that will go live on Wednesday May 6, 2009. This six-session study pack will take a down-to-earth look at the practical concerns we should be aware of relating to global climate change (also referred to as global warming). Specifically, how is global climate change actually affecting our land, our water, our air? And what should we be doing about it? To preorder now, click here .

Consider incorporating this and other study packs into your summer Christian education plans. For more information about other study packs, click here .

Here are this week's new studies as well as other highlights.

New Adult Study (Contemporary Issues - Religion and Politics - Adult)
Why We Pay Taxes
What does the Bible say about paying taxes? Some of the issues Christians must consider when paying taxes.

New Parenting Study (Parenting)
Body Art and Teens
How can we help our teens make smart decisions about tattoos and piercings, and what does the Bible say?

Staff Study Picks
Global Climate Change: Facts and Solutions

Last Week's Top Five
What They Saw: Telling Biblical Stories through New Eyes (Premium Study Pack)
How Do You Know You Are Saved? (Bible and Theology - Theology - Youth)
Four Accounts of Jesus' Resurrection (Bible and Theology - Thematic - Adult)
The Shack (Popular Culture - Books - Adult)
How Did Jesus' Death Save Us? (Bible and Theology - Theology - Youth)

Visit us again next week for our new youth study titled "Does Prayer Change Anything?" and our new adult study titled "Should Churches Pay Taxes?"

Launching in Two Weeks
"The Theology of The Shack" by Jana Riess

Peace,
Andrew Yeager-Buckley

Click on any of the links above to be redirected to the site for more information.

New This Week - "What They Saw: Telling Biblical Stories through New Eyes" & "How Do You Know You Are Saved?"

2009-04-01T17:58:00.001-04:00

Dear Thoughtful Christians,

We're excited to announce the launch of "What They Saw: Telling Biblical Stories through New Eyes." In this study author Dale Morgan offers a fresh perspective on some of the most familiar Bible stories. Participants will see biblical narratives through the eyes of Jonathan, Bilhah, Miriam, Martha, Andrew, and Joanna. If you want to learn more about these lesser known Bible figures, you can order this study pack now by clicking here.

Here are this week's new studies as well as other highlights.

New Youth Study (Bible and Theology - Theology - Youth)
How Do You Know You Are Saved?
You’re a Christian, but does that guarantee salvation? What does the Bible have to say about being saved?

New Adult Premium Study Pack
What They Saw: Telling Biblical Stories through New Eyes
Author Dale Morgan offers fresh perspectives on some of the most familiar Bible stories.

Staff Study Picks
The Meaning of Salvation
Are You Saved?
Saved!

Last Week's Top Five
Religulous (Popular Culture - Movies - Adult)
The Shack (Popular Culture - Books - Adult)
Does Science Conflict with Religion? (Contemporary Issues - Social and Ethical Issues - Youth)
What Is Sexting? (In the News)
Twilight: A Study for Youth (Popular Culture - Movies - Youth)

Visit us again next week for our new parenting study titled "Body Art and Teens" and our new adult study titled "Why We Pay Taxes."

Peace,

Andrew Yeager-Buckley

New This Week - "Religulous" & Preorder NOW "What They Saw: Telling Biblical Stories through New Eyes"

2009-03-25T17:49:00.000-04:00

Dear Thoughtful Christians,

Last week was busy with the launch of our latest In the News study "What Is Sexting? " I'm afraid the announcement of our NEW premium study pack got lost in the shuffle. On April 1 we will launch "What They Saw: Telling Biblical Stories through New Eyes ." In this study author Dale Morgan offers a fresh perspective on some of the most familiar Bible stories. Participants will see biblical narratives through the eyes of Jonathan, Bilhah, Miriam, Martha, Andrew, and Joanna. If you want to learn more about these lesser known Bible figures, you can preorder this study pack now by clicking here.

SEARCH ENGINE UPGRADE
This week brings an upgrade to our search engine. Our programmer Brad has been working hard on improving the organization and searchability of our studies. Please take a moment to test out this new search engine. You just might stumble upon some gems.

Here are this week's new studies as well as other highlights.

New Adult Study (Bible and Theology - Denominational Beliefs - Adult)
Religulous
A non-believer’s perspective on atheism, Christianity, and organized religion as a whole.

Staff Study Pick (Spirituality - General - Adult)
Why Go to Church?
Do we need organized religion in order to be a people of faith?

Last Week's Top Five
The Shack (Popular Culture - Books - Adult)
What Is Sexting? (In the News)
Does Science Conflict with Religion? (Contemporary Issues - Social and Ethical Issues - Youth)
Baptism 101 (Bible and Theology - General - Adult)
Step Away from the Computer: Using Technology Wisely (Contemporary Issues - General - Youth)

Visit us again next week for our new youth study titled "How Do You Know You Are Saved?" and our new adult premium study pack titled "What They Saw: Telling Biblical Stories through New Eyes."

Peace,
Andrew Yeager-Buckley

Click on any of the links above to be redirected to the site for more information.

The Peculiar Religious Obliviousness of "Kings"

2009-03-22T08:45:00.002-04:00

This post originally appeared in The Gruntled Center

NBC's new series "Kings" was advertised as a "what if" story of a king arising in a place that looked remarkably like America after a major war. This looked like a large-scale epic, beautifully shot, with Ian McShane in the leading role. The capitol, rebuilt from the rubble, looked like the proposed Freedom Tower to be built on the World Trade Center site. The Gruntleds tuned in, looking for a modern political allegory, and wondering who thought monarchy was the answer.

To our surprise, the story is built directly out of the story of King Saul and King David. McShane's "King Silas" leads Shiloh in a war with Gath. Young David Shepherd single-handedly defeats Gath's Goliath (tank) while rescuing the king's son, Jack. The story does not shy away from God - King Silas takes his mission from a divine sign. Young David is annointed by a preacher named Samuel(s).

And yet, after a valiant hour, we gave up. The show is well done - good acting, decent dialogue, really nice photography. But I just couldn't forget the Biblical story in order to get into this story - not after the show went to such great lengths to remind us of the biblical story. This wasn't, as the official website contends, "a contemporary re-telling of the timeless tale of David and Goliath." This is the story of David and Saul - but without God as the central character.

The Bible is a rich field of story and image, the most fertile bed of the imagination of the West. I have no problem with allegories and analogies drawn from Biblical models. But it seems to me a perverse misreading of the Bible to treat its stories as if they were themselves allegories of politics in religious dress.

I was once in a group of earnest young people wrestling with how to understand the mystical experience of God. One young man, not really in sympathy with the project, said it would be easy to find out: just go into the desert and fast for forty days. If you had a mystical experience, then it was real. This was such a perversely backwards way of understanding mysticism that we were left speechless. If you go into the desert and fast, but are not earnestly seeking God, you are not recreating the absolutely vital core of the desert mystics' experience.

The story of David and Saul is the most poignant story in the Bible of trying to serve God while wielding earthly power. If you tell the story of Saul and David but they are not earnestly seeking to fulfill the vocation God gave them, you have missed the vital core of the David and Saul (not David and Goliath) story.

New This Week - "What Is Sexting?", "Does Science Conflict with Religion?" & "What Do Shakers Believe?"

2009-03-19T09:38:00.001-04:00

Dear Thoughtful Christians,

This week we’re launching a special In The News study called “What Is Sexting? ” By definition it means sex-texting, or sending, receiving, or forwarding sexually suggestive photos via a text message on a cell phone or posting pictures on social networking sites such as Facebook or MySpace. Sexting was reported as early as 2005 but has only recently gained international attention. This study will provide parents, clergy, and teachers with a foundation for how to help teens make sexual decisions in day-to-day life.

Here are a few studies that would work well as part of a series on teens and decision making in cyberspace and in the real world.

Parenting in a Text Messaging World (Parenting)
Talking with Your Child about Sex (Christian Living - Family Matters - Adult)
What’s My Child Doing on the Internet? (Christian Living - General - Adult)
Step Away from the Computer: Using Technology Wisely (Contemporary Issues - General - Youth)
What’s Happening to My Child? Adolescent Biology (Parenting)

Here are this week's new studies as well as other highlights.

Preorder Today (Study Packs - Premium)

What They Saw: Telling Biblical Stories through New
Contemporary authors offer fresh perspectives on some of the most familiar Bible stories.

New Youth Study (Contemporary Issues - Social and Ethical Issues - Youth)
Does Science Conflict with Religion?
Can science and religion co-exist? Can a Christian believe that God is the Creator AND believe in the theory of evolution? Can the Bible answer our scientific questions? Was it meant to?

New Adult Study (Bible and Theology - Denominational Beliefs - Adult)
What Do Shakers Believe?
Are Shakers Christians? An introduction to the history and beliefs of the Shaker communities.

Last Week's Top Five
Baptism 101 (Bible and Theology - General - Adult)
St. Patrick’s Day: A Study for Youth (Christian Living - Holidays - Youth)
How Did Jesus' Death Save Us? (Bible and Theology - Theology - Adult)
St. Patrick’s Day: A Study for Adults (Christian Living - Holidays - Adult)
The Shack (Popular Culture - Books - Adult)

Visit us again next week for our new adult study titled "Religulous."

Peace,

Andrew Yeager-Buckley

Click on any of the links above to be redirected to the site for more information.

March Highlights from TheThoughtfulChristian.com

2009-03-18T09:26:00.002-04:00

March, 2009

Dear Thoughtful Christians,

Greetings! Many of you have used our one-session study on The Shack and requested an additional study focusing on why this book resonates with so many Christians. The Theology of The Shack, by author Jana Riess, will be available April 22.

We have also been working on a way to resource the many adult groups who desire more “In the News ” essays. A team of Christian leaders has agreed to write regular monthly essays on topics in the news. Beginning in May, an “In the News” study will be released the first week of every month. The author will provide information about what we know about the issue, what the relevant ethical and theological themes to consider are, and what Christians can do about the issue. Questions for discussion will be provided. Current event groups can count on having something available the first Wednesday of every month from The Thoughtful Christian.

New Studies

Just as March’s weather is a mix of wind and rain and snow, our offerings during this Lenten season attempt to provide a smattering of options for study.

St. Patrick’s Day studies for adults and for youth provide a fun session to remind us why this day is celebrated.

Baptism 101 for adults is a helpful refresher course on how this practice got started and the many ways in which it is practiced and why. As many churches celebrate baptism during Easter, consider using this study for your church as it receives new members.

What Do Shakers Believe? is a two-session adult study on this religion authored by an educator who works in an original Shaker village.

What They Saw Study Pack: Telling Biblical Stories through New Eyes will be released April 1 and is available for preorder now . This six-week study is for groups who want to be reminded of some key stories of the Bible in an innovative way. The author retells each story through the perspective of another biblical character present at the time. This study is highly recommended for summer use as each session is complete and independent of the others in the pack.

Thanks for your continued support!

Peace,

David L. Maxwell, editor
The Thoughtful Christian

Click on any of the links above to be redirected to the site for more information.

New This Week - "Baptism 101" & "Twilight: Exploring the Sexual and Ethical Themes"

2009-03-11T17:05:00.003-04:00

Dear Thoughtful Christians,

I hope that everyone has recovered from their "Spring Forward" weekend. It's amazing how much that one hour can spoil your week. We're entering into the third week of Lent and it's time to start finalizing your post-Easter plans. I’d like to recommend the following Bible studies that I believe are especially appropriate in the weeks following Easter.

Four Accounts of Jesus' Resurrection
What do Christians believe about these different accounts and what do we mean when we state our belief that Jesus was raised from the dead?

How Did Jesus' Death Save Us?
This study explains three different understandings of Jesus’ death and encourages participants to appreciate the mystery—the “somehow” as C.S. Lewis noted—of our atonement through Jesus Christ.

Biblical Accounts of the Crucifixion
This two-session study opens the door to deeper reflection on Jesus’ crucifixion. It focuses on the New Testament, the ways in which selected writings portray or refer to Jesus’ death, and, in the process, interprets the meaning of that event.

Here are this week's new studies as well as other highlights.

New Adult Study (Bible and Theology - General - Adult)
Baptism 101
Remembering the “how” and “why” of our baptism and being grateful.

New Parenting Study
Twilight: Exploring the Sexual and Ethical Themes
A look at the themes of love, temptation, and self-control for teens.

Staff Study Picks (Popular Culture)
Twilight: A Study for Youth (Popular Culture - Movies - Youth)
Twilight: A Study for Adults (Popular Culture - Movies - Adult)

Last Week's Top Five
St. Patrick’s Day: A Study for Youth (Christian Living - Holidays - Youth)
St. Patrick’s Day: A Study for Adults (Christian Living - Holidays - Adult)
Gospel Portraits of Jesus: A Lenten Study (Study Pack)
The Shack (Popular Culture - Books - Adult)
The Meaning of Salvation (Bible and Theology - Thematic - Adult)

Visit us again next week for our new youth study titled "Does Science Conflict with Religion?" and our new adult study titled "What Do Shakers Believe?"

Peace,

Andrew Yeager-Buckley

Click on any of the links above to be redirected to the site for more information.

New This Week - "St. Patrick's Day: A Bible Study for Youth" & "St. Patrick's Day: A Bible Study for Adults"

2009-03-05T09:34:00.001-05:00

Dear Thoughtful Christians,

One of the traditional practices during these forty days of Lent is a renewed commitment to prayer. I'd like to recommend two studies that help answer the questions, “Why Pray? ” and “What Happens When We Pray? ”. I believe these studies will offer guidance during this Lenten season and beyond.

Here are this week's new studies as well as other highlights.

New Youth Study (Christian Living - Holidays - Youth)
St. Patrick’s Day: A Study for Youth
Who was the real Saint Patrick? And how did his feast day transform from a Christian holy day into a secular holiday?

New Adult Study (Christian Living - Holidays - Adult)
St. Patrick’s Day: A Study for Adults
Who was Saint Patrick? Why do we celebrate him each year? And how did his feast day transform from a Christian holy day into a secular holiday?

Staff Study Pick (In the News)
What's Happening with Our Economy?
A Christian View of the Economic Crisis

Last Week's Top Five
The Meaning of Salvation (Bible and Theology - Thematic - Adult)
Gospel Portraits of Jesus: A Lenten Study  (Study Pack)
Are You Saved? (Bible and Theology - Theology - Adult)
Ash Wednesday: The Importance of Confession (Spirituality - Youth)
Pausing on the Road to Jerusalem: A Lenten Study (Study Pack)

Visit us again next week for our new adult study titled "Baptism 101" and our new parenting study titled "Twilight: Exploring the Sexual and Ethical Themes."

Peace,

Andrew Yeager-Buckley

Click on any of the links above to be redirected to the site for more information.

New This Week - "The Meaning of Salvation"

2009-02-25T17:13:00.000-05:00

Dear Thoughtful Christians,

So what are you giving up for Lent? That is the question of the hour. In the book Contemplative Youth Minstry by Mark Yaconelli he writes about his youth group deciding to take on something during Lent. They committed to practice "The Awareness Examen" each night during the forty days of Lent. What might you take on during this Lenten season?

Here are this week's new studies as well as other highlights.

New Adult Study (Bible and Theology - Adult)
The Meaning of Salvation
Have you ever been asked, “Are you saved?” This study explores the theological concept of salvation and looks at two models of Christian salvation: the conversionist and the gradualist.

Staff Study Pick (Bible and Theology - Adult)
Are You Saved?
In this two-session study, participants are taken through six different models found in the Bible that describe how Jesus accomplished our salvation.

Last Week's Top Five
Ash Wednesday: The Importance of Confession (Spirituality - Youth)
Gospel Portraits of Jesus: A Lenten Study (Study Pack)
Reflections on the Lord's Prayer: A Lenten Study (Study Pack)
The Shack (Popular Culture - Adult)
Pausing on the Road to Jerusalem: A Lenten Study (Study Pack)

Visit us again next week for our new youth study titled "St. Patrick's Day: A Study for Youth" and our new adult study titled "St. Patrick's Day: A Study for Adults."

Peace,

Andrew Yeager-Buckley

Click on any of the links above to be redirected to the site for more information.

New This Week - "Ash Wednesday: The Importance of Confession" & "Suicide: Prevention and Care"

2009-02-18T18:16:00.005-05:00

Dear Thoughtful Christians,

Lent is quickly approaching and it's time to finalize your plans. If you're still searching for a Lenten series, check out the three options that we have. This week we're also launching a new study for youth that helps examine Ash Wednesday.

Here are this week's new studies as well as other highlights.

New Youth Study (Spirituality - Youth)
Ash Wednesday: The Importance of Confession
This youth study will allow participants to explore the meaning of Ash Wednesday. In doing so, they will consider God’s claim on our life, our need to confess our sins, and the cleansing process that occurs when our sin meets God’s grace.

New Adult Study (Contemporary Issues - Adult)
Suicide: Prevention and Care
This study discusses the risk factors and warning signs of suicide and also provides plans for preventing suicide. Also discussed is what a church can do after a member has committed
suicide.

Staff Study Pick (Parenting)
Building Self-Esteem in Your Teen
What is self-esteem and how do we help our teens build a healthy one? This is a question many parents ask themselves and this study provides advice for parents on how to talk to their teens and on how to build self-esteem in their teens.

Last Week's Top Five
Gospel Portraits of Jesus: A Lenten Study (Study Pack)
B My Valentine! What Is Love? (Contemporary Issues - Youth)
The Shack (Popular Culture - Adult)
Reflections on the Lord's Prayer: A Lenten Study (Study Pack)
The Last Lecture (Popular Culture - Adult)

Visit us again next week for our new adult study titled "The Meaning of Salvation."

Peace,

Andrew Yeager-Buckley

Click on any of the links above to be redirected to the site for more information.

New This Week - "Introduction to Matthew"

2009-02-13T10:00:00.000-05:00

Dear Thoughtful Christians,

This month has brought the addition of studies for Parents of Teens and a light face lift to our homepage. We hope you're enjoying these upgrades as much as we are. In the midst of these changes and new offerings I want to make sure you don't overlook this week's release of "Introduction to Matthew."

New Adult Study (Bible and Theology - Adult)
Introduction to Matthew
In this Bible study, participants see how the Gospel of Matthew presents Jesus through the lens of the Old Testament, consider the phrase “kingdom of heaven,” work thorough their personal understanding of Jesus, and look into Jesus’ teachings about the church.

Staff Study Pick
Biblical Interpretation 101
In this three-session study, we will first examine the principle challenges of faithful interpretation, namely, the importance of language and historical and social settings. Session 2 outlines three major periods of Biblical interpretation and shows how it has changed over the centuries. Session 3 addresses the question of why people interpret the Bible differently.

Last Week's Top Five
B My Valentine! What Is Love? (Contemporary Issues - Youth)
The Shack (Popular Culture - Adult)
Gospel Portraits of Jesus: A Lenten Study (Study Pack)
The Last Lecture (Popular Culture - Adult)
Reflections on the Lord's Prayer: A Lenten Study (Study Pack)

Visit us again next week for our new youth study titled "Ash Wednesday: The Importance of Confession" and our new adult study titled "Suicide: Prevention and Care."
Peace,

Andrew Yeager-Buckley

Click on any of the links above to be redirected to the site for more information.

New This Week - "Twilight" - Film study available for both youth and adult groups

2009-01-23T14:40:00.001-05:00

Dear Thoughtful Christians,

The film Twilight continues to be a hit. Teenage girls in particular have flocked to the theaters to watch the movie. This popular vampire romance raises themes such as rebellion, true love, eternal life, temptation, “doing the right thing,” and self-sacrifice. We've written studies for both youth and adult groups. They are both available for order now and subscribers can download immediately.

Here are this week's new studies as well as other highlights.

New Youth Study (Popular Culture - Youth)
Twilight
The female character Bella in the movie displays a self-sacrificing love in her relationship with Edward which is highlighted for discussion.

New Adult Study (Popular Culture - Adult)
Twilight
This study explores various themes from the popular vampire romance film Twilight, the first in a series based on the book by Stephanie Meyer.

Last Week's Top Five
The Shack (Popular Culture - Adult)
Gospel Portraits of Jesus: A Lenten Study (Study Pack)
Imagining Heaven (Spirituality - Youth)
What's Happening with Our Economy? (In the News)
Reflections on the Lord's Prayer: A Lenten Study (Study Pack)

Visit us again next week for our new adult study titled "What Is Sin?" and the launch of our new parenting studies.
Peace,

Andrew Yeager-Buckley

Click on any of the links above to be redirected to the site for more information.

New This Week - "Gospel Portraits of Jesus: A Lenten Study & Imagining Heaven"

2009-01-07T16:08:00.004-05:00

Dear Thoughtful Christians,

Today is the launch of our special 2009 Lenten study titled, "Gospel Portraits of Jesus: A Lenten Study" written by Donald L. Griggs. It's available for order now and subscribers can download immediately.

Here are this week's new studies as well as other highlights.

New Youth Study (Contemporary Issues - Adult)
Imagining Heaven
In this study participants will begin by designing what they believe heaven to be like. This Bible study on parables of heaven in the Gospel of Matthew will allow teens to describe in their own words characteristics of heaven. They will find metaphors of a modern day heaven and make a
collage attempting to describe it in meaningful images.

New Adult Study Pack
Gospel Portraits of Jesus: A Lenten Study
What can we learn about Jesus from the multitude of names he is given in the New Testament? Plenty! Welcome to a six-week course that will explore a number of the names and titles for Jesus that appear in the four Gospels, with some attention to relevant Old Testament passages.

Staff Study Pick (Christian Living - Adult)
Christian Responses to War
Session 1 looks at a sampling of biblical texts that talk about war, including passages that
speak of God's vision of peace. Session 2 examines the history of the Christian movement and the various responses to the question of what is a Christian response to war: pacifism, just war doctrine, and holy war (or crusade). It also looks at just peacemaking. The third session concentrates on becoming peacemakers and outlines four ways to pursue this goal in our personal and corporate lives.

Last Week's Top Five
New Year's Resolutions (Christian Living - Adult)
How Accessible Is Your Church? (Contemporary Issues - Adult)
What's Happening with Our Economy? (In the News)
Hospitality —Loving the Stranger (Christian Living - Adult)
It's a Wonderful Life (Popular Culture - Adult)

Visit us again next week for our new adult book study titled "The Shack."

Peace,

Andrew Yeager-Buckley

Click on any of the links above to be redirected to the site for more information.

New This Week - "Pets: Our Best Friends" & "Part of the Family? Caring for a Pet"

2008-12-18T09:35:00.000-05:00

Dear Thoughtful Christians,

We're deep into Advent 2008 and I'm going to ask you to take a journey with me to Lent 2009. We're making next year's Lenten study titled "Gospel Portraits of Jesus: A Lenten Study" available for pre-order starting today.

Here are this week's new studies as well as other highlights.

New Youth Study (Contemporary Issues - Youth)
Pets: Our Best Friends
This small-group youth study explores the joy of having a pet and also asks teens to plan a budget for future pet ownership.

New Adult Study (Contemporary Issues - Adult)
Part of the Family? Caring for a Pet
This small-group study explores the joy of having a pet as well as our moral and ethical responsibility to them, and also asks participants to look at how much money we’re spending on our pets.

New Upcoming Lenten Study Pack
Gospel Portraits of Jesus: A Lenten Study
This Lenten study explores the biblical names for Jesus and the titles for Jesus in the Gospels.
What can we learn about Jesus from the multitude of names he is given in the New Testament? Plenty! Welcome to a six-week course that will explore a number of the names and titles for Jesus that appear in the four Gospels, with some attention to relevant Old Testament passages.

The sequence of the names and titles of Jesus for our course of study moves from the most familiar name, Jesus, to Jesus’ activities as teacher, to several common metaphors such as bread, to more abstract names like Messiah and Son of God, concluding with a focus on resurrection and life. The first half of the course will be a little easier for participants with the last three sessions providing more of a challenge.

In addition to the Participant Handouts and Leader’s Guides filled with ideas for forty-five minute lesson plans for the six sessions, hymn writer Reverend Carolyn Gillette has composed a hymn text specifically for this study. Participants may learn a new verse each session and the hymn may easily be incorporated into worship for the entire church. Finally, at the end of each handout, the author includes daily Scripture readings for participants’ daily devotions.

Staff Study Pick (Spirituality - Adult)
Seasons of the Church Year
Why is Christmas always on December 25, but Easter is on different dates all the time? What is Ordinary Time? These and other basic but often unanswered questions in the liturgical life of churches are answered in this one-session study.

Last Week's Top Five
It's a Wonderful Life (Popular Culture - Adult)
Miracle on 34th Street (Popular Culture - Adult)
Reclaiming Christmas: Seeking an Alternative (Christian Living - Adult)
Advent Through the Eyes of Those Who Waited (Study Packs - Advent and Lent)
New Year's Resolutions (Christian Living - Adult)

Visit us again next week for our new adult study titled "The X-Files: I Want to Believe."
Peace,

Andrew Yeager-Buckley

Click on any of the links above to be redirected to the site for more information.