A Three Hour Conversation

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Hi Reader,

Yesterday I spent 4 hours with one of my sons. I drove him to a medical specialist in Westcherster County, NY, which is about an hour south of Poughkeepersie. Not life-threatening, but important, and a mulitple year plan of care.

An hour there, the waiting room, the doctor's visit, lunch, and the drive back. A solid 3 hours together with a fast-growing 14 year-old, which feels like grace these days.

We talked about cars (his go-to), his future plans, what content creators he enjoys right now. I talked to him about my belief in him, what I see in him, and what I believe he can do. He did the same for me - another grace.

In the course of the conversation, I described how I'm thinking about discipling new believers who come to the church with no prior knowledge of Christianity.

Part of the effort is teaching "Bible Basics," a 4-week class to orient people to the Bible: how it's organized, genre, how to use the Table of Contents, and when we reference we say Bible book name, chapter, and verse. Seriously, basics. I love that those are the kinds of folk who are coming to Freedom Plains United Presbyterian Church.

That led me to think of you.

I want to open to you the same materials I'm using. We are on the same mission and what helps me and mine likely (and hopefully) is of value to you.

Below you'll find a link to the Bible Study Starter Packet. Battle-tested in confirmation and discipleship settings.

This is a pay-what-you-want resource. You'll see a suggested price, but feel free to place zero or another value. This helps cover the cost of the newsletter.

To go to The Bible Study Starter Packet here.

The packet includes:

• The Best Book of the Bible to Start with
• 8 Methods for Effective Bible Study (with example of each)
• The Parable of the Sower - An Inductive Bible Study Approach walkthrough
• Using the SOAP Study Method for Philippians 4:6-7, a walkthrough

Membership Sunday

How do you organize around people joining the church?

Some churches hold multi-week classes. Others hold interiews or meetings. This morning, I spent an hour with someone who will join on our membership Sunday in September.

Share your thoughts! I'll compile your ideas along with others and share them in a futre edition of the newsletter!

Liturgy Corner Leaves are changing as the sun is setting on summertime. Marking the seasons is important. As the liturgy for this week starts, "This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it." May we enjoy the good in each moment. ​Go to the liturgy​

Sounds Odd!

Ever heard a sermon on Og of Bashan in Deuteronomy 3:11? Me neither.

He was a giant. Literally. His bed was iron and was nine cubits by four. Translate that to today: 13 feet long and six feet wide!

And, quite humorously, the writer essentially says, Don't trust me? Go check for yourself. "It is still in Rabbah of the Ammonites."

It's an odd thing to include. You just defeated King Og, took his land, and the detail that lives forever is the size of his bed.

And finally, a benediction for you

From Sarum Primer, circa 1514 in England:

All my best to you,

Rev. Jason B. Elder