Electives

Throughout the year, various short-term electives are offered to serve the interests and needs of the congregation and community. Perhaps the 10-week course to understand the fundamentals of the Christian faith would fit you well, maybe the 6-week series on being parents to teenagers sparks some interest, or it could be the mid-week study of that book in the Bible you've always had an interest in which catches your eye. Many different topics and themes, various times and lengths - "Elect" one that suits you! Some of the current and soon-to-happen electives along with calendar schedules are highlighted below.

A Six Week Fall Elective Bible Study: "Sola Scriptura Remixed: Things the Apostle Paul believed that you (probably) do not"

  • Beginning Tuesday, October 28 • 7 - 9 PM • Location: COM 154
  • Teacher, Roger VanSpronsen

"Scriptures alone" was phrase used during the Reformation which signaled a conviction that Christians needed only the Bible as the source of God's revelation concerning faith and practice. Today however, the phrase might at times be more likely to describe things present in the Bible but absent from our faith, understanding, or practice; in other words, things found in the "Scriptures alone". Ever notice the Apostle Paul does say some things we tend to just leave (alone) in the Bible? Don't believe me?

  • When is the last time you pointed out to a friend that the "power of sin is the law"?
  • Encouraged any couples recently with "from now on those who have wives should be as though they had none"?
  • Do you believe and confess "All things are lawful for me"?
  • Made any references in your recent political discussions to "man was not created for woman's sake but woman for the man's sake"?
  • Taught (or heard taught) that "each is to remain in the condition in which he was called"?
  • Pointed out that if one wishes to use the law lawfully, he must know the "law is not made for a righteous man, but for those who are lawless"?
  • Do you share the "wish that you all spoke in tongues"?

Ok, you get the idea! There do seem to be some things we tend to leave alone in the Scriptures. Things found not in us but only in the Bible - Sola Scriptura! But, perhaps some of those things we leave alone in the Scriptures ought not to be so foreign or so far away from our faith and practice!

Join Pastor Roger VanSpronsen for a six-week study of some of those passages which up to now may be Sola Scriptura for you. Be prepared to encounter truth we do not much like, need, or believe! And be warned: When the Apostle Paul says things we do not say, he at least has on his side that his views are Scriptural!

Please register by calling Laura Devonshire at (626)355-3566 ext. 328