Wednesday, October 31, 2007

36 classic texts

I haven't thought this completely through, but what if there were 36 classic Scriptural texts, and we used one text per month for three years, and then repeated. Each text would bring out an important element about Christianity in one of the four areas of discipleship. The way I determined the yearly calendar, I would need 4 texts per year on Connecting with God and People each (total 12 each), and 2 each for Connecting Locally and Connecting Globally (total 6 each).

The Classic Text would be the text of the month, available for people to study more deeply in their small groups and in their personal study. Sermon texts would support the theme but would vary week to week, perhaps with the classic text being the opening sermon or the closing sermon of the month.

I also want to add accompanying good books that could be read that month, remembering that it is for a congregation that probably does not have a college education. I would like a selection of books, so a person could find something that interests them each month. It would also help us put together a intentional library.

UPDATE: It's interesting how weak I am on using the Gospels here. Perhaps I should make an effort each month to do a sermon out of the Gospels. But thinking that through, this will take a fourth of my time away from digging through the texts at hand. Hmmm....
Loving God (Need 12)
1. Genesis 1-12 -- I know this seems like a lot, but it is over a month. Books - Wild at Heart, Captivating
2. Exodus 3 -- Call of Moses
3. Deuteronomy 6 -- The shema
4. Isaiah 6 -- The call of Isaiah -- forgiveness then obedience
5. Hebrews
6. Romans 1-8 -- again, this is a lot, but perhaps a better landmark than just one chapter.
7. The Cross
8. The Resurrection
9. Heaven & Hell
10. Isaiah 53 (Easter month)
11. Leviticus Opening Chapters
12.

Loving People (Need 12)
1. Matthew 5,6, & 7 - The Sermon on the Mount
2. Ephesians 4, 5, & 6
3. Romans 12-15 -- So I'm leaving out Romans 9-11
4. Genesis - Joseph and his brothers
5. Genesis - Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
6. The Trinity
7. The Final Return of Jesus
8. Acts 2
9. The Ten Commandments
10. The Great Commandment
11. Sexual Relationships - Song of Solomon
12.

Connecting Locally (Need 6)
1. Matthew 25 -- The Sheep and the Goats
2. Nehemiah -- Rebuilding the walls
3. Acts 3 & 6 -- What I Have I Give You, The choosing of Deacons
4. The Incarnation (the virgin birth)
5.
6.

Connecting Globally (Need 6)
1. Jonah
2. Daniel???
3.
4.
5.
6.

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