MNO Synod - Women's Ministry


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Women's Ministry Resources	Resources
Study Resources for Women's Groups Book of Faith Bible Study Resources The Book of Faith initiative encourages congregations to dig deeper into our book of faith, the Bible. This initiative is endorsed by the ELCIC and has created many resources to help congregations study the Scriptures. Here is how one of these might be used for your monthly meetings: The Books of Faith courses investigate individual books of the bible by studying key passages that present the important themes or questions of the book. Each session (planned for about one hour) includes a devotional opening and closing, historical and literary background, and Lutheran perspectives on the passage. Questions and activities are suggested to engage participants in discussion of the scripture passage. Courses range from 4 to 8 sessions in length. This is perfect for women's groups that meet monthly; one or two courses (books of the Bible) can be studied throughout the year. There is a leader's guide for each course, and each participant needs a learner's guide. For example, last year the women of several ELCIC congregations chose to study 1 & 2 Samuel, an 8-session course, using one session per month. The cost of this course is $25.50 for the leader, and $12.50 (or less) per participant. Consider choosing to study one of the books being read on Sundays in this coming year. For this fall, Exodus or Romans would be a good fit, and Mark would be a good choice for the winter and beyond, as Year B (the year of Mark) starts in Advent. Or perhaps choose a book of the Bible your group has never studied in depth. Click here to read more The Greatest Story Series The Greatest Story series uses an innovative approach to encountering the Bible. There are two courses available, The Bible Introduction (providing a brief overview of the key people, places and events of the bible), and Jesus (an exciting exploration of the life and ministry of Jesus through the Gospels). Each course has 16 sessions to explore, incorporating a leader guide, participant book, and unique session DVD featuring engaging sand art depictions of the Bible stories by renowned artist Joe Castillo. In each one hour session, participants experience the Bible as a series of stories, making it accessible to everyone, even those new to the Bible. . Perhaps you could combine two sessions into one monthly meeting, or select a number of sessions for the months of your program year. The leader's guide and DVD together are $43.99 and each participant book costs $16.50 for the 16-session course. Here is the experience of one congregation that used the Bible Introduction for an adult group last year: "Participants valued how The Greatest Story participant book summarized each of the books of the Bible in an easy-to-read manner. The sand art video for each session was a highlight - watching the biblical stories come alive through the imagination of the artist. We have already ordered The Greatest Story: Jesus for our upcoming fall series!" Pastor Kristen Soveran, Southwest Lutheran Parish, SK Click here to read more Book Club Ideas If your group is looking for something a little different, why not considering sharing and learning together through a "book club" discussion? By reading a fiction book together, your group can explore the challenges facing characters as they struggle to live out their faith in their own unique situations. We're pleased to offer a 20% discount on book club titles your group chooses (some restrictions apply), and we offer a wide range of suitable Christian fiction titles. Each book contains a discussion guide, with questions to start things rolling. Whether you're interested in historical fiction, drama, humor, mystery or intrigue, visit www.afcanada.com/fiction for a few ideas - or let us know of other titles you're interested in! Here's just one of the many titles that could be read and discussed in your group: Wildflowers of Terezin by Robert Elmer (Abingdon Press, 2010) It's 1943 and the Nazi threat to Jewish people everywhere is building. A Lutheran pastor in Copenhagen, Denmark, must rethink his preaching and his own actions as he is challenged to help protect the Danish Jews, and to risk joining the Danish underground. ($12.80 per book with the 20% discount applied) Click here to read more All prices are subject to change.

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