ADULT EDUCATION AT BETHEL
Adult education at Bethel features a one-hour Adult Forum, a welcoming, inclusive gathering of people who want to learn about and discuss a wide range of topics. Among our interests are Christian life and faith, including personal life and faith journeys and spiritual growth; contemporary social and ethical issues; Christian history and tradition; understanding the Bible; and non-Christian religions. Session leaders come from a variety of backgrounds and include members of Bethel and visiting scholars and experts. Those attending and leading the Adult Forum at Bethel engage with one another through open, respectful, questioning conversation.
The Bethel community has a commitment to excellence in Christian education. Over the years, the Adult Forum has also provided the venue for examining our congregational worship life, critiquing and supporting many of Bethel’s areas of mission—care for creation, non-violence, and inter-faith dialogue—and for growing together in spirit, community, and faith.
Adult Forum has returned to the traditional Sunday morning schedule at Bethel, 8:30AM coffee and pastries in the Fellowship Hall with the presentation beginning at 8:45AM.
November 3 “Imagining Bethel’s Ministry of Faith Formation”
Speaker: Pastor Scott Benolkin
Listen! God is calling! Join Pastor Scott as we reflect on God’s word and dream together about Bethel’s ministry of Faith Formation. We’ll use the Bible to support this discussion. If you prefer, bring your own. Discussion begins promptly at 8:45 am but coffee, tea, and pastries will be available by 8:30 am.
Note that this is an addition to the standard monthly Adult Forum schedule to give Sunday’s Cool adults and older teens a chance to join the discussion.
November 10 “Exploring the Meaning of Atonement, Part 1”
Speaker: Pastor Scott Benolkin
How would you define atonement? Join Pastor Scott as we explore the meaning and message of atonement. We’ll use the Bible to support this discussion. If you prefer, bring your own. Discussion begins promptly at 8:45 am but coffee, tea, and pastries will be available by 8:30 am. We plan to record this session.
November 17 “Exploring the Meaning of Atonement, Part 2”
Speaker: Pastor Scott Benolkin
This week continues our exploration of the concept and meaning of atonement. Join Pastor Scott as we explore the message of atonement. We’ll use the Bible to support this discussion. If you prefer, bring your own. Discussion begins promptly at 8:45 am but coffee, tea, and pastries will be available by 8:30 am. If you missed the first session, we have a recording. We also plan to record this session.
November 24 “The Messages and Meaning of Christian Nationalism”
Christian Nationalism is a cultural framework that advocates fusion of certain Christian views with American civic life. This nationalistic ideology argues that the U.S. Constitution was divinely inspired, that Christianity should be a privileged religion in the United States, and that this nation holds a uniquely privileged status in God’s eyes. The ELCA’s understanding of civic life and faith is at odds with this philosophy. Using a variety of resources provided by the ELCA, Breaking Point, Sojourner, and others, we will learn more about the origins and risks of this movement. Discussion begins promptly at 8:45 am but coffee, tea, and pastries will be available by 8:30 am.