Adult Discipleship |
Community for Contemplation & Justice
TRANSFORMATION BY BIBLE STUDY
By Scott Arant
Many people don't read the Bible regularly; quite a few never even look at it. Why is this? I think there are two main reasons. First, the hectic pace and pressures of daily living often seem to crowd out what little free time may be available for reading of any kind. Second, while they regard the Bible as important, they don't see how it applies to their complex, "real-world" problems. As a result, they rarely even look at it.
These are the two main reasons why, for many years, I seldom read the Bible. Then I was introduced to Disciple I Fast Track and I found that it offers the real-world application of the Bible that makes sense for me. I took Disciple I through IV as well as several other classes. Several years later, I was invited facilitate a Disciple class and I've done that every year since.
In a word, Bible study has been transformational for me. Where I formerly couldn't see connections between the Bible and life's problems, I now see them often. And while the Bible sometimes seemed obscure, I now find that, with study and well-written study material like Disciple, truths and insights are available to anyone willing to commit the time to study on a regular basis.
Now may be the time for you to begin a Bible study class, regardless of whether you've been reading Scripture for many years or, like some of us, you can't remember the last time you even picked it up. If you're willing to read and study daily, I'm sure that you'll be repaid many times over in countless ways that you never expected.
- 60 in Lent groups
- 60 small group leaders
- 1,487 in groups and classes this fall
Force for Good
Started the Force for Good is a Sub-committee of the Social Action Committee. Its goal is to raise awareness in the congregation about gun violence and motivate people to advocate for common sense gun legislation. Their initial project was providing yard signs, window clings and stickers that say, "PROTECT CHILDREN NOT GUNS."
Congregations United to Reduce Violence (CURV)
This is a subcommittee of the Social Action Inter-congregational Committee. CURV seeks to network and build support for the City of Indianapolis' efforts to reduce gun violence through the implementation of the Gun Violence Intervention program (GVI). CURV makes presentations to congregations and neighborhood groups.
Tenant Advocacy Group (TAG), a sub-committee of Social Action Committee, is participating in an Eviction Court Watching program visiting Eviction Courts in Marion County to watch proceedings and take notes. Similar projects in other cities have produced evidence that those being evicted are treated with greater respect and given more time to find new housing when Court Watchers are present.
As part of the Racial Justice Ministry's relationship with Allen Chapel AME, a dozen volunteers from St. Luke's join volunteers from Allen Chapel to help in the classrooms at IPS27, supply winter coats, hats and gloves and food at holiday breaks.
A new colorful labyrinth was painted on the NE corner of the back parking lot in September 2022.
Contemplative Mondays was created in the fall of 2022 to provide a contemplative start to the week: Taize Worship, yoga, labyrinth events, Mindfulness Community, and Spiritual Companionship Group.
An Afghan refugee family of 8 is being cared for by a team of dedicated volunteers since March 12, 2022. The team responds to a variety of needs: financial, educational, language, food, clothing, entertainment, transportation, sports, etc.
- 70+ people marching in the parade
- $1400 was donated to the ministry through the sale of St. Luke's Pride merchandise