(posted by Paul Zilmer)
We haven't given much attention in these posts to the daytime classes, which is an injustice, because they are an important part of what we do.
The only scheduled daytime class is the women's lunchtime study that Dana Pratt has conducted for the past year. In the early going we had tried a lunchtime class with no success, but Dana's approach has proven very successful. For a few months she was running it two days a week, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, in order to accommodate all those who wanted to participate. Participants come and go some, and their personal situations change, so now it's possible for all of them to attend on Tuesdays, and recently it's been a large and lively group.
Our other daytime activity is private classes. We have two students who come in for private classes just about every week, one of them two days each week. There are some other students who make arrangements from time to time, to come in and talk about something they have questions about. Most of these are "regulars", but sometimes it's someone we don't know very well. In addition, the evening instructors sometimes do make-up sessions with students who miss an evening class.
In recent weeks there's been something of an upswing in the private classes. Wednesday this week was a record-setter — we had four classes going simultaneously! This used all of the spaces we have available. In the back, large classroom, Norm Fadelle was doing a make-up session with two students from his Thursday evening class. In the front, smaller classroom Dana Pratt was having a private first principles class with two of our regulars. In the middle area (which does have closeable doors) I had a class with another of our regulars, who has been studying with us for two years and is now studying for baptism. And in the shop area, Jane Zilmer was having a session with another of our regulars, who has just started a second self-study course, but prefers to do it with someone rather than on his own.
We thank God for all these opportunities to bear witness to Him and his marvelous plan to fill the earth with His glory, and we pray that in time all of these students will take on the name of Jesus Christ, and become heirs of the Kingdom.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Holiday classes conclude
(posted by Paul Zilmer)
Our last two Holiday classes have completed, and our attendance exceeded expectations for all 4 of them. The week between Christmas and New Year we had "Philip the Evangelist", presented by David Jennings from Los Angeles, via Skype. There was a technical glitch that prevented us from seeing David, but we could hear fine, and the students reported that it wasn't a terrible problem.
The final class, this past week, was "Parables: Digging Deeper", presented by Bruce Parker who came down with his wife Joanie from Chicago. Those who attended both of these classes remarked that they were excellent. A couple pictures from the last class follow.
We have a week off this week, and then we'll start up with our Winter Term. First up will be "Living Out Your Faith", a 6-week interactive class led by Paul Zilmer, and another installment of our "Introducing..." series, providing an introduction to books chosen by the students, led by Norm Fadelle.
Our last two Holiday classes have completed, and our attendance exceeded expectations for all 4 of them. The week between Christmas and New Year we had "Philip the Evangelist", presented by David Jennings from Los Angeles, via Skype. There was a technical glitch that prevented us from seeing David, but we could hear fine, and the students reported that it wasn't a terrible problem.
The final class, this past week, was "Parables: Digging Deeper", presented by Bruce Parker who came down with his wife Joanie from Chicago. Those who attended both of these classes remarked that they were excellent. A couple pictures from the last class follow.
We have a week off this week, and then we'll start up with our Winter Term. First up will be "Living Out Your Faith", a 6-week interactive class led by Paul Zilmer, and another installment of our "Introducing..." series, providing an introduction to books chosen by the students, led by Norm Fadelle.
Bruce Parker teaches "Parables: Digging Deeper"
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Holiday classes
(posted by Paul Zilmer & Norm Fadelle)
For the third year in a row, we are offering single-session classes during the holiday season. This time of year is very busy for most people, and it's hard for them to commit to a multi-week class. In the past, attendance has not been great. Primarily our "regulars" have attended one or two of them. This year, so far, we have had far better attendance, for which we are thankful.
Two of the four planned classes have been held: The Biggest Bible Study Question is "Why?" from Steve Johnson, and On Being Content from John Fischer. Both instructors are from the Bloomington ecclesia, and we are grateful for the ongoing support we get from Bloomington. Pictures of those classes are included below. We had a pretty full classroom both times, and there was good interaction afterwards as people stayed for coffee and conversation afterwards.
Coming up, in the last week of the year we will have Philip the Evangelist from David Jennings in Los Angeles, via Skype, and Parables: Going Deeper from Bruce Parker, traveling down from Chicago, in the first week of the new year.
For the third year in a row, we are offering single-session classes during the holiday season. This time of year is very busy for most people, and it's hard for them to commit to a multi-week class. In the past, attendance has not been great. Primarily our "regulars" have attended one or two of them. This year, so far, we have had far better attendance, for which we are thankful.
Two of the four planned classes have been held: The Biggest Bible Study Question is "Why?" from Steve Johnson, and On Being Content from John Fischer. Both instructors are from the Bloomington ecclesia, and we are grateful for the ongoing support we get from Bloomington. Pictures of those classes are included below. We had a pretty full classroom both times, and there was good interaction afterwards as people stayed for coffee and conversation afterwards.
Coming up, in the last week of the year we will have Philip the Evangelist from David Jennings in Los Angeles, via Skype, and Parables: Going Deeper from Bruce Parker, traveling down from Chicago, in the first week of the new year.
Steve Johnson presents The Biggest Bible Study Question is "Why?"
John Fischer presents On Being Content; students & volunteers interact after class
Monday, December 12, 2011
Recognition event
(posted by Norm Fadelle, Ray Pratt, Paul Zilmer)
The Fall Term completed the week before the US Thanksgiving holiday, with the wrap-up of "History & Geography of the Bible" and "Gleanings from Ruth". As we have done at the conclusion of each term since we opened, we held a recognition event on December 1, to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of our students.
We had (we think) a record attendance for a recognition event — 25 in all. Nine students completed one or more courses during the term. Two of them completed more than one, with one student completing four! Students are invited to bring guests to the event, and this time we had several. We hope that one day they will become students themselves!
Ray Pratt gave an inspirational Bible talk, which was well-received by the students and guests. Certificates of completion were then presented to all completers, as well as a gift book for all first-time completers, and a Bible Reading Calendar for all.
It was a great pleasure to celebrate with these students, and we believe the Father is also very pleased when He sees people seeking to learn more about His word.
The Fall Term completed the week before the US Thanksgiving holiday, with the wrap-up of "History & Geography of the Bible" and "Gleanings from Ruth". As we have done at the conclusion of each term since we opened, we held a recognition event on December 1, to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of our students.
We had (we think) a record attendance for a recognition event — 25 in all. Nine students completed one or more courses during the term. Two of them completed more than one, with one student completing four! Students are invited to bring guests to the event, and this time we had several. We hope that one day they will become students themselves!
Ray Pratt gave an inspirational Bible talk, which was well-received by the students and guests. Certificates of completion were then presented to all completers, as well as a gift book for all first-time completers, and a Bible Reading Calendar for all.
It was a great pleasure to celebrate with these students, and we believe the Father is also very pleased when He sees people seeking to learn more about His word.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Bible History & Geography class
(posted by Paul Zilmer)
Last evening we launched a new class, Introduction to the History & Geography of the Bible. Many people are quite unfamiliar with the geography of the Middle East, especially in ancient times. And even many who are pretty familiar with the Bible have trouble placing Abraham, David, Moses, Job, and Daniel in the flow of history and Bible events. We've scheduled this class twice before, but events have prevented us from actually delivering it, until now.
We had 15 in attendance, which included several members of the ecclesia. A home Bible class suspended their regular study and seven of the regulars are attending this class — five members and two students who are studying with them. All told, we had nine members and six students. Everyone seemed to get a lot out of the class. Some photos follow.
Last evening we launched a new class, Introduction to the History & Geography of the Bible. Many people are quite unfamiliar with the geography of the Middle East, especially in ancient times. And even many who are pretty familiar with the Bible have trouble placing Abraham, David, Moses, Job, and Daniel in the flow of history and Bible events. We've scheduled this class twice before, but events have prevented us from actually delivering it, until now.
We had 15 in attendance, which included several members of the ecclesia. A home Bible class suspended their regular study and seven of the regulars are attending this class — five members and two students who are studying with them. All told, we had nine members and six students. Everyone seemed to get a lot out of the class. Some photos follow.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Long overdue catch-up
(posted by Paul Zilmer)
We are way behind in our posts! The summer concluded with 2 standalone classes: "Faith, Hope & Love" and "Prayer".
The Fall Term got underway the first week of September, with two 6-week classes. Wednesdays I presented "How to Study the Bible" again — the 4th time we've offered this course. On Thursdays Norm Fadelle presented "Basic Discipleship", I think for the third time. HTSTB had modest attendance, but 4 students completed. Two of these had taken the course before and were re-taking it for a refresher. The Discipleship class had good attendance and several completed, although there were a few who had to do some make-up classes to finish it out.
Last week, a new class started on Thursday nights. Steve Davis from Boston is presenting "Gleanings from the Book of Ruth" for 5 weeks. He joins us via Skype and we project him on the wall. Skype permits the class to be interactive, and Steve can see us and hear questions.
Tonight we will start "Introduction to the History and Geography of the Bible", a 4-week class. We'll try to be a little more timely in posting something about it!
We continue to have several students who are having individualized instruction. In two cases we are working through a self-study course with them, and in other cases the instruction is customized. Three of our students are attending every, or almost every, class we offer. Two of these also attend regularly on Sunday mornings.
The current classes will run until the week before the US Thanksgiving holiday in late November. As we've done in prior years, during December and early January we will offer a set of standalone classes. Planning has just gotten started for what those classes will be.
We are way behind in our posts! The summer concluded with 2 standalone classes: "Faith, Hope & Love" and "Prayer".
The Fall Term got underway the first week of September, with two 6-week classes. Wednesdays I presented "How to Study the Bible" again — the 4th time we've offered this course. On Thursdays Norm Fadelle presented "Basic Discipleship", I think for the third time. HTSTB had modest attendance, but 4 students completed. Two of these had taken the course before and were re-taking it for a refresher. The Discipleship class had good attendance and several completed, although there were a few who had to do some make-up classes to finish it out.
Last week, a new class started on Thursday nights. Steve Davis from Boston is presenting "Gleanings from the Book of Ruth" for 5 weeks. He joins us via Skype and we project him on the wall. Skype permits the class to be interactive, and Steve can see us and hear questions.
Tonight we will start "Introduction to the History and Geography of the Bible", a 4-week class. We'll try to be a little more timely in posting something about it!
We continue to have several students who are having individualized instruction. In two cases we are working through a self-study course with them, and in other cases the instruction is customized. Three of our students are attending every, or almost every, class we offer. Two of these also attend regularly on Sunday mornings.
The current classes will run until the week before the US Thanksgiving holiday in late November. As we've done in prior years, during December and early January we will offer a set of standalone classes. Planning has just gotten started for what those classes will be.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Standalone classes
(posted by Paul Zilmer)
On Thursday, July 21 we hosted the first of two one-night classes. During the summer most people find it difficult to commit to a multi-week class – but we don't want to stop entirely.
Our first class was "Faith, Hope & Love". We had 14 people present, including 6 students (the rest were ecclesial members). Two of the students were attending for the first time. There was good conversation after the class.
Our next one-night class will be "Prayer" on August 11.
On Thursday, July 21 we hosted the first of two one-night classes. During the summer most people find it difficult to commit to a multi-week class – but we don't want to stop entirely.
Our first class was "Faith, Hope & Love". We had 14 people present, including 6 students (the rest were ecclesial members). Two of the students were attending for the first time. There was good conversation after the class.
Our next one-night class will be "Prayer" on August 11.
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