Adult
The adult Sunday School class meets immediately after Friendship Hour.  This puts the starting time usually at 11:15 and finished by 12:00..

Adult Sunday School is a study of scripture and ways to grow closer in relationship with God, each other and ourselves.  All are welcome to attend as well as to teach a class.  There are no tests or grades, only opportunities for learning, prayer, sharing and spiritual growth.

The following is a listing of recent and current topics.

Current Classes

CHRISTIAN MEDITATION GROUP

Repeated by request

 Four Week Group

Mondays, May 12, 19 and June 2, 9  

7p.m. until 8p.m.

This form of silent, imageless prayer using a mantra or prayer word is rooted in the Gospel, the letters of St. Paul and originated with the early Desert Fathers of the 4th century.  A Benedictine monk, Father John Main has rediscovered this ancient prayer tradition for contemporary men and women.  Today there are over 800 Christian Meditation groups around the world.

You don't have to already know how to meditate.  

Newcomers are welcomed to the group.  

The one hour meeting includes quiet music, a short talk on meditation, 25 minutes of silent meditation, followed by a question and answer period.

For further information, contact Heather Kahn at 248-225-7769.  

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Past Classes

Six Week Group

Mondays, February 11 through March 17, 2008  

CHRISTIAN MEDITATION GROUP

A Christian Meditation Group meets at Novi United Methodist Church each Monday from February 11 through March 17, 2008 from 7p.m. until 8p.m.

This form of silent, imageless prayer using a mantra or prayer word is rooted in the Gospel, the letters of St. Paul and originated with the early Desert Fathers of the 4th century.  A Benedictine monk, Father John Main has rediscovered this ancient prayer tradition for contemporary men and women.  Today there are over 800 Christian Meditation groups around the world.

Newcomers are welcomed to the group.  The one hour meeting includes quiet music, a short talk on meditation, 25 minutes of silent meditation, followed by a question and answer period.

For further information, contact Heather Kahn at 248-225-7769.

January 27, 2008.  Fasting, one of the Lenten traditions.

This class looks at the Judeo-Christian history of fasting and how it can help us walk more closely with God and each other.  Can it be more than giving up food?  Is there a place for fasting on our contemporary faith journey? 

December 2 thru 23    Advent Study

Four week Advent Study.  Discussion led by Heather Kahn.  For Advent, we will read and discuss the book, "Rejoicing in Hope" by James A. Harnish.  This book explores the Christmas story through the experiences of characters from the Book of Luke, each of whom finds joy in hope: Elizabeth and Zechariah ("The couple Who Expected the Unexpected"); Mary (The Girl Who Obeyed the Unseen"); Joseph ("The Husband Who Kept the Faith"); Simeon and Anna ("The Witnesses Who confirmed the Hope").

This four week study provides one lesson for each week of Advent.  Each lesson includes a reference to a key passage of Scripture, a brief reflection, questions for discussion or reflection, a brief prayer, and a focus for the coming week.

Each chapter is complete and self-contained, so you will benefit from each week's study even if you can not make it to all four.

Sept 16 thru Oct 28, 2007.       Book Study led by Pastor June.  

A Book Review of Reclaiming God's Original Intent for the Church by Wes Roberts and Glenn Marshall, from Amazon.com :

"If you are a Christian pastor, lay leader, or "pew potato" who is tired of hearing that "bigger is better," this book is for you! In a straightforward and engaging style, the authors write about defining the "success" of Christian ministries not in secular terms, but instead measured against Biblical standards-what a novel idea! In order to reflect of the Biblical meaning of "success," we are challenged to examine the Bible carefully to see what the early (i.e. before it became institutionalized) Christian church looked like."
Our study will be led by Pastor June M. Smith, Sundays from 11:15 to 12:00, with social time afterward - if the class chooses. It is NOT necessary to attend all six (6) weeks. 

This class is designed for all people, young and seasoned, long-time member or new, pew potato or lightly fried.

Here is the tentative schedule:

9/23/07 - Chapters 1 & 2: It's Not About The Old Ways - It's About The Much Older Ways,
It's About Authenticity - Not Size
9/30/07 - It's About Making Disciples - Not Simply Recruiting Volunteers
It's About a Calling - Not a Career
10/7/07 - It's About Character - Not Credentials!
It's About Community - Not Just Management
10/14/07 - It's About Trusting God - Not Technique
It's About Following the Spirit - Not Mere Strategizing
10/21/07 - Its About Serventhood - Not Power
It's About Fruit - Not Achievement
10/28/07 - It's About Listening - Not Just Preaching
It's About Love - Not Being Right
It's About Our Triune God - Not Us.

The Book of Esther

Beginning May 6 and concluding on May 20th, Heather Kahn will be teaching about and leading discussion on the Book of Esther.

April 29

Anna Graf will teach on a topic to be announced.

Learn about other Religions

April 22.  Dr. Betz King will teach us all about Wicca.

Caring for the Earth

April 15.  Adult Sunday School will be taught by Howard Kahn, who will lead a discussion of Earth Day and how our United Methodist Principles apply.

Walking The Labyrinth

April 1. Today’s Adult Sunday School will be taught by Paula Grisell-Goldstein.  She will be providing in-depth information about the labyrinth and its significance at this season.  Plan to experience the labyrinth on Friday, April 6 from 6 – 9 p.m. in Memorial Hall.

Personality Types and Prayer

Beginning Sunday, January 14, and for four consecutive Sundays, Rev. Phil Seymour will teach a class on Personality Types and Prayer for Adult Sunday School.

Ongoing classes in "Basic Training, The Basics of Methodism"

Special guest presenter on Oct 22.  The religion of Islam.

Dr. Soraya Orady, representing the Islamic Education and Resources Network, will present at our adult Sunday school on Oct 22 at 11:15.  She will be using a PowerPoint presentation and so we will be meeting in the sanctuary.  This is an important part of our diversity theme, so we hope for a very high attendance.   Jesus taught us to love our neighbor.  To love our neighbor, we must get to know our neighbor.  Please be there. 

New Adult Sunday School Class Begins Sept 24

  Rev. John Kershaw will begin a new series today that we’ll just call “Basic Training”.  The focus will be defining Methodism and what it is we believe.  There will be lots of discussion, use class members’ favorite scriptures to make the various points.  It will be a very interesting series and all adults are welcome to be part of the class.

Adult Sunday School Starts Sept 17 With a New Study

Lectio Divina is a way to approach the Bible devotionally by believing that, because it is God's inspired Word, it is a living text that has something to say to each individual believer.  By entering deeply into the text of God's Holy Word, God will be made known to us, speak to us and shape our lives.  This class will provide an opportunity to experience this ancient method of developing friendship and communion with God.  

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