Fasting

During our discussion of Islam’s observance of Ramadan, I think a lot of people shared that they had fasted at some point in the past.  Interestingly, it seemed that many had done it “in their youth” but hardly anyone had done it recently.  I know I haven’t.

While I don’t think by any means it needs to be a part of one’s regular worship, I do think we should be doing it at least occassionally.  I encourage everyone to sit down with a calendar and set out a day (whether it is a 24 hour day or just sunrise to sunset) in the next month to fast and pray.

I think it can be an experience that organically connects with the rest of your day, as long as you don’t have extensive plans.  I personally plan to pray for this class as I fast, both that new folks who are seeking a good class will find us, and also that those in the class will really grow close to one another.  I welcome anyone who would like to join in this prayer!

Marriage/Family Unit

New associate pastor Dave Dunderdale has agreed, schedule permitting, to lead a study on marriage and/or family issues starting sometime in May, after we finish this unit (Islam) and the next (Ephesians).  I for one am thrilled to see some faces other than my own at the “front” of the class (even though we always sit in a circle), as Matt Wallace will be teaching the Ephesians unit.

Schedule through March

In our study of Islam, we have covered the first two of the five pillars of faith.  We will continue on through the final three pillars, and then add on a few Sundays to the unit to cover some material that may not have come up before then — for example, we may not reach the idea of jihad in a study of the five pillars.

After the Islam study concludes, Matt Wallace will be leading a unit on Ephesians.  Then, in late spring, we will start on a practical study, probably on marriage.

Islam!

Our next series, starting Feb.3rd, will study Islam and use that “other” monotheistic religion as a comparison point for Christianity.  How does our treatment of the Bible differ from theirs of the Quoran?  Jesus vs. Mohammed?  The church-state relationship?  The place of women?  These questions and perhaps more will be the subject of open discussion, and I hope we can fill in each other’s gaps.  We will also be watching short portions of various videos on Islam to give us some foundational information and promote conversation.