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The Bethel Bible Series is a terrific Bible study providing adults within a two year framework, an overview of the Biblical history and the Scritpures. Pastor Don will be beginning a new study of Bethel in the fall if we have enough recruits (minimum 10 adults.)
03/26/2008
THE BETHEL BIBLE SERIES
WELCOME
WHAT BETHEL IS...
WHAT BETHEL IS NOT...
1. An overview of the Bible dealing with
1. A book-by-book study, though we will themes and history of the Scriptures.
cover the books of the Bible in a
historical
2. A systematic,
sequential study of the Bible
2. "Jump to the New Testament" as if the building on previous themes and earlier
lessons.
Old
Testament has no place or value to
3. Work- Fun- Learning
3. A word-by-word analysis of the and you may arrange those three in your own
4. Boring!
4. One of the best
Bible studies around with over 2.5 million
successfully completing the
THE BETHEL HISTORY
Developer: Harley Swiggam, an American Lutheran Church pastor
called to the Bethel Lutheran congregation of Madison, WI.
His teachers complained about the quality of materials to teach
in their classes. Harley looked over the material and talked with his volunteer teachers.
His diagnosis was they did not "know" the Bible. Assuming that will knowledge,
they could teach anything regardless of its quality of they knew the "Book."
The congregation empowered Harley to study and draft a teaching
approach to equip them (the teachers) to teach God's Word to the students. He did and he
taught them. His genius shines in the material and the concepts and methodology of
teaching the Bible.
In 1961, they went through the two-year study with Harley.
Friends of the teachers asked Harley if they could learn it next. The members of Bethel
Lutheran knew something VERY special was created. They incorporated the Adult Christian
Education Foundation to manage the affairs of the newly growing "Bethel Series."
Interest grew both in the US and around the world. Bethel is now
taught in over 25 nations and throughout over 30 denominations. It is both global and
ecumenical.
Harley promised to update some sections. But the decades past
without updates. With this section, the updates have been completed. You are part of
something NEW and something OLD! WELCOME!
PASTOR DON'S HISTORY WITH BETHEL
While Don went away to college, Pastor Ed at St. Mark Lutheran in
Pittsburgh enrolled the congregation into the Bethel Series. There is an enrollment fee of
some consequence. Ed took some 15 adults through the Teacher Training phase of the Bethel
study. It was nothing less than transformational in the lives of members.
Pastor Don in 1978 in his second call was authorized to enroll
Good Shepherd Lutheran into the Bethel family at a cost of $1,000. Pastor went to Madison,
WI and be taught over two full weeks in the two-year study with Harley Swiggam. This would
be the last time Harley taught his own material, thereafter, others teach his overview.
Pastor Don recruited 14 adults in his first class in 1979 at Good Shepherd and had
wonderful changes in members' lives. He taught another 2-year study before moving and
accept another call.
In Indianapolis, the First Trinity congregation had already been
an 'enrolled' congregation. There had not been any classes for over 10 years. Pastor
recruit adults in 3 separate sections to study with him: in 1984,1986,1988.
In coming to Our Saviour in 1993, Pastor waited, learned and
watched the existing ministries of the people. He proposed in 1996 that the congregation
enroll in Bethel. Our enrollment was $800. Pastor Don did some quick talking to reduce the
cost since he was already trained and used the materials so much.
In 1997, Pastor Don recruited and began with 25 adults at Our
Saviour in the Bethel classes. One died during the time period (not in the class, he
assures us). The remaming completed the study.
This year, 2000, Pastor will begin the Unit A congregation phase
and Linda Carrick, a professional teacher and a caring Christian will continue on the
journey with the class with Unit B.
To date, Pastor Don has in 20 years brought 125 adults "safely" through the study of two years. Of all the aspects of pastoral ministry, Pastor Don considers this aspect, the Bethel Series, one of the most significant parts of his ministry, teaching God's Word and watching the changes in people's lives.
SYMBOL PICTURES USED IN TEACHING/LEARNING THE BIBLE. THE SYMBOLS MAKE RECALL EASIER.