online bible study

[Frenchfrye]

Does anyone know of an online United Methodists study that helps show the love of Jesus?
I know the bible but when I read it it feels like a history or fictional book, I just need something that will show me the love of God and help me trust in Him more.

 

[RomansFiveEight]

Good question, French! I don't know of one, maybe someone else will chime in?

Do you have some particular interests, questions, or fields you want to study? (Like social issues, creation, the UMC and it's history, the Bible, etc.) I could maybe recommend a book written by a United Methodist or that at least would fit with UM theology.

Generally, nothing Adam Hamilton has written as bad. Not a bad idea to look him up and see if any of his books interest you. They range from "24 hours that changed the world", a book on the last day of Jesus' life presented from a historical perspective (going beyond the scriptures to study what we know about life then to paint as complete a picture as we know how of that last day). To "When Christians get it Wrong", a book about social issues (not about which is right or wrong; but just 'about' them) and how they affect young adults. His new one that just came out, I haven't read yet, is "Making Sense of the Bible" which is essentially a book written from a Wesleyan perspective on how to read and interpret the Bible. Rev. Hamilton is a United Methodist Pastor and author.

 

[GraceSeeker]

Sorry, I don't know any online studies either. But, I surely think you could do it yourself without the aid of a study guide just by reading the Gospels. I find that a lot of things that I first saw as history become much more than just history when I begin to imagine how those who lived through those narratives might have experienced them. When I read the stories of Jesus I wonder how the woman who was caught in adultery felt when grabbed by the mob and hauled before the rabbi, Jesus? What was she dreading as he stooped to write in the sand? Was she fearful, incredulous, overwhelmed when he didn't actually defend her but called for others to go ahead and stone her if they were without sin? What was it like when they did not, but walked away? Was she angry with Jesus for playing with her life like that? Was she relieved that he had turned the tables on those who were shaming and accusing her?

When one reads the Gospels asking these sorts of questions along the way, I think that the love of Jesus shows through -- though I don't intend to imply that this was the reason for which the Gospels were written, I think they were written to show more the love of God.

 

[Frenchfrye]

ok thank you I'll look up Adam Hamilton but until then I will read the Gospels through with a different mindset

thank you guys God bless.