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The Bethel Bible Series The Bethel Series Celebration at Bethel
Help celebrate a golden anniversary! 2008 is the 50th year of the Bethel Bible Series, born right here at Bethel. Harley Swiggum, then a young pastor, sensed a great need for Biblical literacy. With the support and encourage-ment of the Sr. Pastor, Morris Wee, Pastor Swiggum developed and wrote the Biblical overview now taught throughout the world.
On November 9th, we are going to honor Dr. Swiggum and celebrate what the Bethel Bible Series has meant to this church and hundreds of churches in more than 40 denominations around the globe. There will be a reception for Harley in the Emmaus Room after the 9:15 service; then a concert by the Unkalungs in the Pentecost Room, followed by a $5.00 Lunch in Borgwardt Hall. Join us to greet and thank Dr. Swiggum for this influential Bible study which has blessed and continues to bless the lives of more than one million Christians. - - -
The Bethel Series (Monday evenings, starting September 15 at 7:00 pm.), written and launched from our church 50 years ago, continues to fulfill its mission, world wide, guiding church members in a two year disciplined study of the Bible, in such a way that they encounter the Living Christ. This unique format uses the Bible as textbook, with the basic concept of an overview that ties Old Testament concepts to New Testament themes. It is in-depth Bible study that gives the Scriptures relevancy and equips students for mission and ministry, as they are able to apply the Word to their daily lives.
• No prior Biblical knowledge needed! • Study material designed for the layperson
A quote from the author: “I have always believed that there are no shortcuts to understanding the biblical message. The Bethel Series was written to enhance the student’s understanding of the Christian faith. The basic concept of a simple overview under disciplined training is timeless. It’s proven that.” —Dr. Harley Swiggum
You are invited to be a part of this challenging and exciting year long Bethel Series experience. The cost for materials is $40, and scholarships are available. Your reward will be new friendships, stimulating classes and an enriched and deepened faith. For more information and to register: Staff contact: Jacqui Shanda
Bethel Bible Series: a new chapter for Bethel
Way back in the late 1950's, Pastor Harley Swiggum, then an Associate Pastor at Bethel (and still a member here), developed a study of the entire Bible, which became known as the Bethel Bible Series. His idea was to train a carefully selected group of the congregation's members using a disciplined, high commitment arrangement, and then have these trainers teach the rest of the congregation.
This experiment, or should I say "dream", worked! After remarkable success here at Bethel, the Adult Christian Education Foundation was established and the Bethel Series was born. The Bethel Series was then offered to other congregations throughout the country, and later, around the world. Again the Bethel Series was greeted with great enthusiasm and participation.
Enter Yours Truly! In the summer of 1964, my congregation in Ohio sent me to Madison for two weeks of intensive Bethel Series training. Harley Swiggum was the teacher and I shall always remember that experience. In many ways, it was an awakening. I enthusiastically returned to Ohio and, for the next two years, had the privilege of training sixteen dedicated students. It was a wonderful experience for me, for those students, and then for our congregations.
The Bethel Series still lives on and, here at Bethel, each year a couple of classes are offered to members and taught by dedicated fellow members. Those will resume this fall.
The Bethel Series was born here at Bethel. It was and continues to be a blessing for many of our members and for others around the world. We are hoping for a re-birth experience here at Bethel Lutheran, and I am excited about this project.
In Christ,
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