LENTEN STUDIES PROGRAM 2011

As we journey toward the Cross in Lent, we are called to examine how we image the God who calls us into new life through the ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus. We will look at our God images and how they shape our self-identity and our caring for one another. We will look at metaphors for God as rock, protecting wings, king, woman in labor, wrestler, etc and do some work with bibliodrama and Genesis 32, Jacob wrestling with God at the Jabbok River. We will also consider our familial, marital, and ministry myths (beliefs we hold about who we are that shape our thinking and actions) that push us toward certain God images and not others. This latter topic is drawn from the book, Grounded in the Living Word: The Old Testament and Pastoral Care Practices, co-authored by Denise Hopkins and Michael Koppel (pastoral care).

In our four sessions together (plus four more break-out sessions for study groups), we will explore and name the images that we hold of God, both conscious and unconscious; survey God images in the Bible, and suggest how these images affirm and challenge our God images; acknowledge which images promote or damage our self-esteem; and imagine alternative God images that nurture life-giving relationship with God.

• Presentation 1: Sunday, March 6, 9:45-10:45 a.m. - Climbing Jacob’s ladder: Exploring conscious and unconscious God images.
• Presentation 2: Sunday, March 6, 6:00-7:45 p.m. Who do you say I am?: God images in the Bible.
• Presentation 3: Sunday, March 13, 9:45-10:45 a.m. Image Idolatry: Making God into an idol.
• Presentation 4: Sunday, March 13, 6:00-7:45 p.m. Made in God’s image: naming ourselves in relation to God.

SMALL GROUP MEETINGS:

Following the Lenten Lectures, the entire congregation is encouraged to participate in small groups for study, reflection and sharing about the Lenten Series topic: God Images.

For the weeks of March 20, March 27, April 3 and April 10, small groups composed of 8-12 people will follow a study guide written by Denise Hopkins, the Lenten speaker, for this all-church study. There will be various days of the week offered for groups—evening groups, daytime groups, weekend/ weekday groups, all men, all women and mixed groups.

• Deepen your relationship with God and with one another
• All groups meet for 1 and 1/2 hours each week for four weeks
• Experienced, trained leaders facilitate each group
• Most groups begin the week of March 20 and end the week of April 10
• All groups meet at Lewinsville Presbyterian Church
• Childcare is provided for one morning group
• There are morning, afternoon and evening group meeting days and times

To participate in a group you may signup at one of the Small Groups table on Sunday mornings in St. Andrews Hall February 27, March 6 and March 13th. Or call the church office at 703-356-7200. Or CLICK HERE to see the Small Groups schedule and sign up online.

Updated March 13, 2011