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Bible Month

What is Bible Month

Bible Month is an annual campaign that celebrates scripture by inviting the whole Methodist Connexion to feast on one particular book of the Bible together.*

Through a menu of carefully curated resources, training and learning opportunities, churches and circuits are encouraged to taste and see the goodness of an individual text; enjoying some of its unique flavours, considering its origins, appreciating its place alongside the rest of scripture, and savouring the unique contribution it might make to our faithful living and learning today.

*Typically, churches engage with Bible Month during June and many of the resources and training opportunities are timed accordingly. It is possible, however, for churches to choose a different month in the year in which to engage with the materials if that works better for their local calendars and needs.

Bible Month 2022 

In 2022, we’re going to feast upon the Book of Isaiah

Isaiah is a highly significant book that sits right at the centre of the Bible – not only in terms of where it appears, but in terms of its theological significance. It encapsulates the core strands of the Old Testament, summarising the story and struggles of Israel, and proclaiming God’s plans and promises for its people. It is also referenced again and again by the New Testament writers who are eager to demonstrate that Jesus and the early Church can be seen as the fulfilment of those plans and promises. In short, it is one of the best texts for helping us to trace a story-arc through the whole Bible; hear God’s heart for God’s people, appreciate what the writers of the New Testament are saying, and reflect on who Jesus is and who we are called to be as the Church today.

 Order your copy of the 30 Days with Isaiah booklet from the Preach website now. 


Because Isaiah is rather long, it might seem like a daunting book to explore. But, rest assured, this year’s menu of resources, training and learning opportunities is set to make it really accessible for everyone in your context, so no one finds themselves biting off more than they can manage...

To start with, we’re taking more of a thematic approach to the book. Each week we’re encouraging reflection on a different fundamental theme of the book.

Week 1: Tough Love
Week 2: A Light to the World
Week 3: The Faithful Servant
Week 4: A New World

 

Alongside these themes, individuals, groups, circuits and churches will be encouraged to chew over the text and message of Isaiah in a whole host of different ways. This year’s menu plans include

  • 30 Days with Isaiah: including Study Notes, Timelines, Reflections, Small Group Session Plans and Children, Youth & All-Age Worship Content, etc.
    (Available now - click on the link above)
  • Preparation Training Sessions: for those involved in promoting, encouraging and facilitating Bible Month locally (Local Preachers, Worship Leaders, Small Group Leaders, etc). 
    (Running in March - click the link to see more details on our Eventbrite page)
  • Engagement Opportunities: including reading plans, artistic reflections, Ignatian meditations, etc.
    (Posted weekly during June - Like, Subscribe and keep an eye on our Facebook page for more)
  • Exploration Webinars: looking at the implications and applications of the different themes for our faithful living and learning today.
    (Running weekly in June - click the link to see more details on our Eventbrite)

 

An Introduction to Isaiah

Below is a short video from Rev Dr Helen Paynter – author of the 30 Days with Isaiah study notes - about what makes Isaiah so worth reading.

 

Use these platforms to access and engage with Bible Month 2022:


The Bible Month Eventbrite
Here you can see and sign-up to upcoming Bible Month training and events (you can also browse through the calendar below to see what is happening when.


The Bible Month Facebook Page

Here you can ‘like’ ‘follow’ and join in on the general conversation about Bible Month itself as well as find updates, links and details for Bible Month related events and resources.

The Bible Month YouTube Channel

Here you can find helpful videos including input from the Study Guide authors, full-length recordings of the various Learning Network events, and bite-sized input and guides to help you prepare for delivering Isaiah in your context.

 

 

Bible Month 2022 Further Resources

There are lots of Bible Month related resources coming out in the next few months and so we encourage you to keep checking out the Facebook page and YouTube channel. Here are a few key documents though that might be particularly useful:

  • B&W Version of Study Notes (Pdf)
    This is not the full version of the Study Guide which you can order from the Preach website. This is a reduced, black and white version with the core preaching notes for those wanting to prepare for Bible Month sermons and small group sessions.

  • Bible Month 2022 Learning & Development ‘Menu’ (Pdf)
    This is a guide to the various Bible Month related training, events and learning opportunities being run by the Learning Network throughout 2022. It includes links and contact details for signing up to and finding out more about all the events.

  • Hymns for Bible Month worship
    A starter list of hymns from Singing the Faith and StF+ to help worship and sermon planning. Selected to reflect the four themes developed for the Bible Month resource, together with hymns that say something about Isaiah's call and prophetic task.

  • Bible Month Training Day Info and Hub Host Guidance Pack (Pdf)
    This year's Bible Month Training Day for Local Preachers and Worship Leaders is on the 19th March. We want everyone to feel included and to make this a day of learning and fellowship that anyone can access. As such, we will be live streaming the training and are encouraging circuits to host a local hub for this event. Why not bring together local preachers, worship leaders and other interested parties, watch the live stream together and take advantage of the various opportunities that will be on offer throughout the day to reflect, discuss and imagine how you might encourage your circuit to join in with and enjoy Bible Month. This guidance pack will lead you through organising a local hub for this event, including tips for making the most of the day.
  • Introduction to Isaiah and the 30 Days study notes (video)
    This is a short video from Helen Paynter offering an overview of the study notes. She explains some of the historical realities that brought the text of Isaiah into being, how and why she has divided the text into the four themes she has, and celebrating some of the contributions Isaiah can make to our lived faith today. We recommend that this be played during Local Preacher’s Meetings as a way of introducing LPs and WLs to Bible Month and this year’s resource.

  • Church and Circuit Resource Pack (.zip folder)
    This year we have put together a Resource Pack for churches and circuits. It includes PowerPoint templates, the Bible Month graphics, colour palettes and illustrations, access to the promo and intro videos, and more. Use these to help you promote and encourage engagement with Bible Month in your context.

  • Isaiah Reading Plan (Pdf)
    We don't just want to encourage churches and circuit to talk and read about Isaiah - we want to encourage them to read it too! But it is a long book. So we've broken it down into this guided reading plan which also includes some helpful notes to help you get the most out of reading it together.

 

Past Bible Month Archives:

You can access information and resources for past years' Bible Month books by clicking on the links below.

 

 

 


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