Exactly correct Jackie! I know for a legal stand point each and every item of money that comes into the church has to be documented for federal government issues.. but I stand that no church should use those records to do what they did that was stated in the first post. The Churches mission should be there to help the needy, widows, and families down on there luck.... My husband once said in a sermon that churches are the worst in when a person is down instead of picking them up and helping them.. we just kick them again and again until they feel unwanted and unloved... THAT IS NOT WHAT WE ARE SUPPOSE TO DO! Show love and mercy and grace to those who need it.
Actually, while I appreciate your help and support, I really did not plea for it. I seriously wanted to know choices out there for church curriculum. I have sort of tried to make it up as I go, but feel like perhaps there is more or better out there. AND, I did find a church I wanted to move on to, but my dh was so upset over what happened he is just not ready. Things need to happen in due time. When he is ready, we will go. But for now, I do not want my children to go without. That is it, end of story. That is why I said I did not want to discuss it in my original post. I really just wanted ideas to religious curriculum. I did not even explain my beliefs because I have no interest in debating them. I figure I will look over everything everyone suggests and then pick the one that fits us the best.
As much as I don't care for home church :wink:, I can understand his hesitation, and feel you're right to wait until he's ready to go again. AND I feel you're right in wanting to do SOMETHING in the interim.
Then I apologize for taking this thread through all sorts of twists and turns. FYI, the material for which I posted a link is associated primarily with the Brethren church. It's so solid and Bible-based that the government of one African country has incorporated it into their national curriculum. When I met them a couple of years ago, I was very impressed when I learned that. (It's also a testament to how seriously some countries take Bible study.)
For starters, Quite simply The Bible. More specicically if you have a group that is mixed in terms of maturity in Christ, I recommend you teach the basics to start. For example, The Sermon on the Mount, 10 Commandments, the Gospel accounts, the Miracles, the Parables Romans Road to Salvation. Instead of focusing on the nit picky details and doing a word by word or verse by verse analysis with strongs numbers and concordances open on laps, I would begin with life applications. The Life Application Bible study and others like it are good resources BTW. Most folks want to improve their lives by applying scriptures and hearing discussion about what those scriptures mean and how they challenge others in the group will help all to mature. These things are less controversial and are great reminders of who we are supposed to be as Christians if we are more mature, and are at the same time great starting points for those new to Christ. I would not recommend starting with Revelations, and would tread lightly through the writings of Paul if there is any leaning toward denominational territory marking. If there is a great deal of spread in terms of educational level mixed with people coming from different ends of the sprectrums in terms of Evengelical - Fundamentalist - Liturgical starting in Genesis could become a mire very quickly also. Just ask me how I know these things. LOL Until the group has met and grown together and matured together spiritually I would avoid parts of the Bible that are often used in inter church theological melon seed spitting contests. Some who attend might perceive a power vacuum needing to be filled and might try take over the bible study with obscurities and side tracking the point of the devotional or by making it about politics. There are a lot of Good small group bible study guides to be found at the typical Christian bookstore. They do not have to implemented as a small group, but can instread be used by you / the leader as a road map and a resource for related verses, questions to ask or be prepared to discuss etc.
