“Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” – Deuteronomy 6:4-9
An old proverb states “Charity begins at home.” (In this proverb the word “charity” is used in its “archaic” sense as meaning ‘the love of humankind.”) So too, does spiritual growth and a healthy relationship with God. Weekly worship is a good beginning, but limiting one’s program of religious enrichment to worship alone is the spiritual equivalent of trying to rehabilitate an injury by doing physical therapy only once a week. It’s a routine and disciplined approach to Christian religious education that leads to real progress. Fortunately, there are many resources available for those wishing to grow spiritually.
September 9th is Rally Day, the beginning of a new year of Sunday School. Each Sunday at 9:30 am, persons of all ages have the opportunity to dig more deeply into scripture in the context of a community of believers. Discussion and study are facilitated by our committed Sunday School staff.
If Sunday School does not appeal to you, East Hills Moravian Church offers week-day Bible Study groups. On Tuesday, Jesus Saves, led by Eugene McDuffie, meets from 6:30 to 8:30 pm in the Parlor.
On Wednesday, Men’s Bible Study meets from 7:00 to 9:00 pm in the same room. There are also groups of Moravian Women who meet periodically and begin their time with Bible study. If self-study is your preference, Bible reading plans are available in most study bibles and in the Moravian Daily Text.
The Daily Text itself is available as a free daily email. Ideally, each of us would partake from a varied diet of individu and collective reflection and study.
Yet, HOW we go about continuing our Christian religious education matters far less than THAT we continue to feed our souls on a daily basis. Resolve to review and, if necessary, improve your personal program of religious enrichment this fall.