Weekly Bible Study

Go deeper with curious conversations about the Scriptures and theology (what Christians believe) led by our pastor.

When: Twice on Tuesdays
Morning: 10 a.m. at Church of the Cross in the Courtyard Room
Evening: 6 p.m. at University UMC (1509 S. Santa Fe Ave.) in the basement

Upcoming Bible Study: Ephesians and Philippians

These New Testament books are letters written by the apostle Paul to the churches in Ephesus and Philippi. They explore how Christians should live together as one in Christ Jesus.

August 18: Ephesians 1-3

August 25: Ephesians 4-6

September 1: Philippians 1-2

September 8: Philippians 3-4

Upcoming Theology Study: The Holy Bible Explained (Kind Of)

Learn about how the Old and New Testaments were compiled, why books did (and didn’t) make it in, and how we have the English translations we know today.

September 15: The Old Testament

There is no study September 22.

September 29: The New Testament

A commonly asked question: which version (or translation) of the Bible should I use for study?

We do not require any one version of the Bible for study, and instead consider multiple versions at once to better understand the text. You should study with whichever version is most comfortable for you. Our pastor does provide the following recommendations:

  • The Christian Standard Bible (CSB) and New Intentional Version (NIV) are useful for any reader. They balance between word-for-word translation of the original languages, and readability in English.

  • The New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition (NRSVUE) is the preferred version in seminaries and academic settings.

  • The New Living Translation (NLT) is useful for new readers. It is accurate to the original languages while prioritizing readability in English making it easy to understand.

  • The English Standard Version (ESV) is useful for advanced readers. It prioritizes word-for-word translation of the original languages.

  • The King James Version (KJV) and paraphrased versions, like The Message (MSG), are not recommended for the kind of study we do together.