Kerygma -
Adult Bible Study

At St. Mark's

Beginning in January two Bible Classes will explore some of the Bible’s great themes traced through the Old and New Testaments.

The group meets on Mondays 9:30-11:00 am. Study Guides ($16) are available from the Daughters of the King Book Table.

Call Sherre Henley at 813-988-5479 for information.

Nationally

History & Organization

Kerygma (ke·ryg·ma) is a Greek word. [Greek kêrugma, preaching, proclamation, from kêrux, kêrug-, herald.]. Originally it meant the proclamation of a herald who brought the news of the day, or a government official who made state announcements. The early Christian church gave the Greek word a new meaning, and in the New Testament the word kerygma is used to indicate the content of the message announced by the church. Kerygma has since been variously translated as "proclamation" or "preaching" or "word proclaimed."

The Kerygma Program uses the word kerygma as the early church did, and also to indicate the whole biblical message, the gospel that is found both in the Old Testament and New Testament. The Program has taken kerygma for its name because we seek to support congregations in their reading and hearing "The Word" from back then to us here and now.

Kerygma was first published in 1977. It began with a single study course; now there are twenty five. Over 16,000 congregations representing over 30 denominations have used Kerygma with positive results.

The ancient kerygma as summarized by British scholar C. H. Dodd from Peter's speeches in Acts was:

	The Age of Fulfillment has dawned, the "latter days" foretold by the prophets.
	This has taken place through the birth, life, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
	By virtue of the resurrection Jesus has been exalted at the right hand of God as Messianic head of the new Israel.
	The Holy Spirit in the church is the sign of Christ's present power and glory.
	The Messianic Age will reach its consummation in the return of Christ.
	A appeal is made for repentance with the offer of forgiveness, the Holy Spirit, and salvation.

Christ, of course, was the center of this ancient kerygma. The cross and resurrection are crucial to the kerugmatik preaching of Christ.

Kerygma Principles

Six summary convictions have guided the development of Kerygma resources:

	The biblical story provides the essential foundations for adult Christian education.
	The interpretation of biblical materials should take place in the context of the whole canon.
	The best tools of critical scholarship should be utilized in such interpretation.
	Lay people are willing and able to participate in serious study of the Bible.
	The best teaching strategies actively involve adults in their own learning.
	The purpose of Bible study is to discern God's word for the contemporary community of faith.

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