Staff Contact:
Pastor Curt Everson| Email

(608) 257-3577

The Bethel Bible Series

Bethel Series Classes: Fall 2012 - Spring 2013

The Bethel Series, written and launched from our church, is an overview of the Bible. It uses key concepts, posters, discussion and video filmed in the Holy Land, focusing on the themes of Covenant, God's faithfulness, purpose and provision.

A unique emphasis of the Bethel Series is to learn to think in Hebrew to get in touch with the Jewish roots of the Christian faith. Emphasis is also placed on the relevance of the Biblical text to our lives. The cost for materials is $40.00; scholarships are available.

• No prior Biblical knowledge needed.
• Classes offer optional weekly assignments: regular attendance is encouraged.
• For those who desire, in-depth study is possible. Bring your Bible and your questions to enrich and deepen your faith.

Old Testament Classes

Sundays, Sept 30 – Dec. 16, Jan 6 – April 28 from 10:15 – 11:05 am
Teacher: Ruth Hanson

"I have always believed that there are no shortcuts to understanding the biblical message. The Bethel Series was written to enhance the student's understanding of the Christian faith. The basic concept of a simple overview under disciplined training is timeless. It's proven that."
—Dr. Harley Swiggum


Bethel Bible Series : A New Chapter for Bethel

Way back in the late 1950's, Pastor Harley Swiggum, then an Associate Pastor at Bethel (and still a member here), developed a study of the entire Bible, which became known as the Bethel Bible Series.
His idea was to train a carefully selected group of the congregation's members using a disciplined, high commitment arrangement, and then have these trainers teach the rest of the congregation.

This experiment, or should I say "dream", worked! After remarkable success here at Bethel, the Adult Christian Education Foundation was established and the Bethel Series was born. The Bethel Series was then offered to other congregations throughout the country, and later, around the world. Again the Bethel Series was greeted with great enthusiasm and participation.

Enter Yours Truly! In the summer of 1964, my congregation in Ohio sent me to Madison for two weeks of intensive Bethel Series training. Harley Swiggum was the teacher and I shall always remember that experience. In many ways, it was an awakening. I enthusiastically returned to Ohio and, for the next two years, had the privilege of training sixteen dedicated students. It was a wonderful experience for me, for those students, and then for our congregations.

The Bethel Series still lives on and, here at Bethel, each year a couple of classes are offered to members and taught by dedicated fellow members. Those will resume this fall.

The Bethel Series was born here at Bethel. It was and continues to be a blessing for many of our members and for others around the world. We are hoping for a re-birth experience here at Bethel Lutheran, and I am excited about this project.

In Christ,
Pastor Curt Everson