United Methodist bishops plan to make this year’s Pentecost more than just a quick, red-festooned birthday party for the Christian church.
Instead, they hope to help United Methodists around the globe experience the Holy Spirit’s transforming and healing presence, just as Christ’s apostles did in Acts 2.
To that end, the Council of Bishops has released an eight-week Bible study titled “Pentecost People.” The resource — designed for use in the weeks following Pentecost Sunday on June 8 — aims to help the whole denomination move forward, after years of rancor, with a renewed sense of shared mission and a new vision.
“My hope is that we will feel inspired by the reclaiming of who and whose we are in Christ Jesus, being empowered by the Holy Spirit,” said Council of Bishops President Tracy S. Malone, who also leads the Indiana Conference.
Each week’s study includes Scripture readings, stories of faith in action, poetry by hymn writer Charles Wesley, questions for small groups and program suggestions. Each study also includes videos of short sermons delivered by eight of the bishops elected in 2022. In addition, Malone has a brief video to introduce the whole series.
