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The
origins of EFM lie far away in post-war United States where
Christians returning from service overseas were trying to make
sense of what they had seen and experienced. Their questions
were urgent and demanding: in the shadow of fascism and the
‘final solution’ could Christianity still have meaning for
contemporary life?
EFM
was thus developed as a programme which gives lay people access to
two vital resources: information about their Christian heritage
and the means to reflect on it in the context of their own life
experience. As all our experiences are different, so our
learning is different; and each person is valued and celebrated
for the unique gifts they bring to the course.
Our
current study group in Dundee is a glorious technicolour mix of
personalities and learning styles. For example: one student
has an imaginary ‘boat’ in which she travels through life, and
every week she adds a new passenger—someone she has met through
her reading and study of the Bible. After eighteen months of
study she has had to trade up to a bigger boat! These
fellow-travellers have given her confidence in speaking about her
faith and using it to respond to people in need.
Another
student finds parallels to the stories and human dilemmas of the
past in the futuristic world of science fiction. He uses his
imaginative insights to make the Christian faith relevant and
challenging to the young people in his church.
How
would you respond to Isaiah, to St Paul, or to Julian of Norwich?
What might they have to say to you? EFM isn’t right for
everyone, but it can be right for anyone.
If you
would like to know more you can...
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