Adult Christian Education
“He said to him: ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’”
Matthew 22: 37
At Trinity Avenue Presbyterian Church, loving God with all your mind is nurtured through ongoing Christian education. We invite all who love God to continue the journey of faith through a variety of classes, programs and activities.
Sunday School classes are offered weekly in several different formats, ranging from traditional Bible study with a weekly curriculum to discussion-based classes; from theological classes to literature-based studies. Classes are held in the Education building on Sunday morning from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m.
CONNECT & DEEPEN
Led by Carl Badger, this class aims to deepen faith, love, and hope by various means and media: from Bible study to discussing contemporary cinema and music messages. This fall the focus will be a study of why we worship as we do, including: the elements of worship, the negotiable and non-negotiable aspects of worship, the ways in which language and gender affect our worship, the centrality of the sacraments, music and singing in worship, and understanding the role of preaching. (Meets in the upstairs education wing)
FIRST-HAND FAITH
This class of singles, couples and college students will embark this fall on a lively study of the Christian practices that sustain our faith. The focus of the study will be based upon reading and discussing WHEN HELPING HURTS; HOW TO ALLEVIATE POVERTY WITHOUT HURTING THE POOR, by Corbett and Fikkert.
The authors have backgrounds in economics and community development and work out of the Chalmers Center for Economic Development at Covenant College. They have interesting approaches to understanding and alleviating poverty, getting churches (or small groups within a church) involved in poverty-related outreach, and enhancing stewardship for members that may need support within a congregation.
Leadership of the class is shared amongst members with an overview of the weekly reading provided at the beginning of each class. Purchase of a Student Guide is urged to allow attendees to keep up with the readings. (Meets in the upstairs education wing)
GEORGE MATTHIS CLASS
With leadership shared amongst members, this welcoming, traditional class utilizes THE PRESENT WORD, a quarterly lesson series developed by the PCUSA. This fall, the study focuses on a survey of Old Testament wisdom literature. Lessons are collected from Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon. An examination of Jesus’ teaching, taken from the book of Matthew, is also included. (Meets in the upstairs education wing)
GEORGE WATTS CLASS
With leadership shared amongst members, camaraderie and years of wisdom make this class for men and women of all ages a great group for singing, study, and reflection. Employing the PCUSAís quarterly lesson series, THE PRESENT WORD, this fall the class will focus on a survey of Old Testament wisdom literature. Lessons are collected from Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon. An examination of Jesus’ teaching, taken from the book of Matthew, is also included. (Meets in the Tuthill Room, beside the Parlor)
LIFE & FAITH
Led by Michele Maxwell, this fall the class will study the newly released book THE STORY, by Max Lucado and Randy Frazee. Condensed into thirty-one accessible chapters, THE STORY sweeps you into the unfolding progression of Bible characters and events arranged chronologically from Genesis to Revelation, allowing the stories, poems, and teachings of the Bible to read like a novel. The text of THE STORY is taken >from the New International Version of the Bible and reveals the unfolding, grand narrative of the Scriptures while putting the major stories of Scripture into their place within the big picture. To allow attendees to keep up with related weekly readings the purchase of a Student Guide is urged. (meets in the Bridal Parlor)
SOLA SCRIPTURA CLASS
Led by Reverend Tom Robinson, this fall the class will study and discuss some of the literature of C.S. Lewis, beginning with THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS, published first in 1942. This classic takes the form of correspondence from a worldly wise old devil, Screwtape, to his nephew Wormwood, a novice demon in charge of securing the damnation of an ordinary English man. After Thanksgiving, the class will move to THE PROBLEM OF PAIN, a book that presents a theodicyóan attempt to reconcile orthodox Christian belief in a just, loving and omnipotent God with pain and suffering. It might seem strange to study a theodicy as we move through Advent and Christmas, but the class will reflect upon the fact that during the dark years of World War II, Christians continued to celebrate the Incarnation. (Meets in the upstairs education wing)
TRINITY
Led by Bill Waddell, this discussion-based class seeks to create opportunities for each member to explore and articulate their faith in a caring environment. This Sunday School year the focus will be on the foundations of our faith, beginning with a study of how the Bible came to be. This will be followed by an exploration of the many ways people define the Gospel message, then a study of the essential creeds and confessions of the reformed church. Finally, the class will focus on Presbyterian 101: The fundamentals of the Presbyterian tradition (Meets in the upstairs education wing)
Wednesday Night Light programs are offered monthly and feature a guest speaker from the community to offer insight into timely issues and topics that offer opportunities for ministry outside our church walls.
The Bible Breakfast Bunch is a women’s Bible study that meets weekly on Wednesday mornings.
Presbyterian Women circles offer Bible study, service projects and fellowship on a monthly basis.
See the church calendar for upcoming Wednesday Night Light programs and Sunday School start dates.
