Adults

The purpose of this class is to explore and commend a distinctively Reformed Protestant vision of Christian growth for 21st Century evangelicals. We live in a society marked by a wide variety of options for approaching spirituality. Both secular people who are spiritual but not religious, and evangelical Christians wonder: “What will enliven my heart and my life? What must I do to experience transcendence, peace, and inner joy? Does new age spirituality, looking inward, practicing yoga, embracing Catholic mysticism or Eastern Orthodoxy present us with better options for communing closely with God than the traditional Christian means of grace?”

Despite the confusing array of options when it comes to spiritual formation in today’s marketplace of ideas, Reformed Protestants have rich biblical and historical resources for enjoying God and growing in the Christian life. The Christian life is a growing life. We are to “grow up into salvation” (1 Pet. 2:2) and we are to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 3:18). True Christian spirituality isn’t static but dynamic, inviting us to keep our hearts aflame for God. But how do we grow? And what is spiritual formation? 

Join us on Sunday mornings at 8:45am in the Ministry House as we ask and answer these questions and aim to become men and women who have hearts aflame for God in all of life. Along the way, we will not only define spiritual formation but will evaluate approaches to spiritual formation that are popular today but may prove to be unhelpful to long-term Christian growth.

This class is taught by our Pastor of Mission and Formation, Rick Whitlock, and will run for 12 weeks, every Sunday morning beginning at 8:45am from Sept. 7 till Nov. 23. 

It is important to revisit the foundations of the Reformed tradition to help us understand our identity as a Reformed church and how Scripture shapes our life together. In an age when many often feel rootless and skeptical, the Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF) provides a clear and thoughtful summary of biblical teaching that has guided faithful Christians since the mid-17th century. As one writer pointed out, "It is good to study texts which remind us that Christianity was not invented last Tuesday."

In the class, we will look at the WCF, exploring its historical background and its major doctrines: God, Scripture, salvation, worship, the church, and eschatology (the study of last things). We will also look through it to consider how these truths shape worship, ministry, and life in the modern world. No prior knowledge of the WCF is necessary to enjoy this class—just come curious.

Join us this fall for a 12-week class starting on September 7th at 8:45 AM as we rediscover a classic confession that helps Christians think, worship, and live with peace and joy. All are welcome!

Pastor Corey Smith and Bill Regan

The book of  2nd Samuel is full of action, telling the life story of King David.  We lurch from one dramatic moment to another.  We move from victory to defeat, from civil war to national victory.  We read of domestic dramas and national crises, miraculous interventions and faithful suffering.  There are heroes and villains.  But more often we meet people somewhere in between.  People whose lives are both good and bad, ugly and beautiful, selfless and self-serving - people just like us!

But through it all we see the hand of God, who is the true hero of 2nd Samuel. Even more thrilling is that you will see Jesus Christ, understanding more clearly the privilege and joy of following him today.  We are privileged to serve a King who came not to be served, but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many.

We encourage you to read the chapters 1-5 vs 5 of 2nd Samuel and complete the study questions related to this chapter from the study book below before our first meeting on September 7th.  You can also watch the videos below for a summary of both 1st and 2nd Samuel.

Our time together will begin with fellowship, small group time to discuss the questions in the study book and prayer. We will finish our time together with large group teaching.

Order book from here or: https://www.thegoodbook.com/bible-study-and-devotions/2-samuel-the-fall-and-rise-of-the-king

 from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/2-Samuel-Fall-Rise-King

Helpful Video 1st Samuel: https://bibleproject.com/videos/1-samuel/

Helpful Video 2nd Samuel: https://bibleproject.com/videos/2-samuel/

Most of us men want to be strong. We want to have a meaningful effect on this world, through our work, and in the lives of those we love. In his letter to Timothy, the Apostle Paul suggests to his son (in the faith), Timothy, that there is a kind of strength training that is more foundational than all the others: “Train yourself for godliness,” he says (1 Tim. 4:7). Physical training is good, financial success is helpful, social status is nice! But nothing surpasses training in godliness!

The Greek word for “training” doesn’t require any special language training to understand: gymnazō. The church of Jesus, the household of God, is a gym for training men (and women!) in godliness. Men, we are to become “fit for purpose” — men who have faith, character, and conduct that come from the gospel. Paul promises us this kind of training has value not only for this present life but for the life to come. Join us this Fall for our Monday night “workouts” as we study 1 Timothy and consider what kind of men we might become as God fits us for his purposes.

Details:

The Men’s Bible Study is led by our Pastor of Mission and Formation, Rick Whitlock, and will run for 8 weeks, every Monday evening beginning at 7:30pm from Sept. 8 till Oct. 27.