Adult Sunday School
Discipleship is a very important part of all we do at Faith EFC, as represented by our mission statement, which is taken from Colossians 1:28 -- '... so that we may present every one complete in Christ.' We challenge our people to be sacrificial with their time, talents, and resources. We desire to see all of our people involved regularly in each of the following: corporate worship, an instructional group setting, and a discipling relationship.
Faith & Science - Gary Shaw
The objective of this class is to review the basic tenets of science and of faith, in order to understand what each has
to offer, where they agree and disagree, and how to productively discuss differing perspectives, with both the secular-minded unbeliever as well as with believers of a different mindset. Notice that the title of the class is not "Faith
versus Science" or "Creation versus Evolution," and the intent of the class is not to take a defensive posture or
precipitate more demonization of science, scientists, or believers who hold different interpretations of Scripture. The
goal is instead to harmonize our knowledge of the world with our knowledge of the Word and to suggest that where
they seem to differ, we lack understanding and need more thought and discovery, either on the scientific side or on the
biblical interpretation side. In fact, a guiding concept is that God is creator of both our world and the Word, and so
both of these, the world and the Word, are legitimate means of understanding and knowing God. While all of the lesson
details are not finalized, the over-arching objectives of the class include:
beliefs, but rather to analyze and summarize the mainstream scientific findings, as well as complementary theological
views. Faith and science - irreconcilably different world views, or complementary ways of growing in the understanding
and knowledge of God?
to offer, where they agree and disagree, and how to productively discuss differing perspectives, with both the secular-minded unbeliever as well as with believers of a different mindset. Notice that the title of the class is not "Faith
versus Science" or "Creation versus Evolution," and the intent of the class is not to take a defensive posture or
precipitate more demonization of science, scientists, or believers who hold different interpretations of Scripture. The
goal is instead to harmonize our knowledge of the world with our knowledge of the Word and to suggest that where
they seem to differ, we lack understanding and need more thought and discovery, either on the scientific side or on the
biblical interpretation side. In fact, a guiding concept is that God is creator of both our world and the Word, and so
both of these, the world and the Word, are legitimate means of understanding and knowing God. While all of the lesson
details are not finalized, the over-arching objectives of the class include:
- Discuss the EFCA articles of faith and the important grounding points, such as the inerrancy of Scripture and God as creator
- Define science and how it works in terms of hypothesis, experiment, and revision
- Cover highlights in the development of science and the historically-recent bifurcation between science and faith
- Compare beliefs necessary for science and relate them to analogous Christian beliefs
- Discuss and compare scientific and theological views regarding the age of the universe, the age of the earth, human origins, evolution, and intelligent design
beliefs, but rather to analyze and summarize the mainstream scientific findings, as well as complementary theological
views. Faith and science - irreconcilably different world views, or complementary ways of growing in the understanding
and knowledge of God?
The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism - Sally Abbott
We face a big challenge as believers—how do we explain our faith in God and show that He is as relevant today as He was in Bible times? God is a mystery, and yet He is knowable.
In this book discussion class for women, we will study Timothy Keller’s book, THE REASON FOR GOD: Belief in an Age of Skepticism. It focuses on the theology of God and how to relate what we know about God to our world. We will study 7 major doubts people have about God (there can’t just be one true religion, how could a good God allow suffering, Christianity is a straitjacket, science has disproved Christianity, etc.), and we will cover 7 reasons for faith (the clues of God, knowledge of God, the reality of the resurrection, etc.).
Our goal is to be clear in knowing who God is and to be able to share what we know about Him effectively in our world. This class will be team-taught and include a prayer component.
In this book discussion class for women, we will study Timothy Keller’s book, THE REASON FOR GOD: Belief in an Age of Skepticism. It focuses on the theology of God and how to relate what we know about God to our world. We will study 7 major doubts people have about God (there can’t just be one true religion, how could a good God allow suffering, Christianity is a straitjacket, science has disproved Christianity, etc.), and we will cover 7 reasons for faith (the clues of God, knowledge of God, the reality of the resurrection, etc.).
Our goal is to be clear in knowing who God is and to be able to share what we know about Him effectively in our world. This class will be team-taught and include a prayer component.
Where Have We Been and Where Are We Now?
- Pastors Brad Johnson and Dan Kasey
This is the third year in the Basics of Christianity series. (Participation in the first two years is not required to attend this third segment.) During the first half of the year we will examine the highlights and pivotal events in 2000 years of Church history. How did the Church develop? Who are some of the influential Christians of the past? What is the history of the Evangelical Free Church of America? These are just a few of the topics we’ll cover. Even if you don’t normally get fired up about history, we're confident that you'll find this overview of the Church from the time of Christ until now both interesting and relevant to your walk today.
With a grounding in the past and how the Church came to be what it is today, we’ll do a quick study of major religions and cults and how they compare to Christianity. Ever wondered what Hindus believe? How about Muslims or Mormons? We’ll round out the year by looking at missions and evangelism in today’s world. There is a huge movement of Christianity in the world today!! Pastor Brad and Pastor Dan are team-teaching again this year (and this class will parallel what the senior high is studying). Hope to see you there!!
With a grounding in the past and how the Church came to be what it is today, we’ll do a quick study of major religions and cults and how they compare to Christianity. Ever wondered what Hindus believe? How about Muslims or Mormons? We’ll round out the year by looking at missions and evangelism in today’s world. There is a huge movement of Christianity in the world today!! Pastor Brad and Pastor Dan are team-teaching again this year (and this class will parallel what the senior high is studying). Hope to see you there!!
Thru the Bible - Larry Black
We can only come to really know God and His will by being in His Word continually as we mature in our Christian walk. What better way to be in the whole Word of God than to be involved in a well-structured "Thru The Bible" study with various helps and media support? The support of a participatory discussion group is very helpful in encouraging the accomplishment of one’s personal goal of really studying and digesting the complete counsel of God’s Word. This is your opportunity to join us on "The Bible Bus" – you can join in at any time.
This Sunday school class offers an opportunity to read through the entire Bible in a five-year cycle, supplemented by 30-minute Bible study radio broadcasts (WROL, WVNE, WEZE), podcasts, or mp3 downloads, 5 days a week with J. Vernon McGee. Daily reading schedules and "Notes and Outlines" for each book of the Bible are available from the Thru the Bible Radio ministry in advance of each book study. The daily broadcasts expand on the daily reading in a mini-commentary approach, linking the daily reading to the other parts of God’s Word for context and clarification.
J. Vernon McGee is an engaging teacher, combining wisdom with down-to-earth wit. This class is for all those who want to gain a more comprehensive and integrated understanding of God’s Word. You can jump into this study at anytime (Get on the Bible Bus) and be assured of completing a comprehensive study of the Bible over a five-year period.
This Sunday school year we will be reading, studying, and discussing the last four books of the Old Testament (minor prophets - Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi) and the New Testament books of Jude and Revelation, with major emphasis and time being spent on the book of Revelation (3 months). J. Vernon McGee makes this study colorful and exciting as he helps link/integrate the references in Revelation to the background and detail of the rest of God’s Word providing enlightenment to the richness of prophecy throughout the Bible.
All Aboard?
This Sunday school class offers an opportunity to read through the entire Bible in a five-year cycle, supplemented by 30-minute Bible study radio broadcasts (WROL, WVNE, WEZE), podcasts, or mp3 downloads, 5 days a week with J. Vernon McGee. Daily reading schedules and "Notes and Outlines" for each book of the Bible are available from the Thru the Bible Radio ministry in advance of each book study. The daily broadcasts expand on the daily reading in a mini-commentary approach, linking the daily reading to the other parts of God’s Word for context and clarification.
J. Vernon McGee is an engaging teacher, combining wisdom with down-to-earth wit. This class is for all those who want to gain a more comprehensive and integrated understanding of God’s Word. You can jump into this study at anytime (Get on the Bible Bus) and be assured of completing a comprehensive study of the Bible over a five-year period.
This Sunday school year we will be reading, studying, and discussing the last four books of the Old Testament (minor prophets - Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi) and the New Testament books of Jude and Revelation, with major emphasis and time being spent on the book of Revelation (3 months). J. Vernon McGee makes this study colorful and exciting as he helps link/integrate the references in Revelation to the background and detail of the rest of God’s Word providing enlightenment to the richness of prophecy throughout the Bible.
All Aboard?