This morning we introduced Connections, the next step in the development of our Sunday morning Bible study for adults.

Background

The large-groups assembly is a vital time to come together as a church to hear the Word of God together and respond in celebration through song, the Lord’s Supper, and prayer. However, the large-group gathering does not allow us to interact with Gods truth in the way smaller groups do. To facilitate that better, last year, we began offering more classes during the Bible study time.

There is another thing that the large-group assembly doesn’t allow for very well… that is the ability to get to know one-another in a meaningful way. We have other venues for that, like small-groups that meet in homes and getting involved serving regularly in a ministry area, but it can be a big step from being relatively anonymous on Sunday morning to jumping into a small group or finding the ministry where you are ready to serve on a regular basis.

So, we are taking some additional steps to make the second half of Sunday morning more relationally oriented, creating environments where we connect with one another as we connect with God through the study of His Word. We are calling this Connections because we connect with God and each other.

We want to enhance the opportunity to connect relationally without taking away from our fundamental commitment to study of the Bible; so, we are making a few changes to allow us to add the relational aspect without diminishing the study aspect.

What’s New

First, we are adding 15 minutes to the time we have. This will give us as least as much time as before to dig into Gods Word, while adding in time for the class to get to know one another better.

Second, we are changing the way we think about Connections. In the past we would dismiss the congregation and suggest that people take advantage of one of the Bible studies. Starting in September, we are now looking at the end of the corporate assembly as simply the intermission in a two-part event that gives us the opportunity to get to our smaller groups.

Third, we are creating classes around demographics or other areas that might be of interest to a particular group within the body.

Classes

GOSPEL CONVERSATIONS

Greg Glaze and Hugh Williams

Few people are gifted evangelists. That’s OK—God can give out gifts as He sees fit. But all of us are commanded to make disciples, so the rest of us just have to work harder at it. “Gospel Conversations: What the Gospel is, how to explain it to others, and answer their challenges, objections, and questions” aims to make the hard work more enjoyable, and hopefully, not so hard after all.

Goals: Our first goal is just to develop a clear understanding of what the Gospel is. You can’t communicate it effectively if you don’t understand it! From there, we seek to develop skills in relating the Gospel to situations that arise in everyday life. Finally, we will not only build your confidence in answering people’s questions about the Gospel, but we will also help you understand the value of one of Jesus’ trademark approaches to talking with people—answering questions with questions. You’ll find it’s a great way to make people think more clearly about the Gospel and less about their hang-ups with “religious stuff.”

Format: Our classes will have a short instruction time followed by plenty of class discussion and interactive exercises. Topics for instruction and discussion will include:

• The biblical accounts of Jesus’ interactions with people to see if we can learn something about the way we ought to maneuver in conversations about the Gospel
• Quotes, news items, and clips from movies and TV to see how we can turn conversations about the everyday things of life toward the Gospel
• Topics from selected books, articles, and audio presentations that address the question of how we engage in conversations about the Gospel

Who Should Attend: This class will target the “Homebuilders” group—thirtysomethings with kids—but it is open to anyone with an interest in getting equipped to spread God’s fame through everyday conversations with the people around us.

AGE OF OPPORTUNITY: A BIBLICAL GUIDE TO PARENTING TEENS

Larry Farlow

This course, based on the book by Paul David Tripp, is primarily designed for parents of middle school and high school aged children. However, anyone with an interest in discipling children during the sometimes difficult teen years would benefit from this study.

We will cover the topic from three broad perspectives:

• Clearing the Debris: What are the messages we receive from the culture regarding the teenage years and how do those stack up against Biblical truth?
• Setting Godly Goals: If we don’t know where we’re going, we can’t get there. What goals should we have for our kids during the teen years and beyond? What goals should we have for ourselves as their parents?
• Practical Strategies for Parenting Teens: What are some specific things I can do that will help me be in a position to be used by God in the life of my teenager?

If time permits we will also spend some time at the end of the course on overcoming the fear of others from Edward Welch’s book When People are Big and God is Small. The desire to be liked and accepted by others is a huge issue in the life of many teens. What can we do as parents to help our children to fear God rather than man?

ISSUES & ANSWERS: WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT SOME OF LIFE’S MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

John Voss

• Why should I attend Church?
• Do we have a responsibility to care for the environment?
• Why didn’t God choose everyone to be saved?
• Does God love the elect and hate the non-elect?
• What Is the Secret to Contentment?
• Does God answer the prayers of unbelievers?
• How can salvation involve real human choice when God has already made a sovereign choice?
• Is the virgin birth an essential doctrine?
 Can someone deny it and still be a Christian?
• What does the Bible say about war?

These questions and many more will be addressed in a class entitled Issues & Answers. It is the goal of the class to present answers to these questions for your edification and to equip you in your witness.

This class is oriented toward those in their twenties but all are welcome.

ISRAEL IN EXILE

Ken Rutherford

Some of Israel’s darkest hours are marked by the writing of some of the most interesting and challenging books of the Old Testament. Join us for an overview of the books of Daniel, Ezekiel, and Esther and learn how these diverse books are bound together by the common thread of God’s providence, provision, and protection.

Connections begins September 7th.