Adult Education Opportunities
at First United Methodist Church
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Sunday Mornings
New Participants are always welcome in any of the Sunday Morning classes:
The Trinity Class meets in the 1st Floor Lounge at 9:30 every Sunday morning. They usually choose a book to study together. Currently, they are reading and discussing the book Messy Spirituality; God’s Annoying Love for Imperfect People by Michael Yaconelli:
"I Guess I’m Not a Very Good Christian . . ."
Do you feel like: I don’t pray enough I don’t read my Bible enough I don’t share my faith enough I don’t love God enough I’m not committed enough I’m not spiritual enough, then this book is for you. Messy Spiritualtiy was written for the silent majority of us who have been convinced that we just don’t do Christianity right. We spend most of our lives worried about what we don’t do instead of what we have done, focused on our imperfections instead of God’s fondness for the imperfect. Why? Because we’ve been bombarded with books, tapes, talks, seminars, and movies convincing us that real Christianity is all about perfection.
Michael Yaconelli dares to suggest that imperfection, unfinishedness, and messiness are, in fact, the earmarks of true Christianity; that real Christianity is messy, erratic, lopsided . . . and gloriously liberating.
In the book we read, “this book is for messy Christians. Christians with problems, Christians who struggle, men and women who do things they regret…What if genuine faith begins with admitting we will never have our act completely together? Maybe messy disciples are exactly the kind of imperfect people Jesus came to earth for and whose company he actually enjoyed—and still enjoys.”
The Seekers’ Class meets in the Student Lounge on the 2nd Floor at 9:30. They practice what is known as the Taize method - each week they read over a short Scripture passage, followed by a meditation or reflection on the passage. After reading and reflecting on the message, members of the class freely share their own thoughts as they feel comfortable. The class is very casual, and there is no out of class preparation. Just come and listen, think and share.
Our newest Adult Sunday School Class Is currently participating in a 12 week study of Following Jesus; Steps to a Passionate Faith by Carolyn Slaughter.
When we joined the United Methodist Church, we promised to support the church by our prayers, our presence, our gifts and our service. These are steps that lead to a deeper relationship with Jesus and a more passionate faith, but how do we take these steps in our faith journey?
This study explores that through chapters that include:
Part 1 – Rediscovering Jesus
1 – Jesus the Messiah
2 – Unique Characteristics of Jesus
3 – Savior of the World
4 – Savior of All
Part 2 – Growing in the Spirit
5 – The Holy Spirit
6 – Understanding Spiritual Fruit
7 – Understanding Spiritual Gifts
8 – Sharing the Spirit
Part 3 – Living in Faith and Service
9 – Spiritual Disciplines: Keys to God's Heart
10 – The Church: Community of Christ
11 – Understanding God's Call
12 – God's Place for You
Carolyn Slaughter states in the introduction, "In this study, you'll be searching for answers about the identity of Jesus and his role in your life, you'll discover more about your own spiritual gifts for ministry and new ways to be in service, and you'll think more deeply about what it means to be part of the church, the community of Christ."
This class meets in the Church Library Sunday mornings at 9:30. Questions? Contact Sharon at 593-3977 x 11 or fink@firstumcathens.org
Looking for Something to Do During After-Church Children’s Activities? Sharon Fink invites you to join her and spend some intentional time together while you wait for the rehearsals to end. There’s no homework and no pressure to be there every week. We may share a devotion, Scripture, explore some thought-provoking questions, and, for sure, pray together. It’s always fun to see where God leads us each time we gather. While we meet for the entire hour, those who need to leave after Children’s Choir concludes can easily do so. We meet in the 1st Floor Lounge at 11:45 a.m. and meet whenever rehearsals occur.
DISCIPLE is a program of disciplined Bible study aimed at developing strong Christian leaders. It focuses on the disciple as learner, believer, follower, proclaimer, and servant while providing the fellowship of a small group for study, prayer, preparation, support, and servanthood.
Short-term Disciple series has recently become available and is offered at Athens First. These eight to eleven week in-depth, high commitment Bible studies are modeled after the basic design of DISCIPLE Bible Study, which has enriched more than 1 million lives. Short-Term DISCIPLE Bible Studies make these life-changing courses available for those busy people who are unable to commit to longer studies.
The Gospel of John from this short-term series just concluded and Introduction to the Old Testament will be offered at 7 p.m. on Thursdays from September 11 through November 6 at the Richland United Methodist Church facility, 60 Pomeroy Road. During the 90 minute sessions, participants can anticipate that a personal encounter with the Bible will call each one to more faithful discipleship. Participants will read substantial portions of Scripture on a daily basis; take notes; participate in group discussion; and be informed and inspired by hearing from Biblical scholars via a two part video component each week. Leaders for this foundational study are Joyce Lambert and David Maze. Contact either for more information. Enrollment is limited to 12, so please contact the church office (593-3977) to register.
Lectionary Studies
Pastor Mary Jo makes it a practice to preach on Scripture from the Common Lectionary. Every month we make available a printed version of these (One Plus the Power of You) in the tray outside her office and on the window ledge of the last window in the Sanctuary. They are also noted each week in the Calendar portion of the Bulletin Announcement Insert. There are two groups that study these each week: The Men’s Prayer Group and the Brown Bag Study Group.
The Men’s Prayer Group meets for breakfast every Thursday at 7 a.m. at Bob Evan’s
The Brown Bag Study Group, meets Thursdays in the Church Library from 12:10-12:50 p.m. Bring your lunch, if you’d like.
Please contact Sharon Fink if you have any questions (593-3977 x 11 or fink@firstumcathens.org )