Throughout the year, a variety of Adult Education opportunities are available through First Church. We hope you will find something that piques your interest and nourishes your faith.

Beat the post holiday blahs by checking out the winter schedule of adult education offerings, which begin in mid-January 2012. There are four more great classes to join described below! Starting in December, you can sign up for your choice online or during Connections coffee hour time on Sunday. See you in class!

New: So you want to be a United Methodist. Not only was this a title of Pastor Doug’s sermon, it will also be an adult education offering this winter. Come and join Pastor Nancy for four weeks on Sunday nights as she guides participants through the history, theology,and polity of the United Methodist Church. This is a great class for new AND old members who wish to know more about their place of worship. Offered by Rev. Nancy Lynn at 6:00pm Sundays, Jan.22-Feb.12, Asbury Room. Sign up today! (Please note the change in start time!)

New: “In these pages, you will meet heroes...” These words open the book, Blessed Are the Peacemakers, the source for a joint adult education class offered by the Wesley Foundation and FUMC. David Crumm, content editor for Our Values.org, returns to lead this 4-week course based on Daniel Buttry’s book — an amazing collection of 62 mini-bios of peacemakers organized by areas of peacemaking work. As Dan Buttry says, “I [get inspired by] these ordinary folks who did extraordinary things in their time and place.” Two sessions will be offered: 11am Sundays, Jan.22-Feb.12, Calkins Hall, led by David Crumm; and 8:10pm Wednesdays, Jan.25-Feb.15, Wesley Lounge, led by Rev. Bob Roth. Sign up today!

New: Power, corruption, violence, and courage — is it a Clive Cussler novel? No, it is the Study of Esther, in the form of a curriculum called Uppity Women of the Bible. Both men and women can join Julie Roesch as she leads the class in a 6-week exploration of Esther, which has complex characters, twisty plots and slapstick farce — all without mentioning God. You will enjoy Rev. Dr. Lisa Wolfe’s video presentations of this fascinating, action-filled book of the Bible! Offered by Julie Roesch at 11:15am Sundays, Jan.15-Feb.12, Room 215. Sign up today!

New: Civil Discourse -- How do we engage in civil discourse around public triggers such as abortion, racism, and global ethics? Dr. Wayne Baker, sociologist on the senior faculty of the University of Michigan Ross School of Business and creator/host of the Our Values site on the Read the Spirit online magazine, will lead a five-week class created by Krista Tippett, host of the NPR show “Krista Tippett on Being” that is designed to open hearts and minds by joining contemporary political and moral leaders as they explore complicated and explosive issues. This study, called includes interviews from Tippett’s show with Richard Mouw, Frances Kissling, Elizabeth Alexander, Nicholas Kristof and E. Ethelbert Miller. Offered by Dr. Wayne Baker at 11:15am Sundays, Jan.22-Feb.12, Asbury Room. Sign up today!

Fall 2011-Spring 2012: Disciple 1 / New Testament
Following on the Disciple 1/Old Testament study of last year, this year we will be studying the New Testament, including the Gospels, the letters of Paul and Revelation. Class size is limited to 18 people, and first priority is given to those who were in Disciple 1/Old Testament last year. You may join this class without having taken the Old Testament section last year.  •  Class meets from September to May on Wednesday evenings, 7 - 9 p.m.

Fall 2011-Spring 2012: Disciple 4 / Under the Tree of Life
This Disciple class focuses on the Old Testament Writings ( books not in the Torah or the Prophets), the Gospel of John and Revelation. There is no class size limit and if you have taken Disciple 1 in the past, you are very welcome to join this class!  •  Class meets September to May on Wednesday afternoons, 12:45 - 2:45 p.m.

Continuing: Global Issues  (drop ins are welcome)
Have an opinion on events? (who doesn’t!) Come join us and learn with us about various perspectives on important issues impacting us locally, nationally, and globally. We meet Sundays from 11 to noon in the Aldersgate Room downtown. We use the GREAT DECISIONS series of DVD and text to cover major issues, members also lead discussions on books they have read or on their favorite editorials. Bring your perspectives to the discussion! Contact Leo Shedden if you are interested in the Global Issues class, or just drop in some Sunday morning.

Continuing: Men Of Faith  (drop ins are welcome)
A Gathering of men interested in exploring faith expression, meeting on Saturday mornings at 8am in the Asbury room downtown. Coffee and bagels served! We typically adjourn by 9:15. We might also pool our collective wisdom on season prospects of our favorite football team — time providing.

Continuing: WowMoms  (drop ins are welcome)
WowMoms (WOW = Women Of Wonder) gather each week on Tuesdays beginning at 9:30, September to June, to reflect on a selected reading and its application to their lives. WowMoms give fellowship and support to each other. Babysitting is available during meeting times for a small fee.

Other Studies we have offered in the past

 24 Hours that Changed the World
Several groups have decided to journey through a Lenten small-group study called "24 Hours that Changed the World." (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIOVIyeYR4o  )This seven-session DVD and book study by Adam Hamilton takes the reader through Jesus' last hours, visiting sites in the holy land and drawing readers into the Last Supper, Garden of Gethsemane, crucifixion and resurrection. 

Beginnings
This study explores the basics of Christianity, and can be completed in 9-12 weeks. An Introduction to Christian Faith centers around a question for each session:
• So, is this all there is? (Introduction)
• Who is Jesus, and why should I care? (Jesus Christ)
• Why am I not where I want to be? (Sin and the Cross)
• What happens when I die? (Death and Resurrection)
• Can I trust God? (Providence and Suffering)
• How does God speak to me? (The Bible)
• If I don’t feel lost, why do I need to be found? (Salvation and Conversion)
• Can I start again? (Forgiveness and Wholeness)
• How do I speak to God? (Prayer)
• How can I make a life and not just a living? (The Good Life)
• Why should I join any group that will have me as a member? (Church Membership)
• Love feast! (Remembering, Sharing, and Continuing the Journey)

"Disciple" Bible Study, including "Christian Believer" and "Jesus in the Gospels"
In a 32- to 34-week study, participants discuss scripture based on careful study and preparation, bringing their own experiences and struggles to the discussion. Registration runs from August-September. Disciple classes typically run from September-April.

The Disciple Bible Study program is designed to develop strong Christian local churches through the in-depth study of Scripture. Through these Bible studies, persons are strengthened in their faith and guided into service and ministry. This series of in-depth, high commitment studies take participants from Genesis through Revelation.

Have You Considered Disciple Bible Study?

Often, it seems like we know far too little about what the scriptures actually say or how they are relevant to our daily lives. You have the opportunity to change all that. Disciple 1 Bible Study is a weekly program in which small groups meet to understand scripture. It's a chance to read, interpret, and discuss the Bible in an accepting community and apply it to your faith journey.

Please fill out and return this interest form to the church office.

If you have questions or interest in the Disciple studies at First United Methodist Church, please contact Debbie Houghton or Amy Kennedy (994-4083).

Christian Believer is from the author of the Back Side Books, J. Ellsworth Kalas. Have you ever sung a hymn or recited a creed and asked, “Why do we say that?” Discover the church’s answer to questions that grow out of human life and Christian experience as you study church history and doctrine in this in-depth look at the classical doctrines.

In Jesus in the Gospels participants study the name, the place, and the people — encountering the Jesus who is both hard to ignore and hard to control as portrayed in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

School of Christian Living (SCL)
SCL was developed with an emphasis to learn, share, and grow as persons of God. Small and large group opportunities are offered to deepen our faith, enhance our relationships, and increase our understanding of the world around us. These four- to six-week series of classes are typically offered during Lent.

Book Study: “An Altar in the World” 

Early in 2010, the WOWMOMs group studied Barbara Brown Taylor's book "An Altar in the World." Congregation member Amy Kennedy developed a book study guide, and all of the chapter studies are available below. Please use these guides for exploration on your own or in a group.
Chapter 1  |  Chapter 2  |  Chapter 3  |  Chapter 4  |  Chapter 5  |  Chapter 6  |  Chapter 7  |  Chapter 8  |  Chapter 9  |  Chapter 10  |  Chapter 11  |  Chapter 12

Looking for a study for your small group? We've discovered a wonderful tool called "CORriculator" from Church of the Ressurection in Kansas City that will give you many options to choose from -- but once you've found something interesting, please order your books from one of our local bookstores or call the church office for assistance.

Please contact the church office for more information, info@fumc-a2.org