Sunday School

Purpose

When Paul wrote to the Colossians he stated one of his goals as "to present every man complete in Christ." Similarly we are given a guideline for ministry within the church in that we are to seek to promote the Christian growth of believers. To this end a comprehensive educational program will serve the church in several ways. First, such a plan takes into account the most important teachings of the Christian faith and prioritizes these subjects to make sure that the church body is taught in these areas. Second, a comprehensive plan seeks to establish short term and long term goals for the maturing of believers who are faithful to participate and desiring to learn. Third, such a plan provides Christians with a road map in order to assist them in seeing the big picture.

Approach

Moving away from an "age-graded" approach toward a "curriculum-based" approach to education, as a church we will be emphasizing aspects of the Christian faith that are most essential for everyone. The goal of this approach is to focus more upon a system of education that is detailed and moves people toward an established and planned goal. Being "content-based" means that our emphasis in education will be upon curriculum—a core of classes that are deemed strategic in advancing us as a church toward our educational goals. While other topics and studies will supplement our Sunday morning educational program, these classes are intended to be the most important, and thus the “core” classes that all members of our church should attempt to take. After five years our church should have numerous persons who have completed all of this curriculum. All adults from high school age and up are encouraged to participate in this program.

With a five-year outlook, our comprehensive educational plan would present four classes for the church to take each year. The first three of these classes will be taught on a rotating basis by selected teachers. Two topical classes will make up each session as well as one study of a particular book of the Bible. The fourth class will be a combined class that meets for the summer in the church sanctuary and will study a particular book of the Bible or a selected topic.

Core Curriculum Classes
5-Year Schedule 

CORE CLASSES already taught

2007-2008

New Testament Overview
The Church
Genesis
1st & 2nd Thessalonians

2008-2009

How to Study the Bible
Church History
Gospel of John
Bible Study Practicum:  putting our  new Bible Study principles into practice

CORE CLASSES currently being taught

2009-2010

Daniel/Nehemiah
Christology

CORE CLASSES to be taught in the future

Systematic Theology
Systematic Theology summarizes the biblical teaching on particular doctrines. This course will cover a few of the topics under the broad category of Systematic Theology.

Christianity and the Gospel
This course will focus on the heart of Christianity, namely the purpose of the Cross and the meaning of the Gospel. Participants should gain a deeper understanding of the Gospel in order to strengthen their faith and also equip them to be more effective in communicating the Gospel with others.

Christian Thinking and Worldview (Apologetics)
This study will be developed around the perspective that one's chief understanding of all things should be formed by the teaching of the Bible.

Spiritual Disciplines
This course will focus on the nature of and practice of many different aspects of the Christian life such as personal prayer, intake of Scripture, and worship.

Cultural Issues
As the culture surrounding us sets its own standards, Christians striving to hold to biblical truth must analyze and evaluate culture according to the standard that God has revealed in His Word.