Adult Classes - Spring I Courses
January 2 – February 6
Parlor Class
DISCIPLESHIP IN THE 21ST CENTURY
Led by Margaret & John Etheredge
Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945), pastor, theologian, and Christian martyr speaks to us from the decades since the Nazi regime of the meaning of true discipleship. This courageous man, even in his short life, has left us a treasure in his writings about living the Christian life. In the course of six Sundays we will explore six of Bonhoeffer’s theological concepts. Part of our study will consist of examining aspects of his life within the context of his teachings. Our focus will center on applying his concepts of faith to ourselves. Through group discussion we will generate ideas about modern discipleship and living the Christian faith both individually and collectively.Room 101
THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW – GOD WITH US
(Part III) Matthew 21-28
Led by Gary Sommerfelt
This is a six week course. It is a continuation of the twelve week course led by Kathi Sommerfelt and Rob Taylor last year. After a brief review of the first two parts of the course, we will start with Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and complete Kerygma’s study of the final 8 chapters of the Book of Matthew.
The First Evangelist and the new Christian community saw themselves first as part of Judaism, not separate from it. This community, like the Gospel writer who addresses it, was the most "Jewish” among the gospel communities. Matthew proclaimed Jesus to be Christos, the Messiah, and wrote his gospel to teach the followers of Jesus what it meant to be a part of this new community of believers.
A distinguishing feature of the Gospel According to Matthew is its use Greek term ekklesia, which means "an assembly of ones who are called out," and it conveys nothing of the static conception of the word “church" held by many today. Matthew is the only gospel to use this term and both times it comes from the lips of Jesus. According to Matthew, the Church is an earthly manifestation of the kingdom of God, and it is comprised of Jesus' followers who have been called out to live righteously in the world and to serve in the manner of the Christ with deep humility and unfathomable forgiveness. In Jesus, there is a new community at work for the blessing of the world. What is it that binds us together? Jesus - God With Us.