Adult Christian Formation Offerings
Winter/Spring 2023
Rector’s Corner- ‘To the Ends of the Earth’Beginning March 12th, 9:15 AM in the Library
From March 12th until the end of the academic year on May 21st, Duncan will teach his original course, ‘To the Ends of the Earth’. It will follow the growth and development of the early church in the book of Acts. Each week will feature a key moment in the life of the new church. This will not merely be an academic series. Rather, we will discover the uncanny similarities between the earliest church in the pre-Christian world and today’s church in the post-Christian West. Together we will discover clues as to how churches can reach into our neighborhoods in ways that are biblical and fruitful.
Winter Bible Study on Ephesians
Led by the Rev. Dr. Deonna Neal
Sunday mornings at 9:15 am
In the Archives room (2nd floor of the church office building)
Deonna will lead a Bible study on Paul’s letter to the Ephesians beginning Sunday, January 8th, 2023 and running through April 2, 2023. Two identical sessions will be offered to provide a variety of participation options. 1) Sunday mornings (in-person) from 9.15 to 10.15am. 2) Tuesday nights (via Zoom) from 7pm to 8.
She will be using NT Wright’s Study Guide Ephesians: 11 Studies for Individuals and Groups. Click here to purchase it online or from the bookstore after the New Year.
Anger and Meekness: Spiritual Insights
April 16th through June 25th
Sunday 9:15am Archives Room
Wednesday 7pm Zoom
Beginning April 16th, Deonna will lead a 10-week course exploring anger and meekness through the spiritual teachings of the 4th century desert monastic and ascetic Evagrius Ponticus. Evagrius’ profoundly biblical image of the human being allows for a perceptive understanding of anger, its causes, consequences and cures and offers timeless wisdom on struggling with this passion. The course will use the book Dragon’s Wine and Angels Bread by Gabriel Bunge. The course will go through June 25th with no class on May 14th. The book can be purchased in the bookstore or online. Price $16 Paperback. $11 Kindle.
St. John’s Episcopal Church invites you to our 2023 Lenten Teaching Series:
‘Be Happitudes’
8 explosive statements that define the children of God.
Wednesday Evenings March 1th through March 29th in the St. John’s Parish Hall
Schedule:
Dinner (optional) 6:00 pm – $7 adults, $5 kids, $20 family max
Speaker 6:30 pm—8:00 pm
Nursery Care and Children’s Program Available
Be Happitudes:
Join us on the middle five Wednesdays of Lent for an inspiring and practical look at the Beatitudes of Jesus (Matthew 5:3-10). Each evening begins at 6pm with a shared meal in the parish hall. Then, at 6:30 we begin our study.
Lent is the classic time for Christians to take stock of their spiritual lives and to go deeper in our commitment to walking the way of Christ. These five Wednesdays are a great opportunity to learn and grow. Most of each session will be taught by Duncan. But there will also be the chance to talk in the group and share your thoughts on these life-transforming gems from Christ.
Schedule
March 1st Live Well Matthew 5.3-10. Introduction
March 8th Live Openly Matthew 5.3-4. The Poor in spirit and the Mournful
March 15th Live Purposefully Matthew 5.5-6. The Meek and the Hungry for Righteousness
March 22nd Live Lovingly Matthew 5.7-8. The Merciful and the Pure in heart.
March 29th Live Differently Matthew 5.9-10. The Peacemakers and the Persecuted.
So much happened during the last week of Jesus’ life, as he prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice for us. This Lent, our children are invited to learn about the events leading up to and including Jesus’ death on the cross- where he made a way for us. Each week, we will pariticipate in exciting skits, object lessons, crafts, games and small group discussions.
Children’s Program—Countdown to Easter
So much happened during the last week of Jesus’ life, as he prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice for us. This Lent, our children are invited to learn about the events leading up to and including Jesus’ death on the cross- where he made a way for us. Each week, we will pariticipate in exciting skits, object lessons, crafts, games and small group discussions.
**We will offer a “modified” version to our Toddlers through preschoolers in the Run-Around-Room. Email sarah@stjohnsmontgomery.org with questions/concerns.