Becoming a Two-Hour Disciple (Adult Christian Ed)

Maybe an "Alpha" class or 40 Days of Purpose recently introduced you to Central Church. Or perhaps, you've attended Central for many years and are involved in ministry during the week. In any event, the Sunday morning worship service is by now a familiar part of your "church" experience. For many, that one hour is their main connection to the church, and the primary source of their spiritual nourishment and fellowship.

Fortunately, Sunday mornings at Central offer something else in addition to that one-hour experience! Do you truly seek to grow in your faith, be better connected to others, and experience a deeper understanding of God's plan for your life and for the mission of the Church in the world? If so, you will find that Adult Christian Education classes are perfect venues for fostering fellowship, learning more about the Bible, strengthening your faith, and developing a deeper, richer Christian worldview.

Sunday morning classes provide a great opportunity to meet other people at Central. Our one-hour classes are informal and small enough that you can comfortably meet others, like yourself, in the midst of our growing church community. And, when you attend regularly, you will also be drawn closer to fellow believers and seekers who have a variety of life experiences -- and who share interests and struggle with questions that complement your own. This often leads to deeper relationships and new opportunities for small group fellowship outside of the classroom. Moreover, we all face many challenges to our faith and to living authentically when we step out into the world "beyond these walls." These demands make it vital that we grow spiritually and in our understanding of the Bible and sound Christian doctrine, and that we learn together how to apply Scriptural wisdom in a practical way in our lives throughout the other 166 hours of our week.

Recently, the Adult Christian Education ministry team conducted an extensive congregational survey. Survey respondents indicated that they valued opportunities for Sunday morning Christian education that addressed:

1. family and interpersonal relationships;
2. the study of the Bible (on a book-by-book or on a thematic basis), and
3. contemporary issues and social action.

In response to these needs, the Adult Christian Education ministry team has designed a core curriculum that covers:

• Biblical Studies
• Christian Doctrine, Theology, and Church History
• Personal Spiritual Design, Spiritual Formation and Discipleship
• Christian Apologetics and Evangelism
• Christian Perspectives on Contemporary Issues
• Christian Living and Relationships
• Christian Missions and Social Action
• Continued inside
• Two Hour Disciple

To implement this curriculum, Central Church will offer Sunday morning courses in each of these areas at least once a year, and classes will be offered not only at 10:00 am, but also at 8:45 am and 11:15 am. These timeslots allow for a shorter "passing time" between a service and the classes that precede or follow it. To enable easier connections, instructors will be encouraged to set aside some time at the beginning of class for refreshments and fellowship.

You are therefore encouraged to participate in "and be transformed by the renewing of your mind" during this important "other hour" on Sunday morning. Watch News & Views over the next few weeks for an overview of this fall's class offerings! Make a commitment now to be a "two-hour disciple" on Sunday mornings. You will definitely see a difference in your spiritual life.