Growth Classes

             Small groups are invited to learn on their own or to take part together as a Small Group with the periodic Growth classes that we offer. These classes are designed to offer more in depth teaching on different topics by teachers who do all the preparatory work for us. We get the benefit of the teacher’s preparation and study along with an opportunity to still connect with our small group perhaps by having dinner or coffee together before or after the class. All are welcome to these growth Classes even if your small group is not participating together or if you are not currently in a Small Group.

Growth n. 1.  The process of growing. 2. Full development; maturity

Class n. 1. A group of students meeting to study the same subject.

     The Adult Education Ministry Team, as part of the new Circle of Life ministry, will be offering periodic classes called Growth Classes.  Through these Growth Classes we seek to provide opportunities to develop and mature faith within a group of believers.  Growth Classes are designed to fit into the schedule of small groups seeking a different 4 week experience, but they are also open to individuals.

     Within these classes we seek to offer opportunities to learn from those experienced in their field about many different aspects of faith and faith life.  We hope to challenge you to grow in faith towards God and in love towards one another.

     Our first class is Modern Science and the Christian Faith which will be taught by The Reverend Dwayne Hicks- Pastor of Kenwood Park Presbyterian.  Pastor Hicks holds a PhD. in Religious Studies from McMaster University, Ontario, an MDiv. from Princeton Seminary, and is a member of the Presbyterian Association For Science, Technology, and the Christian Faith.  While not a trained scientist, Pastor Hicks has been a student of these areas for the past 20 years.

     This class will look at the relationship between faith and science.  Each week will focus on a different topic.

Week 1- The principles of modern science and religion: We will examine the history of science and explore ways of knowing

Week 2-  Evolution and Creation: We will explore non-literal ways of reading scripture and Darwinian evolution

Week 3- We will look into topics including Astrophysics, the Big Bang, quantum mechanics, the anthropic principle, and relativity

Week 4- Neuroscience, genetics, and the soul: We will explore brain research, the question, “what is the soul?”, and genetic programming.

     This class will meet on Sundays October 30, Nov. 6, 13, and 20 from 6:30-7:30 p.m., The time for Nov. 20 is TBA.  These classes will meet at First Lutheran in the Chapel.

     If you or your group are interested in participating, please sign-up at the narthex desk or call the church office at 365-1494 by October 30.

     We encourage you to try out this new experience and keep your eyes open for two more classes after the turn of the new year.

What…	Digging Deeper: Common Christian words, their meanings, and how they can shape our faith Sundays October 30, Nov. 6, 13, 20 Time:  6:30-7:30 p.m.,
Instructor…	The Reverend Brenda Peconge- Pastor of Holy Redeemer Lutheran Church.  Pastor Peconge holds an MDiv. from the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago (LSTC) and a Masters in Classics from the University of Toledo.  Along with many education classes in the parish, Pastor Peconge has previously taught Latin in Graduate School at the University of Toledo and Greek at LSTC
To Register	Sign-up at the Narthex desk or call the church office at 365-1494.  This class is for both small groups and individuals
Synopsis…	“Love,” “grace,” “faith,” and “suffering” are common words in the vocabulary of the Christian. But what do these words really mean? What connotations might the words have had in their original languages in the scriptures? How might some of those original connotations and nuances shape how we understand these concepts and their effects on our understanding of our faith and on our lives as disciples?   Join us as we take a deeper look at these words, their original meanings, and how that enriches and affects our lives as disciples.

 

What…	How to Read a Gospel Sundays October 22, Oct. 29, Nov. 5, Nov. 12 Time:  6:30-7:30 p.m.  Place: First Lutheran, room is TBA
Instructor…	Dr. Chris Seeman- Assistant Professor of Religion, Coe College.
To Register	Sign-up at the Narthex desk or call the church office at 365-1494.  This class is for both small groups and individuals
Synopsis…	Everybody knows what a gospel is. They are quoted by preachers, dissected by historians, transfigured by artists, and adapted into multi-million dollar screenplays. But have we ever really experienced what gospels are – as literature?   In these sessions, we will grapple with the most basic challenge of any text: how should we read? We take as our subject the Gospel According to Mark (widely believed to have been the earliest written gospel), and will apply to it key methods and insights of contemporary literary theory – minus the jargon – in order to illuminate the story-telling techniques by which Mark sought to shape and transform the experience of his readers.   Among other topics, we will explore how Mark structures his plot, how he encourages the reader to adopt certain expectations about the story and the characters that inhabit it, and how he deploys tactics of surprise and irony to shatter those expectations and radically reorient the reader’s response.

 

What…	Modern Science and the Christian Faith Sundays October 30, Nov. 6, 13, 20 Time:  6:30-7:30 p.m., Nov. 20 time is TBA            Place: First Lutheran, room is TBA
Instructor…	The Reverend Duane Hix- Pastor of Kenwood Park Presbyterian.  Pastor Hicks holds a PhD. in Religious Studies from McMaster University, Ontario, an MDiv. from Princeton Seminary, and is a member of the Presbyterian Association For Science, Technology, and the Christian Faith.  While not a trained scientist, Pastor Hix has been a student of these areas for the past 20 years.
To Register	Sign-up at the Narthex desk or call the church office at 365-1494.  This class is for both small groups and individuals
Synopsis…	This class will look at the relationship between faith and science.  Each week will focus on a different topic. Week 1- The principles of modern science and religion: We will examine the history of science and explore ways of knowing Week 2-  Evolution and Creation: We will explore non-literal ways of reading scripture and Darwinian evolution Week 3- We will look into topics including Astrophysics, the Big Bang, quantum mechanics, the anthropic principle, and relativity Week 4- Neuroscience, genetics, and the soul: We will explore brain research, the question, “what is the soul?”, and genetic programming.

   

What…	Bonhoeffer’s Theology and Ethic’s for Today Sundays Sept. 16 through Oct. 21 Time:  6:30-7:30 p.m.,
Instructor…	The Reverend Dan Kolander Pastor First Lutheran Church he holds an Mdiv. from Luther Seminary and is working on a DMin from Fuller Seminary.
To Register	Sign-up at the Narthex desk or call the church office at 365-1494.  This class is for both small groups and individuals
Synopsis…	Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a noted German Pastor and Theologian executed in 1945 by the Nazis for his part in a plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler.  This video course, facilitated by Pastor Kolander, features  James Burtness, Profesor of Ethics at Luther Sem. and a leading U.S. interpreter of the theology and ethics of Bonhoeffer.  Week 1: Film on Bonhoeffer's life story Week 2: Bonhoeffer's life. Week 3: Bonhoeffer’s theology. Week 4: Bonhoeffer for Our Day (Who isJesus Christ   for us Today?) Week 5:  Bonhoeffer for Our Day (What Does It Mean to Follow Jesus Christ Today?)

 

What…	The Gospel of Matthew Sundays January 7 through February 11 Time:  6:30-7:30 p.m.
Instructor…	Professor Chris Seeman-  Assistant Professor of Religion at Coe College here in Cedar Rapids.
To Register	Sign-up at the Narthex desk or call the church office at 365-1494.  This class is for both small groups and individuals
Synopsis…	Not the “first” gospel: Because it has been placed first in the New Testament canon, we tend to think of Matthew’s as the “first” gospel, the gospel that somehow defines the spirit in which all other versions of the Christian story are to be read.   Revision and Expansion: In fact, Matthew was probably a revision and expansion of Mark’s gospel. To read Matthew in this way – as a reviser and expander of an earlier story about Jesus – can open our minds to some unexpected and surprising new insights about Jesus’ life and teachings.