Classes

St. Peter's shield - small Winter-Spring 2010 Classes

All classes are held at the Church unless otherwise noted.  Childcare is provided by contacting kids@saint-peter.net.

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| Sunday | Monday | Wednesday Dinner and Classes | Thursday |

Sunday Morning

Adult Sunday School
Check The Keys for specific meeting rooms.

Resumes January 10 from 10:25-11:05 a.m.

Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians: Embodying the Gospel in Hostile Territory

Led by Fr. Michael Petty

1 Corinthians allows us to listen in on a conversation between Paul and the struggling congregation in Corinth, a church beset with the same problems that we face: sex,marriage, discipline in the Church,worship, family life and the relationship between the Gospel and culture. By reflecting on this letter we will understand better how to embody the Gospel in our increasingly hostile culture.

Sunday Evening

Simply Christian: Why Christianity Makes Sense

February 14 - April 25
6:30-8:00 pm
Led by Fr. Michael Petty

Note: This is Part 1 of the Catechumenal Process (or you may substitute with Alpha offered in the Fall 2010)

This class is an introduction to the Christian faith based on a book of the same title by N.T.Wright, the bishop of Durham (England) and one of the world’s foremost New Testament scholars. We begin with the fact that human beings ask a number of perennial questions:Why do we expect justice? Why do we crave spirituality? Why are we attracted to beauty? Why are relationships so difficult? Howcan theworld bemade right? Christianity claims to have answers to these questions which are still convincing. Through the book and through video presentations featuring Bishop Wright, we will see how a case can be made for Christianity from the ground up. Participants will walk with BishopWright through the Christian faith step by step as he addresses such issues as the nature of God, the person of Christ, the work of the Holy Spirit, the role of the Church and the place of the prayer, sacraments and worship in the Christian life. 

The schedule for Simply Christian is as follows:

  • February 14: Introduction

     
  • February 21: Echoes of a Voice: Justice and Spirituality

     
  • February 28: Echoes of a Voice: Relationships and Beauty

     
  • March 7: God

     
  • March 14: Israel: God’s Chosen People

     
  • March 21: The Challenge of Jesus

     
  • March 28: The Holy Spirit

     
  • April 4: Easter Day: No Class

     
  • April 11: Worship and Prayer

     
  • April 18: Scripture

     
  • April 25: The Church and the New Creation

Participants will need to purchase a copy of Simply Christian by N.T.Wright, available from the Book Cellar. Registration in advance for the class is required. Contact Fr. Petty at mpetty@saint-peters.net.

“Soup Group”Graduate Student & Faculty Fellowship

6:30 pm
At the Home of Steve & Margo Payne

Soup Group is the Sunday Evening Supper & Study for Graduate Students, faculty and their spouses. Join us during the academic year,on Sundays from 6:30 to 8:00 pm, at the home of Steve and Margo Payne, 1559 Cristobal Drive. Google for directions. We begin the evening with supper, followed by a Bible study or a book discussion.The themes are focused on Community & Creed, Faith & Reason, and Doxology & Theology. Questions? Call the Paynes at either 850-597-2768 or 850-443-5143.

Monday evening

Disciple Bible Study: Into the Word, Into the World

January 4 - May 17
Led by Fr. Michael Petty

This class is the second part of a 30 week study of the key books of Genesis, Exodus, Luke and Acts. The fall segment of the class focused on Genesis and Exodus; the spring segment focuses on the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. Having examined the beginning of the covenant people of Israel, the class will now devote 15 weeks to examining the beginning of the God’s new covenant people.

The second segment of the class is open to new participants, registration, however, is required (mpetty@saint-peters.net). 

Wednesday Evening

The Academy of St. Peter
Classes 6:15 - 7:30 pm

A diverse program of classes and Bible studies are offered for all ages. A buffet supper is offered from 5:00-6:15 pm with time to mingle with others over dinner. Classes begin on January 13 and last from6:15-7:30 pm.

The Book of Revelation: Part 2

January 13 - May 12 
Led by Jim Beebe (meets in the Parish Office)

The study of the Book of Revelation continueswith an analysis of the various interpretations the book has received. The class will identify and explore four traditional interpretations. Each interpretation will be investigated with applications to church history and participants will be enabled to judge which is the most adequate. The class will also pay close attention to the theology of Revelation.

Praying by the Book:The Book of Common Prayer as a Guide to Life with God

Begins January 13
Led by Fr.Michael Petty (meets in the Church Nave)

For some, The Book of Common Prayer (BCP) is just a book of “canned prayers”while for others it is simply a Confirmation gift. In truth, it is far more. The Book of Common Prayer not only embodies the theology of Anglicanism but it also embodies the Anglican vision for what life with God should look like. This class will explore the rich resources that the BCP provides for a deepened relationship with God for both individuals and parishes.

Evangelism: Deepening Your Faith by Sharing It

Begins January 13 (meets in the South Transept)
Led by Chuck Lang,Rachel Purvis and Steve Padgham

All Christians are called to be evangelists – bearers of the Good News about Jesus Christ. This is a vocation that all of us have received from God. Unfortunately, many of us choose to not work at this vocation because we fear being embarrassed,don’t knowwhat to do or just feel confused. This class will help you to discover what evangelismis and howto go about it in your daily life. You will discover the great secret of evangelism: In sharing your faith you deepen it.

Science and Religion:Adversaries or Allies?

Begins January 13
Led by Dr. Joe Long (meets at Taproots)

Since the advent of modern science, the relationship between science and religion has been a subject of fascination and controversy. The purpose of this class is to explore the relationship between the two, making use of Alister McGrath’s book Science and Religion: An Introduction. McGrath holds doctorates in both microbiology and theology from Oxford, and participantswill benefit fromhiswisdomand clarity. Participants will be guided into a better understanding of this important subject.

Parenting Workshop: A Guide for the Perplexed

Begins January 13
Led by Fr. Eric & Belinda Dudley and Paul & Mary Pat Moore
(meets in the Parish Hall)

Being a parent is hard work. From a Christian perspective, however, it is also a vocation and aministry. This parenting workshop will aim at assisting parents to understand parenting as a ministry and at providing insights, suggestions and wisdom so that parents can embrace their vocation with confidence and even hope.

The First Five Books of the Bible

Begins January 13
Led by Dr. Sonya Cronin (meets at Taproots)

Much of what we believe is rooted in the first five books of the Bible (called the Pentateuch). This class will explore some of the foundational theological concepts found in these books and how they are expanded upon in later books. The class will work through themajor events and stories of the Pentateuch and then examine later passages in the Biblewhich comment upon them. The aim will be to gain a deeper understanding of God and his relationship to creation.

Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University

Begins January 13
Led by Jim Anderson (meets at Taproots) 

Over 650,000 families have taken this transformational course across the country! This 13 week class is designed to change the way you think about money, help you get control of your finances and begin to live a life of generosity. In 13 engaging video presentations Dave Ramsey helps participants to master the basics of investments, insurance, retirement and college savings, debt and credit cards, real estate and more. Cost for the course materials is $100 per family (the purchase of one kit entitles an entire family to take the course and to repeat the course free of charge). Registration is absolutely necessary. To register or for more information, please contact Jim Anderson at jeandersonville@gmail.com.

For more information, please visit our Financial Peace University page.

The Prodigal God

Begins January 13
Led by Dr.Ron Rickner (meets at Taproots)

Newsweek calls bestselling author Timothy Keller a “C.S. Lewis for the twenty-first century”. In his recent book The Prodigal God, he explores the Parable of the Prodigal Son to challenge both devout followers of Christ and the skeptics who see Christianity in a whole new way. This book will be the focus of this class and will be supplemented by video segments of Keller’s teaching. The aimwill be to provide participants with a fresh approach to the Christian faith.

Beth Moore Bible Study: Jesus The One and Only

Begins January 6
Led by Nancy Bull (meets in the North Transept)

Men and women are invited to be part of this study which focuses on the life of Christ culminating with his crucifixion and resurrection. The class makes use of a student’s manual and video segments of teaching by Beth Moore.

College Men's and Women's Bible Studies

5:00 p.m. Dinner – Cost is only $1 for students!
6:00 p.m. Mens and Women's Bible Studies

Each Wednesday evening this Spring, we'll be gathering for dinner at St. Peter’s followed by Evening Prayer & Book Study. Please visit the College and Young Adult section for more information.

Thursday

Women at the Well: 1 Corinthians

January 14 – April 22
9:30-11:00 am
Led by Frs. Eric Dudley, Michael Petty, Jim Hampson, John Wallace, Andrew Rowell and Dr. Sonya Cronin

Women at the Well is a Bible study especially for women. This Spring the class will focus on Paul’s first letter to the Church in Corinth. The class seeks to encourage women to read Scripture daily and to reflect upon its meaning as the basis for living a fruitful Christian life. Through presentations and group discussions, participants are led on a journey of discovery to encounter the riches of Scripture. This Spring we will make use of N.T.Wright’s popular commentary on 1 Corinthians. The class schedule is as follows: 

January 14: God’s Strange Wisdom: I Corinthians 1:1-3:4
January 21: The Sole Foundation: I Corinthians 3:5-23
January 28: Puffed Up or Powerful?: I Corinthians 4:1-21
February 4: Conduct in the Body: I Corinthians 5:1-6:20
February 11: No Class
February 18: Marriage and Related Matters: I Corinthians 7:11-40
February 25: Matters of Conscience: I Corinthians 8:1-9:27
March 4: Everything to God’s Glory: I Corinthians 10:1-11:1
March 11: The Worshiping Church: I Corinthians 11:2-34
March 18: Life in the Body: I Corinthians 12:1-13:13
March 25: Priorities in Worship: I Corinthians 14:1-40
April 1: No Class
April 8: Risen and Reigning: I Corinthians 15:1-28
April 15: Bodily Transformation: I Corinthians 15;29-58
April 22: Do Everything in Love: I Corinthians 16:1-28

To register for Women at the Well, contact Fr. Michael Petty at mpetty@saint-peters.net. 

Introducing Anglicanism

March 4 – April 15
6:30-8:00 pm
Led by Fr. Michael Petty

NOTE: This is Part II of the Catechumenal Process, but it is open to all!

Introducing Anglicanism is designed to be an introduction to the Anglican tradition of worship, doctrine and church order. It is especially helpful for thosewho have come to St.Peter’s from other Christian traditions and who want to be familiar with the significant people, events and ideas that have shaped Anglicanism. The class can also be helpful to those who come from an Anglican background. The class covers the following subjects:

  • March 4: Introducing Anglican History (1)
  • March 11: Introducing Anglican History (2)
  • March 18: Introducing Anglican Worship
  • March 25: Introducing Anglican Sacramental Theology
  • April 1: No Class:Maundy Thursday
  • April 8: Introducing Anglican Doctrine
  • April 15: Introducing Anglican Music

Copies of the handouts for this class can be found on St. Peter’s website under the Adult Formation section.

Young Adults/Young Professionals (20s/30s)

6:30-8:00 p.m.
Youth House

The Young Adults Group is perfect for young professionals – single or married – in their 20s and 30s looking for weekly fellowship and Christian community. We meet year round on Thursday nights from 6:30-8:00 pm in the Youth House for various faith-building studies as well as time for sharing and prayer.We also meet for holiday celebrations and occasional dinners. This Spring, we will continue our study of the Letter to the Hebrews. Formore information, please contact Elisabeth Gordon (elisabethgordon@hotmail.com) or Travis Timmons (timmons.travis@gmail.com).

St. Peter's shield - small Helpful Information

Registration for Academy of St. Peter Classes

Because space is so limited, in order to ensure your place in a class you need to register in advance. To register for any class, call Fr. Michael Petty at 701-0664, x-19.

Suggestions?

Do you have thoughts about potential class offerings? Your comments and suggestions are important. If you have ideas or suggestions, please contact Fr. Petty.