GROWING TOGETHER

Delighting in the Old Testament

Written hundreds of years before Christ, the Old Testament was given for the instruction of the Church (Romans 15:4). We must value and learn from it as did Jesus and the Apostles. The Old Testament reveals the attributes of God and his love for his people. It points to the definitive rescue of his children through Christ, and our hope for the future. Discussion points will cover how Jesus fulfills and secures every promise, how the story climax deepens our Old Testament understanding, and why the Old Testament still matters today. All ages welcome. Facilitator: Lyle Jacobsen. Room 201.

The Gospel of Ruth

The story of Ruth is a familiar story, one that manages to even charm the hardest heart, making them a hopeless romantic. But beyond the story we know and love, there lies a deeper truth that ultimately points us to the great good news of the Gospel! Join us as we do a deeper dive into Ruth’s story and discover how it can help us understand and love our Savior even more. Facilitator: Scott Dove. Room 202.

1 Thessalonians: Living for Christ in a Culture that Doesn’t

What is God’s will for our lives, and why is it important to know? In this eight-session video series, Pastor Ben Stuart shows us that Jesus calls us to live our faith openly, letting the world see our allegiance to him. When we are being faithful, pressing against culture, others can’t help but notice. As we live confident of our good future in God’s kingdom, we show the world where—and in whom—their hope lies. This class is an all-men’s group. Facilitator: Alex Banks. Room 206.

The Words in Red

This Fall will be a continuation of the study in the book of Matthew examining the Words in Red that are shown as the direct quotations of Jesus. Facilitator: Frank Sprinkel. Room 208.

Grace Defined and Defended by Kevin DeYoung

In his book, Kevin DeYoung writes, “Grace ought to be celebrated, relished and consistently defended.” The Canons of Dort, a 400-year-old confession, attempts to do just that, and in this class, we will review the history that made the confession necessary and interact with its arguments. Throughout the study, we will explore how a clear understanding of grace shapes our lives and message today. While it is not necessary to have the book to attend this class, it is recommended. You can purchase it here. Facilitator: James Geoff. Room 200.

The After Party: Toward Better Christian Politics

We live in a very fractured and divisive time in our culture, especially during an election year, and yet even now, we are called to greater relationship. This class will be a mixture of video curriculum, followed by engaging, respectful dialogue and discussion about the theme each week. The purpose of The After Party is to equip us for better conversations by pursuing scripture and focusing on Jesus’ ways. That way,  we can take a faithful approach to politics that offers a hopeful alternative to the polarization currently besetting so many communities. Facilitators: Scott Thayer and Nick Langridge. Room 205.

The College Brunch meets during the fall and spring semesters when JMU is in session.

The College Brunch meets from 10:15-11 a.m. at 9 Court Square, which is adjacent to the Courtyard outside the sanctuary. The group spends time building relationships and connections while finding ways to apply the sermon scripture from that Sunday.