Our spring semester classes began on Sunday, January 16, with a place for everyone in the family! Child care is provided for children younger than two, and we have a class for everyone from age two through adults. Check here for a list of children’s classes, and please contact Carol Waller (Director of Christian Education) if you have questions about our ministry to children, cwaller@redeemerpres.org.
Classes for Adults
If you have any questions about the adult classes, please contact Rev. Marcus Serven at mserven@redeemerpres.org
Apologetics: The Gentle Art of Persuasion
Rev. Greg Grooms: Room 206
Traditionally apologetics is thought of as the defense of the faith. Indeed, the word itself comes from an old Greek word meaning “to defend.” The Scriptures, however, paint a somewhat different picture. As the apostle Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:11, “Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others.” As believers we are first persuaded ourselves, then we undertake the task of persuading others. It’s often a slow, challenging business, requiring patience, sensitivity, and wisdom. In this class we’ll try to learn from the example of others who’ve done this well: Francis Schaeffer, C. S. Lewis, Os Guinness, Paul and Christ himself, amongst others. The class will be a mix of becoming more familiar with their work, discussing it, and dealing with our own questions as they arise.
Philippians: Joy in Unity and Trial
Elder Joshua Torrey: Room 207
The Epistle to the Philippians has been called Paul’s “least theological letter.” In comparison to Rome or Galatia the church in Philippi seems not to have needed great theological instruction or correction. Even the most theological verses, the “Christ Hymn” of chapter two, are used by Paul for practical admonition to “in humility value others above yourselves.” It seems Paul’s great concern for the church in Philippi was joy and unity amidst various trials. Paul and his own joy were so invested he told the church to “make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.” Thus during the semester we will study how Paul taught the church to be unified against a variety of different individuals inside (!) the church that can hinder our true and great joy.
Westminster Confession of Faith (Part One)
Rev. Dr. Marcus Serven: Room 208
Have you ever wanted to know what you believe and why you believe it? Here is your golden opportunity! Over this Winter/Spring term Pastor Marcus Serven will teach through the Westminster Confession of Faith (Chapters 1-12). There will be plenty of handouts for you to study and reflect upon at home, plus numerous opportunities to ask your questions and get cogent answers from the Bible. It is important for you to know that our church sees the Westminster Confession of Faith as an accurate summary of the Bible’s teaching on a great number of theological topics. Moreover, all of our church officers—pastors, elders, and deacons—pledge to teach and uphold these doctrines as the core beliefs of the Christian faith. Therefore, it is vitally important to understand these beliefs and how best to defend them against the skeptics of this present age. Come and join us for a systematic review of one of the most important documents of the past four hundred years—the Westminster Confession of Faith.