Adult Education

 

Trinity Presbyterian Church
Adult Sunday School
Fall 2010 thru Summer 2014

Our Adult Education program is built upon four foundations:

  • Biblical Foundations: Classes that view Scripture as the single, unfolding narrative of God’s redemption of all things broken in this world.  You'll be amazed to see Jesus Christ as the common thread throughout Scripture, as you find your place in God’s story. 
  • Theological Foundations: Classes that equip you to think Biblically and live consistently as a Christian in the world.
  • Gospel Foundations: Classes that focus on how the Gospel of Jesus Christ changes everything, including you.
  • Electives in Gospel Living: Classes that investigate topics of interest to our congregation ranging from biblical mercy and justice to marriage. 

 

Class Schedule (Fall 2010 thru Summer 2014)

School Year
Fall
(Labor Day-Christmas)
Winter
(January-Easter)
Spring/Summer
(Easter-July)

2010-2011

“The Drama of Scripture: Finding Our Place in the Biblical Story”

“The Design of God’s Kingdom” (Genesis thru Deuteronomy)


The Gospel in Life

2011-2012

“The Establishment of the Kingdom”
(Joshua, Judges,
1 & 2 Samuel,
1 & 2 Kings)

“The Fall & Restoration of
the Kingdom”
(Prophets)

1. What Did You Expect? Redeeming the Realities of Marriage

2a. "Scripture, God and Humanity" (1st 5 weeks)

2b. "The Reason for God: Conversations on Faith and Life" (2nd 6 weeks)

2012-2013

"The Writings, Poetry and Wisdom of God's Kingdom"
(Ruth, Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs)

“The Inauguration of God’s New Kingdom” (Gospels and Acts)

The Gospel Centered Life
2013-2014

"Living in the
In-Between-Kingdom"
(New Testament Epistles)

1. Getting to the Heart of Parenting

2a. Seek Social Justice: Transforming Lives in Need
(1st 6 weeks)

2b. "The Gospel and Your Finances"
(2nd 5 weeks)

Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands

Class Descriptions

Biblical Foundations Introduction:

All Biblical Foundations classes view Scripture as the single, unfolding narrative of God’s redemption of all things broken in this world.  Jesus Christ will be found to be the common thread throughout Scripture, as we find our place in God’s story.
The classes that focus on the Old Testament will articulate the network of Israel’s narratives, symbols, beliefs, and hopes in order to illuminate and clarify Jesus Christ.  More specifically, these classes will point to the ways in which the person and work of Jesus engages and fulfills Israel’s story, often in surprising and unexpected ways. 

The New Testament classes will reflect on Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, and how we, as God’s people, ought to live in the “in-between-time,” between Jesus’ resurrection and God’s re-creation of all things.
Every class will be structured as 25 minutes of lecture and 25 minutes of table discussion (with a trained table leader) based on that lecture.  Rather than participants simply leaving informed, the goal is for participants to actively engage Scriptuire in community.

Biblical Foundations 1: “The Drama of Scripture: Finding Our Place in the Biblical Story”

This class provides an overview to Scripture’s narrative unity, which began with Adam, continued in Abraham and Moses, moved through Israel’s kings, escalated to the Exile, climaxed in Jesus Christ, continues in the mission of the Church, and will be culminated in Jesus’ second coming.  We will consider the unity of Scripture through the lens of “covenant” and “kingdom,” as it centers on Jesus Christ.  Further, we will consider our place in God’s story, as kingdom citizens living in “the-in-between time.”


Biblical Foundations 2: “The Design of the Kingdom” (Genesis thru Deuteronomy)

This class articulates the creation of God’s world, Adam’s (and humanity’s) fall into sin and death, and the subsequent ways God began his plan of redemption, beginning with the creation of Israel and his covenant with them.  We will be oriented to God’s original intention for the world and begins to set the stage for Jesus Christ, the “Second Adam” and “New-and-True Israel,” as we continue to discover our place in God’s unfolding story of redemption.


Biblical Foundations 3: “The Establishment of the Kingdom” (Joshua, Judges, 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings)

This course elaborates on how God’s plan to redeem the world from sin and evil continued through Israel’s settlement in the Promised Land, the years of struggle during the period of the Judges, the establishment of the Israelite monarchy, and it subsequent demise unto exile.  During period of Israel’s history, we will see the development of the significance of the Land, the Temple, and the Kingship, as it prepares us for Jesus Christ’s and our part in his mission to redeem the world.


Biblical Foundations 4: “The Demise of the Kingdom” (Prophets)

This class illuminates how God’s plan to redeem the world from sin and evil seems to have reached an impasse in Israel’s exile.  Before Israel went into exile, the prophets made clear the consequences of persistent idolatry, and, when Israel disintegrated into exile, they spoke into the misery. Israel’s return from exile and her attempt to re-establish the nation left many hopes for its future glory unfulfilled.  This story develops the growing belief that final Exodus was still yet to come, an Exodus lead by Israel’s true Messiah, at a time when God would return to Israel as its ultimate King, and subsequently renews Israel, humanity, and the world.  Thus, we will see how the Prophets finally set the stage for the arrival of Jesus Christ in the New Testament and our place in God’s Kingdom.

Biblical Foundations 5: “The Writings, Poetry & Wisdom of God's Kingdom” (Ruth, Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs)

This class considers the traditional Hebrew grouping of books in the Old Testament called “The Writings,” a diverse collection written during the exilic and post-exilic period of Israel’s history.  While some are  largely historical (Ruth, Esther, Ezra-Nehemiah, Chronicles), the rest are focused on Israel’s wisdom and poetry.  But all express the despair, longing, wisdom, and hope of the Gospel, as they prepare for the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ.  Thus, we will discover how Jesus Christ is both our longed-for King and God’s Perfect Wisdom, which enables us to engage the world in wise and beautiful ways.


Biblical Foundations 6: “The Inauguration of the New Kingdom” (Gospels and Acts)

This class focuses on how God fulfills his plan to redeem the world from sin and evil through Jesus Christ.  As Israel’s true Messiah, he acted as though he had sovereignty over Israel’s symbols and beliefs.  Enacting the true end of exile—the new Exodus, he defeated sin and death in his crucifixion, and in his resurrection, thereby inaugurating God’s promised future Kingdom before the end of time.  Thus, we discover that our present place in God’s story is that of Kingdom citizens, living in the “in-between-time.”


Biblical Foundations 7: “Living in the In-Between-Kingdom” (NT Epistles and Revelation)

This class focuses on how the rest of the New Testament reflects upon Jesus Christ’s life, death, and resurrection, and what implications that has for our lives, as we live in the already-inaugurated and yet-to-be-consummated new Kingdom of God.

 

Theological Foundations Introduction:


The Theological Foundations classes will focus on laying the essential Reformed theological foundation that enables us to think Biblically and live consistently as Christians in the world.  We will consider the “traditional topics of systematic theology” not to puff ourselves up in knowledge, but discover how they transform the way we view our world and live in it purposefully.
Every class will be structured as 25 minutes of lecture and 25 minutes of table-discussion (with a trained table-discussion leader) based on that lecture. Rather than participants simply leaving informed, the goal is for participants to actively engage theology in community.

 

Theological Foundations 1: “Scripture, God, and Humanity”

This class will explore what Christianity teaches about Scripture, God, and humanity as it reflects upon God’s revelation to us in the Bible.


Theological Foundations 2: “The Reason for God: Conversations on Faith and Life”

Captured live and unscripted, pastor and author Timothy Keller meets with a group of people over six sessions to address their doubts and objections to Christianity.  Using literature, philosophy, real-life experience, and the Bible, Keller and the group explore the truth of Christianity and hope of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
These conversations provide an excellent model for us as we learn how to graciously and persuasively engage our friends and neighbors in gospel conversations.

      

Gospel Foundations Introduction:

The Gospel Foundations classes will focus on laying a gospel, grace-based, heart-centered foundation for Christian living and personal ministry.  All three classes are based on pre-written curriculum for Sunday School classes and small groups.

 

Gospel Foundation 1: The Gospel in Life

This class will lay a broad framework for how the gospel transforms everything.  Topics include: the city, heart, idolatry, community, witness, work, justice, and eternity.  Further, this material clearly communicates nearly all aspects of Trinity’s distinctive vision for life and ministry.
It is produced by Redeemer Presbyterian Church and taught by Tim Keller.  It incorporates short video homilies by Tim Keller, coupled with extensive small group discussion. 


Gospel Foundations 2: The Gospel Centered Life

This class seeks to understand how the gospel transforms us from the inside out and how it transforms our relationships with others.  This curriculum is produced by World Harvest Mission and is a shortened and more accessible form of Sonship or Gospel Transformation.  Topics include: pretending vs. performing, believing the gospel, law and gospel, repentance, heart idolatry, mission, forgiveness, and conflict.


Gospel Foundations 3: Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands: People in Need of Change Helping People in Need of Change

This class investigates how God uses us to be instruments of his grace in each other’s lives and to equip participants to more faithfully apply the gospel in their personal ministry with others.  This curriculum is produced by the Christian Counseling and Education Foundation.

 

Electives in Gospel Living:

Electives in Gospel Living 1: “Seek Social Justice: Transforming Lives in Need”

Poverty.  Addiction.  Homelessness.  These problems are serious and complex.  Passion alone won’t solve them.  We need effective strategies for overcoming human need.
Seek Social Justice is a 6 lesson DVD series with table discussion that provides a Biblical framework for understanding the roots of human need and social breakdown and what to do about them.  It explores the roles and responsibilities of family, church, business, government, and individuals in promoting justice by profiling real-world examples of effective action.  Seek Social Justice will challenge assumptions about where to turn to truly transform lives in need.
[Note: The term “social justice” sometimes has been understood as negative term connoting social action that is divorced from the gospel and the Biblical call to bring God’s justice and shalom to bear in the world.  The producers of this study seek to redeem “Social Justice” by connecting it vitally to the gospel, urging the followers of Christ to live the gospel both in word and deed.]


Electives in Gospel Living 2: “The Gospel and Your Finances”

The focus of this class will be on how the gospel transforms our view of money and how we use it. The format of this class is TBD.


Electives in Gospel Living 3: What Did You Expect? Redeeming the Realities of Marriage

How does the gospel transform marriage?  It won’t take long for you to realize that your marriage hasn’t escaped the reality of sin.  It’s what you do next that will make all the difference in the character and quality of your marriage.  Learn what God wants you to do next.
10 session DVD series taught by Paul David Tripp, with table discussion to follow.


Electives in Gospel Living 4: Getting to the Heart of Parenting

Parenting is more than using your power to get children to behave in certain ways.  Parenting is all about the exposure and change of the child’s heart.  When the heart of a child changes the behavioral change that is needed will last.  Learn how to be an instrument of heart changing grace in the little moments of life that God will give you with your children, whether they are toddlers or teens.
10 session DVD series taught by Paul David Tripp, with table discussion to follow.