The goal of adult ministry is to form mature disciples of Jesus Christ in word and in deed. Through a variety of classes that incorporate a diversity of learning styles, adults at Idlewild come to know Christ’s love, peace, and justice through study of scripture, spiritual practice, literature, fellowship, and critical engagement with contemporary issues. At Idlewild, the questions are as important as the answers, and faith is understood as a lifelong journey.
“Feasting on the Word,” formally known as “Covenanters” is an option to participate in the Sunday
discussions and fully in the life of the Church. This class hopes to draw in new members who may be attracted to our discussion format, which is unique among Idlewild’s current Sunday School offerings.
Click here for full list of classes, scripture readings, and themes.
This is a lecture-style Bible Study guided by teachers of scripture. This class explores biblical texts rooted in the times in which they were told and crafted. A careful attention to context illumines new meaning and the function of the stories for people of faith today.
January 9: Rev. Ron Serino: Race and the Bible
January 16: Dr. Janel Bakker
January 23-30: Dr. Peter Gathje: Theological Wisdom from Martin Luther King Jr.
February 6-13: Dr. Patrick Gray: Familiar Yet Strange
February 20-March 6: Rev. Dr. Kendra Hotz
April 3-10: Rev. Dr. Jim McClanahan: Jesus’ Teaching on Justice, Judgement, and Hope in the Gospels
March 27: Dr. Scott Moris
April 3-10: Rev. Dr. Jim McClanahan: Jesus’ Teaching on Justice, Judgement, and Hope in the Gospels
April 24 – May 1: Dr. John Kaltner: The Death(s) of the Messiah
May 6-15: Dr. Steve McKenzie: A Lesson from the Old Testament
This class is a conversational-style book group for those who embrace some prep work. This spring, the class will explore short stories, all of which can be found in The Best American Short Stories of the Century by John Updike.
May 8: My Dead Brother Comes to America by Alexander Godin
May 15: In the Gloaming by Alice Elliot Dark
May 22: Short Easter by John Updike
This is a conversational-style forum for parents of younger children. This class explores faith and parenting. Guided by curriculum on the Apostle Paul’s Fruit of the Spirit, the spring sessions will seek to discern and encourage the virtues of kindness, gentleness, peace, etc. in our children.
This is a conversational-style forum for parents of adolescents to explore parenting t(w)eens through the lens of faith and faith formation. Topics range from helping your child with identity to dealing with daily pressures to supporting your child in grief.
This course will start back up in Mach – look here or in our newsletters for more information.
