DOORWAYS TO GOD

Christian Believer
For those who have previously completed any disciple study program
Sundays, 4:00-6:00 pm Begins Sept 11; ends Apr 30  (30 weeks)
**Childcare Available when requested at registration
Knox 209 (George Huggins Room)
Leader:  Rev. Smoke Kanipe Book by Abingdon Press ($32 study guide; $19 Readings)
Christian Believer –knowing God with heart and mind – focuses on classical teachings of the Christian faith      presenting, explaining and interpreting them in a way that participants can understand, through the use of words, symbols and hymns.  Over a 30 week period, participants will examine the writings of ancient and modern Christian Commentators and view video presentations by leading Bible scholars.  
Images of the Spirit
Mondays, 6:30-8:00 pm Begins Sept 12; ends Oct 31 (8 weeks)
Knox 214 (Genesis Room)
Leader:  Betty Ruff Book by Larsen ($7)
Who or what is the Holy Spirit? What is this power that Christ promised to send to earth in His place?  What is this power that can give you supernatural power to face any crisis? How can you and I know this power in our lives day by day?  Join Betty Ruff and come explore the Images of the Spirit with your fellow church community.

Invitation to Romans
Mondays, 6:30-8:00 pm  Begins Sept 12; ends Nov 7 (9 weeks)
Knox 209 (George Huggins Room)
Leader:  Margaret Hays, Alix Hay Book by Eisenbaum ($18)
Exploring how people have interpreted Romans through the ages is a good lens to view the history of Christianity itself.  Compare what Paul writes in Romans to what theologians like Augustine, Luther and Calvin say in trying to understand Paul in their time. At the end of this study you will have a more informed commitment to Paul’s radical vision of God’s relationship to both Christians and Jews and to their relationship to each other. 

True Woman 101 (Study for moms with young children)
Tuesday, 10:45-11:45 am (just in time for preschool pickup)
Begins Sept 13; ends Nov 8 (9 Weeks)
Library (Limited to 10)
Leader:  Lucy Fuller Book by Kassian & Demoss ($12)
Bible teachers Mary A. Kassian and Nancy Leigh DeMoss share the key fundamentals of biblical womanhood in this eight week study. Each week includes five daily individual lessons leading to a group time of sharing and digging deeper into God's Word.

Heart to Hearth: Women of Faith Discussing Women of the Old Testament
Tuesdays, 6:00-7:30 pm
Begins Sept 13; ends Oct 25 (7 Weeks)
Rev. Carly’s home —Limited to 12
Leader: Rev. Carly Wicklund ($35 to cover meal for each week)
Join us in Pastor Carly's home as we study and discuss women of the OT (the daughters of Zelophehad, Rahab, Ester, Ruth/Naomi, Bathsheba, Hagar) over a bowl of soup and in the company of wonderful friends gathered around the fireplace. Discover these hidden gems of the Old Testament while discovering more about yourself as a daughter of God. 

Revival: Faith as Wesley Lived It
Tuesdays, 6:30-8:00 pm Begins Sept 13; ends Oct 18 (6 Weeks)
Knox 209 (George Huggins Room)
Leader:  John Dahlberg Book by Hamilton ($13)
Join John Dahlberg and Adam Hamilton on a six week journey through England tracing the life of John Wesley.  Wesley’s message and his faith continue to speak to 21st century Christians calling for a revival of our hearts and souls so that our world might be changed.  His story is our story.  It‘s our heritage, it defines our faith, and it challenges us to rediscover our spiritual passion. 

Disciple Fast Track Old Testament
Wednesdays, 9:15-11:30 am Begins Sept 14; ends Dec 7 (12 Weeks)
Knox 209 (George Huggins Room)
Leader: Ruthie Taylor Book by Abingdon Press ($20)
Disciple Fast Track is an adaptation of the original Disciple Bible Study, providing a viable option for busy people seeking comprehensive engagement over time with the entire biblical text.  We will devote 12 weeks to the study of the Old Testament. Each week we will read a manageable 3-5 chapters of the Bible daily in preparation for the weekly meetings. Come join us on our journey to being and becoming a disciple of Christ. And join us again in January for 12 weeks in the NT. 

Women’s Prayer Group
Wednesdays, 9:15-10:15 am On going
Knox 201 (Growing Disciples Room)
Leader: Lilla Ann Briggs
Are you desiring or seeking a renewal in your prayer life? Do you need the accountability and encouragement which comes from being with others? Meet with women of the church to pray for our church, our families, our community and our world. 

Men’s Study Trusting and Knowing God
Wednesdays 6:00 to 7:30 pm Begins Sept 14; ends Dec 7 (12 Weeks)
**Childcare Available when requested at registration
Knox 214 (Genesis Room)
Leaders: Bill Metzger & Rev. Josh McClendon Book by Bridgers ($10)
Do we really trust God or is our default to only trust ourselves? If the latter, what are we missing? In order to trust someone, you really have to know them. In order to know them, your have to have a relationship. Over this 12 week study we will look at our personal relationship with God, how well we know God or need to know God better and hopefully learn to trust God a little more in our daily lives. Come join us for a thought provoking, interactive study focused on deepening and strengthening our relationship with God. 

David: Seeking a Heart Like His (a study for women)
Wednesdays, 6:15-7:15 pm Begins Sept 7; ends Nov 16 (11 Weeks)
**Childcare Available when requested at registration
Knox 201 (Growing Disciples Room)
Leader: Lilla Ann Briggs Book by Moore ($17)
God will never give up on you. Explore how David's life proves this promise to be true. In this examination of the “man after God's own heart," David will delight and disappoint you. You'll want to be just like him at times and nothing like him at others. If you've ever experienced doubts, temptations, losses, family problems, or personal in consistencies, this study is for you! 

Birthplace of Joy for Women
Wednesdays, 5:45-7:15 pm Begins Oct 5; ends Oct 26 (4 Weeks)
**Childcare Available; escorted choir drop-off & return to childcare room 7:15; when requested at registration
Knox 201 (Growing Disciples Room)
Leader: Anne Cox
Two video talks by renowned sociologist, Brene Brown, will spark our conversations about her powerful ideas on worthiness, trust, and navigating your life stage with confidence and enjoyment.  How do we cultivate the courage to embrace our imperfections and work from a place of “I’m enough”?  Learn how trust is built up within the everyday small moments in life and allows us to start listening, be kinder, and more tolerant of others.  Expect deeper connections with one another and a fresh sense of the “life abundant” that Jesus offers.

He Spends/ She Spends
Wednesdays 6:15-7:30 pm Begins Nov 2; ends Dec 7 (5 Weeks)
**Childcare Available when requested at registration
Knox 201 (Growing Disciples Room)
Leaders: Monica & Jamie McCutcheon Book by Putnam ($25)
A study about money that doesn’t talk a lot about actual dollars and cents! You may know what the Bible says about money and you may understand how to handle your money in a practical fashion, but many Christian families still struggle with financial situations that are barriers between them and God’s plans for their lives. Why?  Because they may not understand why they make the choices they do. Come participate in this five week study to help unpack why you spend the way you do.

Women’s Bible Study
The Parables of Jesus
Thursdays, 10:00-11:30 am Begins Sept 8; ends Dec 15 (15 Weeks) Parlor
Leader:  Gessner Dunn Book by Barclay ($12 each)
Continuing with Chapter 23 William Barclay brings to these "best-known stories in the world" new force and significance for the modern reader. Each chapter analyzes an individual parable and identifies its theme, explains it in the light of the language and customs of the ancient world, and clearly interprets its meaning for us today.

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DOORWAYS TO DISCIPLESHIP

Jesus began his ministry and built the foundation of the Church with a “small group” of disciples.  The heart of Methodism began with meetings of similar small, covenant-discipleship groups through which a personal relationship with Jesus Christ was nurtured through community, accountability, study, and close fellowship. Prayerfully consider if this is the next step in your faith journey with Him.  

For Women
James: Faith That Works
Mondays, 6:30-8:00 pm Begins Sept 12; ends Nov 7 (9 Weeks)
Jennifer Parker’s Home  Limited to 10
Connector:  Jennifer Parker Book by LePeau ($7)
We all want a faith that won’t let us down in times of trouble or loss, uncertainty or fear.  A faith that can pull us through the worst—and best— times in our lives.  This is the kind of faith that James writes about. It is a faith that we must practice day by day. These studies by the Le Peaus on the teaching of James will help us grow a steadfast faith that can carry us through all the ups and downs of life.

For Empty-Nester Couples  I Love Growing Older, But I’ll Never Grow Old
Every Other Tuesday; 6:30-8:00 pm
Begins Sept 13; ends Nov 22 (6 Weeks)
Sue & Tommy Phelps’ Home Limited to 6 Couples
Connectors:  Sue & Tommy Phelps Book by Kalas ($11)
This book is about learning how to “make peace with where you are right now.” It is about learning from the past and then moving past it.  It is about growing –personally, spiritually, and in our relationships with God and with others.  If we think properly about growing older we’ll never have to grow old.

For Widows  God is Able
Every Other Wednesday; 9:30-11:00 am Begins Sept 7; ends Nov 16 (6 Weeks)
Jane Pregnall’s Home Limited to 10
Connectors:  Jane Pregnall & Clelia Moore Book by Shirer ($7) 
Nothing is impossible with God. Nothing. Not even “that” thing. Your thing. The one thing that seems to defy all attempts to defeat it, restore it, heal it, change it, overcome it, undo it, or just to get through it. If you've lost even an ounce of confidence in the power and loving attention of God--if experience has told you that faith must simply acquiesce to impossibility--it's time somebody told you different. 

For Men  Scary Close
Monday; 7:00-8:00 am Begins Sept 12; ends Nov 14 (10 Weeks)
Drip Coffee Shop 5 Points 729 Saluda Ave Limited to 10
Connector:  Trevor Knox Book by Miller ($13)
From the author of “Blue Like Jazz” comes a book about the risk in choosing to impress fewer people and connect with more, about the freedom that comes when we stop acting and start loving. It is a story about knocking down old walls to create a healthy mind, a strong family, and a satisfying career.  And it feels like a conversation with the best kind of friend:  smart, funny, true, important.

QUESTIONS: Call Ruthie Taylor 803-318-7484