Encountering God Classes

We believe all our Grow Electives are valuable, well taught, and can be helpful in our spiritual growth. The Encountering God Grow Electives specifically provide basic teachings on common elements of discipleship: knowing & obeying Jesus’ commandments – John 8:31, bearing much fruit in our character formation – John 15:8, and having love for one another – John 13:35.
These classes are meant to guide us in our spiritual growth and challenge us in our daily life. If you are new in your faith or hungry for a deeper walk with God, we encourage you to attend these discipleship based classes.

If you have any questions or are interested in any of these courses, please contact Nikki Salladay or call 750-2400×105.

Encountering God: Getting Started (formerly GC1)

Leader: Ted Comdon & Rod Mathews
Location: CFC – Friendship Room
Sundays, 10:15-11am
September 12 – October 17

An experiential class on understanding who Jesus is, what he came to do, and how we can be reconciled to God through faith in Christ. If you are a new or seeking believer, this class is for you; it is also required for baptism.

Encountering God: The Apostle’s Creed

Leader: Ted Comdon & Rod Mathews
Location: CFC – Friendship Room
Sundays, 10:15-11am
October 24 – November 28

The Apostles’ Creed is important because of its universality, simplicity and ancientness. It reminds us of the main points of Christian belief. It teaches us about God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. We’ll consider how convinced we really are of the truth of these beliefs; how they can shape our self-talk and, in turn, shape our very lives.

Encountering God: Living Missionally (formerly GC2)

Leader: Pastor Mark VanValin
Location: Room 218
8:30-11:30am, Saturday, October 16

What does it mean for each of us to personally be a missional follower of Jesus? This class will help us, as ordinary believers, learn how we can have an extraordinary spiritual impact on people with whom we have regular contact. We’ll look at how the Great Commission can be lived out in Jackson County, Michigan…..or wherever we live.

Encountering God: Beatitudes

Leader: TBA
Location:
Sundays, 10:15-11am
Next offering – Winter 2011

Yeah, sure… another look at Jesus’ “Beatitudes.” So why spend an hour on Sunday morning revisiting this portion of scripture? Well, these ten verses, Matthew 5:3-12, are the introduction, the attitude launching pad for living faithfully in the kingdom of God. The beatitudes provide the lens for seeing the ultimate even in the ordinary, God’s presence even in the common. Paul’s sessions will explore some practical definitions and applications.

Encountering God: The Lord’s Prayer

Leader: TBA
Location:
Sundays, 10:15-11am
Next offering – Fall 2010

Phillip Keller’s words describing the Lord’s Prayer describe what we will attempt to cover in this class. He said, “There is inherent in this prayer all the strength and compassion of our Heavenly Father. There moves through it a beauty and serenity which no mortal man can fully explain. It reassures our hearts, strengthens our resolve, and leads us into personal contact with God our Father.” Join us as we spend time listening to God through the Lord’s Prayer.

Encountering God: Reading Scripture to Know God

Leader: Pastor Sherrie Hittler
Location: Room 203-204
Sundays, 10:15-11am
July 18 – August 29th

Is reading the Bible sometimes dry or mechanical? Do you wonder if it’s pertinent to our day and age; does it really have power to change us? Are you encountering God each time you read the Bible? In this class you will learn to listen for the voice of God in the Bible and to move from informational to formational Bible reading.

Encountering God: Ethical Anchor Points: The Ten Commandments

Leader: TBA
Location:
Sundays, 10:15-11am
Next offering – Spring 2011

These ancient words given to the people of Israel thousands of years ago have provided ethical “anchor points” in the development of our western civilization. We will seek to understand how they provide personal principles teaching us healthy ways of relating to God and to one another. How are we to relate to God, His name and His gift of time? How do we translate the Ten Commandments into life principles to guide us in honoring parents, valuing other people’s lives, sexuality, property and reputation?

Encountering God: The Sermon on the Mount

Leader: TBA
Location:
Sundays, 10:15-11am
Next offering – TBA

These teachings give us practical and powerful tools for living a healthy life as a follower of Christ. Learn how negative or difficult feelings, thoughts, and beliefs can be changed into life changing relationships, healing beliefs, and healthy behaviors by living the truths taught in the Sermon on the Mount.

Encountering God: Living a Life of Prayer

Leader: Pastor Sherrie Hittler
Location:
Sundays, 10:15-11am
July 18 – August 22

Do you struggle to be close with God? Ever feel like your prayers are bouncing off the ceiling? Do you get frustrated with wondering what to say, how to begin, where to start? You’re not alone and this class will help. We’ll look at ‘why pray?’ and then investigate various types of prayer. We’ll practice at home what we learn in class with the goal of strengthening our connection with God and learning to live a life of prayer.

Encountering God: The Creation Story

Leader: TBA
Location:
Sundays, 10:15-11am
Next offering – Spring 2011

Have you considered how you can encounter God through a look at the creation story in Gen 1 – 3? Do you know that your worldview – your personal view of the world and how you interpret it; the totality of your beliefs about reality – is shaped by how you interpret and live out truths from the creation story? This class will help encounter God through the worldview of the Creation Story.