Adults at Central are encouraged to worship together regularly and to involve themselves in faith formation classes. They are invited not just to "exhale" the word of God through involvement in one of the church's many programs of service, but to "inhale" it through a wide range of opportunities for learning.

Church school classes are offered every Sunday morning at 9:45 with a variety of topics from Bible study, to current issues, to theological questions. Ongoing adult classes with rotating leadership provide learning and fellowship opportunities. Additional resources for conveners and members of adult classes are available at conveners.org.

2008 ADULT FIRST FALL TERM
September 14 - October 19

Shaking the Family Tree
We will investigate The Female Ancestors of Christ using the book of the same name by Ann Belford Ulanov.   Join us as we explore the stories of the four women in the genealogy found in Matthew's Gospel, looking at them through theological and psychological lenses.   In the process, we will engage Mary's place in the genealogy as well as our own.  Led by Kathy Dawson, Associate Professor of Christian Education at Columbia Theological Seminary. Jean Ellen Jones, convener, Keystone Class, Room G-4, Ground floor Oglesby Building.

Martin Heidegger: Philosopher and Thinkinger: Stepping Back Behind the Onto-Theo-Logical Metaphysical Tradition into Radical Post-Modernism
Seeking to be attuned to the Rhythm of Being in the 20th Century can never be the same after Heidegger.   Dive in with us as we seek to understand how this one-time seminarian sought to reinvigorate the Western intellectual tradition and ask the question of the relevance of his thought to religion. Led by Ike Lee, we will use:  Martin Heidegger: Basic Writings (Revised and Expanded Edition), David Krell, editor. John Huss, convener, Issues in Theology Class, Room G-1, Ground floor Oglesby Building.

In the Beginning:  Genesis from the Creation to the Tower of Babel  
Join as we search for God's truth in Bible stories that many of us haven't thought much about since encountering them in our Golden Children's Bibles, stories such as the Creation, the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve, and the Flood.   Usually when we talk about these stories, we get caught up in debates about factual correctness and overlook the implications for our relationship with God and our place in his creation.  Examining this important first part of Genesis will enrich our understanding of God and of ourselves.  NRSV Bibles will be available in the classroom.  Led by Robert Catterall.  Genesis: Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching, by Walter Brueggemann will be the guide for the study.  Ed Carwile, convener, Sojourners Class, Room G-10 Ground floor Oglesby Building.

In the Beginning:  Genesis from the Creation to the Tower of Babel  
Join as we search for God's truth in Bible stories that many of us haven't thought much about since encountering them in our Golden Children's Bibles, stories such as the Creation, the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve, and the Flood.   Usually when we talk about these stories, we get caught up in debates about factual correctness and overlook the implications for our relationship with God and our place in his creation.  Examining this important first part of Genesis will enrich our understanding of God and of ourselves.  NRSV Bibles will be available in the classroom.  Led by Robert Catterall.  Genesis: Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching, by Walter Brueggemann will be the guide for the study.  Ed Carwile, convener, Sojourners Class, Room G-10 Ground floor Oglesby Building.

The New Christian Community and its Witness 
Join us as we survey the New Testament looking through the lens of community.  We will look at all four gospels as we rediscover the birth of the new Christian community that John the Baptist preached about and Jesus subsequently began.  Then we will move to an exploration of this new community with a study of the book of Acts.  We will conclude with the growing pains the new community experienced through conflict, struggle and persecution as described in various epistles.  This study will shed light on the empowerment of the Christian community and its expansion, along with the stories of some key witnesses and their commission for ministry.    How were the community members equipped for ministry?  How did they handle conflict?  How did they witness in the world?  And what persecution did they face because of their witness?   Come and learn how YOU can be empowered by the Holy Spirit and your community to do the work of the God! Led by Brian Bishop.  The class will use the New Standard Revised Bible as text and follow “The Present Word” Study Guide. Brenda Spruell, convener, Brotherhood Class, Brotherhood Room off Tull Fellowship Hall.

The Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical
Living as an "ordinary radical" many of us find ourselves caught somewhere between unbelieving activists and inactive believers.  We can write a check to feed starving children and feel like we've made a difference without ever encountering the faces of the suffering masses.  In this book, Shane Claiborne describes an authentic faith rooted in belief, action, and love, inviting us into a movement of the Spirit that begins inside each of us and extends into a broken world.  Shane's faith led him to dress the wounds of lepers with Mother Teresa, visit families in Iraq amidst bombings, and dump $10,000 in coins and bills on Wall Street to redistribute wealth.  Shane lives out this revolution each day in his local neighborhood, an impoverished community in North Philadelphia, by living among the homeless, helping local kids with homework, and "practicing resurrection" in the forgotten places of our world. Shane's message will comfort the disturbed, and disturb the comfortable . . . but will also invite us into an irresistible revolution.  His is a vision for ordinary radicals ready to change the world with little acts of love.  Led by Luis Suazo.  The text for this class will be The Irresistible  Revolution:  Living as an Ordinary Radical by Shane Claiborne. Kelly Bray, convener, Faith and Family Class, The Atrium, Ground floor Oglesby Building.

Life in the Spirit--Exploring Seven Virtues
Join us as the Pilgrimage class travels to the realm of spirituality this year.  This will NOT be a "new age" candles and chanting kind of experience.  Rather, we will attempt to learn what "spiritual formation" means, and to have an appreciation for the movement of the Holy Spirit through grace in our lives.  Virtues are signs of that movement and learning about them can bring us to a better understanding of the nature of grace.   We will look at seven specific virtues:  attention (being present to God in our lives), hope, prudence, justice, fortitude, temperance, and kindness.  Anne Huss, convener, Pilgrimage Class, Room G-3, Ground floor, Oglesby Building.

The Church and Civil Rights: Then and Now
2008 Summer Studies at Central

If you were not able to attend the summer studies series, audio recordings of the presentations along with additional resources may be found by clicking here.