Fellowship Classes
The primary goal of our adult Fellowship Classes is to help the members of our church grow in their knowledge of and love for our Lord Jesus Christ, through biblically accurate and doctrinally sound teaching, with relationally driven discussion. As we fellowship around God’s Word, we want to know our Lord Jesus more completely, and be better equipped to go out and serve Him in everyday life with greater devotion. Studying the Bible together, and interacting on it’s meaning in a smaller class setting leads to greater acts of service both inside and outside of our church.
We kickoff a new set of relevant and biblically sound class studies and topics every 3 to 4 months in August, January, and May. In every class, we are committed to providing a variety of godly leaders and teachers who will foster an environment that is humble, gracious, and honest, so that edifying discussion can lead to life application. Finally, in each class, we seek to interact with and support our church’s doctrinal statement so that we can keep a close watch on both our life and doctrine as a church.
“Living to Glorify God”
Leader: Mark Fink
Imagine for a moment, a life wholly dedicated to living for God’s glory. What would that look like in your mind’s eye? Now, imagine that life were yours. Would that be a huge stretch of your imagination or is there a deep desire within you to be living to glorify God? The Westminster Shorter Catechism states, Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.” Would a person ever look back on their life with regret that made this their ultimate purpose? Bring your Bible and join us as we search the Scriptures and our hearts with the goal of becoming that person.
“Ezra, Nehemiah, & Esther“
Leader: John Ware
The Old Testament books of prophesy reveal much of God’s character to us. As we study this history of Israel we see how God offered grace and hope, even when his judgment had to come upon their disobedience. This can encourage us and teach us about our personal God who cares and interacts with us as individuals as well as with nations. The book of Isaiah describes well the fall of the northern tribes of Israel and their path into Assyrian captivity. Then in Jeremiah we are told of the fall of the southern tribes of Israel and their path into Babylonian captivity. Now our study of Ezra, Nehemiah & Esther will trace the history of God bringing a remnant of Israel out of captivity and back to their land. This is a book study that will sequentially move through the chapters of these books, but each lesson is also intended to stand alone and bring some current truth to our lives.
“Called to His Own Glory & Virtue-1 & 2 Peter”
Leaders: Ray and Cindy Simmons
The books of 1st and 2nd Peter are life challenging to all of us. Peter’s words dig into our hearts and alternately encourage us and challenge us to reach far above where we are now. Peter opens with the controversial statement, “elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father”. What does that mean? Later, Peter commands “to all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind”. How can we obey these commands to our thoughts and feelings? And how in the world can we worship a God who commands, “let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good”? In 2nd Peter we learn about the false freedom and real slavery of passion: “They [those who indulge in the lust of defiling passion and despise authority] promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved”. If you feel the need to find answers to hard questions, to learn how to obey commands about what seems beyond your control, and to live a life that is free and not enslaved to defiling passion, then please join us in exploring these clear but difficult descriptions of reality and the commands that work in this true reality.
“Connecting with Grace”
Leader: Mike O’Day & Fred Rakness
If you are new to Grace Community church, or if you are still trying to connect, this would be a perfect class for you to join. We will not only be introducing you to all the beliefs, ministries, values, mission and objectives of our church, but you will also have an opportunity to get to know personally the pastors, elders and ministry leaders of our church. This is a great next step to help you discover not only if God would have you connect with GCC as your local church, but also how to make this connection.