Adult Small Groups & Bible Studies
For more information about small group and Bible study opportunities listed below or to order curriculum, contact Sue Highfield. Childcare is available for all adult studies by calling 281-444-2112 ext. 210 at least 3 days in advance.
DISCIPLE BIBLE SERIES:
Disciple I: Becoming Disciples Through Bible Study - The first in the Disciple series. A 34 week beginning Bible study that covers 80% of the Bible. Daily reading and written work familiarize participants with the layout and content of Bible. Weekly group discussion and study encourage deeper understanding of scripture. Begins September. Watch introduction video.
Disciple II: Into the Word Into the World - A 32 week Bible study that takes a closer look at Genesis, Exodus, Luke and Acts. Eight weeks are devoted to each of the four books for deeper examination and reflection. Weekly sessions include group exercises, discussion and life application. Dates to be determined.
Disciple III: Remember Who You Are - Remember your roots, consider your past, and renew your vision for the future. Participants in this thirty-two-week study will read the major and minor Old Testament prophets, with the exception of Daniel, and will read the thirteen letters traditionally attributed to Paul. Daily reading assignments draw on the books of Deuteronomy through Chronicles. Study of the prophets will follow their historical sequence rather than their biblical sequence. The dating of Paul’s letters influences the sequence of their study. Weekly group meeting include group study and exercises. Dates to be determined.
Disciple IV: UNDER THE TREE OF LIFE – A 32 week Bible study that concentrates on the writings in the Old Testament – Ruth, 1 and 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, Lamentations, and Daniel. New Testament Scriptures include the Gospel of John; 1, 2, and 3 John; James; Jude; and Revelation. Present though the entire study is the sense of living toward completion, toward the climax of the message and the promise, extravagantly pictured in the Revelation. Weekly sessions involve discussion and group work. Begins September.
BIBLE STUDY:
SPIRITUAL FORMATION:
Quarterly Day Retreats – “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” The words of Jesus remind us that time spent alone, in quiet, in prayer are necessary to recharge our spiritual batteries. Spend a day at the Cramer Retreat Center in a space where the natural beauty surrounding you brings a heightened awareness of God. Lenten Day Retreat–Monday, April 2, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm, 1800 Meadow Edge Lane, Spring, TX 77388, Sue Highfield, Rev. Pam Jackson, Bring a Bible, donations for facility use welcome.
Hidden Wholeness: The Journey Toward an Undivided Life – Author Parker Palmer speaks to our yearning to live undivided lives—lives that are congruent with our inner truth—in a world filled with the forces of fragmentation. Mapping an inner journey that we take in solitude and in the company of others, Palmer describes a form of community that fits the limits of our active lives. Defining a “circle of trust” as “a space between us that honors the soul,” he shows how people in settings ranging from friendship to organizational life can support each other on the journey toward living “divided no more.”Are you interested in joining a study where a safe space is created allowing members to participate at the level of their own comfort? The book study and small group experience employs important touchstones to help the group create an atmosphere where insight and revelations result from reflection and sharing. Led by Rev. Jim Foster.
Emmaus - The Walk to Emmaus is a three-day experience of New Testament Christianity as a lifestyle. It is a designed to strengthen and renew the faith of Christian people, and through them their families, their congregations, and the world in which they live. Contact Sue Highfield in the church office at 281-444-2112 for more information.
CHRISTIAN LIVING:
Alpha - is an opportunity to explore the meaning of life in a relaxed, friendly setting. The Alpha course usually meets once per week for 10 weeks, and includes an amazing one-day retreat. Each session, people enjoy great food, laughter and learning in a fun and friendly atmosphere where no question about life or God is seen as too simple or too hostile. More information can be found at www.alphacanada.org and www.alphausa.org.
Methodism Class - Pastor and staff leads a 4-week study on the history, theology, beliefs, structure, and connectionalism of the United Methodist church for new members or those new to the United Methodist Church. Held during the Sunday School hour at 9:45 a.m. quarterly.
Financial Peace University - is a life-changing program that teaches you how to make the right decisions to live debt free. You'll be empowered with the practical skills and confidence needed to achieve your financial goals and experience true financial peace! Dave Ramsey kit $100.
The Nurtured Heart Approach: developed by Howard Glasser developed to help parents and teachers work with difficult and intense children. This approach has been found to help all children find success both at home and at school. The basic concept of this approach is to strengthen children on the inside by recognizing and energizing the ongoing successes of the child, strictly enforcing rules, and consistently demonstrating to a child that he/she cannot extract negative relationship and energy from adults. This seminar will teach anyone who works with children, teens and adults to nurture a person to be his or her best self, for success in school or work. Three workshop sessions: Sunday afternoons, January 29, February 5, and February 12, 2012 from 4-6 pm. Watch introduction video.
THEOLOGY
Simply Christian - What is the core of Christian faith? What have most Christians in most places and times believed? Is Christian faith reasonable for modern people? Join the well-known biblical scholar and Anglican bishop N. T. Wright in an exploration of these and other vital issues. The author offers a fresh presentation of the timeless truths of Christianity, making the case that faith is reasonable and rewarding for us today. In this course, Wright expands on the themes of his acclaimed book Simply Christian: Why Christianity Makes Sense in ten inspiring and informative video lessons. Facilitators for this 10 week DVD driven study include Rev. Jim Foster and Susan Pine. Watch introduction video.
The Challenge of Jesus - Renowned historical Jesus scholar John Dominic Crossan presents his life’s work developing the unexplored matrix of Jesus’ unique time and place in a provocative new educational resource for small groups. The study is divided into the four themes of: The World of Jesus, The Life of Jesus, The Death of Jesus and The Resurrection of Jesus. Crossan uses the term Matrix made up of Tradition, Vision, Time and Place to examine everything you need to make sense of Jesus. Watch introduction video.
ADULT EXERCISE CLASS
Power Mat - Mondays from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. - A 45-minute combination of yoga, pilates, plyometrics, calisthenics, and traditional strength movements. A mat is needed but a towel can also be used. All levels are welcome; there are plenty of modifications.
Zumba - Wednesdays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. - Zumba is a cardio class based on Latin dancing. Their motto is ditch the work out and join the party!! Also a great class for all levels and ages. Zumba is a 50-55 minute class. Fees are $6 per class or $40 for 10 class punch card and punch cards can be used for either class. Childcare available by calling 281-444-2112 ext. 210.
ONE TIME OPPORTUNITIES
"Soup and Devotion" - Ladies, please join us on Thursday, February 23rd, at 6:30pm in the Welcome Center for a Soup & Devotions. Bring your favorite pot of soup and recipes to share…or just come to enjoy the fellowship. Make new friends over soup, join other ladies for a time of spiritual discipline by Judy Hunter. Sign up online at www.jwumc.org or in the Welcome Center on Sundays.
Quarterly Cooking Classes - A hands-on time of fellowship and learning including take-home samples. A culinary experience! Check back for upcoming dates. Held in the Main kitchen, class size is limited. Cost TBD.
Walk Through Bethlehem – the recreation of the village of Bethlehem at the time of Jesus birth. Wesley Activity Center will be transformed visually, aesthetically, and spiritually into a scene from Bethlehem, complete with temple, stable, camel rides, street vendors, and live nativity. Invite a neighbor and experience John Wesley UMC's gift of the season! First weekend in December. Saturday morning children’s breakfast and special tours by reservations only. December 1, 2, and 3 2012.
ESPECIALLY FOR WOMEN:
24 That Changed the World - Women's Day Study - No single event in human history has received more attention than the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth. In this book, Adam Hamilton guides us through the last twenty-four hours of Jesus' life. Each chapter is designed to help the reader experience and understand the significance of Jesus' suffering and death in a way you have never done before. Whether readers are long-time Christians or simply curious about the story of Christ's crucifixion, they are invited to join the author in retracing the last 24 hours of Jesus' life. This 7 week study begins February 22, Ash Wednesday, at 9:30 am in the Choir room, A 207. Sign up online or in the Welcome Center Sundays. Cost of the book is $13.
Loved by God - Women's Evening Bible Study - What does it mean to be loved by God? Does the Lord love us when we fail him? Love us when we run in the wrong direction? Love us even when we're unlovable? When others reject us, is God's love enough? Through all 7 weeks of this study, Liz Curtis Higgs has one goal in mind: reaching women's hearts with God's life-changing love. Wednesdays at 7 pm in E 228. Register online at the JWUMC website. Cost of the study guide is $ 11.
ESPECIALLY FOR YOUNG MOMS:
Coffee & Connecting – an opportunity for moms of young children to have some girl-friend time. Light devotions and nurturing support from others in the same life-stages. Tuesdays at 9:30 am during the school year. Led by Ianthe Shelton in the Welcome Center. Small children and babies welcome. Childcare available.
ESPECIALLY FOR MEN:
SUMMIT Men's Ministry - Men are invited to varied types of gatherings and activities. We offer meal meetings, book study groups, and social outings to sporting and other events.
DAWN PATROL (Participants are welcome to join at any time.) Dawn Patrol is open to all men who enjoy coffee, doughnuts, and fellowship. Although the Dawn Patrol studies selected books, it also is an open forum where discussions vary with what is occurring in world events. These discussions sometimes consume the entire meeting hour. The current study is "The Reason for God–Belief in an Age of Skepticism" by Timothy Keller. The Dawn Patrol is led by Reverend Matthew Smith, Associate Pastor at JWUMC, and meets on Wednesday mornings in the Administration Building at 7:30 in Room A106.