I am pumped about the discipleship classes we offer each semester at our church.  These classes offer the most flexibility, if you will, in getting creative; allowing teachers and the curriculum to stretch a bit.  Here are a couple of examples I am exploring this semester:

1.  Elementary Greek-Yikes, sounds heavy and serious doesn’t it?  But, what a great opportunity.  We plan to offer a short course in Greek like Mounce’s Greek for the Rest of Us.  This will encourage our folks to stretch themselves to search out the history of this language and enhance and expand their personal study of the New Testament.  In a word, cool!  Of those I have asked for interest, it is very positive!

2.  Round Table Discussions. This will be a weekly discussion class in a coffehouse type setting, casual, and relaxed, while focused on serious theological issues, cultural trends, and hot topics led by church and area leaders.

Let me know of any adult classes you have offered that have been new and fun!

How do you give your church members opportunity to find enrichment in classes that focus on particular areas of the faith, or discipleship? I understand that essential discipling is a long-term, one on one, growth process with a number of mentors.  But, broadly, how can you provide opportunities for members to be in groups that are closed and that study particular units of content, or perhaps even for those classes with covenants of confidentiality.  Equip University has answered that for us in the past few years.

When: For some churches, this is simply the old Discipleship Training hour (training union: everything old is new again!)  Some churches have cancelled evening worship in favor of having a night filled with these types of classes.  In my current setting, we offer an EU hour during our children’s choirs program, and then a family worship service.

What: During our EU time, I try to have courses in a variety of areas such as theology, core discipleship (One on One with God), health, finances, personal growth (DivorceCare), women’s groups, men’s groups, and family/marriage enrichment.  The content cycles, but these overall groupings remain fairly consistent.

Who: Who should teach?  I have been delighted at many churches to find that varied church members will surprise me both with their willingness to teach/facilitate and also surprise me with the content they desire to teach.  If I will trust the Lord to raise up leaders, He does so as I seek out those leaders that are being led by Him.

Classes that have been winners: Financial Peace University, Share Jesus Without Fear, The Five Love Languages, One on One with God, Beth Moore Studies, Serendipity House studies, DivorceCare, GriefShare, and Intimate Life Studies.

Key: Provide an active kids program the same time as your Discipling hour.