christian Formation
When: Sundays, 9:45 am
Where: Library
Adult Formation
Forest Hills adult Christian Formation class gathers on Sundays from Fall to Spring on a variety of topics. All are invited to join us!
Our previous gatherings include a class focusing on a variety of sacred reading practices, using scripture and related texts. We choose a text (or two) then come at it from different directions to see what more we can learn, often from selections we thought we knew well. Everyone in attendance was welcome to speak up and add their unique perspective. Sometimes, it aligns with the message during worship, and sometimes not, but it always challenges us to look at the life in the words and how that can help us grow in our spiritual lives.
Current offerings:
“Jesus and the Gospels” with Rev. Jon Phillips
Join us for a 6-7 week survey on the Gospels starting February 23rd as adapted from an undergraduate course Jon taught in Chicago. But, you know, without the homework and tests. This will be a lecture/discussion format. All are welcome!
Schedule:
Week 1: Criticism and Canon: How I read the Gospels and how they got to us
Week 2: Text and Context: The First Century Biblical World
Week 3: The Gospel of Mark
Week 4: The Gospel of Matthew
Week 5: The Gospel of Luke
Week 6: The Gospel of John
Week 7: (optional): ...Other Gospels?: (some of the) non-canonical texts
Two NEW series following Easter - hosted by Rev. Jon Phillips
"Women in Leadership in Scripture and the Early Church" - We know where we stand on the matter, and we know where some of our siblings in Christ do as well. What is the history of women in leadership, from Scripture to the first church and beyond, and why is there such profound pushback?
"Neighbor and Neighboring in the Bible" - Won't you be my neighbor? In honor of our favorite Presbyterian pastor, we'll look at what the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament have to say about having and being neighbors.
Each series will last 2-3 weeks. More details to follow.
Children Classes: Our youth instruction is lead by two volunteers each Sunday, and will include an age appropriate lesson that aligns with the themes of our worship service.
Children Preschool through Elementary meet in the art room from 9:45-10:30am.
Youth classes (Middle- through High School) meet in the small kitchen.
There will be no Christian Formation Classes on Easter Sunday. We encourage you to arrive early for worship (around 10:30am) to participate in our tradition of flowering the cross. If possible, please bring some flowers from home or the floral section of the grocery store to go on our cross. Know that there are always flowers to share if you are unable to bring any.
We take our formation as followers of Jesus quite seriously as Presbyterians. Ours is a tradition that has always valued teaching and learning. At Forest Hills we offer weekly opportunities to learn from one another and grow as disciples as we intentionally study our faith together in age and contextually appropriate ways as we seek to follow Jesus’ instruction to “go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19a).