Adult Christian Education

 We offered a wide variety of adult education opportunities in 2024. We gathered in-person and online for a wide variety of educational opportunities. Here are some of the highlights from a very active year of learning at St. Mark. 

• The adult Sunday school class met most weeks and covered an array of topics. o We began the year working through the book, Lies My Preacher Told Me. This multi-week class looked at various misunderstandings and mistruths from the Old Testament. o There was a four-week Earth Care study during April. We looked at various environmental stewardship commands and explored practical ways we can make a difference. o Throughout the autumn, we took a leap of faith and looked at faithful ways we could, “Confront the Controversies” in our church, society, and world. We discussed many hot-button issues in a civil manner and supportive atmosphere. o In December, we looked at the various Advent texts and discussed the history and significance of this meaningful season.

• There were many mid-week adult discussions after our monthly Wednesday evening potluck. This included an evening where we discussed many of the things that aren’t in the Bible, but many people believe are scriptural. We also looked at Rembrandt’s painting, “The Return of the Prodigal” and talked about the parable of the lost sons. 

• We continued to offer the St. Mark Spark online devotional for much of the year. The offerings have been sporadic since the summer, and Pastor Dave is working to assess if there is still a need for this midweek moment. 

• The Writer’s Life: We are a small group of writers, meaning we write for our own pleasure and to glorify God. We share our writing every two weeks and respond to it on Zoom. We write everything: memoir, poetry, family stories, travel stories, reflections, prayers, whatever inspires us. Usually we are 6-8 writers, sometimes as many as 9-10. All are welcome to come listen and write when you feel inspired. Contact Judy Richardson for a Zoom link or Bill Tucker for questions about the group. 

• Tuesday Men's Bible Study: This group has been active for over 25 years now. While the purpose of the group is to learn more about the Bible, it has the added benefit of gathering men in a secure place where they develop friendships outside of the group. Men's Bible Study recently completed the study of Philip Yancy's book, ‘What So Amazing About Grace”. In 2025 we will begin the study of John MacArther's book, Twelve Ordinary Men. 

• Friday Morning Bible Study: The Friday group has grown to an average attendance of roughly 20 including those joining on Zoom. We studied together the Book of Ruth, “Finding Jesus in the Psalms - A Lenten Journey” – Barb Roose, “The Third Day’ – Tom Berlin, “Sermon on the Mount” – Amy-Jill Levine, “An Unlikely Advent – Extraordinary People of the Christmas Story” – Rachel Billups. 

Join us for 6 Fridays at 9:00am March 7, 21, 28, and April 4, 11, 18 for Bible Study.  In Entering the Passion of Jesus: A Beginner’s Guide to Holy Week, author, professor, and biblical scholar Amy-Jill Levine explores the biblical texts surrounding the Passion story. She shows us how the text raises ethical and spiritual questions for the reader, and how we all face risk in our Christian experience.