SCHEDULE FOR FALL QUARTER

September 2 to November 18, 2009 (12 weeks)

CLICK ON A CLASS BELOW TO REGISTER

Brian Burgess - Twelve Greatest Enemies of the Church - ROOM 151

There are many enemies of the church today. Sadly, many of the greatest battles are fought from within. Division. Disobedience. Legalism. These are just a few of the many problems churches through the years have had to discern and solve. Paul wrote a letter to the church in Corinth about these same problems and offered much needed admonition, instruction, and encouragement. In this class, we will tackle these twelve enemies that can cripple a church and the life of a believer caught up in the conflict. However, if you will immerse yourself in God’s Word and heed Paul’s instructions, God will heal even the sickest of churches and transform it into a powerful vehicle for proclaiming the gospel of Christ.

Jeff Durham - Creation and Evolution - ROOM 155

How does Genesis 1 - 11 relate to the new and startling statistics just out that 2/3 of the young people sitting in conservative, Bible-believing churches have already left the church (and the faith) in their hearts?  We will deal with this and many other issues in this Equipping University class starting with the foundation of of our Christian faith: Genesis chapters 1 through 11.  Science, history, and even dinosaurs will be covered as well as other topics that deal with this issue of our children being "Already Gone."

Andy Lackey - Ephesians - ROOM 156

Paul’s great letter to the Ephesians is a “mini-course in theology.”  In writing to a church in a city much like modern-day New York, Paul laid out his mature vision of the Christian faith’s central elements. He set out these elements in the context of the church as the body of Christ. Ephesians is not the only book of the Bible to deal with fundamental Christian doctrines but more than any other, it stresses the sovereignty of God is salvation and the eternal sweep of God’s great plan for mankind. Like the letters to the Corinthians, it deals with the church. Like Peter and James, it deals with spiritual warfare. Like Romans, it deals with great doctrinal truth and solid practical application.  You will be deeply touched and will benefit greatly from this 12-week study of this great letter.

Ellen Fox & Paul Lowry - Critical Incident Stress Management - ROOM 157

Our emergency service providers routinely place their safety on the line to meet the needs of others. This calling places them in the middle of traumatic situations. Workers are prepared physically to handle these tasks but there are other aspects to deal with.  Beyond the “big events,” these brave men and women must also deal with the basic everyday emergencies that can take a toll on a person’s body, mind, and spirit. In this 12-week class, students will be better equipped to fulfill their calling to serve their community.  (Continuing Education credits are available in some departments). 

Josh Dancey - Financial Peace - ROOM 149

Did you know there are over 800 verses in the Bible regarding personal finances? This class will teach stewardship – how to manage 100% of what God has given you. You will learn the nuts and bolts of budgeting, begin to break the chains of debt, understand credit cards and insurance and investments, plan for retirement and college, and unleash the power of generous giving. In the previous two classes offered at Western Avenue, families and individuals have eliminated $262,467 in debt while saving an additional $93,768.  The average family pays off $5,300 of debt while saving $2,700 during the time this class meets. Wouldn’t it be nice to be “average” (and maybe much more)?

Jeff Spry - Hebrews - ROOM 154

It seems that fewer people are going to church in our day than in years past. Why do so few adults fail to see the importance of a spiritual life in the church? We are not the first to be puzzled by this issue. Hebrews was written to immature Christians who were tempted to leave the church for a return to their “pre-Christian” way of life. Perhaps even you are tempted at times to return to what was once so comfortable and easy. In that regard, few studies can be more profitable to Christians today than that of the letter to the Hebrews. Originally written to a group of Jewish Christians facing great persecution in the middle of the first century, the words of this book speak to Christians everywhere about standing firm in Jesus Christ in the midst of all opposition from within and without. Hebrews catches the challenges and pitfalls of people throughout the ages and shows both why and how to press on in faith. Its message of warning and hope centers on the surpassing supremacy of Jesus, seen often from the shadows of the Old Testament.