Spiritual Formation
While our worship is the central place and time for our church friends and members to come together and experience God’s presence, many also feel a need to nurture and deepen their faith outside the sanctuary. That’s where adult spiritual formation comes in.
Our church has placed a higher commitment on faith development and inquiry in recent years, including many groups’ participation in the popular Bible study, Disciple. Throughout the year, many classes and groups are offered to give people a place to study, ask questions, and deepen their faith in a small-group setting.
Current offerings
Disciple Bible Study
Contact: Pastor Brian Roots, , 847-945-3040.
Dates:January 16 or 17 for 17 weeks.
If you have ever dreamed of knowing and understanding the Bible, this study is the best opportunity I know of to fulfill your dream. This course will run for 17 weeks in the winter and then 17 more weeks next fall. In this time you will read about 2/3 of the Bible and have ample opportunity to discuss what you read with your pastor and other dedicated students. I, Pastor Brian, also look forward to the class because it is also a great opportunity to develop stronger relationships with the others in the group. The commitment may seem great, but past participant, Jan Johnson shares, “It really isn’t a difficult commitment, because once you get going you really look forward to it”. If you make the commitment to be in the course, I am confident you will be glad you did.
Financial Peace University
Contact Jerry Howard, , 847-573-8963
Dates: Introduction: January 31at 7:30, class begins February 7 at 7:30 for 13 weeks.
Have you ever stressed about your financial situation? If so, attending Financial Peace University may be the resolution for you. The course meets for 13 weeks and covers topics such as budgeting, insurance, investing, debt management, mortgage decisions, shopping tips and more. Group leader, Jerry Howard, a professional financial advisor, states that the program has even inspired him to adopt new practices in his money management. This thirteen week course can truly change the course of your financial life for the rest of your life.
Women's Bible Study
Contact: Kary Henry ()
All women are welcome to join the Women's Bible Study: a close-knit study and fellowship group that meets on Tuesday mornings from 9:15 to 10:30 a.m. We are currently reading the book "Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World" by Joanna Weaver – and examining how to have an intimate relationship with God in the midst of busy lives.
SAMUEL
SAMUEL stands for Sunday a.m. Understanding, Engaging, Learning. We occasionally offer one-time classes after worship to further our understanding of God and deepen our faith.
Other opportunities
You may also want to check out Common Ground, a non-profit organization located on our church's campus that offers a wide variety educational offerings, including interfaith dialogue and information on world religions.
Contact: Charlie Kuehmann (), 847-940-0761
Our men's group gathers every first and third Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. for a time of study and fellowship. Here are a couple of our members sharing what this gathering means to them: "The Men's Small Group provides both a sounding board for me and a checkpoint. It allows me to be heard saying some of my deepest thoughts/fears aloud. It's a signpost every 2 weeks or so for me to "check-in" with my fellow Christians (who happen to be all male) and regain balance. It is a place for my spiritual focus." and "I describe my faith life as being a toddler, learning to walk, falling down a lot, and certainly not ready to run. Attending the men's group allows me to grow in this part of my life, it brings me into contact with people who are more mature in their faith, perhaps young adults or middle aged in terms of their faith, and this allows me to learn from them and continue to grow."
One of our church’s hopes is that people who come on Sunday morning will want to do more than just worship. Our hope is that they’ll also want to nourish their faith through study and community. Whether it’s before or after church, on a weeknight or Friday morning, we hope you’ll join us.