FPCThomasville - Christian Education

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." Psalm 119:105

One of the most important things we do as a church is gather around the Word of God. In the Bible we meet and know who God is, and it's through the Bible we better understand who we are and how to live our lives. You are encourage to be in a Sunday School class. We hope you'll find the right one for you!

________________________________________________

Christian Nurture Class - Room 1, Fellowship Hall

Teachers: Dennis Lee, Ronnie Salter, Micajah Jones

This class uses the Present Word Bible study which emphasizes mastery of the Bible's content - understanding Scripture in relation to life experiences and a greater awareness of God's self-disclosure, especially His redeeming love as revealed in Jesus Christ. We are completing a study on "Christian Commitment". Our Fall study will concentrate on the "Inescapable God".

_______________________________________________

Independent Bible Class - Rockwell Room, Fellowship Hall

Teacher: Carol Hinson

Assistant: Barbara Riddle

This class is studying books of the Old Testament, exploring each book a chapter at a time. This class uses an inductive & discussion approach to the Bible, designed to draw members into the meaning of the Bible by helping them discover biblical truths for themselves, rather than relying only on the expertise of the teacher.

________________________________________________

Young Adult Class - Common Area, Adult Education Building

Coordinator: Timothy Scoonover

This class will gather for Scriptural, discussion driven learning and fellowship. It is designed for college age and young adults, single or married. Class members will partner with Rev. Scoonover to determine topices of study as he coordinates this class.

________________________________________________

Open Window Class - Room 3, Adult Education Building

Teacher: Rudy Hehn

Substitutes: Class Members

The Open Window class will study the book of Acts. How did the Church begin? How did the followers of Jesus spread the Word, and how did they care for each other? This class enjoys using discussion as a primary tool for studying the Bible.

________________________________________________

Open Door Class - Room 2, Adult Education Building

Teachers: Barbara Lee and Cindy Mixon

Substitutes: Kathy Harvard and Gene Jarrett

During the first semester, Barbara Lee will lead the class as they examine the meaning of "Worship" using the following references: the Bible. The Presbyterian Book of Confessions, The Book of Order, and the writings of Marva Dawn. Beginning in January, Cindy Mixon will teach a lesson series on the Apostle Paul entitled "Understanding the Controversial Paul". Also, the class will study Paul through his letters and discover how his message to the Christian community still speaks to us today.

________________________________________________

Olive Branches Class - Room 1, Adult Education Building

Coordinator: Charnie Beverly

This class is a new class inspired by Psalm 128 which reveals to us the image of a happy home of the faithful. Participants are invited to join the class for the entire year or for their choice of short term studies such as Presbyterianism 101 (a refresher on our denomination). Christian marriage and family issues, and Church Seasons. Our beginning lesson will be "The History of the Holy Land".

________________________________________________

The Beacon - Room 4, Adult Education Building

Teachers: Tim Grayson and Russell Miller

This class shares the Gospel as a living, breathing, relevant part of our daily lives. We seek to strengthen each other's faith through study of the Word and lively discussion. For the Fall we will study the Old Testament Prophecy, starting with Isaiah and moving into Ezekiel.

________________________________________________

Women's Bible Study - Church Library

Coordinator: Debbie Quinton

Living Beyond Yourself - Exploring the Fruit of the Spirit, by Beth Moore. This study began last Spring and will continue for twelve more weeks. New members may join in. Books may be purchased in the church office.

________________________________________________

YOUTH MINISTRY

The Youth Ministry at First Presbyterian Church Thomasville is committed to Matthew 22:37-39. "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'" These words of Christ are our guide as we seek to deepen our relationship with him through worship and deepen our relationship to others through service.

Sunday School

Youth Sunday School classes are offered each Sunday morning for grades 6-12. The sixth grade uses Bible curriculum that nurtures their faith and deepens their growing commitment to Christ. In addition, children in Grade 6 spend the spring quarter learning the church's catechism. The seventh and eighth grade Sunday school is our Confirmation Class where youth learn the doctrine, history, and richness of our faith in order to become full members of the congregation. The ninth through twelfth grade class studies Scripture using the various curriculum in order that they might become better equipped to live as disciples of Christ in the midst of their challenging world.

Youth Fellowship

Youth Fellowship is offered every Sunday night from 4:30 - 7:50 p.m. in the Edwards Youth Building. Our goal at Youth Fellowship is to create an open environment where the love Christ is at the forefront of all we do. Through relationship-based ministry, we desire to cultivate opportunities for developing lives that will be lived in faithful obedience to the Lord. Both the Junior High group (grades 6-8) and the Senior High group (grades 9-12) engage in Scripture-based discussions that are intended to deepen their faith, increase their understanding of and appreciation of the Bible, and strengthen their relationship with God. Other activities that are looked forward to are the weekly suppers, a variety of games, service and outreach opportunities, and small groups.

Monday and Wednesday Night Bible Study

On Monday night and on Wednesday night after Church Family Night supper, the youth gather for Bible Study. Our study centers on a particular book of the Old or New Testament, and in addition to being immersed in God's Word, the youth are encouraged to develop skills necessary for serious Bible study. Integral to these studies is a time of prayer where youth pray for each other, the church, and other concerns or joys that are presented to the group.

Youth Mission Trip

Every summer our youth are invited to participate in Youth mission trips. The purpose of these trips both within and outside of the United States is to expose our youth to the needs of others, as well as give them a chance to put their faith into action by serving their 'neighbors'. During past trips our youth have worked with our sister congregation on Ticul, Mexico and spent a week working on local outreach projects in Thomasville.

Special Activities

Other special activities are planned throughout the year to enrich the faith and life of our youth. There are many mission activities, such as the Souper Bowl, local mission trips, and our biannual international Senior High Mission Trip. We deepen our faith through fun and fellowship activities like the Montreat Youth Conference, retreats, trips to Wild Adventures Theme Park, a ski trip, whitewater rafting the Ocoee River, tubing on the Ichetucknee, attending Christian Artist concerts, the annual progressive dinner at Christmas and the annual Pumpkin Festival sponsored by the youth for the children of our church.

CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

The Children's Ministry of First Presbyterian Church is committed to nurturing children in the Christian faith, with the assurance of God's love. It is our prayer that children may come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior through the teaching of God's Word and the experience of God's presence as they participate as members of our church family.

Sunday School

Our church offers a structured Sunday School program for children ages two through Grade 5 during the regular 9:45 a.m. Sunday School Hour. There is a separate class for each grade or age. The curriculum for all classes is Bible-based, teacher-friendly, and age-appropriate. Children in Grades 1-5 participate in exciting BIBLEVILLE.

Bibleville uses the Rotation Sunday School Method, where children focus on a single Bible Story for several weeks, using a variety of lab-style workshops which include computer (Heaven Wide Web), Video (Gateway to Heaven Cinema), Drama (Troupe de Acts Theatre), Cooking (Loaves and Fishes Diner), Crafts (Creation Station), Bible Skills and Games (Solomon Says Corner) and Music (Joyful Noise Temple ). Students rotate by grade each week through the designated workshops. Children in these grades also begin the Sunday School hour with a General Assembly.

Children's Church

Children's Church is held on Sunday mornings during the 11:00 a.m. Worship Service. Children from age three through second grade leave the sanctuary following the Children's Sermon for age-appropriate instruction during the rest of the worship hour. Parents of the children in our church lead the Children's Church on a rotating basis. There is also a special "Children's Bulletin" available.

Church Nursery

A well-staffed and well-maintained church nursery is available for children aged two and under at all church events. Our nursery workers are experienced staff members who provide nurturing care for your child. All nursery workers are trained in Pediatric CPR.

First Presbyterian Church Preschool

Our church offers a Preschool Program for children ages two, three and four during the regular school year. The Preschool, which has been in operation for nearly fifty years, offers a warm, accepting Christian atmosphere in which a child can grow intellectually, physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. Classes are limited in size, and staffed by experienced and qualified teachers.

Fun Fridays

First Presbyterian Church offers a Mother's Morning Out Program for preschool-aged children from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. each Friday. Loving care is provided for the children during this playtime with their church friends. During the summer, the Mother's Morning Out program expands to twice weekly.

Children's Clubs

Following the Church Family Night Supper each Wednesday, the children are involved in age-graded Children's Clubs. A variety of activities using the Biblical themes are planned by the Director of Children's Ministries. These activities provide a learning and happy experience for the children while their parents participate in the adult Bible Study led by the pastor.

Vacation Bible School

A weeklong Vacation Bible School is offered each year for children age three through fifth grade. This is an exciting week of Bible Learning activities. The Vacation Bible School is directed by a church volunteer, and is staffed by adults within the church, with assistance of Youth Fellowship volunteers. A grand finale to V.B.S. week is planned for the entire family.