Adult Christian Formation
Opportunities
Wednesdays Evenings at Richmond's First Baptist Church
God is constantly seeking to form us into the image of Christ for
the sake of others. Our part begins with consciously choosing to cooperate with
the Spirit by practicing spiritual disciplines involving head, heart, and hands.
Although the adult formation opportunities listed below work on more than one
part of us, they have been organized under head, heart, and hands to assist you
in your selection. Which area(s) do you need to give attention to at this point
of your journey with Christ?
Please note that beginning and ending dates vary, as well as the
number of sessions.
Registration is not required for any of the
classes. Simply come to the first session listed.
The Head refers to two dimensions of preparation and equipping for the Christian
journey – (1) gifts and calling, and (2) skills and knowledge. The focus is on
understanding.
Bringing the Kingdom of Heaven to Richmond
For three Wednesday evenings we will reflect on the
issues of immigration, poverty, and racial reconciliation
and our response as Christ-followers. Join us in the
Dining Hall at 6:15 each evening, following the
Wednesday night supper. The April 18 session will
feature an award-winning documentary recently
premiered in Richmond. Guest speakers will bring new
information and insightful challenges for us to consider
as individuals and as a faith community.
April 18: The “Gospel without Borders”: Exploring
A Christian Response to Immigration
April 25: The Plight of the Poor in Metropolitan
Richmond: Revealing insights from the
2010 Census
May 2: The Dream Continues … Racial
Reconciliation in Richmond?
James: Mercy Triumphs (For Ladies Only)
James, Jesus’ own brother, started out as a skeptic. See how one
glimpse of the resurrected Savior turned an unbeliever into a disciple with Beth
Moore’s eight session
study of the book of James. This study is open
to ladies only and meets at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday
afternoon.
Dates: January 8 – March 18
Time: Sundays, 12:30 - 2:00
p.m.
Location: 220-A
Facilitator: Amylin Brooker
The Heart refers to the deepening of relationships with God, self, and others.
The focus is on being.
Soul Mates
Soul Mates is a spiritual formation small group where
participants focus on practicing twelve spiritual disciplines such as
contemplation, prayer, simplicity, solitude, service, etc.
Participants are encouraged to read the weekly text and practice
prayer and contemplation to nurture their spirituality. Accompanied
by sharing their experience, participants will find encouragement in
the spiritual friendship of one another. Soul Mates uses the book
entitled Spiritual Classics, edited by Richard Foster. This small
group has been meeting since last September, and now is open to new
participants.
Dates: January 19 – May 31
Time: Thursdays, 6:15 - 7:30 p.m. (Wednesdays, 7:15 p.m. from Feb.
1 - April 4)
Location: Pusey House Living Room, 2705 Park Ave. (located
immediately behind main building)
Facilitator: Hanna Zhu, Formation Ministry Intern
The Good and
Beautiful Life: Putting on the Character of Christ
Following the Sermon on the Mount, we will explore the character
flaws inherent in all of us and seek to replace our false beliefs
about the “good life” with Jesus’ narratives about life in the
kingdom of God. The book by the same title, written by James Bryan
Smith, will be available for $10.
Dates: April 18 – June 20 (9 weeks)
Time: Wednesdays, 6:15 - 7:15 p.m.
Facilitators: Steve Booth, Associate Pastor, Christian
Formation
and Kay Smith, Spiritual Director, graduate of
Richmond Hill’s RUAH School of Spiritual Direction
Location: 280-F
The Good and Beautiful God:
Falling in Love with the God Jesus Knows
Knowing that our understanding of God deeply shapes
our lives, this study will lay out a simple yet powerful process to
bring healing and wholeness to our understanding of God. God is
revealed as compassionate, loving, good and beautiful. This
understanding of who God is and what God is like is drawn directly
from what Jesus taught and believed. The book by the same title,
written by James Bryan Smith, will be available for $10.
Dates: Begins February 12 (meets every other Sunday)
Time: Sundays, 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.
Facilitator: Suzanne Mason
Location: 240-D
or
join
Monday Morning Bible Study
(For Ladies Only)
for the same study.
Dates: January 9 – March 26
Time: Mondays, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Location: Suite 280 common area
Facilitator: Stephanie Whittington
Childcare is available on request. Contact Bev Carroll, 282-7878
Catalyst Prayer
This is a time to come and be still, to lift up the church staff, lay
leaders, and ministries of our church. It is also a time to draw
encouragement from one another as we pray together and share in a
brief devotion led by Dr. Jim Flamming.
Our schedule is new:
5:45 - 6:00 p.m. – enter quietly in time of silence and preparation
for prayer
6:00 - 6:45 p.m. – offering prayers on behalf of others
6:45 - 7:00 p.m. – devotional thought and closing words of
encouragement
Join us as we pray for the many ministries of our church.
Time: Wednesdays, 5:45 - 7:00 p.m.
Facilitators: Dr. Jim Flamming, Pastor Emeritus,
and Lynn Turner, Senior Associate Pastor
Location: Adams Room
Connection Café
Relax and enjoy a cup of coffee, a light snack, and
conversation with new and old friends. This is a non-structured time
for you to connect with fellow travelers on the Christian journey.
Time: Wednesdays, 5:45 - 7:15 p.m.
Location: Boulevard Foyer
LENTEN SERVICES
Journey to the Cross, February 22 – March 28, 6:15 p.m.
The Lenten season is a spiritual journey that begins on Ash Wednesday
and concludes on Easter Sunday. Each Wednesday evening in Lent we
gather in the sanctuary for a brief worship service at 6:15 in which
Dr. Somerville will lead us in exploring the theme,
“Through a Glass Darkly.” The services are times for remembrance and
reflection as we share communion and contemplate the message of the
cross.
Contemplative Service,
April 4, 6:15 p.m.
A special contemplative service of silence, prayer, music, and
Scripture readings will conclude the Wednesday night Journey to the
Cross series on April 4.
Maundy Thursday Tenebrae Service,
April 5, 7:00 p.m.
The Maundy Thursday Tenebrae Service is a communion service of
darkness and remembrance which recalls the last supper Jesus shared
with His disciples... and then His arrest and trial. Powerful music
by the Church Choir is a moving preparation for the final days of
Holy Week.
Women on Mission Prayer, Fellowship and Bible Study Groups
Eight different Women on Mission small groups are
available. Four of these: Bible Study, Prayer, Book Club, and Current
Missions meet on the second Tuesday of each month at 10:30 a.m. in
Suite 280, followed by lunch in the Dining Hall. Four other groups
meet at alternate times as follows:
1st Monday night at 6:30 in
homes
2nd Friday Brown Bag Group at 12:00 noon at FBC
2nd Wednesday night at 5:15
p.m. at FBC
3rd Wednesday night at 5:15 at FBC
For more information, call Toni Myers, 358-9090.
Dinner and a Book (For Ladies Only)
Join other women for dinner, fellowship, and discussion
of Marilyn Leach’s Advent of a Mystery. For lovers of classic Agatha
Christie mysteries and Jan Karon village characters, this English set
mystery recounts the story of Berdie Elliott, the wife of the new
parish priest, who thought she left her old life as an investigative
reporter behind her, but soon discovers a village full of secrets
when a man dies at a Christmas celebration.
Dates: Begins January 5 (meets first Thursday of each month)
Time: Thursdays, 6:30 p.m.
Location: Pusey House
Facilitator: Stephanie Whittington
Hands refer to the practical ways one puts God’s love into
action. The focus is on
doing.
Sleeping Bags for the Homeless
Join others in making sleeping bags for distribution
through our Community Missions Ministry. No sewing skills are
necessary and all materials are provided.
Dates: January – July 25 (ongoing)
Time: Wednesdays, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Facilitator: Laura Hedrick
Location: LL-16
S.K.E.I.N.S.: Sewers, Knitters, Embroiderers Involved
in Needlework & Service
This is a mission opportunity opened to all who enjoy
the various fiber arts. This group meets to provide area hospitals
and agencies with scarves, lap robes and tiny gowns as we learn,
teach, share, and serve.
Dates: January – May 9 (ongoing)
Time: Wednesdays: 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Facilitator: Linn Kreckman
Location: 280-C
“Up In Arms”
Puppet Ministry
Learn to communicate Jesus’ love in a whole new way.
Adults and youths learn to make and use props, sets, and puppets for
performances throughout the year. No experience necessary.
Dates: January – May 9 (ongoing)
Time: Wednesdays, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Facilitator: Sharon McCauley
Location: 240-D
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