Curious about what kinds of topics the OASIS class takes on? Here is a list of recent studies, along with Power Points and handouts used in each study (where applicable). To see what the OASIS class is working on now--and what other adult education offerings are currently available--click here.
Interrupting Silence: Speaking Out against Injustice (Apr 24 - June 5, 2022)
Discussing politics in church has long been viewed as ill-advised, if not unbiblical. And yet the political questions our nation faces--especially related to social, economic, and international issues--do have moral implications. What is the role of the church in addressing these implications in our public and political life? How can the church address legitimate concerns in the public square, without losing its spiritual connection to God? Join us as we explore the Church’s role in speaking out and advocating for compassion for all in public policy and decision-making. The class begins Sunday April 24 and continues through Sunday June 5, with no class on Sunday, May 29. Love Is the Way: Holding on to Hope in Troubling Times (Jan 9 - Apr 10, 2022)
Love Is the Way: Holding On to Hope in Troubling Timesis a logical study to follow the OASIS class's explorations of Luke, who showed us Jesus's way, and Acts, who showed us how early Christians followed "The Way." Love seems like a weak word, incapable of meeting the challenges the world is facing right now. But if love is indeed the way of Jesus, maybe we're missing something with our cultural understanding of the word. We hope this study will help us continue to explore what the way of Jesus really is--and what love really is. Read along in the book if/as you're able. A rotating set of leaders will frame discussions that capture the meat of each chapter without requiring everyone to read.
Silence and Other Surprising Invitations of Advent (Nov 28-Dec 19, 2021)
Leaders: Marty Post, Warren Clayton, Maria Clayton, Judy Crooks, Becky Yarbrough, Susan Wilder (rotating)
Our OASIS Adult Discipleship class for Advent runs from Sunday, November 28 through Sunday, December 19. We will be studying Enuma Okoro’s 2012 book, Silence and Other Surprising Invitations of Advent. (Order it from your favorite online vendor; we have a few copies in the office for sale at cost — $14 — for those who prefer that method.) The book, which focuses on the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth, parents of John the Baptist, has four weeks of study, each week with a daily meditation to contemplate as we travel through the Advent season; a new group of facilitators will be assisting our study. We look forward to you joining us for a prayerful four weeks of study and preparation for Christmas.
FALL 2021 STUDY
Read ACTS with Grace (Sept 12 - Nov 21, 2021)
Leaders: Nelson Thurman, Amy Trawick, Philip Spiess, Tim Wilder
As part of a church-wide study for the fall, the OASIS class will read and discuss The Acts of the Apostles. Acts picks up where the Gospel of Luke ends. In Luke we see Jesus teaching counter-cultural ideas about welcoming the outsider, prioritizing the poor, and sitting at table with all of God's children. In our study of Acts, Grace adults will investigate how the early church realized these teachings "on the ground," forming working communities that attempted to embody God's great love. How did the apostles handle differences in theology? How did they treat each other? How did the earliest Christian communities structure themselves during this turbulent era, what role did the Holy Spirit play, and what lessons can we draw for our own turbulent era? We'll explore these questions and more! For more information, including the reading schedule and materials, click here.
SPRING 2021 STUDY
Testimony: Vocabulary of Faith (Apr 11- May 16, 2021)
How do we articulate what we believe fluently and in ways that clearly demonstrate our faith to the world? How do we live and move and have our being in ways that embody our deepest Christian commitments? The study will help us explore these questions from a Reformed theological perspective, using a curriculum developed by Presbyterian Outlook. The study will last 6 weeks, and the discussions will be led by a rotating group of facilitators.
April 11: Session 1: Almighty — Who Is God? Handouts: Core Values Discussion Questions Who Is God? Scripture Passages Confessions
April 18: Session 2: Imago Dei — Who Are We? Handout: Session 2 Imago Dei.ppt
April 25: Session 3: Covenant — God in Relationship. Handout: Session 3 Covenant.ppt
May 2: Session 4: Grace — God Who Saves. Handout: Session 4 Testimony_Grace.ppt
May 9: Session 5: Love — God of Action. Handout: Session 5 God of Action - Love.ppt
May 16: Session 6: Christian Community — God of Belonging. Handout: Session 6 Testimony Community.ppt
Reading Luke with Grace (Jan 3-Mar 28, 2021)
Grace will begin the new year with a church-wide study of the Gospel of Luke. We'll be reading 2 chapters a week. Adults can join the OASIS adult class (Sunday mornings, 9:15 am on Zoom) to explore what they read during the week. We have opportunities for children and youth as well. Consider a New Year's resolution of getting to know Jesus more deeply, and his interest in those on the margins, through this study. Check out the Read Luke with Grace page for more information and materials! (Leaders: Nelson Thurman, Cindi Bryant, Amy Trawick)
ADVENT 2021 STUDY
Incarnation: Rediscovering the Significance of Christmas (Nov 29-Dec 20, 2020)
During Advent , the OASIS class is reading Incarnation: Rediscovering the Significance of Christmas by Adam Hamilton. A rotating group of facilitators will lead our discussions around the different names for Jesus and what they mean for us. As always, participants are invited to read along in the book; however, the leaders will be sure to provide a summary as part of the discussion. (Leaders: Philip Spiess, Dave Buckley, Janet Little)
FALL 2021 STUDY
An Altar in the World (Sept - Nov 22, 2020)
As we move into what is shaping up to be a tumultuous fall, the online adult Sunday morning class will study how we can maintain our spiritual center. We will use as our guide the book An Altar in the World, written by renowned preacher and author Barbara Brown Taylor. The book explores ways to experience the divine in our everyday, human activities, such as “wearing skin,” “getting lost,” “saying no,” and “living with purpose.” We will discuss these, chapter by chapter, but also set aside time to greet each other, get to know each other better, and encourage each other. Read along in the book (available through most online bookstores) or just show up for the conversation (the leaders will summarize key points each week). (Leaders: Cindi Bryant, Nelson Thurman, Amy Trawick)
