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Fall 2008 Course Descriptions, Teachers, and Class Times

The Hard Sayings of Jesus (offered twice)

Dr. Scott Engle

Monday morning:  9:45-11:30

Tuesday evening:  6:45-8:30

 Jesus meek and mild? Hardly.  Beyond the challenging words of Jesus come his “hard saying,” those that shake us out of our easy chairs and force us to reexamine what we thought we knew about God’s Good News.  In this lecture oriented class, we’ll talk about sixteen of these hard saying, hoping that Jesus’ words will lead us to the heart of our Christian faith.

Jesus, The One and Only (offered twice – women-only)

Vicky Dearing

Monday morning:  10:00-12:00

Monday evening:  6:30-8:30

 (A Beth Moore Study) is an in-depth study of the life of Jesus based on the book of Luke. This study was taped on location in Jerusalem and throughout Israel. We will travel through the hills of Galilee with Jesus, The Teacher, across the lake with Jesus, The Master, and finally, on the road toward the cross with Jesus, The Savior. We will get to know Jesus intimately as though we had walked with Him during His days in earthly ministry.

This women-only study provides opportunities for personal study and reflection as well as group discussions and video sessions of Beth’s teachings.  The Beth Moore Bible Studies have long been a popular part of the Bible Academy.   Because this is an 11-week study, we will complete the first six sessions in the fall academy and will complete the final five sessions during the winter academy.

Biblical Events & Persons: Symbolic & Metaphorical Lessons

Bob Pannell

Tuesday morning:  10:00-11:30

Throughout Biblical literature there is a continuing theme of God’s love for those created in His image.  Interwoven in this theme are the elements of facts and events, (a foundation upon which Christian faith is erected); symbolism and metaphorical instruction (the material with which we build upon that faith) and information upon which we build our Christian faith.  The weekly “stand alone” lessons tell us how God desires and expects a Christian to act in a Spirit of Faith to withstand the storms of life.

This is an 8 week Bible Study spread over 10 weeks; 4 weeks on-2 week’s off-4 weeks on.

Romans: The Greatest Book Ever Written

Frankey Commer

Thursday morning: 9:30-11:00

It is difficult to overstate the importance of Paul’s letter to the Romans to the Christian Church. Though acknowledged to be Paul’s greatest and most influential letter, it is also his most challenging. The truth is that Romans often goes unread, other than in small bits and pieces. In this class, we’ll come to see that the letter tells a story, indeed many stories, as Paul defends the righteousness of God. We will learn what it really means “to be transformed by the renewing of our minds” and embrace our faithful and just God.

Seeing Gray in a World of Black and White

Rev. Doug Meyer

Thursday lunch:  11:45-1:00

The guide for our class discussion will be Adam Hamilton’s new book: Seeing Gray in a World of Black and White. The book challenges us “to model for the rest of the country a richer, more thoughtful conversation on the political, moral, and religious issues that divide us. Hamilton rejects the easy assumptions and sloppy analysis of black and white thinking, seeking instead the truth that resides on all sides of the issues, and offering a faithful and compassionate way forward.” Our class discussion will be lively as we explore weekly the current “hot-buttons” of our culture.

Meeting Paul

Dr. Scott Engle

Monday evening:  6:45-8:30

Paul, a sophisticated Pharisee from Asia Minor and a persecutor of Jesus’ followers, was visited by the risen Christ and given a new vocation. Paul was to take the Good News to the non-Jewish world.  This mission would shape the rest of Paul’s life, as he traveled through the Roman Empire proclaiming the Gospel, starting and nurturing communities of believers.  In this lecture-oriented class, we’ll learn about Paul – his world, his life, his travels, his work, and his ideas.  And we’ll seek to discover what Paul really said!

Alpha

Facilitated small group discussion

Monday evening: 6:30-9:00

When was the last time you had a really healthy & stimulating conversation about faith or religion? Can you grow more in your faith by listening to a superb teacher or by listening to a superb teacher and then discussing it? If you’re looking for a fast paced, interactive journey to talk about faith issues and discuss religion in a relaxed, non-threatening manner, ALPHA IS FOR YOU!  Whether you have a strong faith or are just beginning the expedition into Christianity, you’ll love being able to talk, really talk, about the “not so basic” topics that matter in our beliefs! Some of the topics to be discussed include: What happens when we die? Why do bad things happen to good people? Does prayer really work? How does God guide us? Does evil exist? Who is the Holy Spirit and what does He do?

This is a 10 week course. Home cooked dinner, faith topic video, break out into small groups for discussion.

The Marriage Course

Rev. Debbie Lyons

Monday evening: 6:30-9:00

How can we be married to one person for the whole of our life?  How can we resolve conflict in our marriage?  How can we discover and rediscover sexual intimacy with our spouse?  Join us for this incredible 7 week marriage course, designed to help any married couple strengthen their relationship and spend time together looking at the important issues in your marriage.  You will learn invaluable skills needed to build a healthy marriage that lasts a lifetime! Each week you are given the opportunity to enjoy a special meal together and then, in between the talks, you’ll have plenty of time to discuss the topic as a couple. There is no group work involved at any stage of the course. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been married for less than two years or more than thirty … if you have a strong marriage this course will help you make it even better and will reinforce your good habits but if your marriage is in difficulty, the course will help provide you with very practical tools to help you work through the issues. Some of the topics include: Building Strong Foundations, The Art of Communication, Resolving Conflict, The Power of Forgiveness, Parents and In-Laws, Good Sex, Love in Action.

This is a 7 week course.  Home cooked dinner with the group, followed by private couples conversation mixed with video presentations; couples homework required.

A Life Worth Living: A Study on Philippians

Facilitated small group discussion

Monday evening: 6:30-9:00

What is it that makes life really worth living?  Loving God seems fairly easy, but are we doing it the best way we can?  A look at some of the things Jesus Christ does for us TODAY as we explore clear and powerful answers for those who want to live the kind of life Christ calls us to live. Each talk explains how it’s possible to live the Christian life positively, practically and joyfully as maturing Christians. (This course is part of the Alpha Ministry & although the Alpha course is recommended, it’s not a prerequisite for this class.) Some of the topics include:   New Heart:  If you knew Jesus was coming back tomorrow, what would you change about your life?  New Purpose:  How do we feel about heaven & hell? How does our feeling about death affect our life?  New Attitude:  Is our status & achievements more important than truly loving God and others?  New Confidence:  Where does TRUE confidence come from and how do we get it?

This is a 9 week course, home cooked dinner, faith talk & small group discussion.

Searching Issues:  The 7 most asked questions in the Christian faith!

Facilitated small group discussion

Monday evening: 6:30-9:00

This outstanding course is an amazing opportunity for maturing Christians who are seeking insights into some of the most difficult and complex questions surrounding Christianity. Some home reading, approximately 30-45 minutes per week will greatly enhance the experience and although Alpha is not a prerequisite, this course is designed for mature Christian discussion. The questions to be discussed: Why Does God Allow Suffering? What about Other Religions? Is There Anything Wrong with Sex Before Marriage? How Does the New Age Movement Relate to Christianity? What is the Christian Attitude to Homosexuality? Is There a Conflict Between Science and Christianity? Is the Trinity Unbiblical, Unbelievable and Irrelevant?

This is a  7 week course, home cooked dinner, group leader recap of readings, small group discussion.

Life Through the Eyes of a Disciple: A Study on the Sermon on the Mount

Facilitated small group discussion

Monday evening: 6:30-9:00

Jesus' radical teaching on the Sermon on the Mount suggests ways we can apply this challenging teaching in our own lives!  This outstanding course is for those who are serious about growing in their faith although Alpha is not a prerequisite, this course is designed for mature Christian discussion and Alpha lays a wonderful foundation for the talks.  Some of the topics that the Beatitudes address is:  What’s the secret of happiness?  How can we change the world around us? How is the Old Testament relevant to our lives as Christians today?  How is society approaching sex in the 21st century?  How should we, as Christians and as a loving society, respond to divorce?

This is a 10 week course, home cooked dinner, faith talk, small group discussion.

Desperate Housewives (women-only)

Rev. Kathy McLean-Davis

Wednesday evening: 7:00-8:30

A women only study about women in the Bible who found themselves in desperate circumstances.  In a man’s world the women of Bible times lived in a different world from ours.  But there is much we can learn from them, their strength and courage and their relationship with God and Jesus the Christ.  The study will cover three Old Testament stories and four  Gospel stories and will include: Deborah & Jael; Tamar; Esther; The Woman Who Extended the Lord’s Table; The Woman Who Broke the Curse; The Woman Who Hauled Living Water; The Woman Who Had a Near Death Experience.

This is an 8 week course with no class Oct. 22.

Queen Esther: For Such a Time as This (women-only)

Deborah Collins – Thursday evening

In a time when the Jews were living in captivity in Persia, God had a divine plan and purpose for a young orphan girl named Hadassah. From captivity to captivating, God raised her up from the king’s harem to become Esther, Queen of Persia who was instrumental in preventing the annihilation of the Jews. Through her story, we learn the importance of perspective, preparation, purpose, prayer and protocol wherever God chooses to strategically place us. Though God is not mentioned by name in the book of Esther, He was working behind the scenes in her life to deliver His people. Though we may not always recognize His presence in our situation, He is working on our behalf for a divine plan and purpose.

This is a 8 week course; workbooks $18.00

From the Apostles to the Present: A Fast & Furious History of the Christian Faith

Rev. Steve Robertson

Wednesday evening:  7:00-8:30

Note:  Starts September 24th

Have you ever wanted to know how the Christian Faith began? How did our doctrines evolve? What were the great heresies that helped shape and define the orthodox beliefs of the early church? If you would like to explore what we believe as Christians and why we believe what we do, join Rev. Steve Robertson in this lively survey of our Christian history. The class format will be lecture-oriented, with ample opportunity for questions and discussion.

Eight weeks starting September 24.

FAQ about the Bible Academy classes

Is there a cost?

There are no fees for any of the Academy classes, though we do charge for any course materials and books. The class descriptions will tell you more. Childcare is provided at no cost. If your class uses a book, these will be available at your first class meeting.

We do encourage donations to the Academy. Your donations will help to defray the cost of these classes and the work of the St. Andrew Academy. Your donations will help us develop new offerings, bring in exciting teachers and speakers, and underwrite educational outreach programs. The suggested donation for classes is $20.

How do I pay?

Money for books, course materials, and donations will be collected by the teacher at your first class meeting. We accept cash and check. We are not able to accept credit cards.

Is childcare available?

Yes! Childcare is available for all classes, but only if it has been requested. If you will need childcare, please be sure to complete the childcare information when you register, whether on-line or by mail.

When are classes offered?

There are three 8-week Academy terms each year. The fall term begins in September and ends in early November. The winter term begins in early January and ends in March, before the Plano ISD spring break. The spring term begins in late March and ends in May. Thus, classes do not meet between Thanksgiving and Christmas or in the summer.

Who teaches the classes?

We know that the quality of the teaching is very important to the success of the Academy. All classes will be taught by clergy, experienced professionals, or well-qualified lay people. See the teacher bio’s in the brochure for more information on our outstanding faculty.