Adult Education
In the midst of growth, changes, and challenges, we are called to listen to the voice of God. We are all called to challenge ourselves and each other to deepen our understanding and our faith. How will YOU choose to grow? Countryside has a dynamic approach to Adult Education through its classes, book studies and small group ministries. Some on-going opportunities include:
Adult Ed Perspectives: Sundays 11:15 am – 12:30 pm
Sunday, April 27: Legislature 101, with Maureen Hornacek and members of the Rainbow Parents of NE. Learn about Nebraska’s legislative process, key bills, their impact on our community, and ways to take action. Whether you’re new or experienced in advocacy, this session offers valuable insights. Don’t miss it!
Sundays, May 11 & 18: Learning about the Qur’an – and from It with Denny Clark and Imam Ibrahim Ashour. The Qur’an is central to Muslims’ experience and understanding of God. Many ‘outsiders’ to Islam, however, often find it difficult to engage with the Qur’an. Its contents and arrangement aren’t what they expect, usually because their expectations (based either on encounters with their own scriptures or on pervasive American caricatures of Islam) simply don’t fit what the Qur’an itself is doing. How can we more appropriately and beneficially connect with the Qur’an?
Session 1, May 11 – Dr. Denny Clark
An Appreciative Intro to the Qur’an for Curious Outsiders
Session 2, May 18 – Imam Ibrahim Ashour (from American Muslim Institute)
Islam’s Understanding of the Qur’an’s Significance for ALL Humanity
Soup, Salad & Scripture Bring-Your-Own-Lunch Series: Tuesdays, 11:30 an – 1 pm
April 22 & 29: Paul’s Letter to the Romans – Why a Letter to the Romans? with Don Sarton. We can’t say Paul’s Letter to the Romans is the summation of his Christology, but it does reveal how Paul was thinking and some of the struggles he dealt with.
May 6, 13 & 20: Paul and Women – Untangling the Strands with Dr. Denny Clark. Early Jesus-Movement writings often portray the apostle Paul in conflicting ways, especially regarding women’s roles in Christian community—views that still spark debate today. This session explores how to make sense of these contradictions, the historical Paul, and women’s leadership in the early Jesus-Movement.
Other Small Groups
Books, Bible and Beyond: Wednesdays at noon, Ruth Room– This group, facilitated by Nancy Ethington, meets over lunch to read and discuss a wide variety of books – nonfiction and fiction. The group is currently reading TO BE UPDATED. New participants are always welcome and can join in at any time.
Racial Justice Study Group: Sundays at 9 am on Zoom (see church calendar for link). This group picks books, articles and videos regarding the dynamic of race in America. The group is currently reading and discussing TO BE UPDATED.
Sunday Adult Forum: Sundays at 11:15 am in the Deborah Room – Believing that curiosity about the world God created is a holy instinct, the Adult Forum use a variety of materials to engage in dynamic learning. Currently, groups are using the resources from the Great Courses library. These are taught by renowned professors from top professors from pre-eminent Universities across the nation and beyond. Both groups meet for an hour – watching about 30 minutes of a DVD class and then following it with simple conversation. The groups are always open to new faces and you do not have to commit to attending every week, though you can check out the DVD when you miss if you want to! The group is currently watching and discussing TO BE UPDATED.