Exploring the Christian Story for Today

Exploring the Christian Story

We have selected a variety of excellent experiences for you - all designed to explore the Christian Story and its meaning for us today. We have developed our offerings to make it easy for you to find a program or activity or resource that best addresses how you want to learn and grow in your understand of the Christian Story and its applicability to life today. You can select from a variety of large group, small group, and on-your-own activities - some are in-person, some online formats, and some have in-person and online components. 

​The learning activities are organized into three types of experiences. We also offer programs that are for all adults. 
  • For adults who are just getting started or need a refresher: We have activities that introduce you to the Christian Story. Look for the activities with introducing or developing in the title. 
  • For adults who are growing: We have activities that help you grow in your understanding of the Christian Story. Look for activities with growing in the title.  
  • For adults who want to go deeper: We have activities that will deepen your knowledge of the Christian Story. Look for activities with going deeper in the title. 

Experience #1 (for all adults). The Christian Story for Today
a monthly exploration of the essentials of the Christian faith & what they mean today

Monthly Themes
  1. God Becomes Human
    (The Incarnation)
  2. Jesus Teaches us the Way
    (The Gospels)
  3. Jesus Dies and Rises
    (The Paschal Mystery)
  4. The Holy Spirit Inspires & Sustains
    (Living the Mission)
  5. The Church Witnesses 
    (The Community of Disciples)
  6. We Worship God
    (Liturgy and Sacraments)
  7. We Live to Love
    (Moral Living)
  8. We Serve & Act for Justice
    (Social Responsibility)
  9. We Pray
    (Intimacy with God) ​​
Choose How You Want to Participate
  • Join us in-person on Thursday morning at 10 am or Thursday evening at 7 pm in the church center for the live presentation
  • Watch the experience streamed live on YouTube Live. 
  • Join a monthly small group to watch the video and use the study guide questions to discuss the presentation. ​​
  • Watch the video on-your-own on our website.​

Experience #2 (getting started or need a refresher). 
​An Invitation to the Catholic Story - A Small Group Experience

Journey around the world and deep into the Catholic Faith in all its richness, history, beauty, goodness, and truth in breathtaking, high-definition cinematography.

Travel with acclaimed author, speaker and theologian Bishop Robert Barron to more than 50 locations throughout 15 countries. You'll be illuminated by the spiritual and artistic treasures of this global culture, claiming more than one billion of Earth’s people.  
​
From the sacred lands of Israel to the beating heart of Uganda; from the glorious shrines of Italy, France, and Spain to the streets of Mexico, Kolkata, and New York City; the fullness of Catholicsm is revealed. 
Ten Sessions
  1. Amazed and Afraid
  2. Happy are We
  3. The Ineffable Mystery of God 
  4. Our Tainted Nature's Solitary Boast
  5. The Indispensable Men
  6. A Body both Suffering and Glorious
  7. Word made Flesh, True Bread of Heaven
  8. A Vast Company of Witnesses
  9. The Fire of His Love
  10. World Without End

Choose How You Want to Participate
  • ​​Join a small group that meets weekly at church.
  • Join a small group that meets at home.
  • Join an online small group on Zoom. ​​

Experience #3 (growing and going deeper). ​How Christianity Makes Sense of the World - A Book Group

Join a book group to read, discuss, and apply Broken Signposts: How Christianity Makes Sense of the World by internationally recognized author and Scripture scholar N.T. Wright. 

N. T. Wright argues that every world view must explain seven “signposts,” indicators inherent to humanity: Justice, Spirituality, Relationships, Beauty, Freedom, Truth, and Power. If we do not live up to these ideals, our societies and individual lives become unbalanced, creating anger and frustration—negative emotions that divide us from ourselves and from God, he contends. Using the Gospel of John as his source, Wright shows how Christianity defines each signpost and illuminates why we so often see them as being "broken" and unattainable. Drawing on the wisdom of the Gospels, Wright explains why these signposts are fractured and damaged and how Christianity provides the vision, guidance, and hope for making them whole once again, ultimately healing ourselves and our world. ​​
Book Group Format 
  1. Prepare by reading by one or two designated chapters.
  2. Share your experience of praying with the everyone engaged in the book study using our "Learning to Pray" Facebook Group. 
  3. Meet with your group to discuss the  chapter 

Choose How You Want to Participate
  • ​​Join a book study group that meets weekly at church.
  • Join a book study group that meets at home.
  • Host your own book study group. 
  • Hold a book study group online at Zoom. ​

View the introduction to the book by N.T. Wright