Adult Studies - St. James United Methodist Church Atlanta

The Joy Class is a welcoming and lively group who enjoy a wide variety of lessons each week with plenty of spirited discussion. We have members of all ages – from 30 to over 80 – but most are somewhere in between. We enjoy exploring questions of faith and welcome everyone no matter where you may be on your faith journey. We are learning together while sharing our joys and sorrows, beliefs and doubts, hopes and dreams.

As part of a Reconciling United Methodist Congregation, we are committed to being a safe, nurturing, and joy‑filled community where every individual – regardless of economic circumstances, physical or mental abilities, race, sexual orientation, or gender identity – feels accepted and can grow in faith, belonging, and hope. Just show up, enjoy a cup of coffee, and give us the opportunity to greet you!

COMBINED SUNDAY SCHOOL

The JOY Class will join the combined adult Sunday School classes at 9:45 in the Fellowship Hall for a three week series presented by The Candler Foundry called ‘Prophetic Ministry and Imagination’. This course will take a close look at the biblical narratives and teachings of Moses, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Jesus. We will learn how Jesus and these prophets can help us understand how God has acted in history, and how God is acting now. Join us for what should be an insightful series!

September 20 – First Session taught by the Candler Foundry’s Director, Ryan Bonfiglio

October 25 – Second Session

November 15 – Third Session

BOOK DISCUSSION – THE CASE FOR CHRIST

The Case for Christ: A Journalist’s Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus, published in 1998, was written by Lee Strobel, an award-winning investigative journalist and legal editor for the Chicago Tribune. In the late 1970s, Strobel was a staunch, vocal atheist. When his wife converted to Christianity, he feared his marriage would fall apart and that she would change for the worse. Instead, he witnessed subtle, positive transformations in her character. Frustrated yet intrigued, he decided to utilize his rigorous legal and journalistic training to disprove the resurrection of Jesus Christ and rescue his wife from what he believed was a cult-like delusion. Strobel spent months interviewing 13 leading biblical scholars, historical experts, and scientists – The Case for Christ is the result of his reporting.

Please join on any or all of the dates listed below as we continue our discussion of Strobel’s findings and conclusions. Note that the chapter designations below are estimates – we are known to have one weeks topic spill over into the following week!

September 27 – Chapters 5-6

October 4 – Chapters 7-8

October 11 – Chapters 9-10

October 18 – Chapters 11-12

November 1 – Chapters 13-14

November 8 – Wrap Up