Adult Discipleship Classes for 2022
Background
Survey June 2021
In Zion Bishan’s Covid-19 Survey in June 2021, 63.8% of participants indicated not attending any form of Christian education aside from their AG and attending Sunday Service. 48.8% and 61.8% indicated interest in attending Adult Discipleship Classes in-person or online, respectively. There is much opportunity for participation.
Previous Purpose and Method of ADC
The purpose of ADC has always been to “fill the gap” and look for “what’s missing” from our weekly discipleship and pulpit ministries. ADCs serve as means to complement our pulpit and AGs by providing a space to address topics that are important to the church and our members.
Prior to this, ADC looked for topics in an opportunistic and ad-hoc way. However, that method has made planning difficult and ADCs inconsistent. When a topic of interest arises, there is little time for preparation. Being reactive may not be a suitable approach for the goal of growing our church in discipleship.
ADC Renewed for 2022
The Adult Discipleship Class
In discussion with Staff members on the Discipleship Team, ADC will continue to compliment the teaching from the pulpit and at AGs. But instead of waiting and looking for topics of opportunity, an intentional selection of 5 broad topics, important for Christian living, have been proposed.
These broad topics will be repeated yearly. If appropriate, classes done the year before may be repeated yearly, as all of these topics are worth revisiting annually. Otherwise, new a series or class on these same broad topics are welcome and will help keep ADCs relevant, fresh and grow the church in discipleship.
The broad topics will be reviewed after 2-3 years.
Broad Topics
- Work & The Workplace – in January
- Spiritual Formation – in March
- The Home – in May
- Inviting, Including, & Enabling – in September
- Gender & Sexuality – in November
Frequency and Run-time
How many sessions are allowed for each broad topic?
Each of these broad topics will be provided the space to hold between 1 to 3 sessions within its assigned month. The next topic will be held 2 months later (except July, which is assigned to Missions Month).
When and how long should each session be?
Each sessions should be about 1.5 hours in duration (to the speaker’s discretion). It is suggested to hold the sessions in the first 3 weeks of the month, especially if running a series of 3. This will allow the 4th and 5th weeks to be treated as a break.
It will be best to hold the session on a weekday evening (subject to the availability of the speaker) as this provides an appropriate time for church members to convene and check-in with one another.
Will it be held in-person or online?
ADCs will take an online first approach and provide a hybrid setting when and where possible.
Is there a suggested style or format for each session?
The sessions may be run in various formats such as a talk (best to include a Q&A portion or time for discussion), interactive and discussion based workshop, or even a facilitated panel interview.
It is important to include an interactive element to facilitate online participation.
Summary
In summary, ADC will run online classes, on selected topics bi-monthly. A series of up to 3 classes for each topic may be held. It is recommended that these sessions are held mid-week, and should include a discussion component as much as possible.
