Adults
Adult Study Courses
We offer the year-long DISCIPLE program. The DISCIPLE program is a systematic approach to Bible study that allows you to experience the full sweep of the Bible through short daily readings and 34 Monday night classes. You will grow in faith and understanding of God’s call to you individually and to the church as Christ’s body. You will get to know classmates in a special way. We will read through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, following the chronological movement of the biblical story. Each session will include a video portion in which a noted Bible scholar gives background on the material for that session. Call the church office for details. You can find more about the DISCIPLE program on the internet. The first link below leads you to an excellent video introducing the program.
Teaching Each Other
Our teachers and members of the Christian Education Committee are continually exploring new opportunities and improving already successfully established programs so students and teachers of all ages can continue to dream and plan, learn and teach together.
Becoming Disciples
Additional Adult Bible study and other classes are offered on Sunday mornings, Sunday evenings, and Monday evenings. St. Matthew's has been conducting UMC DISCIPLE classes for the past 6 years. Over 60 people have taken the year-long introductory course, and many of them have gone on to take the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th year installments. Class participation and discussion are intellectually challenging and spiritually engaging.
Witnessing through Faithful Lives
We are not a congregation that forcefully or manipulatively uses fear or guilt to win converts to Christ. Rather we seek to bear witness to the truth that we find the deepest fulfillment in life when we offer our lives in loving service to others, following the example of Christ. It is we who must convince an often skeptical, cynical and unbelieving world of this faith or leave it unconvinced. We consider it our sacred responsibility to share our faith with others through our words and our personal witness.
Inviting spiritual seekers
We live in a time of immense spiritual seeking, though many are turned off by institutional religion. We invite people to seek for the truth of God in ways that are authentic to them. We offer times for dialogue and examination of questions of faith in relation to the realities of life. At St. Matthew's we welcome all who are searching for meaningful expression of their spirituality and finding ways to make personal connections with the traditions of the Christian faith.
Sharing Good News
We believe that the assurance of God's love for us is the greatest Good News the world can hear. When we can truly know that God loves us in spite of our own failings and imperfections, then we can be free to love others. We seek ways to convey this message faithfully through word and deed.
