Services in-person & online at 8:30 and 11:00am at Florida's Oldest United Methodist Church

Studies

Our studies meet for a number of weeks to study the Bible or other discipleship topics together. They are organized by topic and are available for men and women of all ages. These classes and studies are offered seasonally each year. You can find the current offerings listed below.

For more information, contact Associate Pastor, Rev. Emily Kincaid.

ADVENT | MID-WEEK


advent

An Unlikely Advent
Sundays | 9:45 – 10:45am
Lower Sanctuary, Rm 118
(map)
This four-week Advent study focuses on the experiences of four sets of often overlooked characters in the Nativity story. During this Advent season, Rachel Billups guides readers through the themes of hope, love, joy, and peace by sharing the stories of Elizabeth and Zechariah, Herod, the Magi, and the shepherds. Each set of unexpected characters has something to teach about living faithfully on the journey to Christmas.

Length: 4 Weeks
Starts: November 26
Leader: Elaine Norman
Childcare Provided: Yes
Click HERE to order the book


Four-Part Advent Program
Sundays | 9:45 – 10:45am
Wright Place, 2nd Floor, Rm 206 (map)
This four-part Advent program, designed and taught by Jerry Maygarden, will cover these topics: Annunciation, Preparation, Anticipation, and Perfection.

Length: 4 Weeks
Starts: November 26
Leader: Jerry Maygarden
Childcare Provided: Yes


Advent Lectionary Study
Sundays | 9:45 – 10:45
The Consulate, 2nd Floor, Rm 205
This Advent Lectionary study will look at Mark 13:24-37: The Day and Hour Unknown, Mark 1:1-8: John the Baptist Prepares the Way, John 1:6-8, 19-28: The Word Became Flesh, and Luke 1:26-38: The Birth of Jesus.

Length: 4 Weeks
Starts: December 3
Leader: Patrick Houghton
Childcare Provided: Yes


mid-week

SENIOR PASTOR’S BIBLE STUDY  “The Bible Tells Me So”
Understanding & Interpreting Holy Scripture

Wednesdays | 6:00 – 7:00pm
The Wright Place, Great Hall

This five-week study, led by Dr. Geoffrey Lentz, our Senior Pastor, will help to get a better understanding of the natural history of the Bible, how it became scripture (canonization), and how Christians (especially United Methodists) interpret the Bible and apply it to our world. We will find how the Bible is more ancient, diverse, and ambiguous than expected; talk about why some books like the controversial Gospel of Thomas did not make it into the Bible while others did; and address difficult issues of Biblical interpretation like scriptural inerrancy, Biblical literalism, and the Wesleyan Quadrilateral.

Length: 5 Weeks
Starts: January 10, 2024
Leader: Rev. Dr. Geoffrey Lentz
Childcare Provided: Yes


Disciple I: Becoming Disciples Through Bible Study
Wednesdays | 5:30-7:00pm
The Wright Place, 2nd Floor, Room 205
Disciple Fast Track, an adaptation of the original, bestselling Disciple Bible Study, provides a viable option for busy people seeking comprehensive engagement over time with the entire biblical text. Fast Track groups meet for a total of 24 weeks, devoting 12 weeks each to the Old Testament and the New Testament. Participants read a manageable 3-5 chapters of the Bible daily in preparation for the weekly meetings.

Length: 24 Weeks
Starts: Old Testament (August 2023) New Testament (January 10, 2024)
Leader: Earle McAuley
Childcare Provided: Yes