Education & Formation - Adult

Listed below are the adult classes offered at Saint Stephen's for the 2008-2009 school year. Click here to contact us if you need more information.

SUNDAY MORNING CLASSES - Meet at 9:15 a.m.

• Foundations of Discipleship with The Revs. Patrick Gahan and Jennifer Brooke-Davidson. The Saint Stephen's community invites everyone to begin a lifelong relationship with Jesus Christ. We believe God has a purpose for each one of us and discipleship is the way to uncover our unique gifts and understand our unending purpose in God's plan. Our Foundations of Discipleship class is an introduction to this exciting lifelong journey with Christ and with one another. In the class we cover eight subjects: Faith, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Church, Christian Discipline, the Bible, Prayer, and Eternal Life. During our eight sessions we will read the Bible together and take a hard look at our principal Sunday worship - the Holy Eucharist. What's more, we will build a small group of folks or twelve or so people who grow together in trust and fidelity. Pre-registration required; contact The Rev. Jennifer Brooke-Davidson directly at 847.6691 or jenniferb@ststeve.org.
  
  
• Core Values builds upon Foundations: Participants take a serious look at the core values of the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion as expressed in the documents and practices of our church. The core values of Saint Stephen's as a parish are discussed, and then the participants discover and learn to articulate how their own personal core values fit within those traditions and into a healthy life of discipleship as a committed follower of Jesus Christ. There are three sessions led by seasoned lay leaders John Stark and Muriel Jackson. Contact The Rev. Jennifer Brooke-Davidson at jenniferb@ststeve.org or call her at 512.847.6691 to reserve a place.
  
  
• Next Steps is designed to equip maturing believers in the disciplines and practices that enable us to take the necessary personal initiative required of Christ-centered believers. Together in a hands-on seminar, participants learn new ways of approaching scripture, prayer, Sabbath and restoration, and explore what it means to commit to servanthood in the Anglican tradition. There are three Sunday morning sessions (led by experienced lay leaders Jo Bourke with Shiela Robbins and Kevin Hammond) and a required Saturday morning retreat (led by The Revs. Patrick Gahan and Jennifer Brooke-Davidson). Contact The Rev. Jennifer Brooke-Davidson at jenniferb@ststeve.org to reserve a place.
  
  
• Following the Way of Discipleship: Is Discipleship scary? Yes! Are we worthy of being companions of Jesus? No! Do we really need each other? Yes! And the grace of God? Yes! Seekers, wanderers and inquirers are invited to join us in a journey of discovery. Our goal is to walk the Jesus Way together, encouraging and assisting one another. Our text this season is called Connecting with God. It beckons us to listen more closely to the Divine Whisperer. For more information, contact Ben and Eleanor Edwards by clicking here.
  
  
• Listening for God in Contemporary Literature: Bob Reed says, "We know we can find God in the Word of scripture...but can he also speak to us in contemporary literature? I am convinced that he does." Join Bob for a lively adult discussion group to listen for God in a series of short stories by contemporary authors, including John Cheever, Mary Gordon, Wendell Berry, Reynolds Price and others. The focus will be on investigating how faith and life merge in surprising ways and places. Contact Bob at rnreed@austin.rr.com.
  
  
• Exploring the Faith: A Sunday group for inquisitive adults resumes this fall under the leadership of Mary Anne McGee. They will begin with "An Altar in the World" by Barbara Brown Taylor, renowned preacher and writer. Contact Mary Anne at magnamc@txwinet.com for details.
  
  

MONDAY MORNING STUDIES

• Women's Bible Study: Continue your spiritual high from Sunday by joining the Beautiful Bible Babes on Mondays at high noon. Bring your lunch and after a lively lunch together we have a weekly bible study. This is thought provoking, spiritually satisfying and smiles abound. We rotate our meetings in the homes of members. What a loving and open heart we share. Contact Ellen Bomer at ebomer@txwinet.com for details and locations. Join this fun group!

TUESDAY MORNING STUDIES

• Men's Bible Study begins at 7:00am in the Chapel each Tuesday morning. Contact Norm Rolling (annrolling@yahoo.com) for information.