Learning Ministries

EXPOSE ourselves to new ways of thinking. EXPLORE new ways of experiencing God, Faith, Grace, and Love. EXPAND our hearts and minds to become a more Christ-like community.

The community of Grace United Methodist Church believes faith is an ever-evolving journey toward loving God and neighbor more deeply and authentically. Growing in faith and spiritual maturity involves exploring new and diverse ways of understanding Scripture, God’s creation, and God’s purpose for our lives. By engaging other perspectives and bearing witness to others’ life experiences, we are more fully able to understand and live out our Christian faith.

We try to host a Learning Event at least quarterly. Other events are hosted and produced by other groups. Some examples are Guest Speakers, Moderated Panels, Movie Screenings with Group Discussion, Workshops, Conferences, Concerts, and many more opportunities.

Short-term studies vary in length, style, and subject. Some of these studies take place during the day while others are in the evening. Some examples include Book Studies, Prepared Curriculum, and Bible Studies. No matter the subject, we are committed to exploration, not indoctrination.

Every Sunday morning there are several opportunities to participate in discussions covering a variety of topics. Everyone is welcome. Our Weekly Classes (Adult Sunday School) usually begin at 10:15 AM. Find out more about these classes by selecting the class name.

  • Shalom (שָׁלוֹם) meets in A1. We consider ourselves students of the history of both Christianity and its theology. We enhance our Bible scripture studies by also seeking an understanding of the traditions, beliefs, and cultural practices of the times, both then and now. We encourage open and honest questions and doubts in all of our discussions.

  • The Question and Discussion (QAD) Sunday school class is an accumulation of people of varying ages from 40-80. This provides an educational (and sometimes humorous) interaction within our class.  Our backgrounds are all different, as are our interests, but we appear to allow each other to shine when appropriate.  Perhaps it is this difference of personalities that enable us to moderate each other’s responses.  Some say very little, and some speak more often, but we all are appreciated. We are a diverse, caring, and fun-loving group of adults. We enjoy the connections we have made within the class and often enjoy each other’s company outside of church.  As an aside, we also have some very good cooks in our class, and most weeks we enjoy the snacks they prepare.

  • Real life is an intergenerational group of people who are, open-minded and flexible, at various stages of their faith/spiritual journey, curious about God and the Bible, and unafraid to learn new ways to view each. We are from diverse places, careers, backgrounds, and religious traditions, hungry for discussion that challenges the mind, spirit, and pre-existing belief structures, respectful of differences in belief and opinion. We share a collective value of wanting to be (as an individual) better reflections of Christ in the world and we desire to build a community of peace and love at Grace and in Mt. Juliet.

  • The Open Door is a class of mature men and women. Each of us is in a different stage of our faith journey. Our focus is to study, learn, and grow in our faith. We investigate different topics throughout the year in an environment of judgment-free discussions. Our name means that we are open to all wishing to enter. It is important to us as Christians to live our faith through loving others as God has taught us, and as God loves us. “This is My commandment that you love one another as I have loved you.” John 15:17 ESV