Discovery U (DU) is one of our strategies for making MATURE disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ who advance God's Kingdom, by His power, for His glory. DU consists of MATURE core classes and electives which help disciples grow in their knowledge of God and His word. DU meets in 6 week sessions on Sunday nights from 5:00 – 6:30PM.

Discovery U: Winter 2012 – Session 1

5:00pm - 6:30

1. 1. Four Views on the Sabbath
   (led by Mike Lee)

   If the Sabbath hasn’t been done away with, why do we gather to worship on Sunday?  Is Sunday the new “Christian” Sabbath?  If we keep the Sabbath on Sunday, are there limitations as to what we can and cannot do?  Is Sunday the Lord’s Day for Christians so that we celebrate His resurrection as we gather? What does the Bible say?

2. Christian Beliefs: 20 Transforming Truths
   (led by Doug Demosi)

   God doesn't call every Christian to go off to seminary, but there are certain matters of doctrine - that is, the church's teaching - that every Christian simply must know. Theology is important because what we believe affects how we live. If you're a relatively new believer in Jesus, or if you're a more mature Christian looking for a quick brush-up on the basics of faith, Christian Beliefs is for you.

3. Culture Shift
   (led by Marty Blakely)

   Mass media and technology are exploding. Popular entertainment relentlessly pushes the envelope. Biomedicine stretches ethical boundaries. Political issues shift with the polls.  Christian orthodoxy is questioned on every front.

   The world in which you live is undergoing a major cultural transformation—one leading to a widespread lack of faith, an increase in moral relativism, and a rejection of absolute truth.

   In Culture Shift, Dr. R. Albert Mohler—one of today’s leading Christian thinkers and spokespersons—addresses these and other tough topics clearly, biblically, and passionately:

   • The effect of the “digital deluge” on individuals and families
   • The truth about terrorism
   • Christian parents and public schools
   • The rise of an aggressive “new atheism
   • The abortion debate

   Here is trustworthy help for developing a comprehensive Christian worldview…based on timeless truth.

4. Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace
   (led by Stan Jackson)

   Achieve your financial goals by eliminating debt, saving for the future, and giving like never before. You will be challenged and motivated to make a plan for your money and change your family tree forever. Financial Peace University (FPU) consists of a 13-week video curriculum—taught by financial expert Dave Ramsey—that incorporates small-group discussions to encourage accountability and discipleship. Financial Peace University is highly entertaining for everyone, with a unique combination of humor, informative financial advice and biblical messages.

5. The Creative Marriage
   (led by Steve Hutson) Conference Room

   In this study, Ed and Lisa Young help you take a revealing look at what it means to have a lasting marriage in todays world. From communicating with your spouse and conflict resolution to making sound financial decisions and effective parenting, creativity is a necessary element that should permeate every aspect of your relationship. After more than 24 years of marriage, they speak openly and honestly about the hard work involved in a creative marriage and the lasting rewards of doing it Gods way.

6. Engaging Life and Community
   (led by John and Elizabeth Kea)

   Join us to explore what it means to live missionally. Do you sense a gap between how your life is and how you want it to be? Are you a person in whom others find spiritual community? We’ll delve into lifestyles and tools that help us engage the moments of our days, our relationships, and the larger community. It’s more about “being” in Christ than “doing” a list of things, but it will take some intentionality. It will be an interactive journey, and we’ll take practical steps each week to begin to embrace missional living.

7. The Origin of the Bible
   (led by Mark Moore)

   This six-week class takes a look at the origin of the Bible as a collection of books written by men, yet inspired by God. We’ll discuss the origins of the books and the Old and New Testaments, the manuscripts, and the reliability of the Scriptures.

8. Walking as Jesus Walked
   (led by Duane Geib)

   Walking as Jesus Walked is a 12 week study of the life of Christ that will go deep in understanding what the Scriptures mean in 1 John 2:6 when it says, "Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did."

   Our prayer is that we will gain a fresh look at Christ and see in His humanity a model of how God intended us to live life. Allow the Spirit of God to teach us . . . look honestly at the Scriptures . . . and allow Him to transform our life. Hebrews 3:1 in The Message version of the Bible challenges us "to take a good hard look at Jesus. He's the centerpiece of everything we believe."

   This is 12 week course and has a manual that goes along with it that will cost the student $15.00

9. FOR STUDENTS: The Case for Christ
   (led by Adam Lickey) Youth Room

   Who was Jesus? A good man? A lunatic? God? There's little question that he actually lived. But miracles? Rising from the dead?

   Some of the stories you hear about him sound like just that--stories. A reasonable person would never believe them, let alone the claim that he's the only way to God! But a reasonable person would also make sure that he or she understood the facts before jumping to conclusions. That's why Lee Strobel--an award-winning legal journalist with a knack for asking tough questions--decided to investigate Jesus for himself. As an atheist, Strobel felt certain his findings would bring Christianity's clear claims about Jesus tumbling down like a house of cards. He was in for the surprise of his life.

   Join him as he retraced his journey from skepticism to faith. You'll consult expert testimony as you sift through the truths of history, science psychiatry, literature, and religion reveal. Like Strobel, you'll be amazed at the evidence--how strong it is, and what it says. The facts are in. What will be your verdict in The Case for Christ?