Adult Christian Formation
We grow disciples of Jesus Christ among adults and their families.
Opportunities include five different Sunday School classes & groups that meet 9:15 – 10:15 AM.
We also provide evening classes & groups, a fellowship group for 20s & 30s, several weekday Bible studies, retreats (for men, for women, and for the whole parish). We also sponsor special events and programs, including multi-generational and inter-generational programs such as the weekly Lent program.
Adult Christian Formation is also supported strongly by two orders for lay people:
The Brotherhood of St. Andrew for men, and the Daughters of the King for women.
To read the Mission & Vision of Adult Christian Formation, Click Here.
For handouts from various adult classes, Click Here.
For more information, contact Kim Nancarrow
Click the tabs below for more information.
Sunday School for Adults
We have five different Sunday School classes & groups that meet 9:15 – 10:15 AM
The Rector’s Class
Led by: The Rev. Tom Pumphrey Location: Parish Hall
Epiphany: We Believe: the Creeds of the Church: Come learn more about the origins and meaning of the Nicene and Apostles’ Creeds and engage in a line by line examination of these statements of belief and trust in God. January 5 – Feb 13.
Lent: Lenten Themes in the Parable of the Prodigal Son: Come explore the famous parable through a different lens each week: Sin & Confession, Repentance, Forgiveness, Amendment of Life, and Reconciliation. March 1 – March 29.
Women’s Sunday School Class
Facilitators: Kristi Story, JoAnn Gotschall, Cathy Shuman, Eileen Mittleider Location: Room 7
The Cross – Christian faith is centered in the cross. And the Christian life is likewise rooted in the cross. This study is designed to bring us to the heart of the cross with an understanding of what was accomplished there on our behalf. We begin with an individual perspective but move on from there into a deeper understanding of what it means to live as a community under the cross. Our worship, our call to mission, our ability to love our enemies and to face the perplexities of suffering–the cross transforms everything! Any questions, please email JoAnn at tjgotschall@comcast.net or Eileen egmittle@att.net.
Heroes of the Bible
Facilitators: Jim Woodruff, John Patton, Tom Mimms and Keith Purser Location: Room 8
In January, the class will begin our study of the 12 Minor Prophets. We will begin with a study of these prophets as a whole, providing an overview of the world in which they lived, historical background, and a context for their teachings. We will look at their role as messengers of God’s Covenants, and the words and verbal tools they used to communicate God’s message. After this introduction, we will study the 12 Prophets individually. Everyone knows the Major Prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel. We’re going to learn of the minor prophets, including Haggai, Malachi, Zechariah, Micah, and Amos.
Growing Christian Families Sunday School Class (for parents of newborns – 5th graders)
Facilitators: John & Sara Clark Location: Room 6
Raising young kids can be a daunting task, but we needn’t do it alone. Come join us as we share our experiences and try to learn how God’s wisdom can help us raise compassionate, respectful children while also taking care of ourselves. We know it is often difficult to make it to church with little ones, but we promise never to hand out tardy slips! We are currently studying the book of James using a guide written by N.T. Wright.
Thrive (for parents of 6th – 12th graders) – Helping parents of teens not just survive but THRIVE on God’s grace and encouragement from others
Facilitators: Mike & Kim Nancarrow Location: Room 5
We will be studying 1 Corinthians using the N.T. Wright for Everyone Bible Study Guide. We will provide the study guides in class. Hope you will join us!
Weekday Bible Studies and Groups for Adults
Mothers of PreSchoolers, Monthly, Mondays. It is a gathering of local mothers who support, encourage and have fun together and serve others in the community through mission focused partnerships and the SPSP Service Forum. For more information, contact Dorothy Norris at Norris.dorothy@gmail.com.
Monday Morning Prayer
Facilitators: Larry Kelley, Tom Martin, Chuck Matheson and John Patton
Time: Mondays 6:30am Location: Sanctuary – Side Altar (meets year-round)
Join us for Morning Prayer every Monday morning at the side altar. Stay afterwards for a bible study on the passage of the day.
Tuesday Evening Adult Bible Study
Facilitator: Amy Stillwell (amystillwell55@gmail.com or 770-364-3829)
Time: Tuesdays 7pm – 8pm Location: Room 7 (off in the summer)
Come exchange ideas with fellow disciples of Jesus Christ as we study the foundational text of the Torah and explore the book of Exodus in a relaxed informal discussion. Perfect for working folks or couples looking to escape the kids for an hour. All adults are welcome!
Golden Girls’ Bible Study
Facilitators: Priscilla Swart
Time: Tuesdays 10:30am – 11:30am Location: Garden Room
Please join us and bring your Bible for a study session with participation from the group.
‘Wild Women of Wednesday’ Bible Study
Facilitators: Amy Stillwell (amystillwell55@gmail.com or 770-364-3829)
Time: Wednesdays 10am – 11:15am Location: Garden Room (meets year-round – separate summer study)
Come exchange ideas with fellow disciples of Jesus Christ as we explore the Acts of the Apostles in a relaxed informal discussion. Perfect for women who wish to deepen their spiritual journey and understanding of God’s Word. All women are welcome!
Thursday Morning Men’s Bible Study
Facilitators: Victor Meijers, John Bareham
Time: Thursdays 7am – 8:15am Location: Room 1 (meets year-round)
We are currently studying the Gospel of John using the companion book “John for You” by Josh Moody. This will take us most likely through the Lenten Season at which time we will select another book of the Bible to study.
Education for Ministry (EfM)
EFM Mentor: Bernadette Watts (404.983.3272)
Time: Thursdays 7pm – 10pm Location: Room 1 – Involves significant reading and class preparation
EfM is a program of study developed by the School of Theology of the University of the South that involves study, theological reflection and worship. The course of study lasts 4 years, covering four subjects, respectively: Old Testament, New Testament, church history and modern theologians. While it is a four-year program, individuals commit for only one year at a time. Contact Bernadette Watts for information. Enrollment forms are available at http://efm.sewanee.edu/forms/efm-forms.
Friday Men’s Breakfast Bible/Book Study (BBC: Books for Biblical Christians)
Facilitators: Tom Mimms (tommimms6338@bellsouth.net) and Justin Streeter (Justin.Streeter@ampf.com)
Time: Fridays 7am – 8am (meets year-round) Location: Egg’s Up Grill (at the intersection of Johnson Ferry and Shallowford Road in the Shallowford Corners Publix Shopping Center, near Keegan’s) Join us for breakfast, fellowship and authentic community growing disciples of Jesus Christ. Beginning January 2020, we will continue a study of First Corinthians, using N.T. Wright’s “Paul for Everyone 1 Corinthians” (2004).
Brotherhood of St. Andrew
Current directors: Chuck Matheson, John Patton, Justin Streeter, Jim Woodruff, and Larry Kelley
Time: Every Other Saturday 7am – 8:30am Location: Garden Room (meets year-round)
All men are invited to meet with us every other Saturday for breakfast, fellowship and Bible study of the Sunday Gospel reading.
Daughters of the King
Current directors: Amy Stillwell, Marci Thomas
Time: 10:30am 3RD Saturday of each month (year-round) Location: Conference Room (upstairs across from the reception desk)
The Daughters of the King is a worldwide lay order of women dedicated to prayer, service and evangelism. Our chapter at SPSP is a tradition that is over 35 years old. Please join us on the third Saturday of each month for a deeper walk with Jesus, coffee, and fellowship. Check the church website calendar for exact meeting dates. All women are welcome! Please contact Amy Stillwell at amystillwell55@gmail.com for more information.
Continuing the Conversation: A Group for Young People
Facilitator: Leigh Mickalonis (leigh.mickalonis@gmail.com)
Time: Meets monthly for dinner
This group meets monthly in group members’ homes for dinner and fellowship. All young people are welcome; single, married, with or without children. Contact Leigh for details about the next event. Come join the conversation!
Evening Programs
Bible Studies and Discipleship Groups
See the “Weekday Bible Studies and Groups” tab. Discipleship Groups are small groups for prayer, Bible Study and fellowship. Contact the church office for a full schedule of the current groups and their leaders.
Education for Ministry
“EfM” is a program of study developed by the School of Theology of the University of the South. It involves study, theological reflection and worship. Offers an opportunity to discover how to respond to the call to Christian service. It is a four year course of study (welcoming new students each year), reviewing:
Year 1: Old Testament
Year 2:New Testament
Year 3: Church History
Year 4: Systematic Theology while it is a four-year program, individuals commit for only one year at a time.
EfM is for lay people, who face the difficult and often subtle task of interpreting the richness of the church’s faith in a complex and confusing world. They need the kind of theological education which supports their faith and which also trains them to express that faith in day-to-day events. As the emphasis on lay ministry has grown in the latter part of the twentieth century, EfM has come to be an important part of that growth by providing a program that develops an informed and knowledgeable laity.
For information, please contact Mtr. Elisa Harres at eharres@peterandpaul.org or Bernadette Watts at bernadette_watts@yahoo.com
EfM meets on Thursday Evenings from 7:00pm to 9:00pm downstairs in Room 1. You can visit the EfM website by clicking here