ACE Tracks:
Adult Christian Education (ACE) are hour-long classes held on Sunday mornings at 10:00 AM, which also coincide with children’s Sunday School hour. These classes usually fall into two tracks:
- Biblical/Theological track: Focuses on a book or section of the Bible or a theological topic and seeks to increase our understanding while applying the relevance of this truth to our lives.
- Christian living track: Focuses on aspects of our contemporary lives (marriage, parenting, spiritual practices, work, discipleship, etc.) and explores the Scriptures for perspective.
Get in the Game: A Worship Workshop (July 5, 12, & 26, 2026)
All Grace Kids and their parents are invited to join this 3-week family class as we learn about corporate Sunday worship and actively participate in its many parts. Lead by Children’s Director, Karen Jacobsen.
Prior ACE Classes:
Dawn Treader Christian School (June 28, 2026)
Join a special class with our newest Diaconate Ministry Partner, Dawn Treader Christian School—the only independent Christian school in Paterson. Learn more about this ministry and how you can get involved.
Setting the Table (May 31, June 7 & 14, 2026)
Join a three-week class where we will discuss (with youth) about the four “tables” of spiritual life of youth. We will look at how to grow Christ-centered at home, how we can connect as families and family members in the church, and what it means to live for Christ within the church body and out in the community.
Life Group Info Session (June 14, 2026)
Come learn more about our Life Group’s and how to get involved. Held in the Cornerstone Room.
Ministry Update: Lighthouse Pregnancy Resource Center (May 10, 2026)
Come for a special Diaconate ACE class with our ministry partner, Lighthouse Pregnancy Resource Center. Held in the Cornerstone Room.
Meet the Candidates (April 26, 2026)
Come learn more about the candidates for Elder, Deacon & Deaconess.
Missionary Updates (March 8 & 15, 2026)
Join in as we hear encouraging updates from our missionaries and have a time of prayer for them. You’ll be encouraged to learn about what our partners are doing around the world.
The Gospel According to Moses (January 11-March 1, 22 & 29, 2026)
This course presents Exodus as a unified gospel narrative authored by God, pointing consistently to Christ. Israel’s bondage reveals humanity’s slavery to sin (John 8:34), the Exodus displays sovereign redemption by blood and power (Exod. 12–15), and the Tabernacle reveals God’s holiness and the necessity of atonement (Lev. 17:11; Heb. 8:5). Students will see how every major movement in Exodus anticipates the person and work of Jesus Christ, the true Deliverer, Law-Fulfiller, and dwelling place of God.
Train Yourself for Godliness (January 11-March 1, 2026)
No one drifts into godliness. Join us for this 7-week ACE class exploring how we can be intentional about our spiritual growth through biblically-grounded practices—often called spiritual disciplines—in a gospel-centered way that avoids legalism. Together, we’ll pursue deeper intimacy with Christ and growing conformity to Christ, with practical guidance for application in everyday life.
Immigration Forum (February 22, 2026)
Our elders will host a forum to help our congregation think about and engage current immigration-related issues in a way that honors God. Our goal is not to take political sides, but to shepherd our hearts and encourage Christlike wisdom and responses. Because this is a complex issue with many facets, and because we want to address what is on your hearts and minds, we invite you to submit questions in advance to questions@graceredeemer.com. The elders will organize and address submitted questions during the forum. To help guide the discussion, only questions submitted ahead of time will be addressed, though ongoing conversation with the elders is always welcome.
K Partnership Update (January 4, 2026)
Join us to hear an update from the recent trip Pastor Steve and Kevin and Jane Choi took to K. Learn about the partnership GRC helped start, as well as the current status of the work.
Open Forum – Ask the Session (November 23, 2025)
Have a question that you would like to ask the Session? Wondering about something you heard or saw? Thinking about an issue in the family, church, or society? Come to the Cornerstone Room during ACE hour and pose your question to Session members. Who knows? Maybe someone else has the same question!
Town Hall: 2024 Vision Campaign (November 16, 2025)
Everyone is invited to join a church-wide Town Hall as we give an update on the 2024 Sowing in Grace Vision Campaign.
Father’s Cupboard Open House (November 9, 2025)
Join our in-house food pantry for a special open house.
Singles in the Church (September 28, October 5 & 19, 2025)
Single people are just as much part of the church as married people. Come join us as we examine some demographic trends, gain some perspective on singles in service and in the community, and learn how to appreciate and minister to singles in the church. This three-week course will be led by Elder Steve Hoogerhyde in the Galway Conference Room (married people who are not attending the marriage enrichment ACE course are welcome to attend this course).
One Flesh, One God: Marriage in the light of the Trinity (September 21-November 2, 2025)
Marriage was never meant to be a human invention—it is a reflection of God Himself. From the beginning, Scripture reveals marriage as a covenant designed to display the eternal love, unity, and self-giving of the Triune God. This 8-week class will explore how God’s trinitarian nature provides the foundation for marriage, shaping the way husbands and wives are called to love, serve, and live as “one flesh” in Christ. We will examine how God’s design for marriage is not just practical but profoundly theological—rooted in His glory and meant to reflect the gospel.
At the same time, every marriage exists in a fallen world, where sin and suffering create real struggles—selfishness, conflict, disappointment, and pain. This class will address those challenges honestly, showing how the gospel of Jesus Christ brings hope, healing, and endurance for couples who feel the weight of brokenness. Through teaching, discussion, and reflection, couples will be encouraged to see their marriage not only as a gift for their own joy but as a living testimony of God’s redeeming love in Christ.
Men’s & Women’s Ministry Update (September 14, 2025)
Our men’s and women’s ministries are hosting an informational and feedback time in the Galway room (men) and Sanctuary (women). All men and all women are invited to attend and meet ministry leaders, learn about upcoming plans for each ministry, provide input to refine the future for each ministry, and learn how you can be involved.
Son Family Update (July 27, 2025)
Hear an update from the Son family from the last two years on the field.
Titus: Sound Doctrine. Godly Character. Multiplication. (July 13, 20, 27, 2025)
Paul’s urging to Titus as he reminds him of the purpose for which he had left him in Crete, “Titus 1:5 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you”. Encouraging him to teach sound doctrine, to the faithful, that they might be ambassadors of Christ, living lives worthy of the glory of God, in all circles of their community. Taught by Elder Donald Thampy.
Youth Japan Missions: About the Trip (July 13, 2025)
Learn about the upcoming Youth Missions trip to Nagoya Japan.
Who Was John Calvin? (July 6, 2025)
John Calvin is a well-known name in the history of religion. But who was he? What do you know about him (or think you know about him)? Come join us for this one-week look at the life, thought, and influence of John Calvin. Taught by Elder Steve Hoogerhyde.
Open Forum – Ask the Session (June 29, 2025)
Have a question that you would like to ask the Session? Wondering about something you heard or saw? Thinking about an issue in the family, church, or society? Come to the Cornerstone Room during ACE hour and pose your question to Session members. Who knows? Maybe someone else has the same question!
Christ in the Psalms (June 1, 8 & 15, 2025)
The Psalms have been frequently called the prayer book of the church– which they certainly are, but they are much more than that. The New Testament Writers and many Christian writers since then have read and loved the Psalms because of how often they point us to Christ. Join as we look at the Psalms through a Christ-centered lens. Taught be Elder Mohab Hanna.
Caring for our Missionaries (June 1, 2025)
Come learn more about ways we can support and care for our missionaries.
Ministry Update: Lighthouse Pregnancy Resource Center (May 18, 2025)
Come for a special Diaconate ACE class with our ministry partner, Lighthouse Pregnancy Resource Center. Held in the Cornerstone Room.
Everyday Faith (May 11, 18 & 25, 2025)
Join us for a three week family discipleship series that will help parents and kids grow in Jesus together by forming faith habits that are simple, enjoyable and practical. Led by Children’s Director, Karen Jacobsen. Held in the Sanctuary.
Study of the book of Colossians (March 23-April 13, 2025)
Paul’s letter is a call to action, urging believers to hold Christ as their supreme Lord and deepen their knowledge of Him. Paul’s exhortation to the Colossians is that they be unswayed by false teachings, and that the Spirit transform their way of life, bringing glory to Christ, who is the Head of the church. In practical terms, how can we effectively witness for Christ today, emulating the epistle written to Colossians? What challenges do we face in sharing our faith at home, work, and with our neighbors? Join us as we study together and allow the Lord to challenge our lives. Taught by Elder Donald Thampy.
Our Journey in God’s Mission (March 23-April 13, 2025)
How does God call us to participate in His global mission? In this four-week class, we’ll discover how every believer plays a role in God’s mission to redeem people from every nation, tribe, and language. Each session will guide us through a step in the journey of following Jesus in his mission by exploring Scripture, praying for an unreached people group, learning one habit of a Global Christian, and applying practical steps to live faithfully in light of the Great Commission. Taught by Pastor Steve Sage.
Ministry Update: Servant’s Heart (March 16, 2025)
Come learn about our ministry partner, Servant’s Heart, and their work in Paterson and the surrounding areas.
Missions Update (March 9, 2025)
Join in as we hear encouraging updates from our missionaries and have a time of prayer for them. You’ll be encouraged to learn about what our partners are doing around the world.
Philippians: Living in Christ (January 12, 26-March 2, 2025)
Philippians is the Apostle Paul’s guidebook for how to live with eternal purpose; this study will guide us toward a Christ-centered vision for our lives. By examining Paul’s counsel on gospel partnerships, joy, humility, unity, contentment and perseverance, we’ll discover how to pursue a life that glorifies God in community. We will also connect Philippians to our core values as a body: gospel-centrality, authentic community, dependent prayer, kingdom reproduction, and cultural engagement. Join us for In this six-week study taught by Elder Kumar Venugopal.
Stepping Into Their Future (January 5-February 2, 2025)
Parents of all ages! Join the Youth Family Discipleship team in a collective conversation with our youth about making decisions for their future including college & vocation. This class will dive deep into ways you can help your children discern God’s calling on their lives and develop your habits and goals for family discipleship that guides them to prioritize Christ over all else. The class will take place in the Youth Room and is designed to be highly relational and develop cross-generational connections and friendships.
Open Forum – Ask the Session (November 24, 2024)
Have a question that you would like to ask the Session? Wondering about something you heard or saw? Thinking about an issue in the family, church, or society? Come to the Cornerstone Room during ACE hour and pose your question to Session members. Who knows? Maybe someone else has the same question!
Ministry Update: Father’s Cupboard (November 17, 2024)
Come learn about our in-house Food Pantry Father’s Cupboard. Held in the Cornerstone Room.
People of the Covenant (September 15-November 17, 2024)
God is a covenant-making and covenant-keeping God. And he covenants most particularly with his redeemed people, whom he gathers into the church of Jesus Christ by the operation of the Holy Spirit. What is the church? What is its nature, its attributes, its mission? And why is the church important to us? Join us in the Galway Conference Room as we discuss these and related questions. Taught by Elder Steve Hoogerhyde.
Biblical Counseling in The Church (October 20-November 11, 2024)
In a world where people are seeking help and guidance for a myriad of life’s challenges, the Church has a unique role in providing biblically grounded counsel. Biblical counseling is not merely about offering advice; it’s about pointing people to the truth of Scripture, helping them find hope and healing in Christ, and equipping them to live out their faith in practical ways. Join Pastor Peter and Elder Mo Hanna for this 4-week class.
Obadiah! (September 15 & 22, 2024)
Have you struggled reading the Old Testament (with energy and zest)? Here is an opportunity to change that as we study the 1-chapter book of Obadiah. We start with understanding this thought that our Lord mentioned to Cleopas and his friend as they traveled to Emmaus, Luke 24:25-27: “He said to them, ‘How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?’ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.” Our Lord’s chiding is one of love! Join us in the Cornerstone Room, and let’s explore Jesus in the Old Testament, together!
Open Forum- Ask The Session (July 14, 2024)
Have a question that you would like to ask the Session? Wondering about something you heard or saw? Thinking about an issue in the family, church, or society? Come to the Cornerstone Room during ACE hour and pose your question to Session members. Who knows? Maybe someone else has the same question!
Celebrate Recovery: Ministry Update (July 7, 2024)
Join us for a special ACE class as we meet with leaders from Celebrate Recovery, a GRC ministry. Learn about how you can find HOPE in Christ throughout all circumstances in life.
Personal Bible Study – Part 2 (June 2, 9, 16 & 30, 2024)
Have you wondered and even felt gutted after you have had a conversation with a friend, colleague, or relative and you did not bring Jesus into the conversation?
Or do you want to bring Our Lord into every conversation?
Come join the ACE class and explore how our Lord had conversations while on earth, how the Spirit has helped people have conversations, and how the people of God have spoken to people around them. Please read Acts 8 in preparation for the course. You can also access notes for the class here.
Act of Grace(May 19 – June 30, 2024)
What is the purpose of money? What is your money identity? What does Biblical Stewardship look like in real life? Come join us for a 6-week course based on the book Act of Grace: The Power of Generosity to Change Your Life, the Church, and the World, by James C. Petty. The book is not required to attend the class but is highly recommended. The first class begins May 19th, and the course will be taught by Mohab Hanna.
Kitchen Table Faith (May 19 & 26, 2024)
Parents and Kids of Grace Kids (ages 2-5th grade) are invited to a special two-week class together this spring. Learn and practice how you can help your kids to grow their faith around your kitchen table at home. Taught by Children’s Director, Karen Jacobsen.
Lighthouse Pregnancy Resource Center (May 12, 2024)
Come learn more about our ministry partner, Lighthouse Pregnancy Resource Center.
Meet the Candidates (April 28, 2024)
Come learn more about the incumbent and new candidates for Elder, Deacon & Deaconess.
Family Discipleship (April 7-28, 2024)
All parents – regardless of children’s age – are encouraged to attend this 4-week series on learning how to have productive conversations with their children about having a strong foundation in Christ through the family unit. This format will be based on round table discussions with other parents, youth, and youth leaders on key topics. It will frame a home based on Gospel-centered values, built on Christ, pointing us Godward in our minds, our hearts, and our actions.
Genesis: God’s Ideal World and the Gospel (January 14 -February 25, April 14, 2024)
“Genesis: God’s Ideal World and the Gospel” taught by Pastor Steve. 10 weeks in the Cornerstone Room. Join us for this survey of the first book of the Bible where we’ll focus on understanding its original context, how it lays the groundwork for the rest of redemptive-history, and how it applies to us today. Learn to recognize major characters and themes, as well as how these themes unfold throughout the rest of the Bible leading us ultimately to Christ. Benefit from a gospel-centered understanding of this foundational book that informs our understanding of our identity as the people of God sent into his kingdom mission.
Open Forum- Ask The Session (April 7, 2024)
Have a question that you would like to ask the Session? Wondering about something you heard or saw? Thinking about an issue in the family, church, or society? Come to the Cornerstone Room during ACE hour and pose your question to Session members. Who knows? Maybe someone else has the same question!
Servant’s Heart Ministry Update (March 17, 2024)
Come hear from our ministry partner, Servant’s Heart, and learn more about their work in Paterson.
Missions Update (March 9, 2025)
Join in as we hear encouraging updates from our missionaries and have a time of prayer for them. You’ll be encouraged to learn about what our partners are doing around the world.
Philippians: Living in Christ (January 12, 26-March 2, 2025)
Philippians is the Apostle Paul’s guidebook for how to live with eternal purpose; this study will guide us toward a Christ-centered vision for our lives. By examining Paul’s counsel on gospel partnerships, joy, humility, unity, contentment and perseverance, we’ll discover how to pursue a life that glorifies God in community. We will also connect Philippians to our core values as a body: gospel-centrality, authentic community, dependent prayer, kingdom reproduction, and cultural engagement. Join us for In this six-week study taught by Elder Kumar Venugopal.
Prior ACE Classes:
Stepping Into Their Future (January 5-February 2, 2025)
Parents of all ages! Join the Youth Family Discipleship team in a collective conversation with our youth about making decisions for their future including college & vocation. This class will dive deep into ways you can help your children discern God’s calling on their lives and develop your habits and goals for family discipleship that guides them to prioritize Christ over all else. The class will take place in the Youth Room and is designed to be highly relational and develop cross-generational connections and friendships.
Open Forum – Ask the Session (November 24, 2024)
Have a question that you would like to ask the Session? Wondering about something you heard or saw? Thinking about an issue in the family, church, or society? Come to the Cornerstone Room during ACE hour and pose your question to Session members. Who knows? Maybe someone else has the same question!
Ministry Update: Father’s Cupboard (November 17, 2024)
Come learn about our in-house Food Pantry Father’s Cupboard. Held in the Cornerstone Room.
People of the Covenant (September 15-November 17, 2024)
God is a covenant-making and covenant-keeping God. And he covenants most particularly with his redeemed people, whom he gathers into the church of Jesus Christ by the operation of the Holy Spirit. What is the church? What is its nature, its attributes, its mission? And why is the church important to us? Join us in the Galway Conference Room as we discuss these and related questions. Taught by Elder Steve Hoogerhyde.
Biblical Counseling in The Church (October 20-November 11, 2024)
In a world where people are seeking help and guidance for a myriad of life’s challenges, the Church has a unique role in providing biblically grounded counsel. Biblical counseling is not merely about offering advice; it’s about pointing people to the truth of Scripture, helping them find hope and healing in Christ, and equipping them to live out their faith in practical ways. Join Pastor Peter and Elder Mo Hanna for this 4-week class.
Obadiah! (September 15 & 22, 2024)
Have you struggled reading the Old Testament (with energy and zest)? Here is an opportunity to change that as we study the 1-chapter book of Obadiah. We start with understanding this thought that our Lord mentioned to Cleopas and his friend as they traveled to Emmaus, Luke 24:25-27: “He said to them, ‘How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?’ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.” Our Lord’s chiding is one of love! Join us in the Cornerstone Room, and let’s explore Jesus in the Old Testament, together!
Open Forum- Ask The Session (July 14, 2024)
Have a question that you would like to ask the Session? Wondering about something you heard or saw? Thinking about an issue in the family, church, or society? Come to the Cornerstone Room during ACE hour and pose your question to Session members. Who knows? Maybe someone else has the same question!
Celebrate Recovery: Ministry Update (July 7, 2024)
Join us for a special ACE class as we meet with leaders from Celebrate Recovery, a GRC ministry. Learn about how you can find HOPE in Christ throughout all circumstances in life.
Personal Bible Study – Part 2 (June 2, 9, 16 & 30, 2024)
Have you wondered and even felt gutted after you have had a conversation with a friend, colleague, or relative and you did not bring Jesus into the conversation?
Or do you want to bring Our Lord into every conversation?
Come join the ACE class and explore how our Lord had conversations while on earth, how the Spirit has helped people have conversations, and how the people of God have spoken to people around them. Please read Acts 8 in preparation for the course. You can also access notes for the class here.
Act of Grace(May 19 – June 30, 2024)
What is the purpose of money? What is your money identity? What does Biblical Stewardship look like in real life? Come join us for a 6-week course based on the book Act of Grace: The Power of Generosity to Change Your Life, the Church, and the World, by James C. Petty. The book is not required to attend the class but is highly recommended. The first class begins May 19th, and the course will be taught by Mohab Hanna.
Kitchen Table Faith (May 19 & 26, 2024)
Parents and Kids of Grace Kids (ages 2-5th grade) are invited to a special two-week class together this spring. Learn and practice how you can help your kids to grow their faith around your kitchen table at home. Taught by Children’s Director, Karen Jacobsen.
Lighthouse Pregnancy Resource Center (May 12, 2024)
Come learn more about our ministry partner, Lighthouse Pregnancy Resource Center.
Meet the Candidates (April 28, 2024)
Come learn more about the incumbent and new candidates for Elder, Deacon & Deaconess.
Family Discipleship (April 7-28, 2024)
All parents – regardless of children’s age – are encouraged to attend this 4-week series on learning how to have productive conversations with their children about having a strong foundation in Christ through the family unit. This format will be based on round table discussions with other parents, youth, and youth leaders on key topics. It will frame a home based on Gospel-centered values, built on Christ, pointing us Godward in our minds, our hearts, and our actions.
Genesis: God’s Ideal World and the Gospel (January 14 -February 25, April 14, 2024)
“Genesis: God’s Ideal World and the Gospel” taught by Pastor Steve. 10 weeks in the Cornerstone Room. Join us for this survey of the first book of the Bible where we’ll focus on understanding its original context, how it lays the groundwork for the rest of redemptive-history, and how it applies to us today. Learn to recognize major characters and themes, as well as how these themes unfold throughout the rest of the Bible leading us ultimately to Christ. Benefit from a gospel-centered understanding of this foundational book that informs our understanding of our identity as the people of God sent into his kingdom mission.
Open Forum- Ask The Session (April 7, 2024)
Have a question that you would like to ask the Session? Wondering about something you heard or saw? Thinking about an issue in the family, church, or society? Come to the Cornerstone Room during ACE hour and pose your question to Session members. Who knows? Maybe someone else has the same question!
Servant’s Heart Ministry Update (March 17, 2024)
Come hear from our ministry partner, Servant’s Heart, and learn more about their work in Paterson.
Missions Celebration (March 3 & 10, 2024)
Join in as we hear encouraging updates from our missionaries and have a time of prayer for them. You’ll be encouraged to learn about what our partners are doing around the world.
Practicing Evangelism & Apologetics (January 14, February 4, 11 & 25, 2024)
Many Christians feel uncomfortable sharing their faith with others. Strategies for biblically based evangelism are explored in this course. You will develop your own skills in personal evangelism, as well as improving your own evangelistic outreach through GRC. You will develop an ability to address questions about the truthfulness of the Gospel or believability of Christianity that often arise in evangelistic moments through a biblically based and personally relevant apologetic strategy. Taught by Dan Sered.
GRC Diaconate (January 21, 2024)
Come learn more about the Diaconate and their call to serve at GRC.
Open Forum- Ask The Session (October 22 & December 3, 2023)
Have a question that you would like to ask the Session? Wondering about something you heard or saw? Thinking about an issue in the family, church, or society? Come to the Cornerstone Room during ACE hour and pose your question to Session members. Who knows? Maybe someone else has the same question!
Ministry Update: City Relief (November 19, 2023)
Come join a special ACE class with our ministry partner, City Relief. Learn more about their work in Paterson and how you can partner with them.
Personal Bible Study (October 29 – November 12, 2023)
“Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Come learn how to study the Bible in a three-week ACE course where we study the book of Jude together. As Israel journeyed through the desert and learned to pick up manna, we learn to pick up daily manna, the Word! Led by Elder Donald Thampy.
Father’s Cupboard (October 1, 2023)
Come join this special class about our GRC food pantry, Father’s Cupboard.
Lord, Teach Us To Pray (September 17-October 15, 2023)
We will finally complete our walk through the Westminster Shorter Catechism! Having previously looked at the Word and sacraments as means of grace, we will conclude with looking at the third means of grace, prayer. What is prayer, and how are we to pray? Join us for this five-week course in the Galway Conference Room. Taught by Elder Steve Hoogerhyde.
Shaping Our Children’s Hearts & Minds (September 17-24, October 8-15, 2023)
New Jersey public schools have definite convictions they intend to impart to students through educational goals and requirements. This class intends to empower families by providing information regarding school standards and curriculum, engaging this content from a Christian perspective, and encouraging the discipling and strengthening of our children and youth in the truth, wisdom, and knowledge of God.
Family Worship (July 16-30, 2023)
Families will learn creative ways to worship together at home using Psalm 23 as their guide. Led by Karen Jacobsen, Director of Children’s Ministries. Held in the Sanctuary.
Our Guilt & God’s Grace (June 11-July 23, 2023)
We will resume walking through the Westminster Shorter Catechism. Having previously looked at the Ten Commandments, we will consider how we are lawbreakers in need of repentance and faith, and how the Word and sacraments are God’s particular means of grace to us. Join us for this six-week course in the Galway Conference Room.
Hosting Hope (June 18, 2023)
The second step in GRC’s Discipleship Pathway is to explicitly ENGAGE others with the gospel of Jesus and make space to ask questions. Come and learn about hosting Hope Explored, a 3-session series about how the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus in Luke’s Gospel offers us a joyful expectation for the future, based on true events in the past, which changes everything about our present. Led by Elder Peter Hwang
Life as a Witness (May 21-June 4, 2023)
As our Lord commissioned His first disciples our Brothers and Sisters in the Lord, He said, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
The root word used for witness is “Martys” or “Martur”. There is a death of self which our Lord calls us to in our everyday lives, at work places (specially), in our homes (importantly) and in our neighborhoods, where we spend our lives. Come be challenged as we study from the word of God examples of witnesses!
Class Notes PDF
Conversations: Youth, Parents, & Faith Transformation (May 14-June 4, 2023)
Learn how parents’ relationship with God, as well as with their children, influence youth’s faith! Students, parents of children of all ages, and adults who work with youth will learn from several leaders in the church and share together in open discussions. Topics center around ways adults can pass down their faith to the next generation and how young people can live fully into being the church today.
The Spirit & The Flesh (March 26, April 2 & 16, 2023)
Scripture tells us that God is creative and that Creation was made without sin or error. Human creations are harder to evaluate. Can we just enjoy art – visual, performing and literary – or do we have to discern a religious message? What makes creative activity so attractive, or repulsive? In these three classes, we will examine the concepts of truth, beauty and goodness in artistic expression according to our personal experience and in the light of the Gospel.
Making Sense of the Prophets (January 8 through April 8, 2023)
The prophets are easily the least understood part of the Bible, and yet they provide the key to connecting the Old and New Testaments. This course will give you “handles” to make sense of this part of the Bible and illustrate principles for interpretation throughout the course from specific passages from these books. We’ll conclude the course by putting these principles into practice through a survey of Amos.
Blessed to be a Blessing (January 8 and 15, 2023)
This 2-week course will provide an overview of God’s heart for all people groups and the role each of us can play in fulfilling God’s global and historic purpose in missions.
What Your Money Says About You (September 18-October 2, 2022)
There’s an old joke that one way to get a person to look at his shoes is to mention money. Join us as we look not at our shoes but at select passages in Scripture and talk through what the Bible tells us about our relationship with the money and resources that God has entrusted to us. Elder Peter Hwang will be leading our discussion. (Note: this 3-week course is free 😊)
Parenting: It’s Not What You Think (April 24-May 8, May 29-June 26, 2022)
Join us for this 8 week video based parenting class by speaker Paul Tripp. We will spend 8 weeks exploring and discussing:
- How we give up trying to control our kids’ behavior and step into God’s calling for us as parents.
- How we shape our kids’ character and learn how to lovingly expose the sin in their hearts and point them to Jesus.
- How to help our children and family thrive during the teen years.
- How to rest in God and experience abounding joy as a mother or father.
Join in hearing encouraging updates from our missionaries and having a time of prayer for them.
[Taught by Steve Sage and Steve Hoogerhyde]
This 4-week class is required for officer candidates and open to anyone who would like to explore the overarching storyline of the Bible, seeing how the different parts of the Bible fit together under the theme of the kingdom of God. All participants are required to purchase and read God’s Big Picture by Vaughan Roberts during the course. Class time will be spent discuss themes from the reading.
[Taught by John Gregory]
This class will cover how to keep a healthy spiritual perspective on political issues; how political ideologies tempt us to idolatry; and how Jesus calls us to forsake political passions even as we exercise our civic responsibilities.
TOPIC: Theological Foundations for Leaders (September 2021- February 2022)
Join Pastor Steve, Steve Hoogerhyde and our officer candidates for this 16-week discussion-based survey of our doctrinal beliefs. We’ll explore what we believe, why it matters, and how to live in response to the truth. All adults are welcome. Officer candidates will be completing assigned reading for each lesson; others are encouraged but not required to do the reading. Those who are interested should purchase their own copies of the Westminster Confession of Faith and John Frame’s book, Salvation Belongs to the Lord.
TOPIC: Protect Young Eyes (March 5 – 26, 2021)
[Facilitated by Children’s Director Karen Jacobsen]
This series will introduce parents to the potential danger and challenges of their kids’ online use as well as how to teach their children how to faithfully and Biblically use technology to the glory of God.
1. 3/5/21 – Porn is the Norm
2. 3/12/21 – Technology is Re-wiring Your Kids’ Minds and Hearts
3. 3/19/21 – Where the Kids Are is Where the Predators Are
4. 3/26/21 – Technology is Fuel for Cruel Behavior
TOPIC: God’s Mission & You (Jan 22 – Feb 19)
[Taught by Pastor Steve and Steve Hoogerhyde]
This class explores our place in God’s mission by summarizing some of the key themes from the Perspectives on the World Christian Movement course hosted by GRC in Fall 2020.
1. 1/22/21 – God is a Missionary God
2. 1/29/21 – The Story of God’s Glory
3. 2/5/21 – The Story of God’s Glory Across Time and Around the World
4. 2/12/21 – Building Bridges Across Cultures
5. 2/19/21 – Being a World Christian
TOPIC: Living as Salt & Light in 2020 & Beyond (Sept 18 – Nov 20)
[Taught by Pastor Steve]
How we are to fulfill our calling to be “salt and light,” sent as ambassadors of Christ, and live for his kingdom mission. What does that look like in light of a global pandemic and social/racial unrest? How do we build bridges in this polarized and scary time? Explore how to live missionally and faithfully engage our culture.
Part 1: Missional Preliminaries
1. 9/18/20 – Our Calling: Salt, Light & Ambassadors
2. 9/25/20 – Our Context: Increasingly Hostile & Socially Distanced
3. 10/2/20 – Our Attitude: Godly Distress vs. Personal Offense
4. 10/9/20 – Our Posture: How to Disagree Agreeably
Part 2: Pandemic
5. 10/16/ 20 – Opportunities for Engagement & “Three Circles Gospel Summary“
6. 10/23/20 – Meaningful Conversations
7. 10/30/20 – Equipping for Sharing
Part 3: Social Tension
8. 11/6/20 – Biblical Justice & Critical Theory
9. 11/13/20 – Engaging the Spectrum of Voices on Social Issues
TOPIC: Moralistic Therapeutic Deism (July 5 – July 26)
[Taught by Dr. Mo Hanna]
Moralistic Therapeutic Deism (MTD) is a term that describes the spirituality of our age: God wants everyone to be happy, nice, and feel good about themselves. It’s become the de facto belief system of the younger generations and increasingly even those in the church. This belief system is explored in detail, and in contrast to the Gospel, since so many of our friends, family, and neighbors are MTD believers.
- (July 5) Introduction + Video recording
- (July 12) Deism/Theism + Video recording
- (July 19) Moralistic + Video recording
- (July 26) Therapeutic
TOPIC: Knowing God in Daily Life (June 7 – June 28)
[Taught by Pastor Steve]
It’s a lifelong journey to connect the dots between what we know to be true about God in our heads with where the rubber hits the road in our lives. This class explored how themes from the “doctrine of God” can make a tangible difference in our daily lives.
- (June 7) The Trinity and Our Relationships
- (June 14) God’s Providence and Our Peace
- (June 21) God’s Glory and Our Purpose
- (June 28) God’s Mission and Our Mission
TOPIC: Family Discipleship (March 29 – May 24, 2020)
[Taught by Pastor Steve]
These classes were a joint-effort between adults, Youth, and Children’s Ministry to provide hands-on practical training for parents on conducting family discipleship. An at-home curriculum was provided for families to use for discipleship relevant to the whole family (all age ranges).
- (March 29) Developing Convictions
- (April 5) Getting Started
- (April 12) No ACE class; Easter/Prayer Service
- (April 19) Gospel-Centered Application
- (April 26) Discipleship as a Way of Life
- (May 3) A Format for Family Bible Reading & Bible Reading Questions
- (May 10) Making Missional Disciples
- (May 17) Q & A
- (May 24) Encouraging a Godward Orientation
Psalm 119 Curriculum:
- Lesson 1: Psalm 119: 1-8 (Aleph)
- Lesson 2: Psalm 119: 9-16 (Beth)
- Lesson 3: Psalm 119: 65-72 (Teth)
- Lesson 4: Psalm 119: 89-96 (Lamedh)
- Lesson 5: Psalm 119: 97-104 (Mem)
TOPIC: Faith@Work (April 19 ~ May 24, 2020)
[Taught by Donald Thampy & Steve Hoogerhyde]
How does your faith affect your work? Does your belief in God have anything to do with how and why you work? How are you a witness at work? What makes work difficult, and how can work be fruitful and enjoyable?
- (April 19) Work and Worldview: Biblical Perspectives
- (April 26) Work and Witness: Biblical Examples
- (May 3) Work: Service or Servitude?
- (May 10) Work: Mission or Money-Making?
- (May 17) Mission Field: Witness While You Work
- (May 24) Minefield: When Work Becomes Difficult