Adult Christian Education

• Small Group Bible Study
• 9:30am Sundays
• Introductory Bible Study
• Advanced Bible Study
• Home Studies

Spiritual Formation

• In-depth Bible Study
• Spirituality through Evening Prayer
• Taize Worship
• Prayer Groups at church or home
• Retreat

Parent Involvement

The Parents of Young Children class

This parent group meets in 420 Conference Room, 4th fl. The group is welcoming, open to all and studies a variety of topics throughout the school year. During the summer the group attends the intergenerational worship at 9:45a.m.

Sundays 9:30am Bible Study Choices

All Pierce Hall rooms are in the lower level.

Aldersgate Bible Study:
Meets in Pierce Hall 2 (lower level), studying the Scripture assigned for the same Sunday.

CAFÉ: (Contemporary Adults in Fellowship and Education),
Meets in Pierce Hall 3, studies the Bible through the vision of various theological writers, includes a Wesleyan study, and a study of a book of the Bible in the course of the year.

Dixon Bible Study:
One of the longest running Bible studies in Chicago, meets in the Dixon Chapel on the 2nd floor, this approach is to focus on the Scripture for the Sunday with the leader providing much information on background through culture, meaning, and history of the passage.

Mabuhay Bible Study:
Mabuhay means “Welcome” and all are welcome to this Bible study. Meets in Pierce Hall 1. Focusing on the teaching of the pastor it includes discussion on the meaning of the passage for daily life.

Parents of Young Children:
Meets in conference room 420 on the 4th fl. near the children’s Sunday school rooms. Studies a variety of approaches during the year, including a book of the Bible, Christian parenting, a theological or current book that is a discussion for the Christian faith, and Wesleyan understanding of the faith.

We are pleased to offer quality staff nursery care during the 9:30-10:50 Christian Education period as well as children and youth Sunday school. We are blessed to have this time for a congregational focus on Christian Education.

Advent:
The congregation studies the same Advent book during this liturgical season. New groups are also formed for this special study.

Lent:
A six-week study is conducted by the whole congregation, often bringing in a common time for the congregation to talk together about this study. The Advent and Lent studies are important parts of the Christian education of the congregation.

Disciple Bible Study:
A commitment to study the Bible through a focus on the Bible from history, culture, writing, and audience perspectives. The primary focus is on how the Bible challenges the learning to grow in discipleship.

Disciple Bible Study has transformed people and congregations. There is a course for your level of familiarity, commitment, and willingness to move in a deeper relationship to living as a disciple of Jesus Christ.

Disciple requires daily Bible study and a weekly evening class meeting for 1 ½ hour. Sign up is required in advance. A fee of between $35-40 covers the cost of the book and the ending retreat. A confidential scholarship is available with Rev. Magrini

Disciple Bible Study Level I:
This is an introductory study that includes the history of ancient Israel in a significant Old Testament portion, then moves to the New Testament focusing on the Gospels and the letters of the apostle Paul. This is an excellent study for a person who is just beginning to explore the Bible.

This requires a commitment to a 1½ hour weekly study and Bible study reading each day for approximately 32-34 weeks.

Advanced Disciple Bible Study:
The topics vary according to the most up-to-date resources available that focus on the best of scholarship and diversity in approach. The topics are in-depth into the Bible, often a book of the Bible, or a topic such as grace or forgiveness as one selection of a 30-32 week study. Daily reading and a 1½ hour class weekly commitment is required. The basic Disciple Bible Study level I must be taken before moving into the Advanced study.

CHILDREN

The Foundation:

NURTURING THE CHRISTIAN FAITH
DIVERSE CHILDREN/YOUTH IN A DIVERSE URBAN CHURCH
CORE OF THE CONGREGATION
SHARING OF PARENTS WITH CHRISTIAN PARENTING
COMFORTABLE RELATIONSHIPS WITH TEACHERS, STUDENTS, PARENTS, AND CLERGY

“The vision of Children and Youth Christian Education is to promote education and spiritual growth, and to be good stewards of God’s gifts, talents, and resources.”

The VOLUNTEER TEACHERS rely on the parent involvement in the classes as much as possible. There is always a way an extra person or more can contribute. We expect that parents be involved in the Christian education of their children and youth. 

Nursery Care

8:15a.m. to 12:15p.m.
4th floor with a staff leader and volunteers for infants to age 2.

Childcare

11 a.m. childcare for children ages 3-6 in the preschool area with a childcare staff worker and volunteers.

Sunday School Classes For Children Ages 3 Through High School

Live Big, a United Methodist approved curriculum is used in all children’s classes. The material follows a biblical theme, includes Advent and Lent.

• Preschool ages 3-4
• Kindergarten
• 1st-3rd grades
• 4th-6th Grades

The 9:30 a.m. Youth Sunday School Schedule

• Youth begins at 9:30 a.m. on the 3rd floor.
• 4-6th grades in room 416 begins at 9:30 a.m.
• Kindergarten – 3rd grade begin in the music room in the 4th floor children’s wing.
• They are dismissed at 10 a.m. to begin the Sunday school class.
• Preschool music begins at 10 a.m. in the preschool area.

Music with Temple Young Musicians…

Music is an important aid in child development, and a vital part of a child’s spiritual life.  At 9:30 a.m., children in grades K-3 meet with Mr. Jeffrey Taylor for fun worship songs, percussion instruments and introduction to music-reading.

Preschoolers meet for their own music time later during the Sunday School period.

Children from 4th grade and up have opportunities to share their musical talents during worship. They also sing, read, narrate and play parts in the Children’s Nativity.

The Temple Young Musicians participate in the 11 a.m. worship services on:

• Children’s Sabbath (in the fall) – singing and instruments.
• Children’s Nativity (in December) – a Christmas play.
• African-American History Month (in February) – singing and instruments.
• Palm Sunday – processional with palms to open the service.
• Mother’s Day (May) – a Temple tradition where children, moms, grandmothers,
  families sing together.

Activities throughout the year include:

• Open House in September and May
• Fall Children’s Sabbath
• Nativity story presented in Worship
• Palm Sunday Procession in Worship with Palms
• Mission project
• Summer “Worship Alive!” intergenerational Worship
• Acolyte Ministry (Grades 5th and up)

Confirmation

A confirmation class is formed every 2 years. The upcoming class will begin Fall 2011. Confirmation requires a significant commitment on the part of the youth and the parent.

Children and Youth grow in discipleship and learn about discipleship for today in Christian education, music, worship, and service.