Adult Education at National: Foundations for Faith, Fuel for Service

“It cannot be that the people should grow in grace unless they give themselves to reading.” – John Wesley, in a letter to Geo. Holder, November 8, 1790

Sunday Mornings, Metropolitan Memorial Campus

  • In the Biblical Sense, 9 am Sundays. Meets in the Christie Room and Zoom | Meeting ID: 957 6923 5121 Passcode: bible

    Our Group looks at and discusses how the Bible can guide us, and lead us toward a fuller understanding and appreciation of God and the world around us. This September we will begin a study of the importance of the promises of God, hope, and dealing with obstacles. Our readings will include essays from two books by Max Lucado. The titles are “Unshakable Hope- Building Our Lives on the Promises of God” and “He Still Moves Stones”.

  • Community & Connections, 9 am Sundays. Meets in-person in the Library

    Looking for a place to connect? Join us in the library for this informal, guided discussion group. Open to all adults, the Community and Connections Class tackles a range of challenging Biblical topics but does not require any reading or "homework" between Sundays. Simply drop in and chat! We'd love to have you join us at 9 am on Sundays. For more information, contact Ginger and Haisten Willis at ginger.m.willis@gmail.com

  • Knowing Our Story, 9 am Sundays. Meets in the Great Hall.

    A New Adult Forum at 9 am in the Great Hall. Starting Sunday, September 14. This new adult learning opportunity will focus on understanding the basics of faith and the role of Christians in the world. As we move through the fall, this forum will feature short-term studies on demystifying the Bible, the basics of Methodism, and an Advent Bible study. It kicks off on Sunday, September 14, with a timely, five-week series on how the church, past and present, has confronted challenging or oppressive political situations.

    Wrestling Against Principalities, Powers, and the Rulers of Darkness | September 14 – October 12, 9 am in the Great Hall

    The Apostle Paul exhorted believers to “put on the whole armor of God … for we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Eph. 6:11-12, KJV). Join the discussion as leaders within our church and those in the broader church community share how Christians, past and present, have resisted oppression and worked for a more just society.

  • Sun. Sept. 14 - The Church's Response to Repression in Central America in the 1980s. Fr. Gregory Schenden, S.J., Director of Campus Ministry for Georgetown University. A seminal moment in Fr. Schenden's decision to enter the Jesuit order was the martyrdom of the Jesuits, their housekeeper, and her daughter in El Salvador in 1989 by government-aligned forces.

  • Sun. Sept. 21 - The Church’s Role in Middle East Peace. Kyle Cristofalo, Senior Director of Advocacy & Government Relations at Churches for Middle East Peace.

  • Sun. Sept. 28 - Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the German Church Struggle Rev. Barbara Green

  • Sun. Oct. 5 - First Person Perspectives: The Church and the Civil Rights Movement. Dr. E. Maynard Moore and Ms. Paula Pree.

  • Sun. Oct. 12 - Panel Discussion on Engaging Advocacy and Activism Today. NUMC members meeting this moment through activism on local, national, and international issues will share ways you can get involved.

  • Questions of Faith, 11 am Sundays. Meets in person in the Library.

    No homework, no tests, no pressure, yet you can learn from some of the best college professors in the United States about important religious topics. The current lecture series in the Questions of Faith Sunday School class is The Greatest Controversies of Early Christian History by Professor Bart Ehrman. Class discussion follows the recorded lecture. For more information, contact Larry Ellsworth at ellsworthL@verizon.net 

    Mid-week Classes

  • Science, Religion, and Society at 6 PM Eastern Time Mondays. Join Zoom Meeting | Meeting ID: 923 0079 1268 Passcode: science

    The Science, Religion & Society class meets to consider the interaction between science, faith, and society. We have participants across the US and the world. Newcomers are always welcome.

  • People of Faith: Getting to Know the Bible’s Main Characters, 6 - 7 pm Tuesdays via Zoom Meeting | Meeting ID: 831 1567 2377 Passcode: 833813

    Ever wondered who’s who in the Bible and how the Bible’s heroes and heroines fit into the story of our faith? Each week this online discussion focuses on a significant biblical character -- from the first families of Genesis to the Old Testament’s kings, queens, prophets, and sages – and the lessons we can learn from our biblical forebearers. This is a 101-level experience open to anyone. No prerequisites. No homework. And no question is too simple or out of bounds. Newcomers are welcome to jump in at any time.For more information or to receive weekly reminders of these sessions, contact Ann Michel (annmichel1724@outlook.com) Or, you can log into any class session.

  • Thursday Morning Bible Study, 10:30 AM-12 PM ET Thursdays. Meets on Zoom and in the Conference Room at the Metropolitan Memorial Campus. Join Zoom Meeting | Meeting ID: 452 637 297 Passcode: 025452

    Beginning Thursday, September 25, we will read the book of Ezra. There are two great focal events in the Hebrew Bible: the Exodus, and the Exile. Ezra tells how the Jewish people returned to Jerusalem after exile in Babylon. It tells of faithfulness and persistence, and deals with questions of how people with different backgrounds and experiences can best live together. Everyone is invited. No previous Bible study required. Contact Rev. Janet for more information or to get a copy of the study book. If you participated in the Esther study, you already have a copy – it’s the same book (jcraswell@nationalchurch.org).