Courses
Morning Courses
Morning courses are offered 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. at Epworth UMC, located at the corner of University Drive and Hope Valley Road in Southwest Durham.
Sept. 5, 12, 19, 26
Acts: The Church’s Beginnings w/ Mickey Efird
The book of Acts is St. Luke's story of the beginnings of the church in Jerusalem and its spread into the larger Graeco-Roman world. In and of itself, this would make the book interesting, but it is even more interesting when one thinks about how the book of Acts is a continuation of the narrative that Luke began in his Gospel. Join Dr. Efird for a study of Acts, the sequel to the Gospel, and the story of the origins of the church today.
Oct. 17, 24, 31
The Beatitudes: The Shape of Christian Living w/ Nathan Kirkpatrick
The beatitudes are recorded twice in Scripture – once in the Gospel of Matthew as part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount and then again in the Gospel of Luke in Jesus’ “Sermon on the Plain.” There are some differences in the wording of the beatitudes between the two Gospels, but in both accounts, these statements of blessing serve as the central content of Jesus’ message. Join Nathan Kirkpatrick for an in-depth look at the beatitudes, their meaning in Jesus’ ministry, and their meaning for the way we live our lives in faith today.
Jan. 9, 16, 23, 30
Words in Season: The Prophet Isaiah w/ Mickey Efird
The book of Isaiah contains prophetic teaching from three periods of Hebrew history: the eighth century, the sixth century and the fifth century. Each of these prophetic collections speaks to the people of God in specific settings, and some of the most popular Old Testament texts are found in this book. In this course, Dr. Efird will examine what these texts said in their historical context but also what they may say to us today.
Apr. 2, 9, 16, 23
Christ from a Different Angle: The Gospel of John w/ Mickey Efird
Of the four gospels, John has been the most beloved or shunned by interpreters in the church almost since it was penned. The author of this gospel presents a portrait of Jesus that is magnificent, but it is very different and, at times, seemingly at odds with the Jesus presented in the other three gospels. Join Dr. Efird for a look at the marvelous portrait of Jesus that John presents and learn more about the differences between the four gospel accounts.
Evening Courses
Evening courses are held 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at Resurrection UMC, on Chapel Hill Road (between Mt. Moriah Road and Garrett Road) in Southwest Durham.
Oct. 4, 11, 18, 25
Revelation w/ Mickey Efird
During the latter part of the post-exilic period in Judaism a new theological "thought pattern" was developed known as "apocalyptic." It had its own particular emphases and developed into its own literary genre. There are only two books in our canon which are of the apocalyptic genre, Daniel chapters 7-12 and the book of Revelation. Join Dr. Efird in a study of the characteristics of the apocalyptic genre and the historical setting of the time so that we might better understand the message of Revelation for the people of God in all generations.
Jan. 10. 17, 24, 31
Wisdom Literature w/ Mickey Efird
In the postexilic period of Hebrew history (after 538 B.C.) a movement known as "wisdom" flowered among the people to help them cope with their trials and tribulations. This movement produced such books as Job, Ecclesiastes, Ruth and Esther. In this class, you will look with Dr. Efird at some of the characteristics of "wisdom" and the books that the movement produced.
Feb. 28, Mar. 6 & 13
Session is Not Available