a religious institution.” Tey have questions about their faith and are looking for ways to explore their questions and experience God, but the answers they seek cannot be found in a traditional classroom. It needs to be more.


A few years ago, First Presbyterian Church of Allentown made a shift in focus from Christian education to the broader concept of spiritual formation.


Spiritual formation is not just another term for Christian education but a way of life that includes the many dynamics that inform Christian discipleship—worship, fellowship, service, and study. It recognizes that individuals are spiritual beings made in the image of God and so seeks to nurture that spirituality within each person. It encourages children, youth, and adults to embrace each other in the ways of Jesus Christ and to experience God in the fullness of creation.


To be a disciple of Jesus is to be a student of Jesus, to learn the ways of Jesus, and to strive to be like Jesus. Engaging in spiritual formation is to experience for ourselves the lessons of Jesus, not just hear them as information—and in those experiences be transformed as the Holy Spirit guides us in our Christian growth.


At First Presbyterian, a new leadership team for adult spiritual formation is being formed to complement existing teams for children and youth. A Spiritual Formation Vision Team is working to discern significant practices to adopt, continue, or change to strengthen our calling to make disciples of Christ at every age. Meantime, the church provides many spiritual formation opportunities as individuals and members of the community, and we invite all members and friends of this congregation to connect into the life of the church and find a spiritual formation offering that will support and guide you as you continue your journey as a disciple of Jesus.


Photos below represent the wide range of adult spiritual formation gatherings available in different venues and at different times. Tey include a variety of classes and groups that meet during the Church School hour (9 a.m. to 10 a.m), along with small groups that meet in homes during Lent and Advent, and midweek Bible study and fellowship groups. Formation also includes worship, prayer, and living faith into the world via relationships and mission activity.


OPPORTUNITIES IN ADULT SPIRITUAL FORMATION


SUNDAYS AT THE CHURCH • Worship, Sundays, various times and formats


• Church School hour, Sundays, 9 a.m.: Offers conversations about discipleship


• Adult Seminar: Various leaders—often outside speakers—address and facilitate conversation around a specific topic. Room 115


• Adult groups: Using the Common Lectionary, scripture-based conversations address life circumstances of individuals in each class. 1. Bible Discovery: Room 124 2. Exploring God’s Word: Witherspoon Room 3. Conversations for Parents: Room 217


WEEKDAYS AT THE CHURCH Bible studies and fellowship groups: Offer opportunities for meaningful study and conversations about applying lessons to daily life.


• Midweek Co-ed Bible Study (Tuesdays, 7 p.m., room 217)


• Wednesday Men’s Discipleship Group (6:45 a.m., room 115)


• Thursday Word Before Work Women’s Group (6:45 a.m., room 115)


• Friday Morning Women’s Bible Study (9:30 a.m., room 115)


• Saturday Men’s Group (alternate weeks, 7:30 a.m., Witherspoon Room)


• Book Lover’s Group (4th 7:30 p.m., room 220)


Tuesday of the month,


SEASONAL • Small groups—Pre-Advent (5 weeks) and Lent (6 weeks): Groups of about 12 people gather at various places and times to discuss a seasonal theme based on a book or study guide and engage in fellowship, prayer, and sharing.


• Men’s and women’s retreats: Gatherings focus on a topic of discipleship and support individuals in their personal spiritual formation.


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