The path of discipleship involves lifelong learning. Such kind of learning inevitably takes us to new heights of understanding and new depths of integrity in our relationship with God and one another within the body of Christ. To encourage and equip you as a disciple of Christ, Fellowship offers Discipleship U - a formal program of biblical teaching and training intended to provide both form and substance to your personal journey with Christ.

Reflecting our calling and mission as a maker of disciples of Jesus Christ, Discipleship U carries a twofold objective:

• To provide solid, biblical teaching and training on foundational tenets, doctrine, and aspects of the Christ life…establishing a biblical worldview for authentic disciples of Christ through the Word of Christ in grace and truth (John 1:14, 5:24, 17:17, 2 Tim. 2:15)
• To provide family-wide disciple making opportunities in such a way that does not require family members to become isolated from their families in order to grow in Christ. This will be through family environments that will complement the classroom environment for adults.

How it works

At present there are three 8-week terms of study planned for the 2007-2008 ministry year – a Fall, Winter and Spring term as follows:

• Fall Term: Sept. 12 – Nov. 7
• Winter Term: Jan. 16 – Mar. 5
• Spring Term: Mar. 26 – May 21

All courses will be held on Wednesday nights and will have varying levels of requirements. Participants may join a course up through the first week of class. Tuition will be just $10 per course due at registration. This money will go to offset some of the costs for the family program such as childcare.

Kid U is Discipleship U’s children’s program that meets on Wednesday nights from 6:30-8:30pm. Kid U offers 8-week Bible courses for elementary students (grades 1-5), during the Fall and Winter terms, and follows the same weekly schedules as Discipleship U. Kid U exists to provide for children an opportunity to build relationships with their peers as well as adults and also to equip children on their spiritual journey. More specific information about Kid U’s current term can be found on www.children.fefc.com.

Why Wednesday Nights?

While there will be discipleship offerings at other days and times of the week, Discipleship U will hold most of its offerings on Wednesday evenings for the following reasons:
• We want to encourage our body to use Sunday evenings with family, neighbors or perhaps in small groups and not ‘coming to church’ yet again for a second time that day.
• It is good that we meet again as a body during the course of the week to encourage, enjoy and affirm each other in Christ-centered fellowship.

2008 Winter Term (Jan. 16 – March 5). Details of each are provided below, and include:

• Apologetics & Evangelism– Greg Pinkner

We are commanded to evangelize just as much as to pray, worship, red the word and love. Yet most Christians rarely, if ever, share their faith. This mostly comes from a lack of confidence in how to present the Gospel and how to engage common arguments against it. This course is designed to help the average Christian not only understand how to firmly and surely present the Gospel, but also to lovingly and correctly answer questions.

• A Journey in the Spiritual Disciplines – Brad Hobbs

How does God change lives? What does it mean when we hear scripture call us “to work out your salvation with fear and trembling” right alongside the reality that “it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purposes?” What is my role v. God’s role? A journey through divinely ordained disciplines for the human spirit will allow us a peek at these things. This course will offer a survey of ancient spiritual disciplines for growing and maturing in the Christ life - including such disciplines as scripture study, prayer, meditation, worship, journaling, service, solitude, celebration and others.

• The Marriage Tune-Up Workshop – Tim Shaughnessy and Kevin Huggins

The Marriage Tune-Up Workshop exists for couples who would like to renew their relationship with their spouses. In this group you will discover: 1. Ways to renew your love for one another; 2. The normal cycle and struggles of married life; 3. Techniques to draw you together instead of pushing each other away; 4. Strategies to rekindle the fires of your sexual relationship; 5. Ways you can depend more deeply on Christ’s strength in difficulties.

• Good $ense Budgeting– Steve Luper

Would you like to discover the peace and contentment that comes from managing your financial resources according to God’s purposes and principles? The Good $ense Budget Course is designed to help you do just that. In this hands-on course, you’ll learn how to honor God in your finances by becoming a…. DILIGENT EARNER, GENEROUS GIVER, WISE SAVER, CAUTIOUS DEBTOR, PRUDENT CONSUMER
You will learn what the Bible says about finances and how to combat cultural myths such as “Debt is expected and unavoidable,” “Things bring happiness,” and “A little more $ will solve all your problems.” During the course, you will develop a Spending Plan for the coming year. You will learn about and choose between 3 different record-keeping systems to help you stick to your plan. Most importantly, you will discover how being financially faithful can help you become financially free!