Adult Discipleship
Form Real Friendships at Royal Oak First
The Good and Beautiful You: Discovering the Person Jesus Created You to Be
Tuesdays, September 13-October 11 from 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Join the ongoing Tuesday Night Women’s Group, led by Pam Belecki, for a discussion of the book “The Good and Beautiful You: Discovering the Person Jesus Created You to Be” by James Bryan Smith. Theology Professor Smith focuses on care for the Christian soul and provides “soul training” exercises to guide this process. Purchase your copy of the book at your bookstore of choice. Come, meet friends you never knew you had! Call the church office at 248.541.4100 with any questions.
Paul’s Little Letters Bible Study
Wednesdays, September 21-October 26 from 7:30-9:00 p.m.
This is a Bible study led by Josh Wright on the Apostle Paul’s short letters in the New Testament: 1 & 2 Thessalonians, Galatians, Philippians, Ephesians, and Colossians. Adults and teens 16 years and older are welcome. Call the church office at 248.541.4100 with any questions.
Grief Recovery Method: An 8-Week Workshop Series
Wednesdays, September 21-November 7 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
The Grief Recovery Method is just that – a method – a step by step process – an “action program” – for unlocking and respecting the emotional experience of our grief and exploring different beliefs about grief – especially the ones holding us back in life. No matter the kind of loss you’ve experienced, there is room for everyone to heal. Workshop leader is Tami Hollingsworth-Dowd, Certified Grief Recovery Specialist®. The cost is discounted at $100 per person and limited to 10 people. Call the church office at 248.541.4100 with any questions.
The Gospel in Black and White–FACEBOOK LIVE
Monday, September 26, October 10, October 24, and November 7 from 7:00-8:00 p.m.
Join Pastor Jeff and his friend and colleague the Reverend Dr. Kevin Smalls, Senior Pastor at Southfield Hope, for an online discussion on the Gospel of John focused uniquely on the different perspectives in interpretations of the Jesus story from both a Black and White perspective. Call the church office at 248.541.4100 with any questions.
Journey Toward Wholeness Using Wisdom of the Enneagram Workshop
Friday, September 30, 6-8 p.m. and Saturday, October 1, 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
One of the most ancient spiritual tools for understanding human beings is the Enneagram. Come to this engaging 1.5 day workshop facilitated by Joyce Hollingsworth. You will learn about the Enneagram, increase your own self-awareness and gain new insight into your relationships with others – especially those different from you. Together we will see how the wisdom of the Enneagram can help us better follow Jesus’ call to love others and love yourself. Join us to see with new eyes what makes you “tick”, get to know and develop deeper connections with others at church, and move beyond the shallows in your spiritual journey. Call the church office at 248.541.4100 with any questions.
24/6: Discovering the Ancient Wisdom of Sabbath for a Modern World—ZOOM
Sundays, October 2-November 6 from 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Using Matthew Sleeth’s book “24/6: A Prescription for a Healthier, Happier Life” as a guide, Pastor Jeff Nelson will help us discover the powerful invitation to, “Remember the Sabbath and Keep it Holy.” How do we find rest in a 24/7 world where the powerful technology we now possess can keep us enslaved to busyness? Setting aside a day of rest can help us reconnect with our Creator and find the peace of God that passes all understanding. The Sabbath is about letting go of the controls one day a week and letting God be God. Purchase your copy of the book at your bookstore of choice. Call the church office at 248.541.4100 with any questions.
Parables of Jesus
Wednesdays, October 5-November 16 from 7:00-8:30 p.m.
This is about the parables of Jesus led by Pastor Jeff Nelson using J. Ellsworth Kalas’ book “Parables from the Backside Volume 2”. Purchase your copy of the book at your bookstore of choice. Call the church office at 248.541.4100 with any questions.
Reading the Bible Again for the First Time
Thursdays, October 6-November 17 from 1:00-2:30 p.m.
Join Pastor Bridget Nelson for a discussion on the book “Reading the Bible Again for the First Time”. This 2002 book by theologian Marcus Borg invites Christians to “take the Bible seriously without taking it literally”. Join us as we take another look at the Bible in a fresh new way to find its guidance for an authentic life of faith. Purchase your copy of the book at your bookstore of choice. Call the church office at 248.541.4100 with any questions.
Christian Meditation Practices
Sundays from 5:30-7:00 p.m.
As our lives become more and more filled with distractions, activities, and responsibilities it is more important than ever that we make the time to defragment our minds and allow God space to work within and through us. Christian Centering Meditation can help to give us the opportunities that we need to discover, or re-discover, our center in Christ. This is a simple time-tested technique that has proven valuable to untold numbers of modern day saints. No need to sign up.
Abide, the Men’s Fellowship Ministry of Royal Oak First
Tuesdays from 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Abide is a community of men who seek to grow in their friendship with God and with each other. Just as Jesus invited his friends to “abide,” to just get used to hanging out together, we believe that our friendships will help us be able to better live our faith in our families, world and community.