Sunday Seminar

Study & Discussion on Pressing Topics for the Church

Aim: The GBC Elders are offering a short Sunday Seminar series in the fall and spring during the Sunday School period, at which time our adult classes will come together for teaching and discussion on pressing topics Christians face in our current cultural moment. These sessions will allow us to address key issues, invite input and discussion, and provide guidance for how we might react to, and interact with, some major challenges of following Jesus in today’s world.

Fall 2023: Sundays, November 5, 12, & 19, 10:00-10:45 a.m., adult classes combined in Fellowship Hall

"First Things First: Distinguishing Biblical Majors and Minors in Relation to Current Issues."

Join us for a timely and practical 3-week study/discussion series! We’ll be going to Scripture asking how to differentiate between topics where we can “agree to disagree” and those on which we must stand firm together: how do we identify majors and minors, and how do we apply such insight when it comes to current issues the church is facing? A related goal is to avoid sending the wrong message about our priorities and our mission by treating minors as majors or majors as minors. The Elders are coordinating this project, and Pastor Peter will be the primary teacher

Nov. 5: The Bible, Gender, and the Church (audio recording here). What are complementarianism and egalitarianism? How has GBC understood biblical teaching on men, women, and church leadership? Is this “a hill to die on”?
Nov. 12: LGBTQ+ Issues and the Christian Witness (audio recording here). How does the Bible speak to the question of homosexual activity? How should Christians respond to the idea of “same-sex marriage”? Is there a biblical stance on transgenderism? How do we speak the truth in love?
Nov. 19: Christian Faith and Politics (audio recording here). What does the Bible teach about the relationship of church and state? How does the Christian navigate being a citizen of two kingdoms? How should we apportion our energy in this area?

PAST SEMINARS:

Spring 2023: Sundays, March 12, 19, 26, 10:00-10:45 a.m., in Fellowship Hall

Synopsis:

FAITH in PUBLIC: A three-part study and discussion series to encourage, challenge, and mobilize Christians for Christ-like engagement with today’s world.

We live in a time of intense political and cultural polarization driven by anger and fear, and in a day when historic Christian beliefs and practices are often opposed. How are we to carry ourselves in such an adversarial world? Jesus has not left us without guidance!

From Scripture, and with the help of Christian leaders who’ve written and spoken about our posture toward the society around us, we’ll seek guidance for building relationships beyond the church, engaging secular neighbors, being “salt” and “light,” and speaking the truth in love. Further, we’ll be encouraged to live out our faith “in but not of” the world—for the good of the world and the honor of Christ’s name.

And so, rather than succumbing to the temptation to retreat from public life in fear of sinful influences, and rather than seeking to impact society using sinful methods, we’ll embrace afresh the biblical call to step forward in faith, trust Christ amidst the storm, and convey his Good News to a desperate world.

Schedule:

March 12: “Befriending Lost Travelers” (Luke 10:25-37; 1 Corinthians 9:19-23) (audio recording here)
March 19: “Being Different from the World” (John 13:35; Matthew 5:13-16) (audio recording here; to access the Trevin Wax blog series that Pastor Peter mentioned, see the 9 links at the bottom of this post)
March 26: “Imitating Spiritual Pioneers” (1 Corinthians 11:1; Philippians 2:5-8) (audio recording here) (for a series summary handout, click here)

Spring 2022: Sundays, March 13, 20, 27, 10:00-10:45 a.m., in Fellowship Hall.

March 13: "How Our Phones Are Changing Us." New technology brings gains and losses. God calls us to be wise and discerning in how we utilize today’s digital tools. Take smartphones—the first iPhone came out in 2007 and it has changed the way we think, relate, learn, work, and consume entertainment. The glowing rectangle is a powerful, formative tool. This Sunday Seminar asks how our phones are changing us—changing how we think and feel and hope and fear. Pastor Peter will lead us as we probe into the advantages and dangers of our digital devices, and we’ll also ask how parents can guide their children and teenagers toward tech-wisdom. Our faith in Christ is profoundly relevant to these things, and Scripture has much to teach us as we travel down today’s digital expressway. (For the one-page handout for this session, click here.)

March 20: “GBC Strategic Planning.” The righteous flourish like the palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the LORD; they flourish in the courts of our God. In old age they still produce fruit; they are always green and full of sap, showing that the LORD is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him (Psalm 92:12-15). We are called to flourishing in Christ, both Individually and corporately. This spring Goshen will collectively seek the Lord’s leading for the ministry of GBC, and refresh the vision and goals developed in 2009. Our mission and vision serve as “guideposts” as we navigate an ever changing culture. March 20 will be an interactive time of celebrating God’s faithfulness and the ministry of Goshen, as well as seeking the Lord in prayer for how we continue to steward His church in 2022 and beyond.

March 27: “Living out the Great Commission Strategic Plan.” One overflow of our faith in Jesus Christ and our missional calling as Christians is to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ so that everyone can have an opportunity to experience the saving love and salvation that can only come from God. To help us do this well, we will be launching Alpha, a series of sessions exploring the Christian faith, typically run over eleven weeks, which looks at different questions around faith to create conversation. But, Alpha is only effective if we invite people to attend. This session will help us see the need to reach the spiritually lost and give us an overview of Alpha and how we can all participate. We will need everyone’s help. Will you trust God with us that many will come to faith in 2022?

Fall 2021: Click here for info on our series about "Loving God with All Your Mind."