Teaching Fellowships
Sundays, 9:00am
Teaching Fellowships (TFs) are ongoing communities that meet for the purpose of growth in Christ through teaching and fellowship, providing both a place to learn and a place to connect. They are organized by age and stage in life, with each TF also having an intergenerational element.
A variety of 2-month classes will be taught within 4 categories (Bible, Theology/History, Life Application, and Elective). Class topics will cycle through each TF over the course of three years, so that every TF will study each class topic once. We encourage you to find the TF that you think would be the best fit for you, and get connected!
Teaching Fellowship descriptions and class topics for May 16–September 5 are listed below. Click here to listen to audio from the following classes.
TF1—Singles, Marrieds, & Empty Nesters: Based on Titus 2:2-6, this TF brings older men/younger men & and older women/younger women together.
TF2—Young Families & Student Families: This TF brings together parents with children elementary age and younger & parents with children in middle and high school.
TF3—Intergenerational: This TF is a fully intergenerational community.
TF1 will be joining TF3 for the summer!
TF2—Young Families & Student Families: Parenting
Come join us this summer as we talk about the Gospel in parenting. More details to come. Location: Room 23
TF3—Intergenerational: The Lost Gospel
We will be studying the Gospel of Mark, the shortest, and perhaps most overlooked, of the four Gospels. This class will provide a broad overview of Mark and introduce interpretive strategies for the different types of literature found in the book. In addition to familiarizing us with the important themes of this Gospel, an important goal of the class will be to help us become better readers and appliers of the Bible in general. Location: Room 25
Previous Classes
Click here to listen to audio from the following classes
Singles, Marrieds, & Empty Nesters:
Fighting for Joy in God
Teacher: Gary Witthoefft; Location: Room 21
Is the command to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind just another decision of our will, or is it an urging to truly enjoy God and feel pleasure in him? What do we do when our emotions aren’t motivating us to find our satisfaction in God or to even seek him? This class, adapted from John Piper’s book, “When I Don’t Desire God: How to Fight for Joy,” will attempt to answer these and other essential questions. We will explore this vital topic by watching John Piper on DVD and interacting with each other. If you are interested in finding your delight in Christ even when your desire is lacking, come and join us!
Class Schedule
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Additional handout from Week 4: God’s Great Mercy and Our New Birth
Week 5
Week 6
Additional Handout from Week 6: Preach Pray Gospel
Week 7
Week 8 – Highlights
Week 8 – Gospel Proclamations
Young Families & Student Families:
Theology for Living, 2
Teacher: Matt Purdy; Location: Room 23
Does theology matter? How does our understanding of theology relate to our daily life? Come join us as we discover how theology is actually for living (it’s “the science of living blessedly forever,” as the Puritan William Perkins put it). We’ll cover the doctrines of the application of redemption, the church, and
the future, and how it all impacts and influences ordinary life.
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Intergenerational:
God’s Kingdom and Your Vocation
Teachers: Jason Hester and Matt Bouknight; Location: Room 25
Whether in the office, in the home, or someplace in between, we each spend our hours and days working towards goals defined by salaries, accomplishments or outcomes. But, is the sanctified life truly defined or bound by human achievement? Join us for a study in seeing the Gospel in the midst of our everyday work and hearing the Counsel of the Spirit as it addresses issues we dismiss as mundane.
Week 1
Week 2
Week 4
Singles, Marrieds, and Empty Nesters:
A Guided Tour of the New Testament
Teacher: Karl Strait; Location: Room 21
Do you sometimes have trouble understanding the New Testament, how it all fits together and how it all applies to your life today? Come join us as we cover the major sections of the New Testament and develop interpretive strategies for the different types of literature found there. The goal of our time together will be for us to become better readers and better appliers of the New Testament.
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8
Week 9
Young Families and Student Families:
Changing Hearts, Changing Lives
Teacher: Rick McWhorter; Location: Room 23
We interact with other people, Christian and non-Christian, countless times a day. How do these conversations reflect God’s work in their lives and in our own? We’ll look closely at how God works through us in others’ lives using the DVD series, Changing Hearts, Changing Lives, by Paul Tripp and David Powlison.
January 3
January 10
January 17
February 14
February 21
February 28
March 7
March 14
Intergenerational:
The Saints Enthroned on High
Teacher: Matt Purdy; Location: Room 25
As we travel on our pilgrim journey with Christ through this fallen world, He intends for us to learn from fellow travelers who have gone before us in trusting and following Him (Hebrews 13:7). Come join us as we study and discuss the lives of several believers from the history of Christianity, including folks like Augustine, John Calvin, John Owen, Amy Carmichael, and Jim Elliot. “Let us praise and join the chorus of the saints enthroned on high; here they trusted him before us, now their praises fill the sky: ‘You have washed us with your blood; you are worthy, Lamb of God!’”
Introduction
St. Augustine
John Calvin
John Owen
Jonathan Edwards
Sarah Edwards.pdf
Robert Murray M’Cheyne
Amy Carmichael
Jim Eliot
Singles, Marrieds, and Empty Nesters:
Class topic: Let the Nations Be Glad!
Teachers: Roger Johnson and Matt Warren; Location: Room 21
This class will be loosely based on John Piper’s book, Let the Nations Be Glad!, and will focus on the relationship between church and mission, the urgency of missions, and why zeal for missions is a logical and natural response to passion about and an understanding of the Gospel. The class will also discuss the role and privilege we have in sharing the Gospel and taking it to the ends of the earth. Reading the book is not necessary to
attend the class.
Let the Nations Be Glad Week 1 Handout
Let the Nations Be Glad Week 2
Let the Nations Be Glad Week 3
Let the Nations Be Glad Week 4
Young Families and Student Families:
Class topic: How Firm a Foundation: Doctrine of the Word of God
Teacher: Matt Purdy; Location: Room 23
We have sung together, “How firm a foundation, you saints of the Lord, is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!” In this class, we will zoom in on God’s excellent Word, studying what the Word says about itself (the
attributes of Scripture), how the 66 books of the Bible came to be recognized as the Word of God (the history and theology of the canon), and how we can daily “let the Word of Christ dwell in [us] richly” (Colossians 3:16). We do indeed have a firm foundation in the Word of God.
How Firm A Foundation Week 2
Intergenerational:
Class topic: Tune My Heart to Sing Thy Grace
Teachers: Matt Benko and Trey Wickham; Location: Room 25
Song gives voice to thoughts and emotions that we often cannot find the words – or courage – to express. Hymns and songs enable us to praise, to confess, and to admit our dependence in profound ways. Join us as we explore the rich heritage and gospel message contained in hymns, and
wrestle with theological and doctrinal issues central to worship.
Tune My Heart Week 1 Handout- Adoration
Tune My Heart Week 2 Handout
It Is Well
Holy Holy Holy
Whate’er My God Ordains Is Right
Singles, Marrieds, and Empty Nesters
Teacher: Matt Purdy; Location: Room 21
Leadership Team: Gary Witthoefft, Tom Krieger, Kim Forquer
Theology for Living 1: Does theology matter? How does our understanding of theology relate to our daily life? Come join us as we discover how theology is actually for living (it’s “the science of living blessedly forever,” as the Puritan William Perkins put it). We’ll cover the doctrines of God, the Word of God, man, and Christ, and how it all impacts and influences ordinary life.
Theology for Living I Week 1 Handout
Theology for Living I Week 2 Handout
Theology for Living I Week3 Handout
Theology for Living I Week 4 Handout
Theology For Living I Week 5 Handout
Theology For Living I Week 6 Handout
Theology For Living I Week 7 Handout
Young Families and Student Families
Teacher: Gary Witthoefft; Location: Room 23
Leadership Team: Richard Campbell, Kim Johnson
Placing Ourselves Before God: The Gift of Spiritual Disciplines- Growing to be Christ-like can seem like a daunting and unreachable task at times. Often we find ourselves somewhere between “I work at it but just don’t seem to be going anywhere” and “I’ll get to it when I can find the time.” Good News: It’s not a task to be accomplished and it’s not unreachable! This class will explore the means that God gives us as a gift to grow in our faith and in our relationship with Him. We will learn together from Scripture and saints of old how to celebrate the transformation that God can bring to our souls through the gift of spiritual disciplines.
Placing Ourselves Before God: The Gift of Spiritual Disciplines Week 1 Handout
Placing Ourselves Before God: The Gift of Spiritual Disciplines Week 2 Handout
Placing Ourselves Before God: The Gift of Spiritual Disciplines Week 3 Handout
Placing Ourselves Before God: The Gift of Spiritual Disciplines Week 4 Handout
Placing Ourselves Before God: The Gift of Spiritual Disciplines Week 5 Handout (Submission and Service)_SubmissionService.pdf
Placing Ourselves Before God: The Gift of Spiritual Disciplines Week 6 Handout
Placing Ourselves Before God: The Gift of Spiritual Disciplines Week 7 Handout
Placing Ourselves Before God: The Gift of Spiritual Disciplines Week 8 Handout
Intergenerational:
Teacher: Karl Strait; Location: Room 25
Leadership Team: Karl Strait, Monica Davis, Sonya Smith
A Guided Tour of the Old Testament: Do you sometimes have trouble understanding the Old Testament, how it all fits together and how it all applies to your life today? Come join us as we cover the major sections of the Old Testament and develop interpretive strategies for the different types of literature found there. The goal of our time together will be for us to become better readers and better appliers of the Old Testament.
A Guided Tour of the Old Testament Week 1 Handout
A Guided Tour of the Old Testament Week 2 Handout
A Guided Tour of the Old Testament Week 3 Handout
A Guided Tour of the Old Testament Week 4/Recap of Weeks 1-3 Handout
A Guided Tour of the Old Testament Week 5 Handout
A Guided Tour of the Old Testament Week 6 Handout
A Guided Tour of the Old Testament Week 7 Handout
A Guided Tour of the Old Testament Week 8 Handout
Relational Evangelism:
Speaking the Truth in Love to Those around Us*
July 5—August 30, 2009
Teacher: Matt Bouknight Location: Room 23
Why does talking to your neighbor about the gospel sometimes seem more daunting and paralyzing than traveling half a world away to communicate the same thing? This class will confront that very question and attempt to disarm these feelings by helping you develop a clearer understanding of the gospel and your role in communicating it to others. It will also provide an immediately practical way to proclaim it through your lifestyle, your relationships, and your conversations.
Click here for the handout from Week 5
Click here for the handout from Week 4
Click here for the handout from Week 3
Suffering and the Sovereignty of God
May 3—June 28, 2009
Teacher: Matt Purdy Location: Room 23
How do we understand the sovereignty of God in light of the bitter suffering that is part of our experience in this fallen world? How do we learn to respond to suffering in a way that exalts God as our highest joy? Come join us as we interact with these issues using a DVD entitled “Suffering and the Sovereignty of God,” from the Desiring God 2005 National Conference. We’ll hear from John Piper, David Powlison, Steve Saint, Joni Eareckson Tada, and others, as we seek to grow together in a biblical and God-honoring perspective on these matters.
Click here for a summary from Week 8
Listen to or watch the sessions online: www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/ConferenceMessages/ByConference/1/
2 Samuel – Kingdom Building
May 3—June 28, 2009
Teacher: Jason Hester Location: Room 21
David is remembered as a Man After God’s Own Heart, but the narrative of his rule doesn’t always looks so holy. Join in a discussion of the lives of David, his entourage and enemies and the fulfillment of the purpose and will of God in the face of human struggles and failings.
1-2 Samuel Introduction
Handout from May 3, 2009 Class
Handout from May 10, 2009 Class
Handout from May 31, 2009 Class
Handout from June 7, 2009 Class
Handout from June 14, 2009 Class
Amazing Love: A Study on Reformed Theology
March 1 – April 26, 2009
Teacher: Matt Purdy Location: Room 21
Have you ever wondered, “What is reformed theology?” “What does our church believe about predestination?” Do you get alarmed, or perhaps intrigued or excited, when you hear the words “election” or “Calvinism”? Come join us as we study the doctrines of grace together from Scripture, addressing key questions and more importantly the impact that these truths should have on our devotion, worship, and service to God. Doctrine is for living, and the deeper we understand God’s amazing love towards us unworthy sinners, the higher we will go in worship of Him and passion for Him in our daily lives.
Download handout from March 1, 2009
Download handout from March 8, 2009
Download handout from March 15, 2009
Download handout from March 22, 2009
Download handout from March 29, 2009
Download handout from April 5, 2009
Download handout from April 12, 2009
Download handout from April 19, 2009
Download handout from April 26, 2009
Lord, Teach Us to Pray
March 1 – April 26, 2009
Teacher: Mary McWhorter, and other WEPC women
Location: Room 23
“Lord, teach us to pray” …. This is the disciple’s earnest request of Jesus, and He answers by graciously giving them a prayer to pray. Please join us as we unpack the rich lessons of the Lord’s Prayer together, and see that the prayer Jesus teaches us addresses every need we face. This class is geared not toward experts, but toward all of us who would like to learn more about praying to our heavenly Father. We will divide our time between teaching, honest discussion, and practice in praying together. All women at WEPC are welcome.
Fighting for Joy in God
Jan-Feb 2009
Teachers: Gary Witthoefft and Steve Byrd
Location: Room 23
Is the command to love God with all our heart, soul and mind just another decision of our will, or is it an urging to truly enjoy God and feel pleasure in him? What do we do when our emotions aren’t motivating us to find our satisfaction in God or to even seek him? This class, adapted from John Piper’s book When I Don’t Desire God – How to Fight for Joy, will attempt to answer these and other essential questions over eight sessions starting January 4th, 2009. We will explore this vital subject using a provided study guide, listening to John Piper on DVD and interacting with each other. If you are interested in finding your delight in Christ even when your desire is lacking this is the class for you.
Basic Spiritual Leadership
Jan-Feb 2009
Teachers: Kevin Greene & Tim Toy
Location : Room 25
This class is designed to look at the central issues in leading others to see Christ and follow Him. Whether you lead a ministry at WEPC, or are simply interested in knowing more about following Jesus personally, you will benefit from this class. We will cover such topics as:
The Goal of a Leader
Understanding the Challenges to Leadership
Effecting Real Change in the Lives of Others
Gospel-Powered Leadership
Download Jan 4, 2009 Handout
Download Jan 18, 2009 Handout
Download Feb 1, 2009 Handout
Download Feb 8, 2009 Handout
WEPC Young Adult Community
Intimacy with the Living God: A Study on the Psalms
Jan-Feb 2009
Teacher: Matt Purdy
Location: Room 21.
Come join us as we learn from and discuss a selection of psalms that point us towards the joy and the means of pursuing intimacy with the living God. Each week we’ll focus in on a particular psalm as we seek to be shaped by God’s transforming Word and to be drawn into closer fellowship with the Triune God, in whose “presence there is fullness of joy” (Psalm 16:11).
Download Jan 4, 2009 Handout
Download Jan 11, 2009 Handout
Download Jan 18, 2009 Handout
Download Jan 25, 2009 Handout
Download Feb 1, 2009 Handout
Download Feb 8, 2009 Handout
Download Feb 15, 2009 Handout
Download Feb 22, 2009 Handout
Adult Sunday School Teacher Training Handout – Feb 15, 2009
Women’s Sunday School Class: Studies in Contentment
Teacher: Janice Bricker
Story about Janice Bricker, Changing Lives Via Women
The Apostle Paul encourages us that “there is great gain in godliness with contentment” (1 Timothy 6:6). And yet our lives as women are full of longings, disappointments, anxieties…. Can we be honest about these and still be godly? Please join us as we sit in God’s Word together and discuss how we grow in His gift of contentment. This class ends December 21st.
Download Week 1_November 2nd Handout
Download Week 2_November 9th Handout
Download Week 3_November 16th Handout
Download Week 4_November 23rd Handout
Download Week 5_November 30th Handout
Download Week 6_December 7th Handout
Download Week 7_December 14th Handout
Download Week 8_December 21st Handout
Download Week 9_December 28th Handout
Spiritual Postcards: Titus, Philemon, and Jude
Teacher: Barton Campbell
Come join us as we explore Paul’s “other” epistles, and the little known letter penned by Jude. “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Download Week 1_November 2nd Handout
Download Week 2_November 9th Handout
Download Week 3_November 16th Handout
Download Week 4_November 23rd Handout
Download Week 5_November 30th Handout
Download Week 6_December 7th Handout
Download Week 7_December 14th Handout
Download Week 8_December 21st Handout
Download Week 9_December 28th Handout
WEPC Young Adult Community
Worldliness: Resisting the Seduction of a Fallen World
Teacher: Matt Purdy
Based on a book by the same title, this class will focus on what the Scriptures teach about exposing worldliness in our own hearts and lives and looking to the transforming grace of God for continual change. Come join us as we consider how to respond daily to Paul’s command, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind” (Romans 12:2).
Download Week 1_November 23rd Handout
Download Week 2_November 30th Handout
Download Week 3_December 7th Handout
Download Week 4_December 14th Handout
Download Week 5_December 21st Handout
Download the Adult Sunday School Teacher Training Handout
Apologetics: Giving the Reason for the Hope We Have
Teacher: Matt Purdy & Jerry Carter
September 14-October 26, 2008
We are all called upon to do apologetics in one way or another, but how do we make an adequate defense of the faith without being an expert in every field? What guidance does God’s Word give us in how to winsomely and effectively give the reason for the hope we have? Come join us for this 8-week study as we take a look at the foundation for apologetics and the practice of apologetics. “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15).
Click here to listen to audio from this class
Apologetics_September 14th_Week 1 Handout
Apologetics_September 21st_Week 2 Handout
Apologetics_September 28th_Week 3 Handout
Apologetics_October 5th_Week 4 Handout
Apologetics_October 12th_Week 5 Handout
Apologetics_October 19th_Week 6 Handout
Apologetics_October 26th_Week 7 Handout
Women’s Prayer Class: “Thy Kingdom Come”
Leader: Mary McWhorter
When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray he gladly answered with “The Lord’s Prayer” and many other parables and promises. Join us as we look closely at these passages and try to discover from our Savior’s words what He promises and envisions for our prayer lives. Class will include discussion of Scripture and prayer.
Let the Nations Be Glad! (May-June 2008)
Teachers: Roger Johnson and Doug Wallace
This class will be loosely based on John Piper’s book “Let the Nations Be Glad!”, and will focus on the relationship between church and mission, the urgency of missions, and why zeal for missions is a logical and natural response to passion about and an understanding of the Gospel. The class will also discuss the role and privilege we have in sharing the Gospel and taking it to the ends of the earth. Reading the book is not necessary to attend the class.
Download the May 4th Handout
Download the May 11th Handout
Download the May 18th Handout
Download the May 25th Handout
Download the June 1st Handout
Download the June 15th Handout
WEPC Young Adult Community
Titus: Motivated by Grace, Marked by Godliness (May-June ’08)
Teacher: Matt Purdy
Come join us as we study the Word of God together, seeking to understand the book of Titus and apply it to our lives. We’ll cover such topics as the importance of sound doctrine for living, the grace of Jesus Christ and how it motivates us, and the godliness and good works we are called to in the Christian life.
Download the May 4th Handout
Download the May 11th Handout
Download the May 18th Handout
Download the June 1st Handout
Download the June 8th Handout
Download the June 15th Handout
Download the June 22nd Handout
Download the June 29th Handout
Abiding in Christ: A Series of Conversations with Women at WEPC (March-April ’08)
Leaders: Kim Greene and the women of WEPC
March 9th Prayer Handout
March 16th Difficult Relationships Handout
March 23rd Simplicity Handout
April 6th Storms of Life Handout
April 13th Psalm 90 questions
Biblical Manhood: God’s Design for Being God-Honoring Men (March-April ’08)
Leaders: Matt Purdy and the men of WEPC
Download March 2nd Overview Handout
Download March 16th Handout on Prayer
Download March 23rd Handout_Men of the Word
Download March 30th Handout_Men as Fathers
Download April 6th Handout_Men in the Workplace
Download April 13th Handout_Purity
Download April 27th Handout_Men as Brothers