The Winter/Spring 2010 semester of the Lay Bible Institute begins February 21. All classes are on Sunday evening at 6:00 p.m.

This semester of Lay Bible Institute has just five scheduled classes.  There are, of course, a number of other opportunities our people have for spiritual growth.  Mark and Amy Michaelis are leading two Through the Bible reading classes.  Women’s Ministries is also offering a number of classes.  And about sixty of our men are involved in Men’s Fraternity. 

The following classes start Sunday, February 21, at 6:00 p.m.

Adopted for Life (Josh and Maggie Black,) Sunday nights, 6pm.  No charge.

This class will cover the Biblical theology of adoption.  God’s heart for orphans, and the church’s call to orphan care.  The class will also explore specific, practical ways our church can care for orphans.  The material for this class will come largely from Russell D. Moore’s book and conference, Adopted for Life.  This class is NOT just for people interested in adopting children (though it would be very helpful for families considering adoption).  It is for all who are interested in praying for and exploring ways God might use each of us here at First Free to care for orphans. 

Life and Loss: A Journey (or When a Loved One Dies) (Phil Thengvall) Cost $15 for materials.  Ten weeks.

Over fifty individuals at First Free experienced the death of a family member in 2009. Whether or not this happened to you, for most of us there will come a time when we will be a griever. The loss of a loved one can reshuffle priorities, commitments, relationships, and life in general. Attending this class will give you some helpful information as you deal with a recent loss or anticipate an expected loss. Each weekly session will include a lecture/discussion portion, and a time for group interaction. At the conclusion of the course, participants should be able to recognize key factors that influence grief, be familiar with the grief process, and develop new skills to cope with personal feelings related to death and grief. Pastor Phil is certified with the American Academy of Bereavement, a national association devoted to the education, preparation, and advancement of bereavement specialists.

1 Corinthians: Christ Is the Answer When the Church Is in Crisis (Mike Andrus),
No charge. 

Since it’s impossible to study 1 Corinthians effectively in a ten-week class, the plan is for this class to start on February 21 and continue through the spring and summer, with several three-week breaks when Pastor Mike will be gone.  It will be a combination of LBI and Sunday at Six.  We will be hitting all the major themes of 1 Corinthians, including Contentious Christians, Has God Promised Health and Wealth to the King’s Kids?, Suits that Don’t Fit, How to Handle a Scandal, “One” Is a Lovely Number, and Rights: Do Christians Have Any?

Crown Financial Class (Larry and Karen Guggisberg), Cost $50 for a single, $60 for a couple.  Eleven weeks. 

Crown is an in-depth study of what Scripture teaches about money and possessions. Graduates have confirmed that their marriages are being strengthened and individuals are finding their way out of debt. They are also becoming consistent savers, generous givers, and prudent consumers. Most importantly, people are entering into a closer relationship with Jesus Christ as they learn to apply His Word. The class includes Scripture memorization and interactive discussions.

Surviving Financial Meltdown (facilitators, Stu and Dana Farrell) $15.95 for textbook and workbook.

This is a five-week DVD course by Ron Blue and Jeremy White, which reveals how spending time in God's Word, facing the reality of your financial situation, setting goals, budgeting, and creating margin for long term investment will help you through economic ups and downs. By focusing on the basic truths of financial wisdom, study participants can build a strong foundation that will allow them to weather current and future economic crises.  We will answer the questions that keep you up at night:
            What should I do if my job seems to be in jeopardy?
            Should I take my money out of the stock market?
            What steps should I take if I’m behind on my house payments?
            Where can I save money as the cost of living keeps going up?
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