The word disciple literally means "learner," one who dedicates themselves to learning the way of another. As disciples of Jesus Christ, we should be life-long learners of who he is, what the Bible teaches concerning him, and what it means to follow him. Adult Sunday morning classes at First Free are designed to do this by offering classes that both pass on the faith and equip people for ministry and Christian living.
All are welcome to attend any class listed below, but if you're new to First Free we recommend you start with A Closer Look! Learn more>>>
Fall Semester Block One
Block One classes meet August 13 through October 8. No registration is required.
9:00 Classes
Adults with Special Needs: God’s Promises
Room A1| Leader: Evanelle Olinger
This is a class designed to meet the needs of adults with special needs. During this block the class will focus on the promises of God and how trusting in his promises leads to eternal reward. Also included will be activities to support the lessons and to help build relationships among the students. We welcome anyone eighteen years or older with special needs. To help us prepare adequately to meet the needs of all students, please contact Evanelle at eolinger@firstfreewichita.org before attending the class.
Biblical Theology
Room B3 | Leader: Jonny Rector
The goal of this class is to provide tools that will help students understand how each part of the Bible relates to the whole of Scripture and to understand how these parts relate to the gospel. With the use of these tools, we will trace several themes such as creation, covenant, and kingdom through the storyline of the Old and New Testaments with the purpose of recognizing God’s unfolding and progressive revelation that culminates in Jesus Christ.
Kingdom Living
Room A6 | Leaders: Dave Netherton, Dana Ferrell, Ken Chouinard
As believers we are called to live in God’s kingdom here on earth. What does that look like? We will discuss how to think and live biblically in our homes, workplaces, church relationships, community, and in dealing with current events. The class will be highly interactive and is open to people of all ages and life stages.
The Life and Times of Paul
Room B2 | Leader: Matt Brown
We’ll take a look at the apostle Paul, instrumental in the spread of the gospel to the Gentile world (and ultimately us now!) Join us as we take a trip back in time to look at his life and death, his missionary journeys and how they influenced our Bible, and why he wrote the letters he did.
Reading Scripture Together: Job
Room B4 | Leaders: Cary Lavender, Paul Lindstrom, Pat Moyer
Using a “Read Through the Bible” format, we will individually read, and then discuss as a group, the book of Job. We’ll discover that God may allow suffering in our lives to purify, test, teach, or strengthen us. As Job knew, God is enough and he is worthy of our love, trust, and obedience .
The Remnant—Jews and Gentiles: A Closer Look at Romans 9-11
Room A5 | Leaders: Tim Buhler and Clayton Laird
Join us as we seek to encourage one another through relationship building, interactive learning, and prayer. In our study this block we will take a closer look into Romans chapters 9-11. Following Romans 1-8, being conformed into the image of Christ, we return to Paul’s desire to reconcile broken relationships between Jewish and Gentile followers of Jesus. We will look at God’s desire to have mercy on the disobedient; responsibility to persevere as faithful Christians so that we might be the faithful “remnant”; and what obedience of faith looks like in daily life and work with humility. We end with a peek into Romans 12, to discern ways we can carry out God’s reconciling love in our life.
10:45 Classes
1 and 2 Peter
Room B3 | Leaders: Steve Nave and Wes Penner
Join us for this study as Peter encourages us in our faith as we face difficult times. Peter wrote to Christians who were experiencing persecution and alienation because of their faith. He reminds us that we are a chosen race and a royal priesthood. As such our behavior must be an exemplary witness for the faith so that people may see God in us and glorify him. Peter’s teachings about faith, obedience, and patience will help and encourage each of us as we face hard times in our own lives.
Colossians
Room A6| Leader: Jim Fast
As we have received Christ Jesus we need to be rooted and built up in him as we’ve been taught, abounding in thanksgiving. Our study of Colossians will help us avoid being spoiled by the philosophy of this world and vain deceit after the tradition of men. Join us as we encourage each other and learn together as we grow in Christ.
Fall Semester Block Two
Block Two classes meet October 15 through December 17. No registration is required.
9:00 Classes
Adults with Special Needs: God’s Promises, cont.
Room A1 | Leader: Evanelle Olinger
This is a class designed to meet the needs of adults with special needs. During this block the class will continue its focus on the promises of God and how trusting in his promises leads to eternal reward. Also included will be activities to support the lessons and to help build relationships among the students. We welcome anyone eighteen years or older with special needs. To help us prepare adequately to meet the needs of all students, please contact Evanelle at eolinger@firstfreewichita.org before attending the class.
Being an Encourager
Room A3 | Leader: Matt Brown
Join us for a study using both Old and New Testament scriptures which focus on how we can be encouragers to “one another.” We will prominently look at three of the “one another” statements in our membership covenant: building one another up in the Word, praying with and for one another, and serving and caring for one another using our spiritual gifts.
Kingdom Living, cont.
Room A6 | Leaders: Dave Netherton, Dana Ferrell, Ken Chouinard
As believers we are called to live in God’s kingdom here on earth. What does that look like? We will discuss how to think and live biblically in our homes, workplaces, church relationships, community, and in dealing with current events. The class will be highly interactive and is open to people of all ages and life stages.
Reading Scripture Together: Job, cont.
Room B4 | Leaders: Cary Lavender, Paul Lindstrom, Pat Moyer
Using a “Read Through the Bible” format, we will individually read, and then discuss as a group, the book of Job. We’ll discover that God may allow suffering in our lives to purify, test, teach, or strengthen us. As Job knew, God is enough and he is worthy of our love, trust, and obedience .
Living the Gospel: A Closer Look at Romans 12-16
Room A5 | Leaders: Tim Buhler and Clayton Laird
Join us as we seek to encourage one another through relationship building, interactive learning, and prayer. In our study this block we will take a closer look into Romans chapters 12-16. Following Romans 1-11, we come to the application of living out the doctrine of salvation in our Christian lives. This is a fitting section of chapters going into our Advent season as the themes of faith, peace, love, and hope are dominate themes in these passages. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him” (15:13a).
10:45 Classes
Colossians and Philemon, cont.
Room A6| Leader: Jim Fast
As we have received Christ Jesus we need to be rooted and built up in him as we’ve been taught, abounding in thanksgiving. Our study of Colossians will help us avoid being spoiled by the philosophy of this world and vain deceit after the tradition of men. Join us as we encourage each other and learn together as we grow in Christ.
Ephesians
Room B3 | Leaders: Steve Nave and Wes Penner
Have you ever wanted to fit in but ended up feeling different and set apart? Maybe you question whether you belong and need help knowing how to think and behave in your new situation? That’s what life was like for the early Christians in Ephesus. The apostle Paul wrote an impassioned letter to encourage the Ephesian Christians and energize them in their faith. The aim of this epistle is to confirm and equip a maturing church. Paul deals with topics at the very core of what it means to be a Christian and presents a balanced view of the body of Christ and its importance in God’s economy. Join us as we learn how these truths apply to our lives both in faith and practice.
Money, Possessions, and Eternity
Room A5 | Leader: Dan Nelson
Why is money so important to God? What should we do about debt? How can we best help the poor and reach the lost? How much does God want us to give? How can we use money in ways that God rewards? How can we leave our children a true heritage? Money, Possessions, and Eternity is a thoroughly researched practical theology of money written by Randy Alcorn. If you have questions like those above, please join us! In a mixed format, we will work through the biblical and practical theology so helpfully researched in this work.
If you have any questions about our adult classes, please feel free to contact Adult Education Director Jo Coltrain.