Introducing Equipping Classes

by Pastor Jim EssianThe Paradox Church is all about the Glory of God (Eph 1:11, Hab 2:14) and, thus, the Mission of God to make His glory known. So we are called to: “Saturate Fort Worth with the glory and grace of Jesus.”One of our core, biblically-defined identities is that we are a Multiplying Church—we make disciples that make disciples; we are a church that plants churches. Our focus is to “equip the saints for the works of ministry” (Eph. 4:12); sending disciples out to make more disciples.In addition to Sunday gatherings (the fuel for discipleship), regular biblical community through City Groups (the context for discipleship), and serving the mission (the overflow of discipleship), we also want to offer Equipping Classes as a supplement to your discipleship.The following classes are now available for this semester (click on the class title to get more info and register):

Manhood/Womanhood (College Age)

This is a class for college students who wish to learn about their biblical roles as men and women. We will spend three weeks talking through what the Bible teaches about how God has designed us to be in our unique roles. In today’s society where the line is continually blurred between manhood and womanhood, this class will seek to give clarity to these roles. We will discuss how we are made in the image of God, our personhood in relation to the trinity as well as time for Q&A at the end of each week. This will be a coed class which will allow you to not just learn about how God has made you, but how he has made your friends and potential husband/wife.Topics will include :

• Imago Dei
• Manhood
• Womanhood

How to Read the Bible

In this three week class you will learn how to understand passages of scripture in the light of the whole Bible story. This course teaches Christians how to get to the meaning of the text for its first readers and for us today.Topics will include :

• Sufficiency of the Bible
• Clarity of the Bible
• Authority of the Bible
• Interpreting the Bible
• Applying the Bible to your life

Practical Theology

All Christians need a solid grounding in the foundational doctrines of the Christian faith. In this six-week course you will walk through key doctrines with the help of the Nicene Creed, working them through to practical application in life and mission. The course encourages students to reconnect theology to practice and to enjoy big truths about God and the gospel in the routines of everyday life.Topics will include:

• The triune God in a fragmented world
• The sovereign God in an anxious world
• The creator God in a material world
• The person of Christ in a hurting world
• The sacrifice of Christ in a guilty world
• The reign of Christ in a rebellious world
• The justice of Christ in a self-justifying world
• The life of the Spirit in a powerless world
• The hope of the Spirit in a hopeless world

Marriage

Our hope for this class is to equip couples to have healthy marriages that live as a family of disciples on mission seen specifically in four prayers:Deepen your grasp of the gospel as you see your need for continual renewal throughout your marriage. Develop an understanding that the most difficult parts of marriage (communication, finances, intimacy, and mission) are, at the root, heart-level issues. Be challenged in practical ways that help you grow together as a couple, loving and serving each other sacrificially and unconditionally. Be equipped to glorify God as fully as possible through your marriage.Topics will include:

• Worship
• Covenantal Love
• Husband/Wife
• Friendship
• Communication
• Intimacy