Anyone thirsting for a more intimate and disciplined life of prayer will find a rich wellspring in these opportunities. Using Joyce Rupp's book, The Cup of Our Life, you'll explore how the ordinary cups that we use each day can become sacred vessels that connect us with life and draw us ever closer to God for our lives can be symbolized in the cup, with its emptiness and fullness, its brokenness and flaws, and all of its blessings.

You can take part:

• 7 Sundays, beginning October 12
• 2:00-3:30pm
• at Virginia Greens (4301 Battery Blvd)

We encourage you to order a copy of the book yourself. Upon registering, you'll receive an email with links to where you can purchase the book. If needed, the church can order you a copy, then you can pay the church $14.

For more info or to get connected to the class leaders, contact Deacon Troy Sims ( ).

REGISTER NOW

This class will take place on Thursdays at WUMC (exact location TBD):

• Beginning October 23
• 7:00-8:30pm

This is a 24-week, in-depth study of the entire story of the Bible based around the theme of “covenant.” Together, we’ll learn from our biblical ancestors how to create, live, and trust God's covenant with us, finding ways to live more fully into that Covenant. But more than a Bible study, it's also a time to learn how to do Bible study. No previous study background required. Space is limited, though!

Each participant will need a Study Guide. We encourage you to purchase the guide for yourself (we'll email you links to where it is available), or the church can order you a copy for $45.

For more info, contact Deacon Troy Sims ( ).

REGISTER NOW

• Starting October 19 through November 16
• 9:30-10:30am
• Rm 174

In our printed, Protestant Bibles, the Old Testament ends with the book of Malachi. The New Testament starts with the book of Matthew. These are usually separated by a few pages of indexing information or essentially blank pages. Join the Marvin Willard Sunday School Class as Ray Morgan walks the class through the time period of tumultuous history between the testaments that includes empires, tyrants, conflicts, cultures, and religions playing out on the stage we often call the Holy Land.

For more info or to get connected to the class leaders, contact Deacon Troy Sims ( ).

This class will take place on 5 Sundays:

• October 26
• 9:30-10:30am
• Rm 303

Join the Searchers Sunday School in using Bob Goff's book, Undistracted, to consider what it looks like to live a beautiful and purposeful life rather than drifting aimlessly from one season to the next. You'll be encouraged to fix your eyes on Jesus and harness life's distractions so you can find joy despite your circumstances.

For more info or to get connected to the class leaders, contact Deacon Troy Sims ( ).

Each Fall, WUMC offers long-term, in-depth studies of the Bible that focus not only on studying Scripture but also on developing deeper covenant relationships with God and each other, which leads to more fruitful discipleship. Some examples of studies offered in the past (and that may be offered in the future include):

• Covenant Bible Study
  This 24-week in-depth group Bible Study invites participants to read and discuss the Bible together to learn how to love God and each other better. Participants will study the entire story of the Bible while considering the covenant God creates with us, inviting us to live into and trust that covenant as a community.
  Prerequisite: None
• Disciple I: Becoming Disciples Through Bible Study
  This first in the Disciple series serves as the basis for all other studies in the Disciple family that follow. Over the course of 34 weeks, this covers some 80% of the Bible, following the biblical story from Creation to the New Jerusalem. We have started using the aforementioned Covenant Bible Study in place of Disciple I as the prerequisite for the following classes.
  Prerequisite: None
• Disciple II: Into the Word Into the World
  This 32-week study offers a deep examination of Genesis, Exodus, Luke, and Acts, emphasizing the rhythm of coming to God and going for God – approaching all experiences of life as opportunities for faithful witness and service.
  We recommend that you take Covenant or Disciple I before Disciple II.
• Disciple III: Remember Who You Are
  In the Old Testament Prophets and the Letters of Paul, this 32-week study examines the connection between memory and identity as the people of God. Participants will find common themes, including calls to remember, calls to repent, calls for renewal, and calls for community.
  We recommend that you take Covenant or Disciple I before Disciple III.
• Disciple IV: Under the Tree of Life
  The phrase, “under the tree of life,” conveys the promise of finding shelter, security, and rest in God’s love. In this 32-week study of Old Testament writings, the Gospel of John, the Epistles of John, James, and Jude, and finally Revelation, participants will see the entire process of living toward final completion of rest and reward.
  We recommend that you take Covenant or Disciple I before Disciple IV.
• Jesus in the Gospels
  Known as a “Second Generation Disciple Study,” this 30-week study looks at the four gospels side-by-side and asks the question, "Who is the Jesus that you see?” As a group, participants encounter Jesus who is both hard to ignore and hard to put in a box.
  We recommend that you take Covenant or Disciple I before Jesus in the Gospels.
• Christian Believer: Knowing God With Heart and Mind
  This 30-week study focuses on “orthodox” theology using the Bible along with the writings, symbols, and hymns of patriarchs and matriarchs of the Christian faith.
  We recommend that you take Covenant or Disciple I before Christian Believer.

For more information about long-term, in-depth studies of the Bible like the above, contact Deacon Troy Sims (  or 757-229-1771).