Christian Education & Discipleship

Vision:

 
Christian Education helps believers achieve a life of joy by:
 
  • Equipping believers with a knowledge of God as taught in scripture and as applied in daily life (2 Timothy 3:14-17)
  • Establishing with believers the foundation of a personal, lifetime faith (Romans 15:13)
  • Empowering believers to share their faith stories as part of God’s story (1 Peter 2:9-10)
  • Experiencing God and the fellowship of believers by participating in church ministries (1 Peter 4:8-11)
 

Themes:

 
1. God Loves Us
 
Overview: God truly loves the whole world. Evidence of God’s love, goodness, care, glory, power, beauty and wisdom can be seen in creation and in the Bible.
 
  • God is loving and righteous
  • God loved us first and desires our love
  • Jesus is God’s ultimate expression of love for us
  • Jesus teaches us how to love God and left us the Holy Spirit when he returned to heaven
  • God cares what happens to us
  • God provides what we need
  • God helps us throughout our lives
  • We are a part of God’s family
  • We are a part of the church family
  • The Bible is God’s word
 
2. God Is Big
 
Overview: God is the creator of all things and is present in all of creation. We learn about God’s presence in the Old and New Testaments.
 
  • God created the universe and all living things
  • The Old Testament describes the beginning of God’s presence in creation
  • The New Testament describes the fulfillment of God’s presence in creation
  • The Ten Commandments
  • The Covenants
  • God’s Promise
 
3. God Is Different Than Us
 
Overview: God is the initiator of covenant relationships that provide a way for us to know God. These covenants include promises, blessings, warnings and punishments. God remains faithful to the promises God has made, even when we are unfaithful to God. God waits patiently for and desires our faith response.
 
  • Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit
  • Jesus – birth, death and resurrection
  • Jesus as Savior
  • Jesus and the Gospels
  • Story of Pentecost
  • The Holy Spirit – friend, helper and guide
  • The role and meaning of faith
 
4. God Is In Relationship With Us
 
Overview: We are united and in relationship with God through Jesus, and we are strengthened by God’s continued presence through the Holy Spirit.
 
  • Professions of Faith – what it means to profess Jesus as Lord and Savior
  • Prayer – how we talk and listen to God
  • Sacraments – Baptism and Communion
  • Christians as sinners and saints
  • Using Bible and commentaries and resources
  • How to locate and reference scriptures
 
5. We Are In Relationship With The Community
 
Overview: All who are united with Christ by faith are also united to one another in Christian community. We are called to share the grace and love Christ to all people.
 
  • We are a part of the church universal
  • Creeds, prayers and seasons of the church
  • What does it mean to be Cumberland Presbyterian?
  • Reformed Faith Tradition
  • Stewardship
  • The role of faith and the role of works
  • Using Bible and commentaries and resources
  • How to locate and reference scriptures
 
6. We Are Called To Live and Act Out Our Faith
 
Overview: As part of Christ’s body, we are called to witness to God’s continued presence in the world. Growth in faith is evident in our relationships with the people in the communities in which we live and worship.
 
  • What does it mean to be Cumberland Presbyterian?
  • Reformed Faith Tradition
  • Understanding and developing a basic theology
  • Theological terms and themes
  • Calling and vocation
  • Spiritual gifts
  • What is God’s purpose for the universal church?
  • What is God’s purpose for WNCP as a community of faith?
  • What do mission, outreach and service mean to the Christian faith?
  • What do mission, outreach and service mean to WNCP?
  • Matters and issues of social justice
  • Matters and issues of individual responsibility
 

Christian Education Programs and Ministries

 
1. Sunday School
 
Purpose: An age appropriate environment where individuals develop community and gain knowledge related to deepening their relationship with God and living a Christian life.
 
2. Nursery
 
Purpose: The WNCP nursery is a place where children and families feel welcome and loved. It is the goal of the nursery coordinator and volunteers to be a comforting presence in the nursery to the families and children while providing opportunities to foster relationships with other children, families and God.
 
3. Vacation Bible School
 
Purpose: Vacation Bible School is a weeklong program in the summer that provides time for children and families to engage in Christian Education through Bible stories, storytelling, skits, arts and crafts, music and recreation. The Christian Education Ministry Team selects a themed curriculum suggested by the denomination.
 
4. Outdoor Ministry: Presbytery and Denomination Camps & Retreats
 
Purpose: WNCP’s involvement in the retreats and camping programs of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and Nashville Presbytery is one that is vital to the lives of our young people. This ministry provides opportunities for youth and children to worship, study, serve and fellowship with a diverse group of people across our Presbytery and Denomination, helping to foster relationships with their peers and God.