Sunday School at St. John's Sunday School for children, youth and adults is held every Sunday 9:15 - 10:15. Our 10:30 worship service follows in the sanctuary, while infants and preschoolers remain in their Sunday School classes until worship ends at 11:30.
Adult Sunday School Classes
The Adventure Class
This class can be found in Room 102 on the ground floor of the sanctuary building. You will know that you have found your way into this class when you are greeted by their jocularity and wowed by the thoughtful and entertaining teaching antics of Todd Stillerman, Bill Claytor and his sidekick, Ed Turner. This group is certainly a growing one, in energy, in number and in spiritual focus.
The Beacon Class
Located on the second floor of the Broach Hall wing in Room 226, the Beacon Class is made up of a group of men who enjoy fellowship and significant study of the scriptures. Utilizing the Formations curriculum, teachers Lloyd Baucom, Bill Hartsell, Paul Huffman, Paul Lloyd and Mike Miller lead this class in study and discussion that stimulates both the heart and mind. Any and all men are welcome.
The Didymus Class
We welcome you to visit the Didymus class, where we learn through the free exchange of ideas while embracing our belief that “A Difference of Opinion is Not a Threat to Christian Fellowship.” Our teachers utilize the Bible and other books in fostering a serious approach to socially relevant subjects. We also enjoy extra-curricular activities including parties, book studies, museum crawls and field trips. Kathy Bragg, Charles Gordon and Betty Harkey teach our co-ed class of adults in all stages of life. We hope you will visit us in Room 224 of the Broach Hall wing.
The Durden-Fellowship Class
One step into Room 103 and you will know that something special happens in that place each week. It is the gathering of some men whom you might call the good ole boys simply because their friendships are enduring and the ties that bind them are strong. While this class is serious about Bible study, they are especially serious about things that concern their community. Whether it is educational discussion or the physical work of rolling up their sleeves, this group is committed to making a difference in lives. Simple relationship with them even on one given Sunday will bring joy to your soul. This group of great men is led by Byron Bullard, Worth Jarrett and Roy Kendrick. They welcome you to join them!
The Encouragers Class
Webster’s dictionary offers one definition of an ‘encourager’ as one who inspires spirit. What a wonderful description and one quite appropriate for the folks who make up the class that meets in Room 106 on the ground floor of the Sanctuary building. This co-ed class warmly welcomes everyone. They are a class of thoughtful people who long to learn and bring to their learning their own gifts. Any visitor quickly notes the special feel of this class, for between those four walls are friends who nurture each other that their spirits might soar. These are true encouragers. So, if your spirit needs a lift or your mind needs an excellent challenge, you’ll be encouraged by these folks who are led by Harry Barr, Pat Engle, McLain Hall and Carole Poole.
The Far Side Class
When you walk down the hall of Sunday School classes and read the names of the doors, you find names of Biblical characters and names that honor those who teach the classes. Among those names stands the unique one known as the Far Side Class. Based on the title of the cartoons that decorate the walls, this class, like the other classes of St. John’s, lives up to its name. Where most Baptist Sunday School classes tread on safe soil, this one is willing and anxious to traverse difficult territory. David Allen, Ken Benton and Cindy McIntyre take these fun-loving folks who meet in Room 105 on the ground floor of the sanctuary building to the “Far Side” as they incorporate their theological persuasions with their varying world views. This class is committed to enjoying the learning process and they do it well. They invite you to join the fun of life on the “Far Side.”
The Friendship Class
A primary role of Sunday School, aside from the obvious goal of Biblical teaching, is evidenced in the title of this class. It is in Sunday School that the church really gets to know each other. Within the walls of any classroom, especially the ones of Room 104, you will find friendship that runs deep. The friends that make up this class are women who deeply love their God and demonstrate that love in their compassion for one another and for those outside the walls in which they study. They invite you to experience the outstanding teaching of Carol Injaychock, Barbara Ledford and Mark Parker and to come share in their servant spirit as they reach out to a world in need. Come enjoy the true friendship they have to offer!
The Joy Class
Meeting in Room 220 on the second floor of the Broach Hall wing, under the direction of Martha Bryson, Betty Curlin and Cathy Hartsell, you will discover a seemingly quiet group of women. But, when the door closes, the fun is well in swing. Together these women involve themselves in the study of the scripture while wrestling with its applicability to their lives. One visit with these ladies and you will discover a group that not only experiences the scripture in the classroom but one that lives the truths out in their lives. You are invited to experience the nurture, friendships and true joy of the Joy Class.
The McLeod-Brown Class
From beach trips to picnics on the farm, this class that honors two of its long-time teachers by its name, is committed to building relationships with each other. You will find it in Room 114 on the ground floor of the sanctuary building. Stan Brown is joined in teaching by Melissa Kremer, Paul and Laura Solitario and David and Beth Lewis. They have the honorable task of guiding these thoughtful couples to study the scriptures and delve deeply into their own spiritual journeys. Their discussions, which are often lively, are open to anyone interested. You will be blessed by their welcoming spirit and awed by their passionate faiths. This is a class that is dedicated to the educational process and they invite you to come learn with them.
The Pathfinders Class
A number of couples are visiting and joining St. John’s. In large measure, they come because they feel at home among us and because they have contemporaries here. Those contemporaries are often found in the Pathfinders Class. These couples gather each week in Room 107 on the ground floor of the sanctuary building to discuss the Scriptures. Guided by the wisdom of their teachers, Leslie Bragg, Lia Benton and Terrell Cook, this group shares the struggles and joys of life and of learning. By so doing, they serve to teach each other. Much of the hallmark of this class is their focus on nurturing their marriages and all important relationships. With open arms, they welcome all couples.
The Seekers Class
This is a gifted class with gifted teachers! Led by Dan Biber, Jim Cooley, Erskine Harkey, Hank Packman and Brenda Skinner, this group of brave souls traverses exciting Biblical territory each week. You will find them on the second floor for the Broach Hall wing in Room 222, where they will inevitably be steeped in deep discussion as they wrestle with grand theological questions and serve to deepen their spiritual relationships through their searching processes. This class utilizes a variety of books and commentaries for study. They uphold the great tradition of St. John’s in being a place where all ideas are accepted a place where none of those ideas separate them from each other. They invite you to come seek with them!
The Senior Adult Co-Ed Class
Thoughts of this class bring to mind words like charming, friendly, talkative and diverse. For, in this mixed group that meets in Room 206 on the second floor of the Chapel Wing, you will find people who are serious about inquiring of the scripture; people who have strong dedication to their God and to each other; people who are particular about reaching out to those who need their care. Led by the fine teaching of Monette Gossett and Steve Hoffman, they invite you to come share in their fun!
The Unity Class
Gathering in Room 116 on the ground floor of the sanctuary building, these, our most esteemed ladies of the church, meet to do what they do best. These are women whose love and care freely overflows, who have a passion for understanding the details of the Biblical narrative and who consistently challenge their excellent teachers to take them to deeper levels of understanding. Guided by Joan Baucom, Randy Brantley, Eva Lee, Martha Moore and Linda Landers, this group seeks to push each other to grow and learn. They welcome new faces who are willing to hope and study with them!
