Class Descriptions

Alpha Course

Leader: Chris Eriksen

Purpose of Class: To helps people explore the meaning of life and perhaps find a life that has meaning through a non-threatening, 10 week introduction to the Christian faith.

Time and Location: The course will be held on ten Wednesday nights beginning September 24th and conclude the evening of December 10th (meeting from 6:45 until 9:00). Room 100

The schedule each evening is as follows:

6:45 until 7:30 -Check in/fellowship time/dinner 7:30 until 8:15 - Viewings of Alpha video
8:15 until 9:00 - Casual, open sharing of video topic

Topics include: How does God guide us? And "how can I make the most of the rest of my life?

Materials Needed: All materials are provided Each person is asked to contribute toward the cost of the catered meal. Babysitting is available in the First Free nursery for only $5.00 (Scholarships available for those needing assistance covering the cost).

For more general information on the Alpha Course please read First Free's Alpha section or view their web site: www.alphausa.org

Read testimonies of others who lives have been changed by this Alpha course.

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Church Introduction: Belonging at First Free

Leader: Dan Tallacksen

Purpose of Class: To prepare for membership and be familiar with church doctrine, with the Evangelical Free Church of America, and with our church government. This class is for those for those who have completed the Introduction to First Free course and want to consider taking the step of membership, or who want to explore more about evangelical doctrine and church life.

Time and Location: The course will be held on two consecutive Sundays, TBD (meeting from 11:45 am until 2:00pm). Sandwich lunch provided. Room 120.

Topics include: "The Big Picture", "Basic Beliefs", and "Being a Healthy Church".

Materials Needed: All materials will be provided.

Prerequisite: completion of Introduction to First Free

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Bible Study Methods & the Gospel of John

Purpose of Class: To help people develop the skills necessary to profitably study and apply God’s Word and then be equipped to do ministry and better serve the Lord.

Topics include: For first two weeks we’ll be learning Bible study methods utilizing the book “How to enjoy Bible Study”. After that we’ll study one chapter each week of the Gospel of John. There will also be time devoted to worship, prayer, discussion and personal application of the Scripture. There will also be a focus on encouraging, caring, and doing ministry for each other, personal evangelism, reaching outside the group, and service of kindness inside the church and outside the church (ie. Nursing home ministry, etc.)

Materials Needed: A Bible and a notebook for taking notes.

Leader: Robert Schwarz

Location: Room 122.

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Bible Study Skills

Leader: Dan Huang

Purpose of Class: The purpose of the group will be to gain an appreciation for the ways in which Scripture communicates. The goal is to gain personal skills and knowledge, as well as the ability to help others read the Scriptures effectively.

Time and Location: The course will be held on 4 Wednesday nights beginning November 12 (meeting from 6:45 until 8:00; with a Thanksgiving break on November 26). The class will meet in Room 122.

Topics include: "Introduction to Bible Study" We will learn about methods and strategies for reading, understanding, and applying God's Word.

Session 1) Discuss the nature of Scripture and foundational issues in the area of interpretation.
Session 2) Review the most common interpretation methods and analyze their strengths and weaknesses.
Session 3) Learn to observe and understand what the biblical passage means.
Session 4) Discover ways to help others read Scripture.

Materials Needed: bible, and a notebook for taking notes.

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Biblical Financial Study

Leader: Jim and Kelley Raleigh

Purpose of Class: To help church members understand God's perspective on money. The Bible has more than 2,000 verses on money; more than almost any other topic. Yet many people do not understanding how their approach to finances affects their relationship with God.

Time and Location: The course will be held on Sunday mornings nights beginning March 1st, 2009 and ending on May 24th, 2009 (meeting from 8:30 - 10:00 am, with a break for Easter weekend). Most likely meet in Room 124.

Topics include: Planning financial goals, getting out of debt, budgeting, saving, spending, earning money, investing, giving, and organizing one's estate. Small group discussions about what the bible says about managing money. Over 2,000 bible verses focus on this subject.

Materials Needed: All materials are provided. Space is limited to 12 people. Advance registration is required so materials can be ordered in advance.

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Conspiracy of Kindness

Leader: Rodney Espiritu

Purpose of Class: To spark an interest in demonstrating Christ's love to the world in very practical ways. Pastor Sjogren describes this as a "low-risk/high grace" approach to evangelism. If you have ever been intimidated or frustrated by traditional or more "confrontational" methods of evangelism, we welcome you to join us in exploring a refreshing and humble means of reaching out to our neighbors in the community.

Time and Location: The course will be held on five consecutive Wednesday nights beginning September 24th and conclude the evening of October 22 (meeting from 6:45 until 8:00). Room 122.

Topics include: Discussion of the book "Conspiracy of Kindness" by Steve Sjogren. This book explores how serving others is inherently disarming and can lead to opportunities to share one's faith. Session 1) Intro and Overview. Session 2) What does Scripture Say? Session 3) Fundamentals and Testimonies. Session 4) Strategies, Mediums, and Customized Ideas (for our neighborhood). Session 5) Let's Go!

Materials Needed: The book "Conspiracy of Kindness" by Steve Sjogren, Bible, notepad, and open heart.

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Doctrines of the Christian Faith

Leader: Ben Marx

Purpose of Class: To have a better understanding of the Christian faith and God Himself.

Time and Location: The course will be held on Sunday mornings nights beginning September 21st and ending on December 7th (meeting from 8:30 - 10:00 am, with a break for Thanksgiving weekend). Room 120.

Topics include: God, Jesus Christ, Man, Bible, Salvation, the Holy Spirit, Angels (Satan, Demons), the Church, Last Things (End Times, Prophecy)

Materials Needed: bible and a notebook for taking notes.

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Healthy Congregations

Leader: Bill Shereos

Purpose of Class: To learn how a leader can influence the health of a congregation, keep anxiety from being infectious, gain confidence when faced with challenges and new opportunities, and learn how to focus on strengths, resources, options, and the future.

Time and Location: TBD

Topics include: "Healthy Congregations" and "How to Maintain Healthy Relationships", "What is Systems Thinking?", "How to respond to Anxiety?", "What does it mean to be self-differentiated?".

Materials Needed: Each participant will need to purchase a workbook costing $20. Bibles will be needed.

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Good $ense Financial Course

Leader: Dan Tallacksen

Purpose of Class: To be a resource, provide tools, and offer hope to our church and community in light of our current economic crisis.

Time and Location: The course will be held on 3 Wednesday nights, Nov 5, 12, and 19 (meeting from 6:45 until 8:00).  The class will meet in O-102 (1st floor of Office Center).

Topics include:

Session 1) Introduction to wise and prudent financial principles found in the bible. Session 2) Introduction to to practical tools:  budgeting and spending plan and debt worksheet, followed by open discussion on each line item. Session 3) Personal and group feedback on each participant's budgeting and spending plan and debt worksheet

Materials Needed: None

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Gospel of John

Leader: Lillian Centeno

Purpose of Class: To study the Gospel of John in a systematic way. This 12 week series will cover 21 chapter in a discussion format. This course will be especially good for "new" Christians who want to be more grounded in their faith.

Time and Location: The course will be held on Wednesday nights beginning September 24th (meeting from 6:45 until 8:00). The class will meet in Room 120.

Topics include: John's Gospel clearly teaches the basics of the faith. John uses events such as the 7 miracles of Jesus and his "I am" sayings to prove that Jesus is the Word that became flesh, the Incarnated God; God's long promised Messiah come into the world. The book clearly diagnoses mankind's root problem (that of sin) and the wonderful solution provided for us in Jesus Christ.

Materials Needed: bible and a notebook for taking notes.

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Green Urban Living

Leader: Steve Slaughter

Purpose of Class: To encourage participants to explore "green" urban living in an active learning experience utilizing readings, films, and activities.

This course would be an expansion of our initial "Green Group" from Winter 2007. In that group, we mixed the study of a book (Serve God, Save the Planet) with some active learning and service opportunities, such as installing a rain barrel, neighborhood clean-up outings, worm composting, etc.

Time and Location: The course will be held on Wednesday nights beginning September 24th (meeting from 6:45 until 9:00). The class will meet in room 124.

Topics include: During the first ten-weeks or so, we will do a survey on environmental issues: biblical underpinnings, gardening, recycling/composting, energy, conservation, food, transportation, etc. From there, the group could determine if we wanted to focus on a particular area for further depth and focus.

Materials Needed: Packets of readings will be provided. There may be a small charge to cover copying costs. May want to bring a Bible.

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Church Introduction: Introduction to First Free

Leader: Dan Tallacksen

Purpose of Class: To learn about First Free and connect with others and with ministries.

Time and Location: The course will be held on two consecutive Sundays, Dec 7 & Dec 14 (meeting from 11:45 am until 2:00pm). Sandwich lunch provided. Room 120.

Topics include: Introduction to vision, history, and ministries of First Free and cover such topics as "Getting to know First Free", "The Values of First Free", "Involvement at First Free", and "Exploring your Spiritual Gifts".

Materials Needed: All materials will be provided.

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Leadership Course (Turbo)

Leader: Duncan Sattler

Purpose of Class: To help prepare, equip, and train current and emerging leaders for the challenges of leading at the “next level”. This 14 week series utilizes a case-study approach for learning about biblical leadership.

Time and Location:  Our fall course is now closed.  Our next course will meet on Wednesday evenings, 6:45 p.m., beginning January 14th, and conclude on May 13th.  Room TBD. 

The schedule each evening or day will be approximately as follows:

20 minutes – Fellowship/prayer time
10 minutes – “Thinking Outside the Box” Leadership Exercises
20 minutes – “The Last Word”: Review of previous leadership case and leaders communication exercises assigned
55 minutes – Leadership Case study (usually moderated by class participants)

Topics include: This course focuses on leadership competence and character and includes such topics as: Risk-taking, decision-making, conflict management, justice, shepherding, vision, time management, situational leadership, encouragement, dependence upon God, change.

Materials Needed: Leadership Course Notebook (available at first session) and Bible.

Participants are expected to complete all assignments and exercises and have regular attendance; each participant is allowed to miss two sessions as long as they makeup weeks missed.

Click here to read testimonies of others who lives have been changed by this leadership course. Click here to see a sample session outline details.

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Marriage Course

Leader: Carol & Steve Lepse

Purpose of Class: To strengthen marriages through 8 "dinner dates"

Time and Location: The next course course will be held on eight consecutive Wednesday nights beginning September 2009 (meeting from 6:45 until 9:00). We'll meet for all 8 sessions at Ranallis Restaurant (1512 W. Berwyn). The schedule each evening is as follows:

6:45 until 7:00 - check in/fellowship time
7:00 until 7:40 - dinner (each couple sitting alone at their own individual table).
7:40 until 9:00 - viewing of marriage video & couple's private sharing time (no group discussion)

Come to a special dinner on March 4, 2009 and get a "sneak preview" of our next series.

Topics include: Building strong foundations; the art of communication; resolving conflict; the power of forgiveness; parents and in-laws; good sex; & love in action (understanding the 5 ways of expressing love).

Materials Needed: All materials are provided The cost each week for a complete meal for two is $25.00. Babysitting is available in the First Free nursery for only $5.00 (Scholarships available for those needing assistance covering the cost). Space is limited to 20 couples; Couples must pre-register for the course as the restaurant requires advanced reservations.

For more general information on the Marriage Course please view their web site: www.themarriagecourseusa.org

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Survey of the Old Testament

Leader: Matt Ostercamp

Purpose of Class: A nine-week class to explore how God reveals Himself and unfolds His promise to all people in the Old Testament.  Our intention is for this class to be helpful to people who have never read the Old Testament as well as people who have read it often.

Time and Location: Wednesdays, 6:45 - 9:00 pm, March 11 - May 13, 2009.  The class will meet in O-102 (1st floor of Office Center).

Topics include: Major themes and the structure of the Old Testament.  The class will introduce the law, history, wisdom and prophetic literature with an emphasis on what these writing teach us about God and how they inform our Christian faith.  In class we will strive to balance providing a broad survey of the material with a more in depth look at some key ideas. 

Materials Needed: Handouts will be provided. Bibles will be needed.

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