ADULT MINISTRY

The goal of adult ministry is to form mature disciples of Jesus Christ in word and in deed. Through a variety of classes that incorporate a diversity of learning styles, adults at Idlewild come to know Christ’s love, peace, and justice through study of scripture, spiritual practice, literature, fellowship, and critical engagement with contemporary issues. At Idlewild, the questions are as important as the answers, and faith is understood as a lifelong journey.

Table of Contents

Sunday School

9:40 AM Each Sunday

Faith & Function

The We welcome local scholars to teach the Bible in its contexts: the stories, the writers, and as Christians today. We also study history and current event topics that are closely related to these Biblical less

Stephen Class

room 301, Jones Building, Beginning September 10

We will continue our engagement with words in selected modern short stories from two different volumes: Margaret Atwood’s Old Babes in the Woods and editor Valeria Luiselli’s The Best Short Stories of 2022: The O. Henry Prize Winners. Everyone who likes to read, buy a copy and join us! 

Christian Parenting

room 304, Jones Building

Parents of littles and school-aged children come together to explore tenets of our faith and how to encourage faith formation in the home. Join us for discussion, deepening friendships, and prayer.

20/20

Room 305, Jones Building

Through leader-facilitated discussions each week, we consider what it means to be a Christian in our often challenging, contemporary world. We will take turns leading the discussion. Open to all, drop-ins welcome! 

Tapestry: Contemplative Prayer

Harlan room, sanctuary building

We weave lectio, visio, musica, and walking divina prayer practices through the daily lectionary. If you’re unfamiliar with one or more of these, come and learn something new! Drop-in visitors are encouraged.

New Member Class

January 21 - February 11 | JB 302

If you are contemplating membership at Idlewild, a new member, or just interested in learning more about the church, you are invited to join the Curious to Committed – New Member Class. Study topics will include the Reformed tradition, Presbyterian history, the story of Idlewild, and the commitment of membership. To learn more about the class or reserve your spot, please contact Mary Margaret King at mking@idlewildchurch.org or call (901) 259-4357. We hope you will join!

50 Days of the Bible

April 7 - May 19 | Room 302

Mark your calendars to join Pastor Mary and Pastor David as we delve into the study of the Bible. We’ll spend time in particular texts, dissecting and discussing meaning and context, both in the ancient world and for our lives. We’ll also share tips, resources, and frameworks for personal and group study. We’d love for you to join us on these seven Sunday mornings as we mark the fifty days between Easter and Pentecost.

Weekday Offerings

Disciple Bible Study

Wednesdays, April 10 - June 19 | 6:15 – 7:30 PM

Disciples Bible Study is a comprehensive, participatory study of the Bible in a small group setting. Join us as we begin an 11-week study of the New Testament on April 10. Please contact David Zanca for more information (voice or text at 901-484-5920). Sign up on Realm by April 2.

Tuesday Morning Men's Group

Tuesdays at 9 AM | Montgomery Hall and on Zoom

In-person friends can enjoy breakfast while discussing the Gospel of Matthew in a small group discussion. If you prefer, you can purchase N. T. Wright’s study guide to assist. The group is small enough to allow for significant dialogue among participants but also large enough to allow for only contemplative participation. 

Email facilitator, Charles Key, with any questions.

The Art of Reading

The class will choose selections for discussion and alternate between fiction and non-fiction. The assignment for each week will be one to two chapters. We have some fun field trips planned for the spring. Join us!

Idlewild Book Club

The Idlewild Book Club reads a range of books from all genres. We encourage visitors, friends, and any book lovers to join us each month! We pick our books each month at our meeting. If you are interested in learning more, sign up for the adult newsletter or reach out to Joyce Webber

Spring Offerings

Woven Wednesdays

This Spring on Wednesday nights Pastor Mary will lead us in experience and conversation around the four gospels. We’ll learn about the cultural and historical reality of 1st century Palestine, the context of the gospels, as well as discuss their similarities and differences, both in content and in focus. It’s a great opportunity for anyone who wants to spend some time in the biblical text and gain new frameworks for understanding!

Wednesdays, January 24 - March 20 | 5:30 - 7:00 PM

Sacred Ground

Begins January 27 with a Retreat at 9 am

This film and readings-based dialogue series on race, grounded in faith will walk through chapters of America’s history of race and racism while weaving in threads of family story, economic class, and political and regional identity. This small group opportunity is open to all, and especially designed to help white people talk with other white people. Meeting dates will be set by the group. Contact Pastor Mary to learn more.

Eldercare 101

Wednesdays, January 24 - February 28 | 5:30 - 7:30 PM

A Practical and Loving approach to Honoring our Parents (and Ourselves). Join us for a 5-week series as we discuss spiritual, practical & and legal considerations as our family members age.

Lenten Lectio Groups

Weekly, beginning the week of February 18

Join us this Lent as we spend one hour together each week in prayerful consideration and discussion of the scripture that will be the basis of the following Sunday’s sermon. Groups will meet weekly for 5 weeks, beginning the week of February 18th (no meetings during Holy Week). 

We have five opportunities to sign up for:

More information, including facilitator and host locations, are available in Realm or by contacting Pastor Mary.