Personal Development
One of our foundational values at Auburn Presbyterian Church is that we want to be "continually growing spiritually." In addition to such things as our Sunday service, our life groups, and all the various ways we have to connect and be involved, we offer these special resources and courses for personal development.
Adult Bible Study
Our adult bible study meets at 9:00 AM Sunday mornings in the library, and is currently going through the book of Daniel. Comments and open discussions are greatly encouraged.
The book of Daniel teaches that God is sovereign in all matters of government. Its revelation of this sovereignty and power of God has brought reassurance that God will fulfill his purposes in time and eternity. Come and learn more from this fascinating book.
Library
Books allow us to learn from excellent teachers who otherwise would not be available. Our extensive library has everything from Christian fiction through theology o all topics on Christian living. Why not come through the library on Sunday, look at the titles on a shelf or two, and check out others the next Sunday until you have examined the entire library so you know what books especially interest you? Better yet, look at a couple of shelves and choose a book to check out.
We have a history section with excellent volumes on church history if you are interested in early and contemporary events. John Foxe’s Foxe’s Christian Martyrs of the World and Josephus, writings from the secular historian who chronicled the Jewish world at the time Jesus lived, are two of the volumes in this section.
In the Deliverance Section, you’ll find The Bondage Breaker by Neil T. Anderson. Its subtitle is “Overcoming Negative Thoughts, Irrational Feelings, Habitual Sins” Chuck Swindoll, Senior Pastor of First Evangelical Free Church, Fullerton, CA, writes this comment, “A calm, practical, workable plan from Scripture that results in freedom and victory for the child of God. Neil Anderson is one of the most experienced and dependable authorities in America today."
These are just a couple of the books available. Come take a look!
APC University
These courses are offered periodically for your enrichment. Check the calendar and upcoming events page to see when these are on the schedule.
APC 101-Learn Your APCs
This Sunday-afternoon event is offered several times a year for anyone at Auburn Presbyterian who desires to know more about us. This welcoming class goes over the basics of the Christian faith, the history of APC, our mission, and a general overview of Presbyterians. This class is especially encouraged for people seeking to become members.
APC 102-Bible for Beginners
Using the "Get Acquainted with Your Bible" book, students learn how he Bible came to us, its various parts and subjects, how to find their way around in the Bible, its major themes, Jesus in the Old Testament (prophecy, etc.) how to study the Bible and how the Bible is the Word of God.
APC 201-Becoming a Contagious Christian
Using the book of the same name "How to Become a Contagious Christian" is a mix of videos and small group discussions on how to share our faith with others through relationships, often built around common "non church" interests. Graduates may undertake outreach activities that "fish for men and women".
APC 202-Growing Closer to God
"How Do I Connect with God?", or "After You've Said, 'I Believe'" Here we explore the classic "Means of Grace"—spiritual growth through prayer (talking with God and listening to God), worship, Bible study, Christian conversation, the Sacraments, and service. Some attention is paid to other classic spiritual disciplines (such as found in Foster's Celebration of Discipline) such as fasting, silence, and the like.
APC 301-Finding a Great Fit
This is an in-depth discovery of each person's spiritual gifts, personality type, passions, talents and life purpose. With this information in hand, each graduate can meet with a trained prior graduate to wonder together, "How would God love to use a person wired up like me?" Answers may include tasks or positions within our church (sometimes, a change in positions), or in our community, or even a new ministry we should add, because God has sent us someone with unique gifts. By offering our people a "great fit," we can expect our level of joy to increase as we cooperate with God's design for each of us. This course is taught over three Sunday afternoons, two-three times a year. Upcoming dates for 2008: June 1, 15, & 29 and October 5, 19 & November 2.
APC 401-Leadership Training
This is about leading others in their spiritual growth—or "discipleship"—so that discipes make disciples. This fulfills our "Mission One" of APC's "Act Two". Two different methods will be employed in class for gathering people together to submit to God's growing us into the image of Christ. Graduates are expected to begin a discipling ministry.