Welcome to The Riverside Church and its Adult Education programs. There are many opportunities for study, discussion, enrichment, and fellowship at The Riverside Church through our "Open Bible Study" program, our Small Group Bible Study Program, and our "Companions in Christ" spiritual formation groups..

Our mission is to share with the members of The Riverside Church community the biblical, theological, historical, social, and cultural perspectives of the Christian faith. We also appreciate and affirm Riverside's commitment to diversity and a multicultural environment. For more information please stop by the Adult Education table at the Coffee Hour after Sunday worship.

Adult Education leaders are guest lecturers, Riverside staff clergy, or members of the church who are respected professionals in their field, seminary-trained or undergoing training.

SUNDAY MORNINGS THIS FALL

DISCOVERING THE BIBLE: OLD TESTAMENT
September 16th – December 23rd, 15 Sessions
9:00 am – 10:30 am, Room 20-T
Facilitators: Laura Harris and Dr. Colleen Birchett

This introductory course provides a general overview of both the Old Testament (Fall) and the New Testament (Spring). It explores the people, events, ideas, and places of the Bible through reading, reflection, group discussion, and creative expression. Participants gain a foundation of biblical knowledge that will inspire further Bible Study and enhance their experience of the Bible readings and the sermon during the service.

Required Text: Kenneth Clark, “Discovering the Bible” (Resource Guide), Paper $28.50, Kerygma

PARABLES: OUR SAVIOR’S SUBVERSIVE STORIES
September 16th – December 16th, 14 Sessions
9:00 am – 10:30 am, Room 240 MLK
Facilitator: Brian O’Dell

Explore all 38 parables in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke), and four others in the apocryphal Gospel of Thomas. For centuries these parables have held a wide variety of fascinating, powerful meanings and messages for their hearers. What does each say to you, to Riverside, and to our society about the present and future “Kingdom of Heaven”? We’ll discuss the interpretations by various female and male biblical scholars such as Crossan, Herzog, Hultgren, and Schottroff, among others. Be prepared to be comforted, surprised, challenged and changed by the most authentic words of Jesus.

Required Text: Richard J. Henderson, “Parables: Stories for Life in God’s World” (Resource Guide), Paper $16.00, Kerygma

REVELATION: HORROR OR HOPE?
September 16th – January 13th, 14 Sessions
9:00 am – 10:30 am, Room 18-T
Facilitator: Karyn Carlo

In many popular movies and books, the contents of the book of Revelation are used to describe a horrific end of the world in which only those who profess a particular type of faith will be “saved” while the rest are “left behind” to suffer an eternity in hell. Others read Revelation as a book of hope, coming from an oppressed community, who, despite all that was against them, still found a reason to believe in God’s promise of social, political, and spiritual liberation. Still others question the legitimacy of ever associating particular social or political entities with the anti-Christ, no matter what “side” they are on, claiming that it inevitably leads to a demonization of the “other” and say we should, instead, look to the “anti-Christ” within. Which reading of this very strange book is God’s Word for us today? Join us as we explore this and other questions in this Kerygma based study.

Required Text: Donald K. McKim, “Revelation: Visions of the Church in Crisis” (Resource Guide), Paper $20.00, Kerygma

BIBLE AND BEYOND: BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP
September 16th – December 16th, 14 Sessions
9:30 am – 10:30 am, Room 414
Coordinator: Marie Wilson

Bible and Beyond is a book discussion group that reads and discusses contemporary and classic books on biblical, theological, or spiritual themes. Participants’ diverse backgrounds and perspectives inspire creative insights, new understandings, and thought-provoking discussion. Books are selected by the group. Recent texts include “The Heart of Christianity: Rediscovering a Life of Faith,” by Marcus Borg (Harper San Francisco, 2004); “Beyond Belief: The Secret Gospel of Thomas,” by Elaine Pagels (Random House, 2003); and “What Jesus Meant: The Beatitudes and a Meaningful Life,” by Erik Kolbell (Westminster/John Knox, 2002)

TUESDAY EVENINGS

BASICS OF BIBLICAL GREEK II
September 11th – December 18th (Alternate Tuesdays)
6:45 pm – 8:15 pm, Room 421
Leader, Steven Yang Lee

The second part of Basics of Biblical Greek will focus on the verb structures of Koine Greek, the language of the New Testament and many essential early Christian writings. Class activities will include translating and discussing actual New Testament texts. Note that participation in this class assumes a preliminary understanding of Greek grammar and familiarity with core vocabulary.

Required Text: 1) William D. Mounce, “Basics of Biblical Greek,” $45.00; 2) William D. Mounce, Basics of Biblical Greek Workbook, $20.00

THURSDAY EVENINGS

DISCOVERING THE BIBLE: OLD TESTAMENT
September 13th – December 27th, 15 Sessions
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm, Room 20-T
Facilitators: Laura Harris and Mark Yim
(See Sunday Mornings’ section for description.) NEW TESTAMENT GREEK STUDY: GROUP
September 13th – December 20th (Alternative Thursdays),
8 Sessions
6:45 pm – 8:15 pm, Room 419
Leader: Eugene Melino

Riverside’s New Testament Greek study group provides a forum for intermediate to advanced level Greek students to hone their translation skills and improve their knowledge of Koine Greek, the language of the New Testament and many essential early Christian writings.

Required Text: 1) “Novum Testamentum Graece,” Nestle-Aland, 27th Edition, approximate
$25.00; Recommended Texts: 1) William D. Mounce, Basics of Biblical Greek, $45.00; 2) A Greek Lexicon, approximate $25.00

SATURDAY AND SUNDAYS

BIBLE BASICS: APPROACHING THE BIBLE
Saturday, October 6th, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm, Room 20-T
Sundays, October 7th, 14th, and 21st, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, Room 18-T
Facilitator, Rev. Dr. Arnold Isidore Thomas

“Bible Basics: Approaching the Bible” is a five-part course for those who have been spiritually wounded or ostracized by more restrictive interpretations of the Bible and, as a result, have felt that the Bible could not relate to them. It is also a course for those who have had little or no introduction to Christianity and the Bible and wish to explore both in a non-judgmental environment; who wish to explore questions like: “Who is God?” or “What is sin, and why must I be saved?” or “Who is Jesus, and why do I need him?” or “What is the Holy Spirit and its relation to the church and me?” or “Why and how should I pray?”

Required Text: Martin Copenhaver, “To Begin at the Beginning”

For further information, please contact the Ministry of Education at 212-870-6833