trinity baptist church // new haven, ct

Deepening by Learning...

Sunday School Classes at 9:00am

Adult Sunday school classes are an important aspect of our Sunday gatherings. They provide an opportunity to grow in our understanding of the Christian faith, develop and mature in godliness, and become better equipped to love and serve God.

Classes meet downstairs in the Fellowship Hall. 

God's Sovereignty & Our Responsibility - Dr. Ian Maddock & David Moser
 "Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works it out in you to will and to act according to his good purpose." (Philippians 2:12-13).  If God is completely sovereign, why do we pray?  If God has predestined certain people to be saved, why bother sharing the gospel with anyone, or even pursuing holiness in our personal lives?  This class will begin by exploring what the Bible teaches us about the relationship between God's sovereignty and our responsibility, and finish by investigating some key moments in church history - Augustine vs Pelagius, Luther vs Erasmus, Whitefield vs Wesley - where this issue has emerged as the focal point of a theological conflict with enormous pastoral implications.
 
Gospel Witness in a Post-Christian World - Jon Hinkson & Others
What does faithfulness in our witness to the Good News of Jesus involve?  What are some of the challenges we are likely to face in our efforts and how may we meet these challenges?   What modes and motivations are supplied in scripture and how might we fruitfully apply them? In this study passages from the Acts of the Apostles will be our guide.


If you have any questions about Sunday School class please contact Ian Maddock at ian.maddock@trinity-baptist.org or 789-4500.

Past classes...
Sanctification - Andrew and Dorene Allis 
“Be killing sin, or sin will be killing you;” So said the great Puritan scholar John Owen. This class deals with the Christian’s fight for sanctification. Edward Welch’s excellent work, Addictions: A banquet in the Grave offers a fresh biblical approach to battling sin in our lives and living in the freedom of the gospel. Although the book deals primarily with the classic prototypic addictions of drugs and alcohol, it has wider relevance to any (and all) persistent sins, those stubborn and heartbreaking besetting sins which cling to us and seem to defy our best efforts to cast off.
 
The Big Picture Of The Bible - Seth Hamman and Dr. Ian Maddock
What is the big picture of the Bible?  For all of its diverse literary genres and authors, does it have a unifying theme?  This class deals with how we can begin to read and understand the Bible as a whole, showing how the different parts of the Bible fit together under the theme of the Kingdom of God: God's people living under God's rule in God's place.  Each week will involve a Bible study that illustrates how God has progressively revealed his plan of salvation across time, culminating in the arrival of the King of God's Kingdom, Jesus Christ.  Our text for this class will be God's Big Picture: Tracing the Storyline of the Bible by Vaughan Roberts. 

The Trinity- Biblical, Theological, Historical and Practical Perspectives - Welles Brandriff
The doctrine of the Trinity is one of the most important Christian doctrines, but it's also one of the most perplexing.  This class will explore questions like: Is the Trinity biblical?  What can we learn from church history when it comes to how we can best explain the Trinity from a theological perspective?  What practical difference does believing in a triune God make?  What are some contemporary challenges to the Trinity and how can I respond to them in a way that's faithful to God's word?  Our text for this class will be "Making Sense of the Trinity: Three Crucial Questions" by Millard Erickson.

Biblical Parenting  - Rick & Soozie Schneider
"Train a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it."  (Proverbs 22:6).  This class will explore the biblical foundations for raising children, and discuss what being a shepherd of our children's hearts looks like in practice.  All are welcome: Would-be parents, parents-to-be, and parents with children of any age.  Our text for this class will be "Shepherding a Child's Heart" by Tedd Tripp.

What Is A Healthy Church Member? - Dave Schwaderer and Ian Maddock
What is the biblical rationale for membership of a local church? What does a healthy church member look like in the light of Scripture? How can you, as an individual member of this local church, contribute to its positive health? In what ways can you help encourage this local expression of the body of Christ to reflect the glory of God? This class will be referring to Thabiti Anyabwile's "What is a Healthy Church Member?" and Mark Dever's "Nine Marks of a Healthy Church."

Jesus and the Good (News) Life - Nick Lauer
The search for "the good life" has inspired and haunted humans of all ages. We all want our lives to count. But how?! Jesus said, "I've come that they may have life, and have it to the full." The apostles spoke of "walking in line with the truth of the gospel." Join us as we explore the implications of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection for all areas of life, and seek to live in the fullness of the gospel of Jesus.

Discovering and Using Your Gifts - Tim Callahan
"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.  There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.  There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.  Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.  The Lord has gifted each Christian to be of service in His work." (1 Corinthians 12:4-7).  Quite often as Christians we find it difficult to know how to use the gifts God has equipped us with. This class with explore the scriptural gifts, examine their practical use, and help us to discover our gifts in order that the Body of Christ may be built up.

Money Matters - James Choi & Greg Hendrickson
This class will explore the Biblical perspective on money. Specific topics include generosity, prudence, savings, debt, poverty, and wealth. We will also discuss some practical issues in stewarding money, such as budgeting, investing, controlling overspending, and giving wisely to charities.

Back to Basics - Andrew Gilson & Ian Maddock
Join us as we look at seven foundational studies. Topics will include being saved by God, trusting in God, living God’s way, listening to God, talking to God, meeting with God’s family and meeting the world.

Survey of the Old Testament Prophetical Books - Greg Chalfant
This class will provide an overview of the Old Testament Prophetical Books: Isaiah through Malachi. We will consider what prophecy is and how it functioned in ancient Israel. We will consider the prophets and their message in their historical, literary, and Biblical context in an attempt to properly understand and apply God's Word to our own lives.

Doctrine of Salvation -
This class will treat of the various components that make up salvation. Discussion will be divided into consideration of the things that happen prior to conversion, the things that happen at conversion, and the carrying on of the work of salvation to completion. Topics include illumination, conviction, effectual calling, justification, reconciliation, adoption, regeneration, sanctification, and glorification.

Evangelism - Nick Lauer
Do you have a desire to share the truth of Jesus Christ, but you are convinced you never present it right? Perhaps you have friends who see faith as important but are not sure where to place it. These next nine weeks, Nick will lead you to apprehend both the importance of these questions and a clear and concise way to present the saving truth of Jesus Christ.

“It All Happened Here” – Jon Hinkson
Stories of the people of God in New Haven across the centuries, including the Christian vision in the founding of New Haven; the Christian vision in the founding of Yale; Revivals and Awakenings and Mission Exploits. Come hear the stories behind familiar New Haven names such as John Davenport, John Edwards, and Timothy Dwight. Church History from our own backyard!

What do Christians Believe? – Greg Hendrickson
With so many voices in the world claiming to know what real Christianity is, how can we be confident in what we believe? Based on the Scripture, come listen and dialogue through foundational principles of faith and doctrine that will draw you closer to God in your everyday life.