How the Protestant Reformers are Still Changing the World

Category: Events (Page 2 of 2)

An Update on the “Theology Study Group”

A tried and true resource for studying Christian doctrine

Every Thursday morning (9:00-11:00 AM) I have the privilege of teaching systematic theology to a group of men and women at Redeemer Presbyterian Church (PCA) here in Austin. Typically, we have 10-12 students for each class session. We have certainly grown a lot since beginning this past July when I started with one participant! Each one of the students serve in various ministry settings–as ruling elders, deacons, crisis counselors, missionary pastors, and chaplains. Moreover, they all greatly desire to “go deeper” into our beliefs, doctrines, and practices. We are using Louis Berkhof’s well-regarded Manual of Christian Doctrine (2nd Edition) as a guide, and I regularly assign additional resources as needed. Besides my teaching, we thoroughly discuss these doctrines and seek to come up with practical applications that can be useful in actual ministry situations.

For example, we recently studied the “Providence of God” and we noted how beneficial this doctrine can be in providing assurance and comfort to those who are in the midst of suffering and trials. Our Confession of Faith states it this way, “God the great Creator of all things doth uphold, direct, dispose, and govern all creatures, actions, and things, from the greatest even to the least, by His most wise and holy providence, according to His infallible foreknowledge, and the free and immutable counsel of His own will to the praise of the glory of His wisdom, power, justice, goodness, and mercy.” (Westminster Confession of Faith, Ch. 5, Art. 1) What a blessing it is to know that God directs the affairs of mankind! And, that our Lord is intimately involved in the details of our own life so that He knows even the number of hairs upon our head! (Matt. 10:29-31)

I sure would welcome your prayers as I teach systematic theology from week to week, and as I seek “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.” (Eph. 4:12) And, for those who may be interested in joining us, then simply reach out to me to get more information.

— Dr. Marcus J. Serven

School of Discipleship Class: The Growth of God’s Kingdom on Earth

“Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:10

Redeemer Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Austin, Texas

Please join us for a brand new “School of Discipleship” course at Redeemer Presbyterian Church (PCA) here in Austin, Texas. We begin on October 4th (10:15-11:00 AM) with the class located in Covenant Hall. There will be plenty of room to spread out! This class is primarily for adults, but youth and children are welcome.

Class Teachers: 

  • Mr. Bob Phillips, Ruling Elder
  • Rev. Dr. Marcus Serven, Pastor of Christian Discipleship

Overall Theme:

Without question, this is a troublesome and tumultuous time in which we now live. Our nation is divided into many passionate and polarized subgroups, and there is anarchy, looting, protest, and rioting in the streets. Moreover, we are heading into a national election whose outcome is bound to be controversial. The Christian might ask, “Where is the Kingdom of God to be found amongst all of this upheaval?” In this class we will endeavor to present a well-reasoned answer to this important question. We will do so by reflecting on some of the relevant passages on the Kingdom of God that are found in the Bible. Moreover, we will utilize the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms as a guide to direct us to the central concepts regarding the Kingdom of God. It is our sincere desire as teachers of God’s Word to bring understanding in the face of confusion, hope in the midst of uncertainty, and peace in the presence of fear. 

Class Schedule: 

  • Oct. 4 — “What is the chief and highest end of man?” (WLC Q. 1; WSC Q. 1) [Serven]
  • Oct. 11 — “Holy Scripture” (WCF Ch. 1, Art. 6) “…all things necessary for…man’s salvation, faith, and life is…set down in Scripture.” [Serven]
  • Oct. 18 — “God” WCF (Ch. 2, Art. 1) “There is but one only, living, and true God.” (Art. 2) “He is the alone fountain of all being, of whom, through whom, and to whom are all things; and hath most sovereign dominion over them…” [Phillips]
  • Oct. 25 — “Providence” (WCF Ch. 5, Art. 1; WLC Q. 18-20) “God the great Creator of all things, doth uphold, direct, dispose, and govern all creatures, actions, and things…by His most wise and holy providence…” [Serven]
  • Nov. 1 — “Man and Sin” (WCF Ch. 6, Art. 5) “This corruption…through Christ [is] pardoned, mortified…” [Phillips]
  • Nov. 8 — “Christ” (WCF Ch. 8, Art. 1) “…the Lord Jesus…to be the Mediator between God and man, the Prophet, Priest, and King, the Head and Savior of his church, the Heir of all things, and Judge of the world: unto whom he did from all eternity give a people, to be his seed, and to be by him in time redeemed, called, justified, sanctified, and glorified.” [Phillips]
  • Nov. 15 — “Good Works” (WCF Ch. 16, Art. 2) “Good works…adorn the profession of the gospel, stop the mouths of the adversaries, and glorify God…” [Serven]
  • Nov. 22 — “The Law of God” (WCF Ch. 19, Art. 6) “[The Law of God is for]…true believers…of great use…as a rule of life informing them of the will of God, and their duty…” [Phillips]
  • Nov. 29 — “Civil Magistrates” (WCF Ch. 23, Art. 1; WLC 191-192) “…as nursing fathers, it is the duty of civil magistrates to protect the church of our common Lord, without giving preference…” [Serven]
  • Dec. 6 — “The Church” (WCF Ch. 25, Art. 2) “The visible church…is the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ, the house and family of God, out of which there is no ordinary possibility of salvation.” (Art. 5) “…there shall always be a church on earth, to worship God according to his will.” [Phillips]

I hope you can join us as we explore this important topic: “The Growth of God’s Kingdom on Earth.”

— Dr. Marcus J. Serven

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