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How the Protestant Reformers are Still Changing the World

Tag: School of Discipleship

School of Discipleship Class: An Exposition of Paul’s Letter to Titus

March 10, 2021 /

Let me give a warm-hearted invitation for anyone to join with us at Redeemer Presbyterian Church (PCA) here in Austin, Texas for our School of Discipleship. During the Spring term (2021) I will be teaching a class on Paul’s Letter to Titus. We gather each week in Covenant Hall (10:15-11:00 AM) and there is plenty of room to spread out. Although this class is primarily designed for adults, well-behaved children are also welcome to attend. This class has an informal tone, and so you are welcome to ask your questions. I’ll do my best to answer them! Here is a brief introduction to the class:

Near the end of the Apostle Paul’s life he wrote three poignant letters that have become known as the Pastoral Epistles (1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus). These letters were written to close associates of Paul—all younger men—who had faithfully labored alongside of him in both good times and bad times. Paul was determined to communicate to these two pastor-evangelists the central priorities of gospel ministry—the faithful preaching of the Word of God, the necessity of maintaining a Christian character while living in this fallen world, and the proper exercise of discipline in the local church. It appears that he also had in mind that others would read these letters besides Timothy and Titus. Hence, in the Epistle of Titus he gives practical instructions as to how the church of Jesus Christ should be structured plus the qualifications for church leaders (Titus 1:5-9). Moreover, he reflects upon the grace and mercy of God in the matter of salvation (Titus 3:4-7). Finally, Paul urges all who read his words to wait patiently “for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).

Class Schedule: Note that there are three Sundays in our Spring schedule when we will not be meeting–March 14, 21 (Spring Break) and April 4 (Easter Sunday).

— Feb. 28 – Introductory Remarks (Titus 1:1-4)

— Mar. 7 – Qualifications for Church Leaders (Titus 1:5-9)

— Mar. 14 – Spring Break/No Class

— Mar. 21 – Spring Break/No Class

— Mar. 28 – Beware of the False Prophets (Titus 1:10-16)

— April 4 – Easter Sunday/No Class

— April 11 – Proper Roles amongst True Believers (Titus 2:1-10)

— April 18 – The Blessed Hope (Titus 2:11-15)

— April 25 – True Christian Character (Titus 3:1-3, 8-11)

— May 2 – God’s Grace and Mercy (Titus 3:4-7) and Final Remarks (Titus 3:12-15)

I hope you can join us as we study God’s Word!

— Dr. Marcus J. Serven

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

October 2, 2020 /

“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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