Christian Life Academy (CLA) meets weekly during the Sunday School hour prior to the main worship service. CLA is designed to train and equip Christians to live out their faith in Christ.
This is a family integrated time of teaching for all ages. We follow a rotating schedule of topics designed to equip the saints for the Christian life. In each class we include a time dedicated to teaching our children the basics of the faith and equipping parents to follow up during the week.
Below you’ll find more information about each of the topics covered on a rotating basis throughout the month.
1st Sunday: Systematic Theology
The 1st Sunday of each month we study the doctrines of our faith as they are articulated in our confession, the 1689 Second London Baptist Confession of Faith. This is a historic and reformed confession that has been utilized by Baptist churches around the world for nearly 350 years.
Organized as miniature systematic theology, the confession builds upon itself chapter by chapter beginning with the doctrine of scripture and ending with the last judgment. Our study works consecutively through each chapter of the confession, teaching its scriptural basis, the interconnectedness of the doctrines, and the application of these doctrines to our lives as believers.
Each class begins with a review when necessary and all previous session audio may be listened to via our Sermon Audio page.
2nd Sunday: Biblical Theology
The 2nd Sunday of each month we study biblical theology. Yes, all theology should be biblical. Biblical theology though differs from systematic theology in that it seeks to understand the major themes of Scripture within the larger biblical storyline. It is the study of the Bible as unified Scripture, telling one single story, which originates in the mind of God, though expressed through multiple human authors under divine inspiration.
Biblical theology includes: leaning how to read and study the Bible, understanding principles of biblical interpretation (hermeneutics), understanding how to read various genres of biblical literature, learning to see the redemptive historical storyline from Genesis to Revelation, inter-textual connections, and how later parts of the Bible use and interpret earlier parts of the Bible.
Biblical theology and Systematic Theology compliment one another and are both of great value to understanding what we believe and why we believe it.
3rd Sunday: Historical Theology
The 3rd Sunday of each month we study Historical Theology, taking a look at the key events and people in the history of the church, the development of doctrine at various times in history and in various Christian movements, the refutation of heresy, and the development of the creeds and confessions.
The study of Historical Theology helps us understand our heritage and identity as the church. We have a rich legacy from previous generations of believers in learning, art, and worship. We are privileged to enter into this tradition, to examine it by Scripture, apply it to our lives, and share it with one another.
Serious reflection on the history of the church and the development of its doctrine helps protect us from error, reminds us of God’s past faithfulness, and inspires us to persevere in the faith.
4th Sunday: Christian Living
The 4th Sunday of each month we’ll apply what we believe to how we live our lives. This includes the application of doctrine to our lives as individuals, families, and the church.
Topics included in this study are: evangelism, apologetics, biblical ethics, corporate worship, family worship, spiritual gifts, and more.
5th Sunday: Missions
Once per quarter there is a 5th Sunday in a month. On these 5th Sundays, we focus our attention on global missions.
We study the history of global missions, learn about current mission work around the globe, hear updates from missionaries, and spend time in prayer for the work of missions.