Core Doctrine Class

The goal of this class is to help disciples understand, explain, and apply the core truths of Christianity. Classes will be held from 4-6pm on Sundays, beginning January 2025, and will run for 11 weeks. There will be a cost for textbook/materials. Participation in this class requires approximately 2-3 hours of homework per week—reading and journaling.

Registration is open!

Please note: Textbooks will be required for purchase separately from your registration, and are available for purchase in the lobby.

The Purpose Of Core Classes

In an increasingly post-Christian world, the church body needs to know first-hand the sacred text that is the Bible. Core Classes will help you deepen your understanding of Scriptures and doctrine, and how to apply them practically to your everyday life. Core Classes are now a consistent rhythm of our church (offered in Fall and Winter/Spring semesters). Currently, our Core series includes a Scripture class and a Doctrine class.

What is Core Doctrine?

It has been said that theology is for doxology. Therefore the purpose of this class is to increase your capacity to worship! We exist to know God, love God, obey God, and ultimately glorify God. Sound doctrine is an essential ingredient for each of these things. For you cannot love, obey, or glorify what you do not know. Knowledge of God does not guarantee worship of God, but a lack of knowledge guarantees false worship. Our prayer is that you would increase your knowledge of the infinite God so that you can know Him more truly, love Him more deeply, obey Him more fully, and live a life that is glorifying to Him.

What to Expect

Each week, participants will be expected to complete prep-work before attending class—including scripture reading, approximately 20-30 pages of textbook reading, and journaling through some questions about what you read. During each weekly class, there will be discussion of your prep-work within table groups, a teaching on a specific biblical narrative, worship, applicational discussion, and prayer.

Reading, writing in your own words, discussing, hearing and doing, even singing—we all learn in different ways. We’re going to sample all of these learning styles on a weekly basis in the hopes that you will not only retain information, but transform your heart, mind, and practices. 

The content of this class is designed to be challenging to adults. However, we believe it is also accessible to high-school-aged students.

DISCLAIMER: We do ask that you consider whether you are able to commit to a full semester-long class BEFORE you register. We offer Core Classes every Fall and Spring. So, if now is not the best time time for this extra commitment, please consider waiting until a future semester. 

Adult Textbooks

  • The Bible (we highly recommend an ESV Study Bible)
  • Salvation Belongs To the Lord — available for purchase in the lobby for $15 each (a 40% discount from retail price).
  • You Are A Theologian available for purchase in the lobby for $15 each (a 35% discount from retail price).

Core for MiddleGrade Students

This ministry year, we’ve reintroducing Core Classes for middle-grade students (4th-8th grade)! We desire that families can better understand God’s Word together. Middle-grade students will be learning the same topics as the adults, with the aim that as you each study you can have conversations together about what you’re learning. During class time, kids will have age-group discussions, listen to engaging teachings and more. Please note, some reading and writing homework will be required for students each week. You may wish to do this with your student.

PLEASE NOTE: While classes are available to some school-age children, there is no onsite childcare for this class. You will need to make other offsite arrangements for your younger children.

Middle Grade Textbooks (4th-8th Grade)

  • Christian Beliefs — available for purchase in the lobby for $10 each (a 45% discount from retail price).
  • The Bible —  We highly recommend an ESV Study Bible

You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.

2 Timothy 2:1-2

COURSE OVERVIEW

Weekly Content

01. Why Theology Matters
02. The Doctrine of Scripture
03. The Doctrine of God
04. The Doctrine of God, Three in One
05. The Doctrine of God the Son
06. The Doctrine of God the Spirit
07. The Doctrine of Man/Sin
08. The Doctrine of Salvation: Part 1
09. The Doctrine of Salvation: Part 2
10. The Doctrine of the Church
11. The Doctrine of Last Things

Class Structure

  • Group Discussion & Application (with your table group)
  • Lecture + Q&A (led by a teaching team)

Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.

Colossians 1:28-29

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm participating with a spouse—do we each need a textbook?

That will be completely up to you and your specific needs. If you are the type who likes to highlight or make notes/underlines as you read, you may wish to have your own copy.

What if I can't make it to all of the classes?

We understand that you may miss a class or two for various life-and-season reasons. We will do our best to supply you with any notes you may have missed from our lectures. And—we’d highly encourage you to dialog with a friend that week over what you studied, since you will have missed your group discussion time.

That said, if you are looking over your calendar and realize you are likely to miss a fair amount of classes, then maybe this semester isn’t the BEST time for you to take a class. Consider waiting until a future semester when you have a greater likelihood of full participation. You’ll be better for it.

What makes classes different from a small group or bible study?

Classes are primarily an independent, topical study (biblical theology and systematic theology), with the chief purpose of education and increasing your personal discipleship. Classes are for a set period of time (11 weeks), while groups tend to have a more ongoing nature. 

At Gospel City, our small groups have a primary purpose of biblical community—caring for each other, holding each other accountable, and living out the “one another’s” of Scripture. Typically, small groups are not focused on learning outcomes like a class would be.

Classes and groups are not meant to be a substitute for one another, but rather are designed to come alongside one another in a complimentary way. Classes are committed to advancing biblical education, and groups are committed to advancing biblical community.

Can my child take a Core class without me?

In short answer: No. We believe the best way for your child to learn is if they are going through the class with you as a family. So, we encourage you to either take the adult class (be a table leader if you’ve already taken it) or participate as a helper in our Core classes for middle-grade students. Our vision is that these classes would facilitate whole-family discipleship.

There are also multiple security reasons why we can’t have children taking a 2-hour class without their parents being on site as well.

Is childcare available?

While classes are available to some school-age children (4th-8th grade), there is no onsite childcare for this class. You will need to make other offsite arrangements for your younger children. We would also ask that you not bring your young children to sit and wait for you in the lobby. 

Can I take this class with my small group?

While registering, you are able to name up to two other people you’d like to be seated with for discussion and we will do our best to accommodate those requests. However, we believe that Core classes are a great space for you to meet people who are potentially outside of your current circles. We’ve heard many great testimonies of new gospel friendships that were forged by participating in this class and meeting someone new.

Can I take this online/virtually?

Our Core Classes are designed to be taken in-person only.

What if I've already take a Core Class?

We’re thrilled that you’ve already made the commitment to your spiritual maturation. One of the best ways to employ what you’ve learned and further put it into practice is to TEACH it to someone else. Consider taking the class again as a table facilitator for the adults, or by jumping into a Core Class for middle-grade students and helping us teach the next generation.

What is next after Core Classes?

While challenging, these Core Classes are only scratching the surface of the deep riches that God has revealed in His Word. Both the Core Scripture and Core Doctrine classes are quick overviews of biblical and systematic theology, and we could easily spend well over 11 weeks on any one single topic addressed in those classes.

That said, we offer a one-year program—Academy—that is available to church members who have completed both Core Scripture & Core Doctrine classes. Academy is designed to be a more intensive and rigorous program than our Core Classes. They are a limited class size, and you will need to apply (vs register) to participate.

In the meantime, reference the bonus resources in the appendixes of your Core workbooks for recommended reading on specific subjects to go deeper on your own.