The Purpose of Sunday School Communities
The purpose of Briarwood’s Sunday School Community Ministry is to teach consistently the whole counsel of God in the context of our congregational communities; to encourage the fellowship of believers, and to build disciples by equipping Christians to make an impact for Jesus Christ, beginning in the home and church and moving to Birmingham and beyond.
Let us help you find the right Sunday School Community for you! Call us at 205-776-5208 or drop by the Membership Office across from the Church Receptionist.
Interested in Learning More About Briarwood?
Click here to read about Briarwood’s Inquirers Class, or call 205.776.5208.
Sunday School Classes Information
The Fall quarter is September 3 – November 26, 2023. For class information, read below.
COLLEGE / SINGLES / YOUNG COUPLES
College Community
“Attributes of God” • Room: W-202
College-age • The fact that we recognize that God exists is not enough. It is important that we know who He truly is and what He is like. This quarter we will study the attributes of God to help us better understand who He is. Teachers: Chuck Powell, Stephen Bunn & Jeff Dunn. Team Leaders: Carlisles, Leibs. CP: Mark Purser. SP: Benny Parks.
“What in the World is Going On?” • M-202
What is God’s heart, design, and plan for the Nations? We will search the Scriptures together to learn more about God’s love for the nations, His strategy to reach the nations, and Briarwood’s specific engagement with the nations through our Global Missions Team and our international supported missionaries around the globe. Teacher: Bryan Wintersteen. Team Leaders: Logsdons, Gewins, & Haynes. CP & SP: Benny Parks.
“Ruth” • A-201
A community of singles & couples • This quarter we will be walking through the beautiful little book of Ruth, verse by verse, tracing the important biblical themes of God’s covenantal love, redemption and His providential dealings with His children. Ruth also has important things to say to us about community, lament, and biblical femininity and masculinity. We’ll learn that Ruth is not as much a love story about Ruth and Boaz as it is one about Yahweh and us. Teacher: Drew Ricketts. Team Leaders: Barrs, Galbreath, Kalehoffs, Moore, Schor, Weavers. CP & SP: Stephen King.
In One Accord
“Distinguishing the Truth of Christianity” • M-210
A community for 40s and up • This quarter we will be distinguishing the truth of Christianity amid the chaos of religious pluralism and cultural extremes. Teacher: Clete Hux. Team Leader: Lance Garrison. CP: Chris Thompson. SP: Benny Parks.
THE ENTIRE FAMILY
“The Corinthians” • W-203
A class for the entire family • In Acts and the Letters to the Corinthians, the Apostle Paul reveals the impact of the Gospel of Christ in our lives. This Gospel reality powerfully addresses practical concerns and conflicts in the church and with our culture and calls us to greater love and community. Teacher: Don Furuto. Team Leaders: Belyeus, Maces. CP & SP: Dave Matthews.
YOUNG COUPLES AND NEW FAMILIES
The Oaks
“James” • M-111
Engaged and newly married couples • This quarter we will be studying the book of James with a particular emphasis on the fruit that is produced by our faith. James will teach us that true faith produces steadiness, holiness, and a dependence on the Lord. Teacher: Stephen King. Team Leaders: Clarks, Delks, Gilberts, Hersheys, Moores, Pettys, Russells. CP & SP: Stephen King.
Legacy
“Biblical Truths We Hold Tightly To” • E-004
Young married couples with infants to elementary-age children • Truths we hold tightly to from God’s living and active Word. Teacher: Glenn Draper. Team Leaders: Bardins, Godwins, Heards, Hodges, Iveys, Travers. CP & SP: Stephen King.
YOUNG FAMILIES
Encounter
“The Anatomy of the Soul” • E-006
Young couples with infants to middle school-age children • We’ll be tracing the theme of emotion throughout the Bible, seeing how happiness, grief, anger, and fear play into the Bible’s unified story that leads to Jesus and how biblical view of emotions can transform your relationship to God and others. Teacher: Chad Escue. Team Leaders: Carlisles, Crawfords, Sasses, Welches. CP: Olan Stubbs. SP: Stephen King.
Covenant Keepers
“Seeds of Faith” • E-008
Families with infants to middle school-age children • A biographical history of the Christian church: this is a basic overview of 2000 years of Christian history told through the biographies of important saints in each era. Teacher: Rob Genin. Team Leaders: Dixons, Jeffs, Moores (Bryant), Pettys. CP: Ryan Leib. SP: BennyYoungblood
STUDENT FAMILIES
Growing in Grace
“Studies in the Book of Job” • E-005
Families with preschool to high school-age children • Likely the oldest and perhaps the most unsettling book of the Bible, the Book of Job takes on the subject of a believer’s suffering like no other Old or New Testament scripture. It raises questions about the reality of evil and suffering and provides answers about how the believer should and should not respond, and how we can come alongside of others as they endure adversity and anguish. It reveals how God confronts our questions and provides comfort as He alone can give. Teacher: Mark Travers. Team Leaders: Marshalls, Martins, Thompsons. CP: Eric Reebals. SP: Benny Youngblood.
Sojourners
“The Names of Jesus”• E-007
Families with preschool to high school-age children • The Name of Jesus is the Name above all Names. At the name of Jesus, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that He is Lord. Jesus reveals who He is and His great blessings by His many names in the Holy Scriptures. By studying the Names of Jesus, we will be amazed at His greatness and be moved to heartfelt worship, unending gratitude, and a life of joyful service. Teacher: Benny Youngblood. Team Leaders: Blacks, Cains, Crowes, McCurdys, Morrises, Pruitts, Stewarts, Thompsons. CP & SP: Benny Youngblood.
Heritage Builders
“One Another: Life in Christian Community” • FH-B
Families with preschool to high school-age children • The Bible tells us that it is “good and pleasant” when we dwell together in a Christian community (Ps. 133:1). Join us this quarter as we study a selection of the “one another” commands in the Bible. Learn how living these principles will breathe new life into us as individuals, as families, and as communities within our church. Teachers: Todd Carlisle, Chase Crawford, Thomas Garner. Team Leaders: Abernathys, Bartons, Bentleys, Bragans, Joneses, Laniers, Lotts. CP & SP: Benny Youngblood.
Firm Foundations
“Psalms”• M-200
Families with preschool to high school-age children • We will go through several individual Psalms to better learn how to study, pray, journal, meditate, and worship all through the Psalms. Teacher: Olan Stubbs. Team Leaders: Greenes, Russ Ponder. CP: Rob Genin. SP: Michael Wichlan.
“Colossians” • G-103
Families with preschool to high school-age children • Teacher: Rob Looper. Team Leaders: Blacks, Clays, Ellers, Iveys, Patrick Jackson. CP: Rob Looper. SP: Michael Wichlan.
“Metanarratives of Scripture” • E-010
Families with children in high school or older • Have you ever wondered how 66 books written across thousands of years form a complete and coherent story of God’s plan for His creation? This quarter we will study the two main metanarratives of Scripture: the metanarrative of salvation through the overarching storyline of Creation, Fall, and Redemption and the relational metanarrative of Covenant Theology. Join us as we tie together God’s story and find why, as R.C. Sproul says, “Reformed Theology is covenant theology.” Teacher: Ike Reeder. Team Leaders: Thompsons. CP: Benny Parks. SP: Michael Wichlan.
“Isaiah – The Lord Saves” • FH-C
Families with children in high school or older • God’s remarkable plan of judgment and redemption is seen in this study of the book of Isaiah which presents a most vivid, exalted, and profound view of the “Holy One of Israel.” [Part 1, Ch. 1-39] Teachers: Benny Parks & Christopher Frost. Team Leaders: Harrises, Mungenasts, Reids, Summers. CP & SP: Michael Wichlan.
REAL Matters
“Titus” • S201
Families with children in high school or older • This small book is addressed to a church leader and gives lots of practical instructions as to how the church is to function. There are many applications for us today. Teacher: Bobby Parks. Team Leaders: Hursts, Warlicks. CP & SP: Dave Matthews.
Homefront
“Psalms” • M-200
Families with children in high school or older • We will go through several individual Psalms to learn how to study, pray, journal, meditate, and worship all through the Psalms. Teacher: Olan Stubbs. Team Leaders: Chappells, Duffees, McCrorys, Snoddys, Steelmans. CP & SP: Michael Wichlan.
Hearts and Homes
“Parables” • A-204
Families with children in college • The Parables of Jesus are some of the most profound, entertaining and mysterious passages in Scripture. Join with the Hearts and Homes Class this fall as we explore the gospel through them. Teacher: Mark Cushman. Team Leaders: Salmons, Sittons, Smedleys, Smithermans. CP: Bobby Parks. SP: Michael Wichlan.
“Timeless Truths” • FH-A
A class for all ages and stages in life • We will be studying timeless truths from God’s Word. Teachers: John Donaldson & Tim Townes. Team Leaders: Donaldsons, Towneses. CP: Jim Alexander. SP: Benny Youngblood.
“The Life of Joseph” • A-209
A class for all ages and stages in life • The life of Joseph is significant not only in Genesis but in the redemptive storyline of Scripture as a whole. His life demonstrates how God’s sovereignty and human responsibility intersect. It illustrates the power of the Gospel to overcome generational sin. And Joseph, as a type of Christ, shows us how God’s providence secures us God’s promises enabling us to try Him in every situation of life. Teacher: Jim Alexander. Team Leaders: Adamses, Blackmons, Goebels, Lindsays, Ross, Trettel, Woods. CP & SP: Dave Lewis.
ADULT FAMILIES
Abundant Life
“God and You” • G-101
Empty nesters and grandparents • We will study the attributes of God by using the None Like Him by Jen Wilkin and we will explore how we should respond to God’s character traits. Teacher: Larry Childs. Team Leaders: Cartwrights, Mullises, Reddicks, Yanceys. CP & SP: Dave Lewis.
“Seek the Lord and Live: Amos & Obediah”• Chapel
Empty nesters and grandparents • Amos and Obediah spoke frankly to their generation about God’s character and how we can be conformed to his image. Though often dismissed as prophets of doom, these prophets offered hope to people of faith in fearful times. Their honest messages will help us seek God – Father, Son and Spirit and find His ways for our lives. Teacher: Paul House. Team Leaders: Marjorie Birdsong, Al Black, Judy Black, Emily Blount, Roy Costner, Bill Fox, Joyce Ann Jackson, Lee McCarty, Alene Morgan, Bill Moulton, Pat Nabors, Bill Rudd, Barbara Ryals, Ed Stakes, Greg Wolchok, Woodalls. CP: Chuck Morgan. SP: Dave Matthews.
“Timeless Truths” • FH-E&F
Empty-nesters through great-grandparents • Join us as we discover timeless truths from God’s Word. Teacher: Bruce Stallings. Team Leaders: Dickinsons, Huffs, Morgans, Whaleys, Whitts. CP & SP: Dave Lewis.
Joyful Hearts
“Lessons from the Upper Room” • A-105
Empty-nesters through great-grandparents • What would you give to spend an evening with Jesus, hearing Him teach and listening to Him pray? That’s what we encounter in John 13-17. Christ shared his final hours with the disciples to prepare them for His death, quiet their troubled hearts, and intercede on their behalf before the Father. Discover His deepest desires for His people and take delight in the suffering Savior who has overcome the world. Teacher: Walter Leveille. Team Leaders: Hulls, Mujumdars, Shaws. CP & SP: Dave Matthews.
“I Peter: Becoming Living Stones” • FH-D
Empty-nesters and Grandparents • Peter starts off 1st Peter by addressing the book to Christians dispersed in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. The truth is that it is also directed toward Christians dispersed in Alabama, Texas, Wyoming, and any other place in this world. We are dispersed because our Kingdom, by the power of Jesus Christ is not of this world. Teachers: Dave Lewis & Tom Rivers. Team Leaders: McRaes, Zachows. SP & CP: Dave Lewis.
WOMEN
Women Impacting The World
“A Heart to Believe God” • A-205
Women of all walks and stages of life • The condition of one’s heart influences the health of the rest of the body. Just as our physical heart has valves, our spiritual heart works best when its valves are open and operating and working according to design. We often say one’s heart is hard or soft. We are going to examine our hearts this quarter. Teacher: Sue Lewis. Team Leaders: Donna Arrington, Tricia Corbett, Vicki Portis. CP & SP: Dave Lewis.
“James”• Bride’s Room
Women of all walks and stages of life • In the Bible we are introduced to different kinds of faith – great faith, weak faith, child-like faith, and steadfast faith. James will teach us how we can have steadfast faith in the midst of the trials, troubles, and suffering we may be experiencing in our everyday lives. James wrote this book to bring home and encouragement to the Jewish Christians scattered throughout the Roman Empire who were experiencing very challenging and even perilous times. This study will also be an encouragement to us as we are also living in challenging perilous times. Teachers: Bob & Von Welch. Team Leaders: Kathleen Bishop, Carolyn Campbell, Susan McCollum. CP: Chris Thompson. SP: Dave Matthews.
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
“Mark – Immediately!” 9:30–10:30 a.m. • E-218, School Library
English-speaking internationals • A quick trip through the Gospel of Mark, seeing key themes and getting to know our Great Savior. Teacher: Joel Richards. Team Leaders: Taylor Barnes, Entrekins, Kelsos, Ann Lindsey, David Morgan, Neills, Miriam Rueger. CP: Joel Richards. SP: Bryan Wintersteen.
Sundays, 1:30 p.m., G-101 & Zoom
CP: Pastor Kotaro Hamamatsu 205.776.5412
Sundays at 11:20 a.m., 2209 Rocky Ridge Rd.
CP: Sunghoon Shin
10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
5521 Double Oak Lane (off Highway 119), and Streaming
CP: Bryan Wintersteen
ABBREVIATIONS USED
CP: Community Pastor
Serves alongside a Shepherding Team to provide shepherding care, class leadership, and biblical training for a Sunday School Community.
SP: Shepherding Pastor
Serves as a Community Pastor in one or more Sunday School Communities. Coordinates the work of other CP’s within his group of Communities.
Building:
A: Administration
C: Children’s Wing
E: Educational Building
FH: Fellowship Hall
G: Gym Wing
Mtn. View: Mountain View Building
M: Ministry Wing
N: Nursery Wing
S: School Wing
W: Worship Center