“Providing intentional opportunities for all to grow in discipleship.”

 

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION FOR ALL AGES

Means of Discipleship at Asbury UMC:

  1. Expanding Biblical Understanding

  2. Promoting Empathetic Conversation

  3. Fostering Intergenerational Connection

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Faith formation for all ages is a vital part of Asbury’s ministry. For children and youth, we provide programming that will help them grow in their knowing and understanding of the sacred stories and practices of our faith. Youth explore these understandings and apply them to their lives and the world around them. Adults, too, are on their own personal faith journeys and come with many and varied experiences and questions. Asbury UMC offers a variety of adult Sunday school classes and small group studies to meet people where they are and to help everyone further their knowledge of God, of faith, of love, and of our responsibilities to God’s creation and to each other.

Sunday School Classes

classes start at 9:30 am each week

Godly Play | Grades Pre-K to 5

Through Godly Play, children hear the sacred Bible stories and experience the practices of our faith in new ways, leading to deeper and more personal understandings. The Godly Play stories are told by a storyteller who uses a variety of manipulatives to make the story come more alive. Each story concludes with several “I wonder…” questions that encourage deep thought about the meaning of the story. Godly Play is for children, and for youth and adults, as well.

Each Sunday, a new Godly Play story is shared, followed by a time to engage the text in a variety of ways.

Middle School Sunday School Class | Grades 6-8

Middle school is a time of big questions—the Middle School Sunday School Class gives 6th through 8th grade students the tools and a space for discovering answers. In this class, students explore what Christians believe about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the church. Together we’ll talk about who God is, what it means to follow Jesus, and how our faith makes a difference in daily life. We’ll connect ancient words of faith to our own experiences, helping students build a strong foundation for a lifelong journey with Christ. This class meets in the “Upper Room” (on the Great Room Balcony).

High School Sunday School Class | Grades 9-12

High school is a season of discovering who you are and what you believe. The High School Sunday School class guides students along their journeys to understanding centuries-old Christian scriptures and traditions, while discovering tools to deepen and personalize their faith. Together, we’ll explore questions about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the Church, forgiveness, and hope. We’ll wrestle honestly with doubts, dive into Wesleyan theology of grace and discipleship, and learn how to make faith our own. This class helps students not just to know what it means to follow Jesus, but to learn how to live a life of Christian discipleship.

Spiritual Journey | Adults of All Ages

The Spiritual Journey Class offers book studies on the Bible or biblical topics, led by various adults in the class. Each study lasts between 4 to 6 weeks. The group decides the book they wish to cover together, then read them outside of class to prepare for Sunday conversations. This group meets in the church library.

The Class with No Name | Adults of All Ages

The Class with No Name meets for casual conversation about the scripture(s) for the day, allowing participants to reflect upon the text for each Sunday intentionally, expanding their understanding during worship and beyond. The group meets in the McCoy room, which is upstairs, above the Education wing.

Small Groups & Seasonal Classes

Young Adult Ministries

The Asbury Young Adult group will meet bi-monthly for “Dinners and Devotionals.” All young adults in the community are invited for a meal, games, discussion on topics of faith, and to find a community amongst peers who desire to support one another through all the ups and downs of young adulthood. The group will meet at the Andrew’s House, located at 39 W Winter Street, Delaware, OH 43015.

Advent and Lent Groups

Each year, during the seasons of Advent (the four weeks leading up to Christmas) and Lent (the six weeks leading up to Easter), Asbury UMC Christian Education hosts additional Bible study groups that help participants to connect more deeply with one another and with their spiritual lives during the most formative seasons in the Christian Calendar. During these studies, participants will grow in understanding of what the seasons are about and how some of Christianity’s longest-standing traditions were developed, while also finding fellowship and accountability with one another to seek deeper communion with the Divine.

Roots and Fruits of Faith

The Roots and Fruits of Faith class takes place roughly twice per year. It is especially encouraged for those who have recently embarked on their faith journey or those who have a desire to reexamine their faith by discussing the foundations of Christianity and Methodist thought. Whether you’re brand new to our church family or you’ve been here for years, the Roots and Fruits of Faith class is a chance to grow deeper together. Over four weeks, we’ll explore the grounding beliefs of Christianity and Methodism, learn how to read and use the Bible with confidence, understand the sacraments and develop practices for a vibrant spiritual life, and discover the Methodist tradition of mission to the world. This class is a great way for newcomers to get connected and for longtime members to refresh and renew their faith.
The next session of Roots and Fruits will take place on the 4 Sundays between October 12, 2025 - November 2, 2025 after worship. Contact our Director of Christian Education to sign up or to inquire about more information.

Youth Confirmation Classes

Youth Confirmation Classes take place every odd year for those entering 7th grade through 12th grade. The year-long journey will take confirmands through the process of becoming members of the United Methodist Church. The process includes: learning about and building an understanding of Christian beliefs, developing a deeper appreciation for the sacraments, and collecting tools for a life of Christian discipleship. Ultimately, students will decide whether they would like to be confirmed as members of Asbury UMC and the United Methodist Church at Large; on the day of Confirmation, confirmands will have the opportunity to publicly affirm their baptismal vows and rededicate themselves to the Church and to God.

2025 Confirmation Classes will begin on September 14, 2025 at 6:30 PM.