Christian Formation
“A love of learning has a lot to do with learning we are loved.”
-Mr. Rogers
We believe that by coming to know Christ better, we learn how to live out our faith in the world. Christian Formation is a means of study, learning, growing, and discovering. Whether you grew up in Sunday School classes or have never been before; no matter your age; regardless of your knowledge, there is a place at SGPC for you to grow and mature as a follower of Christ. At Shady Grove, we are formed by God’s word and nurtured by God’s people so that our ministry in the world models God’s kingdom of heaven.
Adult Formation
Adult Formation offerings welcome college students and older. While a Sunday morning class remains consistent, other opportunities for Adult Christian Formation vary by season.
The weekly adult Sunday morning class is based on the scripture that will be preached in the day’s worship service.
Additional fall and winter Sunday morning classes center on themes, topics, ministries of the church, and what it means to be Presbyterian
Presbyterian Women of all ages gather monthly from September through May to study Scripture-based curriculum studied by Presbyterian women throughout the United States.
During the Advent and Lenten seasons, a weekday book study offers conversation and an intentional focus on what it means to prepare for the birth of Christ (Advent) and to walk Christ’s journey to Easter (Lent).
Knowing that spiritual formation happens in mind, body, and spirit, Shady Grove offers yoga, tai chi, and mindfulness opportunities for the church and larger community
Youth Group
SGPC’s Youth Formation for 5th through 12th grades begins with Sunday morning breakfast then meets during worship service after the children’s chat to discuss issues important to them including inclusion, Christianity, politics and community service. Each Sunday morning youth meet for breakfast and Bible study, where they are encouraged to ask hard questions and to discuss faith in the context of their world.The group also meets once a month outside of the church hour for fun and fellowship, including Grizzlies and Redbirds games, laser tag, escape rooms, and much more.
Children’s Formation
Children’s Formation at SGPC offers children, ages four through ten, opportunities to be part of worship leadership by serving as acolytes and to grow in faith in creative and faithful ways. The children’s Sunday morning Godly Play class begins after the children’s chat portion of our Sunday worship service. The children go to our Sunday school room and participate in a Godly Play lesson.
What is Godly Play?
Children have an innate sense of the presence of God. The Godly Play approach helps them to explore their faith through story, to gain religious language and to enhance their spiritual experience through wonder and play. Based on Montessori principles and developed using a spiral curriculum, the Godly Play method serves children through early, middle and late childhood and beyond.
Godly Play is a creative, imaginative approach to Christian formation and spiritual guidance.
Godly Play has a Montessori foundation with 40+ years of research and practice.
Godly Play values process, openness, discovery, community and relationships.
Godly Play models the worship life, stories, symbols and rituals of Christian congregations.
Godly Play allows practitioners to make relevant and personal theological meaning.
Godly Play nurtures participants to larger dimensions of belief and faith through wondering and play.
After our lesson, the children return to the worship service so they may take part in communion. Come join us!
