Opportunities for Adult Bible Study

Sundays at 9:45 AM

Greene Circle

Engages Scripture through focus passages as outlined in the Formations curriculum. Two teachers alternate teaching four-to-five-week units by engaging the participants in an examination of the intersection of their lives with the text through the resources of a study guide and Sunday morning lecture and conversation.

Gene Stewart

I am one of two teachers of a combined senior adult class. I was married at Third on June 26, 1971. My wife, Karen has been a member at Third since childhood. Once we had children who we wanted to be brought up in church, I had a strong urge to join Third. I had been confirmed at age 13 at St. Matthew United Church of Christ (formerly Evangelical and Reformed). I owe my strong belief in God to my mother. I witnessed the joy in her heart and her devout faith. After teaching in the St. Louis Public Schools for 34 years, I feel I have been called to teach in a much different setting…with the seniors at Third Baptist Church.

Heshbone

An open-age discussion group with rotational teaching alternating between an in-depth study of a book of the Bible or meaningful Christian literature. Meets in the Old Library on the Ground Floor.

The Heshbone Sunday morning class does not have a regular teacher, nor do we alternate teachers as some classes do. Rather, we are truly a discussion class with each member or visitor contributing as much or as little as she or he desires. Generally, we study one book from the Old Testament, one from the New Testament, and a book outside the Bible dealing with a topic of mutual interest. Class members are of varying ages and professions.

New Horizons

The New Horizon Class started in 1986. Sally Stevenson is the current teacher who encourages open discussion using the Formations Adult Bible Study literature as our base. We meet at 9:30 am in room 8 on the ground floor. All are welcome. We would love to have you join us.

Sally Stevenson

I have been attending Third Baptist Church with my parents since I was born and became a church member at 10 years of age.  After graduating from Southwest High School, I attended the Deaconess School of Nursing and practiced clinical nursing for 40 years. Upon retirement, I was offered the position of parish nurse here at Third, and I continue to serve in that position today.

Open Door

The diversity of our class reflects that of our community and our church – all are welcome; all participate.  Utilizing Formations Adult Bible Study materials (Smyth & Helwys Publishing), we draw out the “group knowledge” of our membership as together we read scripture, reflect on our readings, pray, and take home with us the lessons gained by our conversations.  We meet in the Ewing Chapel, first floor, off the hallway behind the Sanctuary.  But also, for those unable to attend on any particular Sunday, class members frequently participate in our Bible study via conference call.

Richard Stevenson

A life-long member and son of parents who met and married here, I was baptized at Third Baptist Church in the 1950s.  A graduate of Washington University in St. Louis, I served four years with the U.S. Peace Corps in South Korea where I met my future wife.  We married at TBC and raised our two children here.  I am now retired from my 42-year career with several not-for-profit organizations.  Facilitating adult bible study with our Open Door Class since 2013, class membership has taught me much more than I could possibly ever teach them.

Prayer Partners

A loving and supportive community of differently-abled people from all walks of life. We share laughter and sorrows in a lively discussion format. We believe in the power of prayer and spend the first part of class in prayer and thanksgiving. Additionally, we take on three ministry projects as a class.

Wayfarers

Wayfarers is new, different, and experimental. It is a Zoom gathering with no geographical boundaries because God has no boundaries. Participants sign in from all over. The purpose of this Zoom is to pray for each other, to discuss among ourselves, to reflect on our understanding and work of God, and to fellowship together, using Scripture as our foundation. We are open to God's leadership and the nudgings we individually come to sense. We are on a journey. We are unfinished products of God's grace. We are Wayfarers. 

Dawn and Steve Phillips

Having been pastor's wife and pastor for decades, we now serve the Lord and the church in lay capacities. Members of Third Baptist from 2018-2021, when we moved to Indianapolis, we returned to the Third Baptist fold while physically remaining in Indianapolis. We believe in the mission, the diversity, and the community that is Third Baptist and are delighted to serve as co-leaders of Wayfarers. We consider ourselves pilgrims on this spiritual journey and are grateful to share the experience with others, far and wide. 

Windows

An intergenerational group led by Dr. Tommy Simons and Jerry Bryan. The class is informal and discussion-oriented. Ages range from singles, and couples to college/career. The class meets at 10am in the Pastor’s Office on the second floor.

Dr. Tommy Simons

I spend my days serving a wonderful family of faith in Saint Louis. Third is the type of community, if I were not serving as Pastor, we would join as members: we love the fellowship, location, worship style, diversity, and service culture of Third Baptist. I attempt to father two boys—Carson and Colton. My boys have taught me about grace, patience, and the utter futility of parenting guides. I am graced with Caren—a gift from God and eharmony. I am amazed at her ability to juggle life, children, home, and deciding to marry someone in the ministry. I am a native Houstonian and continue to follow my Astros (resisting the urge to convert to Cardinalnation), Rockets, and Texans.

Jerry Bryan

As a former journalist, I’m now a news junkie who tracks issues, politics, and sports. Since I don’t golf or garden, I don’t retire. But after media, government, and corporate careers I’m now a technology wannabe as partner in a small firm serving clients from local to global. At church our pastor leads the Windows class with me as an additional discussion leader; I don't claim any expertise on the Bible or theology, but can find a provocative topic for class discussion.