Category Archives: Current Schedule

Dr. John Coe: Spiritual Formation

Posted on by
Reply

Dr. John Coe

Dr. John Coe will be teaching a four week class on Spiritual Formation for the 2012 Winter Session of RHBI (Tuesday Evenings, 1/31 – 2/21, 6:30pm – 8:20pm). The class will cover topics including:

  • Resisting the Temptation of Moral Formation: Moving From Moral to Spiritual Formation
  • Why We Sin When We Know So Much: Healing the Hidden Heart by the Spirit
  • Drawing Near to God When God Seems Far Away: Practicing the Presence of God Despite Feelings
  • Going on with God in Dark Nights: Maturing the Saints by Spiritual Hunger and Love
  • How to Put on Christ: Doing Spiritual Disciplines from the Heart in the Spirit

We have a common experience of what some have called the “Sanctification Gap.” This is the disparity between what we know our lives should look like according to scripture and the frustrating realities of how we actually end up living out our lives. As believers, we embrace that we are justified by faith; but, we have a sneaking suspicion that we are sanctified by works. As a result we try harder and harder to overcome our failures and we become increasingly discouraged until many of us reach a stalemate with our struggles.

But why do we suppose that we are sanctified by our own efforts? Where does the grace of God fit in? How does my relationship with God nourish my soul, meeting the deepest needs of my heart that I would otherwise try to fulfill in fallen ways? These are important questions. Dallas Willard said it well when he observed that grace is opposed to earning, it’s not opposed to effort… but effort in our own strength leads only to failure and frustration. This class will help you develop a deeper understanding of what it means to live in a sanctifying relationship that brings us through our struggles by the loving grace of our Father.

Childcare is available, please make reservations by calling the church. The tuition for this class is $45,* but scholarships are readily available for those who are unable to pay the full tuition. Register early as we may be limited on seating for this class.

* Note: classes taught by visiting professors are normally $45 whereas regular RHBI classes are normally $35.

RHBI 2012 Winter Session Classes

Posted on by
2

Starting the week of January 31, RHBI will be offering the following classes (6:30pm – 8:20pm):

Tuesday*

  • Spiritual Formation: John Coe, Ph.D. (four weeks, concludes February 21, Room 290, Main Campus)

Wednesday

  • Hermeneutics: Sam Evans, M.Div. (Room 301, North Campus)
  • Heaven: Rob Orr, J.D. (Room 304, North Campus)

Thursday

  • Introduction to Genesis through Esther: Michael Cochrane, M.Div, M.A., M.S. (Room 304, North Campus)

All classes are eight weeks long beginning the week of January 31, unless otherwise noted. You can register at: www.RHBI.org/rsvp.

* Free childcare is available on Tuesday night classes. Please make reservations with our children’s program by calling the church.

Year of Spiritual Formation 2012: Dallas Willard, John Coe, Steve Porter, J.P. Moreland

Posted on by
6

The RHBI theme for 2012 is Spiritual Formation. What is Spiritual Formation? Bruce Demarest, in his book Satisfy Your Soul, sums up Spiritual Formation as:

“the shaping of our inner character and outer conduct, in cooperation with the work of the the Spirit, so that we are gradually being conformed to the likeness of Jesus Christ” (38).

The RHCC Discipleship Commission desires to create opportunities to help us connect the development of our minds with the development of our hearts (Rom 12:1-2). Singing to our Lord together is beautiful, but the totality of our lives (both individually and in community) are meant to be our act of living and worshipful sacrifice to our Lord.

To help kick off this year of Spiritual Formation, we’re bringing in three amazing speakers: Dr. Dallas Willard, Dr. John Coe, and Dr. Steve Porter.

Dr. Dallas Willard

Dr. Willard is an international lecturer and a professor in the School of Philosophy at the University of Southern California where he has taught since 1965. In addition to his academic publications and research, Dr. Willard has a heart for Christian formation which is reflected in his published books, some of which are: “The Divine Conspiracy: Rediscovering our Hidden Life in God,” “The Great Omission: Reclaiming Jesus’ Essential Teachings on Discipleship,” “Renovation of the Heart: Putting on the Character of Christ,” “Knowing Christ Today: Why We Can Trust Spiritual Knowledge,” and “Hearing God.”

Dr. Coe is Professor of Philosophy and Spiritual Theology at Talbot Theological Seminary where he also serves as the Director of the Institute for Spiritual Formation. He is currently working on a new book titled: “Making Sense of Our Spiritual Dark Nights: Ancient Wisdom for our Evangelical Journey.” In addition to being the RHBI guest preacher in the Canvas Worship services at Rolling Hills Covenant Church, Dr. Coe will teach a four week RHBI class on Spiritual Formation.

Dr. Steve Porter

Dr. Porter, a graduate of the University of Oxford, is Associate Professor of Philosophy and Theology at Talbot’s Institute for Spiritual Formation and Rosemead School of Psychology (Biola University). He has written numerous published articles in various philosophical and theological journals as well as his book “Restoring the Foundations of Epistemic Justification” (2006). Dr. Porter will be the RHBI guest preacher in the main worship services and the Gathering service at Rolling Hills Covenant Church.

Schedule of Events:

  • Dr. Steve Porter, guest preacher:
    • Main Worship Services:
      • Saturday, 1/21, 5:00pm, Worship Center
      • Sunday, 1/22, 8:00am & 9:30am, Worship Center
    • The Gathering:
      • Sunday, 1/22, 11:15am, Room 290
  • Dr. Dallas Willard, special free RHBI kickoff event
    • Tuesday, 1/24, 7:00pm, Worship Center. Childcare is available with reservation (see below)
  • Dr. John Coe, guest preacher
    • Canvas Worship Services
      • Sunday, 1/29, 9:30am, Room 290
      • Sunday, 1/29, 11:15am, Worship Center
Childcare is freely available during the Main Worship Services, the Gathering, and the Canvas Services, without reservation. Childcare will also be freely available with reservations during the special Dallas Willard RHBI kickoff event on January 24th (call 310.519.9406 for childcare reservations).

 

Dr. J.P. Moreland

Dr. J.P. Moreland will be kicking off our Spring Session in April as well as teaching a four week class on the Kingdom Triangle. We’re also working hard to book a great speaker for the fall session in September. We have some exciting options, but nothing solidified yet. Stay tuned to this blog for upcoming details!

As always, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call me at the church!

You can register/RSVP by visiting www.RHBI.org/rsvp.

Blessings! – jp