About the Academy
The Academy at Park is a series of classes aimed at equipping followers of Christ to deepen their Christian resolve through communal study of God’s Word, with the aim of not only forming the mind to think theologically, but to shape our heart to worship Christ more fully, and to fuel the mission in order to win our city to Christ. The aim is to so equip the members of Park Community Church with a deep foundation in the Word of God so that they will be effective workers of the Gospel in our Church, in our homes, and in the various places we work and live in the city. It has been noted by many students of culture over the years that there has been a steady decline in Christian’s knowledge of God’s Word. Through the Academy, we aim to counter that drift, and to reset our gaze on God and His mission as study the Word together in community. There are a variety of classes that are offered each year, as well as a number of formats.
Classes in the Academy are intended to be rigorous enough to truly engage your mind and push you to new places of learning, while also not overwhelming our students with homework each week. Each class typically does have weekly readings that are expected to be completed before arrival at class, as well as regular simple assessment to gauge our student’s learning. Some classes will also involve short writings aimed at helping the student process the material they’re learning in class.
Three Ways to Engage
All of our classes are 8-10 weeks long and include reading from an assigned text, to be completed before attending class. During the class you will have both a lecture and a discussion on the topic of discussion.
In Person Classes
Our In-Person Classes are each 10 weeks longs in length, and are held on Wednesday evenings at our Park Near North location at 6:30-8:00pm. These classes run at the same time as our mid-week Youth programming, and also offer childcare while you participate. Classes will be divided into tables of roughly eight to ten participants who will function as a consistent group for weekly discussion and prayer.
As a Small Group
Small Groups at Park are a vital piece of the relational culture at our Church. A Small Group may choose to utilize the online lectures and provided discussion notes, to complete the class together as a group in their regular Small Group environment. We recognize that not all members of the group may want to commit to the full reading assignments and assessments. That’s okay. Those Small Group participants who want to complete the class for completion in the Academy can do so, while Small Group participants who simply desire to attend Small Group as usual and engage in the lectures and discussions can also do so. Please note: Not all classes currently have video lectures available for this Small Group format.
In a Peer to Peer Discipleship Group
Peer to Peer Discipleship Groups are groups of two to three individuals who want to commit to a 10 week investment in each other’s lives. Over the course of these 10 weeks, the discipleship group can go through one of our Academy classes. Every week, each peer will complete their reading and homework, and then during their time together watch the lecture and utilize the discussion questions and prayer guides for further reflection on the topic.
Cost
All of our classes, whether in person or taken virtually, are $35. Purchasing of required books is to be done separately from the cost of registration. Childcare is available for in-person classes for an additional $50.
Available Classes
See the Schedule for 2022/23 Classes here.
- The Bible: The Pentateuch & Historical Books
- The Bible: Wisdom Literature & Prophets
- The Bible: The New Testament
- Systematic Theology Part 1 (Live in Fall)
- Systematic Theology Part 2 (Live in Winter)
- Worldview & Apologetics (Live in Fall)
- Introduction to Urban Ministry (Live in Winter)
- How to Care for People Biblically (Live in Spring)
The Bible: The Pentateuch & Historical Books (10 Weeks)
This class is designed to to take students on an in depth dive through a significant part of the Old Testament. Specifically this class will look at Genesis through Esther. Each week we will engage with a different book of the Bible and provide instruction not only on the contents of the book, but also how each book fits into the larger storyline of Scripture. Further, we will learn how every book of Scripture points us emphatically to Jesus and the Gospel.
Available Formats: Virtual
Text Books: Encountering the Old Testament
The Bible: Wisdom Literature & Prophets (10 Weeks)
This class is designed to to take students on an in depth dive through a significant part of the Old Testament. Specifically this class will look at the Wisdom Literature (Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon), and Prophetic Books (Isaiah through Malachi). Each week we will engage with a different book of the Bible and provide instruction not only on the contents of the book, but also how each book fits into the larger storyline of Scripture. Further, we will learn how every book of Scripture points us emphatically to Jesus and the Gospel.
Available Formats: Virtual
Text Books: Encountering the Old Testament
The Bible: The New Testament (10 Weeks)
This class is designed to to take students on an in depth dive through the entire New Testament. Beginning with a study of the four gospels of the life of Jesus, and culminating in a robust discussion on the book of Revelation. Each week we will engage with a different book of the Bible and provide instruction not only on the contents of the book, but also how each book fits into the larger storyline of Scripture. Further, we will learn how every book of Scripture points us emphatically to Jesus and the Gospel.
Available Formats: Virtual
Text Books: Encountering the New Testament
Systematic Theology Part 1
Instructors: Variety of Instructors from Across Park
This class is designed to help the student dive deep into their understanding of core historic doctrines of the Christian faith. Rather than going book by book through the Scriptures (as in our Genesis to Revelation class), Systematic Theology looks at various themes and doctrines found across the many books of the Bible and attempts to form these theologies by piecing all the relevant verses and passages together into cohesive ideas.
Topics Covered in this Class Include: Intro to Systematic Theology, What is the Canon, Characteristics of Scripture, Existence & Knowability of God, Attributes of God, The Trinity, Providence, Man in the Image of God, Gender & Sexuality.
Dates: January 11-March 15 (see full schedule of 2022/23 classes)
Available Formats: In Person Class, As a Small Group, As a Discipleship Group
Text Books: Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology 2nd Edition
Systematic Theology Part 2
Instructors: Variety of Instructors from Across Park
This class is designed to help the student dive deep into their understanding of core historic doctrines of the Christian faith. Rather than going book by book through the Scriptures (as in our Bible Survey classes), Systematic Theology looks at various themes and doctrines found across the many books of the Bible and attempts to form these theologies by piecing all the relevant verses and passages together into cohesive ideas.
Topics Covered in this Class Include: The Person & Office of Christ, The Atonement, The Resurrection, Common Grace & Election, Regeneration & Conversion, Adoption & Sanctification, Death & Glorification, The Church, The Ordinances, Eschatology (End Times)
Dates: January 11-March 15 (see full schedule of 2022/23 classes)
Available Formats: In Person Class, As a Small Group, As a Discipleship Group
Text Books: Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology 2nd Edition
Worldview & Apologetics
Instructor: Pastor Raef Chenery
The term Apologetics simple means ‘to make a defense.’ In this class we will attempt to look provide holistic grounding for the validity of the Christian faith. We will study such topics as various approaches to apologetics (Presuppositional vs. Evidential), how various worldviews (Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, postmodernism, atheism, Agnosticism, etc.) attempt to answer the most basic questions of life, and why Christianity is not just one possible option among many potential paths to truth but is indeed the only possible path to truth. We’ll look at common difficult questions posed towards Christianity and discuss potential responses.
Dates: September 28-December 14 (see full 2022/23 schedule of live classes)
Available Formats: In Person Class
(Not yet available for Small Group or Discipleship Group formats)
Text Books: tbd
Introduction to Urban Ministry
Instructors: Pastor Jason Lalonde & Dr. Pflederer (Moody Theological Seminary)
In this class we will dig into God’s heart for the city. We’ll labor to develop a philosophy of ministry towards the city. We’ll study the book of Acts to see how God strategically uses cities as central hubs of Gospel work in order influence entire regions. We’ll then discuss some of the unique challenges to doing ministry in the city
Dates: January 11-March 15 (see full schedule of 2022/23 classes)
Available Formats: In Person Class
(Not yet available for Small Group or Discipleship Group formats)
Text Books: tbd
How to Care for People Biblically
Instructors: Pastor Dan Osborn & Other Care Leaders from Across Park
In this class we will practically dig into what it means to come alongside people who are suffering in a loving and Biblically holistic way. We’ll study a biblical theology of suffering, and how suffering is unique as a Christian. Then we’ll develop a series of tools to equip you as a Christian friend to practically walk alongside those as an encourager and Holy Spirit filled advocate to point people deeper towards Christ.
Dates: March 29-May 31 (see full schedule)
Available Formats: In Person Class
(Not yet available for Small Group or Discipleship Group formats)
Testimonies
Taking the Academy was the most amazing experience I ever had in my entire life. I would recommend it to everybody.
Johnny Tsunami
The Academy kicks butt and takes names. So rock solid. Everybody everywhere should be a part of this phenomenal program. Basically, it’s the best.
Scotty Pippen
If you don’t take the Academy, you’re basically saying that your a no fun ninny-muggins.
Elf