Sunday School

iver Road offers a range of Sunday School classes for all ages to meet the varying needs of its members. Classes are held every Sunday from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m.

Several of the adult classes use a literature series called Formations, published by Smyth & Helwys, as a focus for discussion. Formations is designed to help adults study scripture within the context of the larger Christian tradition, finding relevant connections between their lives and the biblical message.

Other adult classes not using Formations literature plan subjects of study relevant to their needs and interests.

Christian Education Ministries Brochure (PDF document - You will need Adobe Acrobat or another PDF reader)

Sunday School Classes ( Expand All | Contract All )

• Preschool
  • Infants through kindergarten-aged preschoolers are cared for and taught by a teacher from the River Road Church Preschool Development Center, as well as volunteer teachers from the church membership. Our philosophy is to keep these young children safe and happy and to also begin early in laying spiritual foundations and helping them discover that church is a warm, nurturing place to be.
  • The curriculum, Exploring Faith, is designed to help preschoolers grow in faith through appropriate Bible thoughts and stories built around activity teaching. Experiential teaching in a safe environment with facilities and materials geared to developmental stages engage these preschoolers to begin to develop their own basic theology.
  • Preschoolers participate in learning experiences in the following groups:
    • Infants
    • Toddlers
    • Preschool 2—Two-year-olds
    • Preschool 3—Three-year-olds
    • Preschool 4 and 5—Four and Five-year-olds (pre-kindergarten)
    • Kindergarten—Five-year-olds (kindergarten)
• Elementary
  • Children in elementary grades meet for Sunday School by grade levels. Exploring Faith curriculum is used for grades one through five. This curriculum places the child in the center of the learning experience and provides Bible-based studies and uses educationally sound teaching methods. Our challenge in teaching children is to teach the truth of the gospel with methods that meet the developmental and spiritual needs of today’s children.
  • Children in grades 1-5 meet respectively in rooms 137, 135, 132, 134, and 136.
• Students (Grades 6-12)
  • Middle School Grades 6-8
    • Younger youth are starting the process of struggling with the many issues related to adolescence. They are beginning to feel a need for independence, to develop a sense of identity, to understand what faith and life are all about. The Sunday School literature is designed to help them find the intersection between their lives and the message of the Gospel.
    • They meet in the Middle School Lounge, room 176.
    • Sunday School Teachers
      • Mark & Paul Miller (September-November)
      • Deb & Bill Gray (December-February)
      • Rob & Jody Smart (March-May)
  • High School Grades 9-12
    • Older youth are questioning and searching for answers. They are struggling with life’s big questions: who they are, their place in the world, the meaning of life and the content of their faith. Their Sunday School literature helps them find answers to these questions as they are challenged to know the Bible and live out their faith.
    • They meet in the Senior High School Lounge, room 171.
    • Sunday School Teachers
      • Byron & Brantley Holmes (September- November)
      • Dr. Ed Pruden (December-February)
      • William & Eleanor Nurney (March-May)
• Adults
  • College
    • Is a group of college students studying the Formations Sunday School literature, relevant books, and other topics of interest in these important transition years of young adulthood. The class meets throughout the year. Class socials are held and mission projects are periodically undertaken.
    • The class meets in the Reception Room.
    • Members: College
  • Discovery
    • is an interactive, lively discussion group about faith and life in the “real world” as it pertains to young men and women. All class members participate in various leadership roles, including teaching; creating a weekly class newsletter; and organizing mission and social opportunities. Socials are held on a regular basis, and mission projects are undertaken periodically.
    • The class meets in room 145. Please email discoveryclass@gmail.com for more information.
    • Members: After college to ThirtySomething
  • Explorers Class
    • is a small group of seekers who attempt to discover how the significant journeys of contemporary Christians may be applicable to their own lives. The class discusses church history, in-depth topical biblical study, contemporary theology, and life issues. The topics are selected by class members and frequently involve supportive readings. Classes meet at a round table and operate in seminar style.
    • The class meets in room 250.
    • Members: All ages are welcome
  • Fellowship Class
    • is a group of retired men and women meeting to study the Bible using the Formations Sunday School literature. Four team teachers lead the group in a lecture/discussion format in a spiritual journey of good fellowship.
    • The class meets in room 232.
    • Members: Senior adult couples
  • Friendship Class
    • is composed of a group of caring, diverse, multi-talented individuals who support each other and extend their concern to others, such as Freedom House, CARITAS, and local mission programs. Under the teaching leadership of Connie Showalter, the class frequently uses the Formations literature, but also includes book reviews and topics of interest determined by class members.
    • The class meets in room 230.
    • Members: Adult men and women, 55+
  • Journey Class
    • is a group of single and married adults, ranging in age from the forties and beyond. The curriculum is planned by the program committee, with direction from the class. Topics include Bible study, social and economic issues, parenting, and other current topics. Discussion is led by class members or by outside speakers.
    • The class meets in room 102.
    • Members: Adult men and women, 40s+
  • Life Class
    • Life is a fellowship of couples of the range of forties and beyond who seek to discover Bible truths to help with practical matters in daily living. The class explores a variety of literature resources, book studies, video series and small group discussion material, all of which are biblically focused. The class is taught primarily by Scott Leake and Ken Lantz, with occasional guest teachers.
    • The class meets in room 104.
    • Parents of toddlers to empty nesters and Grandparents
  • Lydia Class
    • is a fellowship of senior adult women meeting to study the scriptures following the Formations Sunday School literature. With a leadership team of four teachers, the class seeks to relate the teaching of scripture to daily living. The class participates in several missions activities of the church throughout the year and especially in the following Christmas funds: Alden Aaroe Shoe Fund, Christmas Mother’s and Chaplain’s fund.
    • The class meets in room 228.
    • Members: Senior adult women (ages 55 - 90+)
  • Phoenix Class
    • is a group of single and adult couples ranging in age from fifties and beyond. The curriculum is planned by the program committee of the class. Topics included Bible study, social issues, religious history, etc. The program format varies and encourages discussion. Socials are held quarterly, and mission projects are undertaken periodically.
    • The class meets in room 143.
    • Members: Adult Men and Women, ages 50's - 60's
  • Robert Smart Class
    • is an energetic, inclusive class attended by young adults, many of whom have young children. Organized into five care groups to support classmates, the class holds monthly socials (both family and adult only) and engages in regular mission outreach work. The class uses Formations Sunday School literature, relevant books and videos as tools. Class time generally involves significant discussions.
    • The class meets in room 108.
    • Members: Men and Women in their 20's and 30's
  • Seekers Class
    • is a warm, welcoming group of adult men and women. Led by four teachers on a rotating basis, the class follows the Formations Sunday School literature series. Activities include quarterly parties and recreational socials. The class is taught in an informal, conversational style.
    • The class meets in room 106.
    • Members: Adult men and women, ages 30s-50s
  • Shepherd Bible Study
    • is an intergenerational group of adults involved in in-depth study of the Bible using various commentary sources. The studies are chosen by the class and proceed verse by verse for a deeper understanding of the scriptures. The class supports an ambitious local missions program and enjoys quarterly socials which reflect the collegiality of the class. The class is named in memory of Robert E. Shepherd, Jr who was the teacher for twenty-nine years.
    • The class meets in the Reception Room (off the Fellowship Hall).
    • Members: Men and women of all ages