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Sunday School
First Free Will Baptist Church offers Sunday Studies classes to challenge and inspire you in your daily walk with Christ. Various times and age groups are offered to help meet your schedule, and to help place you in a comfortable setting of like minded believers.
Pictured standing is Mrs. Phyllis Hasting who is the Sunday School Superitendant and Linda Ragsdale serves as the Secretary. Both make ever effort to make the Sunday School effective.
Phyllis is a retired school teacher of 38 years and is married to Harold who owns Hastings' Unlimited in Farmington. They have two sons; Scott and Sean and have two grandsons. She has lived in Farmington 9 1/2 years and has been a member of the church during this entire period. She was saved in VBS. Phyllis can be found helping in all areas of the church. Besides administrating the Sunday School, singing in the choir, she is a respected soloist as she sings of God's love and wonder.
Linda has been attending this church since her birth. she is the oldest daughter of John and Jessie Hufford also of the church. She is a graduate of Farmington High School, Mineral Area College and Central Methodist University. She married Randy Ragsdale in 1977 who is the choir leader. She is currently the Branch Manager for Manpower and will be celebrating my 9th anniversary at Manpower in May.
She has worked in the bus ministry, taught Sunday School, been a choir member, sang with different singing groups, been treasurer of WAC, Youth Sponsor, and Bible School Worker. Linda has been the Sunday School Secretary for the last two years, and occasionally substitute teach.
Sunday School Classes begin at 9:00 a.m., but if you come early you won’t miss out on the fellowship.
SUNDAY SCHOOL/ BIBLE STUDY CLASSES AVAILABLE
Children’s Sunday School-
Each Sunday morning from 9 a.m. till 9:45 a.m. children learn about God’s Word on their own level of understanding in a variety of classes. The children are divided into the following age groups: ages 2-3, ages 4-5, kindergarten and first grade (Beginners), second and third grade (Primary), fourth and fifth grade (Juniors), sixth through eighth grade (Junior High) and ninth through twelfth grades (Senior High),
2 and 3 Year Old Class- The two and three year old class is designed to help the two years adjust from leaving the nursery, and they are soon ready to join along with the three year olds as we share the love of Jesus thru song time, story time, snack time and, of course, play time. It is wonderful to watch their involvement grow from week to week.
4 and 5 Year Old Class- All four and five year olds have a class to attend during Sunday School. We sing, do crafts and are encouraged to start bringing their bible to church. We invite you to come and join us for fun and learning the love of Jesus.
Beginners (kindergarten and first grade) – Each Sunday morning the children learn about God’s word through focusing on their grade level. We sing songs; do “exercises” for the Lord, and memorize Bible verses, (all lessons emphasis God’s word.) The children are rewarded for their efforts and are encouraged to share what they have learned with their parents. This year we are focusing on missions.
Primary (second and third grade) - Each class works very hard to learn God’s word and to apply the valuable lessons to their everyday lives.
Juniors (fourth and fifth grade) – The junior class meet together for a time of prayer request and announcements. After which, they go to their own class for their age appropriate bible study.
Junior High (sixth through eighth grade)- We use CLEAR literature from Randal House specifically developed and pertinent to reaching middle school students.
Senior High (ninth grade through twelfth)- The senior high class is specifically designed and developed in reaching this particular age group in learning to make Godly choices throughout the high school years.
ADULT BIBLE STUDY CLASSES
We have several adult bible study classes located throughout our church. Some are directed toward our senior citizens, others have assorted ages in them. We have a college and career class; as well as a singles class for those who have divorced and need support in starting over again. We also offer a young married class, geared toward newly married couples with school aged children.
NEW CONVERT CLASS
This is a class focused on teaching new Christians and others who desire the basics of God's Word. It is a transition time when we Christians are preparing to walk with the lord in their new life. It is a time of excouraging them to continue in their Study of God's word, prayer, and devotion to the Lord in their daily lives.
COLLEGE AND CAREER CLASS
We seek to know and delight in God as we study His Word. We want to experience Him in a real way. come and join us!
THREE CROSSES YOUNG ADULT CLASS (designed for single adults)- The primary goal is emphasized in the name of the class. Three crosses stood on the hill called Golgotha and formed the “cross” roads that all of us must face. The goal of this class is to keep our eyes fixed on the cross and what Christ did there. Young adults are dealing with tremendous pressure from the world to shift their focus. We want to empower them to stay true in their walk with the Lord. Many are staying single, focusing on college or a career. Some are facing the challenging task of raising a family as a single parent. Others are living with the loss of a partner through death or divorce. This class was specifically started to meet their needs.
CHALLENGER’S CLASS- For anyone looking for:Ages 50 to 100.--1. How to learn more about the Bible and our Lord. 2.How to delve into each verse and see what it really means.3. Fellowship and concern for each other.
DISCIPLES’ CLASS – For anyone looking for: 1.Fellowship and sometime refreshments in the class. 2. How to take one book of the Bible and really delve into it. 3. A way to voice your opinion and a class discussion. 4. Class activities such as Christmas parties, hayrides, wiener roasts, etc.
FELLOWSHIP CLASS – For anyone looking for in depth Bible study. This class participates in the spreading of the gospel through telephone contacts, personal visits and in the written word, i.e., cards of encouragement, get well and sympathy to serve as a testimony of the loving and caring attitude of this class.
Due to the fact, that ‘most’, but not all, of our contacts revolve around the ‘so called’ senior citizens, which oft times are confined to hospitals, nursing homes, or in home bound situations, our class growth attendance may not be as noticeable as some of our sister classes, nonetheless, we feel it provides a definite ‘plus’ to the overall outreach ministry of our church. Many of these contacts often enable us to come in contact with the younger relatives of the ‘very special’ and ‘sometimes forgotten’ people.
FIRST PLACE CLASS- For anyone wanting to overcome a weight problem by following God’s guidelines.This class is for anyone who wants to learn more about the Lord and to lose weight at the same time. You fellowship with others who have the same trials and goals in mind as you do and get encouragement to succeed from one another and the Lord. You also learn scriptures in the Bible to help you reach your goal.
GLEANERS’ CLASS –For anyone looking for a mixed aged group.This class is a mixed age group which serves to bring enlightenment to the lesson that is being discussed. We use the David C Cook materials in the class and feel that they provide great depth. If you are looking for a class that really studies the scriptures and delves into the background this is the class for you.
MESSENGERS’ CLASS - For anyone looking for an active couples setting. Food and fellowship are part of the attraction of this class along with studying the books of the Bible, one at a time. Good class discussion. We have Sunday school parties and become good friends with each other. Breakfasts and going out to eat together are part of this class’s way of getting to know each member. This class helps when members need prayer or encouragement. It is for all ages.
SEEKERS’ CLASS - For anyone who wants to focus on daily Christian living. The focus of this class is to make scriptural principals and teaching relevant to every day life. The goal is to edify and mature the believer by applying biblical truths to current problems. Emphasis is placed upon learning to place Christ first in our lives through close relationship with Him. Social, economic, political, and family situations are used to illustrate Godly concepts. This class is suitable for all adults of any age or knowledge level. We use written Sunday school material, group discussion and illustrations to enhance interest and understanding.
TRUTH SEEKERS CLASS- This class is made up of the young, middle aged and basically anyone who has a desire for growing in God’s knowledge and wisdom. We learn God’s word by applying it spiritually to our lives and helping others that have spiritual needs. Which helps us work through our own needs of everyday life.
Every person is treated equally, because God is not respector of persons and neither should we be. Our focus is on the living word of God. Our goal is to become more Christ centered, and to grow in strength and faith as Christians. We take an active part in reaching others, and showing compassion for others through our class projects, by expressing Christ’s love for each other in giving of ourselves, our monies, our time and our sacrifices.
YOUNG MARRIED CLASS - It is for young married couples, and married with school age children. They have a burden for those around us who aren’t involved in Sunday school and church. We also have a “Top 10 Wanted” list that consists of people we pray for and witness to. This list of people include unsaved, as well as those who have grown cold to God’s word. Our class is active in outreach to those who are absent, sick and those who are visitors to our class, as well as prospective members.
We try to have some type of social activity quarterly. Some feature fun for the whole family; other socials are for our adult members only, and we try to have baby sitters at the church for their children. Each Sunday morning class time is used to explore God’s word, and see how relevant it is to us in today’s world. Roger teaches the Bible study and tries to have more of a discussion class than a lecture.
Extension: Katy Hahn, director
Brookside Manor
Anna Dodson Nursing Home
Farmington Manor
L & J Nursing Home
South Brook Manor
St. Francois Manor
Community Manor
Video Ministry: Margaret Thomas
Van Ministries: Carl Seers
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