CLASSES

Here at Sideris we have and introduction to Christianity course called ALPHA and then we offer FOUR core foundations classes that we hope everyone in our community can work through as they being to get connected here at Sideris. While these classes are designed with some order in mind, many people find themselves completing them in a random order… and that is okay! We pray each class brings clarity and understanding of the Gospel of God’s grace in Jesus Christ and its many implications for living life to the full.

ALPHA Course

“Alpha” is an introduction to Christianity course run all over the world. Often people start with Alpha before even attending Sideris or any of the core four foundation classes listed below. Alpha is a great place to start for many people who are brand new to Christianity or are coming back to reconsider the Christian faith after a long season away. To learn more about Alpha and to sign-up, click here.

Topics discussed at Alpha include:

“Is there more to Life than this?” (is the natural world all there is?)
“Who is Jesus?” (what is the source of life, truth, beauty?)
“Why Did Jesus die?” (is moral guilt a social construct or real?)
“How can I have faith?” (who or what is worth trusting?)
“Why & how can I pray?” (is anyone really listening and do they care?)
“Why & how do I read the Bible?” (revelation and the discovery of truth)
“How Does God guide us?” (is there a right way to go and how would you know?)
“Who is the Holy Spirit?” (can you really experience God in this world?)
“How Can I resist Evil?” (when we encounter evil in the world, what do we do?)
“What about the church?” (how come religion is so messy?)

CORE #1 — Newcomers Class (“Newcomers Lunch”)

This class is for those newer to Sideris and gives you an introduction to what our community is about and how to get plugged into gospel life and the rhythms oof community. You will get to here about our beginnings and the unique VISION God has give to us that we pursue together as the local church.

Topics discussed:

Why do we think Seattle could use more churches?
What makes the word “Consider” so important around here?
Why did we name the church “Sideris” and what does it actually mean?
What are the first steps of getting connected and why connection is key?
How can begin to serve together in the city?

CORE #2 — The Gospel Class

What actually was the original “good news” message of Jesus and has the church lost it or maintained it? We think the most important question any visitor can ask of the church they attend is this: “What do you mean when you say: “the gospel”? We believe that many church and or denominations have lost the heart of the original gospel and so we want to very clearly and thorough introduce to you what we mean when we use that word in community. Hopefully this class brings clarity and excitement to you as you move forward with life at Sideris. !

Questions we will discuss:

What “the gospel” is NOT?
What category of knowledge the gospel actually is?
How do the historical events of Jesus life, death, and resurrection relate to the whole Bible?
What is the gospel “proper” versus gospel “implications”?
Why does this true story of God’s grace change the real world?
Why improper understandings of “the gospel” harm individuals & communities?

CORE #3 — The 14 Principles Class/Trivia Night

In this class, you will learn about the 14 principles that guide our culture and community here at Sideris. We will tie each principle to God’s Word by searching the New Testament for an expression of these gospel principles in action. We do this is a fun “team-trivia-style” format to discover how our posture and dispositions towards one another can and should be fueled by Jesus’ example. We will consider how these 14 principles help us live out the gospel in everyday life.

Topics discussed:

What is the most important consideration of all?
Why is it important to ask what Jesus would do now?
What is the point of following Jesus in real terms?
How does our atmosphere affect our witness?

CORE #4 — Family Membership Class

Once you have spent some time here at Sideris, the next logical step for most is to consider what it means to be a member in a local church “Family.” This class exists to help you consider this question and we will explain the theological, biblical, and spiritual realities that underlay the idea of church membership. “Is this still important in our day and age?” … “Can I have the same experience of church without this step?”

While exploring the Biblical ideas of family “membership” in a local church and arguing for the continued value of this as part of the Christian life; we will also explore how the biblical notion differs from other forms of membership or belonging we commonly experience in our world.