Foundation Seminars
These growth groups are short-term, content-driven courses designed to help you grow in a particular area of interest or need. Our vision for Foundation Seminars is to help adults acquire a comprehensive Christian education resulting in spiritual growth and service to God and others.
Build a Strong Foundation
These seminars help us comprehend the subtle intricacies and overarching truths of our God and the theology, ministry and history He has authored. Foundation Seminars are styled as lectures and discussion, with occasional reading assignments outside of class. Most classes require registration. See below for more details.
Marriage & Family
Enhancing Your Marriage & Family Life
Parenting Adult Children | Coming April 2026
Registration Coming Soon!
Dates/Time: April 18
Location: TBA
Leadership: Lucy and Dave Burggraff
The times are changing, and the perception of adulthood is changing. The result: today, kids and parents are at a loss to define when kids officially become adults. Among the many changes during the last forty years, none has affected parents more than the not-so-empty nest. Other issues parents wrestle with involve the many interrelationships as the family grows. This one-day seminar will address four key areas, and the issues parents face today: empty nesters, un-empty nests, becoming in-laws, grandparenting. Class is led by Dave and Lucy Burggraff. Registration opens February 2026.
— 2 Peter 3:18
Personal Discipleship
Growing in the Christian Faith
Growing in Grace | Coming in January!
Now Registering!
Date/Time: Starts January 11, 11:10 am
Location: FC201
Leader: Andy Burggraff
It is critical in today’s culture that believers resemble true followers of Christ in both words and deeds. Growing in Grace is a 16-week discipleship class that helps believers know what they believe, why they believe it, and how to defend it in a secular society. Whether you are a new believer or have been saved for many years, this class will strengthen your knowledge and application of Scripture as you serve Jesus Christ.
We will address topics like:
• How to know that you are truly saved and have eternal life.
• How to have victory over the sins that you are facing.
• How to study the Bible to mine its deep truths for your life.
• How to have an effective prayer life.
• How to share your faith with others who are lost.
About the Class Leader: Dr. Burggraff has decades of experience in the area of discipleship and serves as the Assistant Professor of Christian Education at Shepherds Seminary. He has served in various pastoral and educational capacities for the last 15 years and wrote his Doctor of Education dissertation on the topic of discipleship in the early church.
StoryLine of the Bible: God's Heart & Hand in All of History, Part 2 | Sundays, 5-6:30 pm
Begins January 11 — Now Registering!
Location: FC201
Leader: Doug Bookman
How do we understand the heart and hand of God across the scope of human history? There are lots of ideas, often crippled by faulty theological presuppositions and flawed hermeneutics. But what if we let the Bible tell its own story. That will be our focus for this pilgrimage from Genesis to Revelation. Even if you didn’t attend Part 1, you’re welcome to sign up for this class! Cost is free, but registration required.
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About the Class Leader: Doug Bookman, who teaches on the life of Christ at Shepherd’s Theological Seminary, will teach this 10-week foundation seminar. The class will begin on January 11 and will meet from 5:00-6:30 pm on Sunday evenings. You won’t want to miss this!
Biblical Principles of Finance | Starts March 8, 2026
Registration Coming Soon!
Location: FC203
Leadership: Bryan Dearolf
Find contentment and confidence in your finances. Join us for this four-week study to help you apply timeless biblical principles to everyday money decisions. This Foundation Seminar will meet at 11:10 am on Sundays in FC203 starting March 8, 2026. Registration opens in February. Cost is free, but registration is required.
Foundations of the Faith | 11:10 am
Location: FC207 – Ongoing class you can join anytime.
Leader: Ron Scarborough
Foundations of The Faith is a six-week topical study for new Christians who want to understand the core beliefs of the Christian faith and learn how Christians strengthen their faith. This class will also help those who are curious about Christianity and want to know what Christians believe.
You’ll examine topics such as:
- What is eternal life?
- Can I know for certain that God has saved me?
- Is the Bible really true, and must I obey it?
- How can I grow in my faith and become more like Jesus?