We believe that doctrine is for life transformation. We desire to equip our church to know the Bible, to know the Bible’s world-and-life view, and to invest the gospel in the lives of others. Through our Adult Christian Education (ACE) classes, we seek to mature in Christ-likeness, being able to navigate the complexities of life with knowledge, wisdom, and grace.

ACE classes are offered throughout the year; classes are categorized by the Wheel Illustration created by Dawson Trotman, a simple but powerful diagram for how to grow in the Christian life. Explore current class offerings and come take part!

Staff Contact

Terence Little
Lead Pastor for Ministries
[email protected]

Current Classes:

Bridging the Testaments Part 2

MAY 31-june 21 | Sanctuary | 10:15am

Why did the Jerusalem walls need rebuilding? Where did the synagogue come from, and who were the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes? What is the origin of the Septuagint, and who were the Maccabees? The aim of this course in answering questions like these is to help us bridge the over 400-year gap between the Testaments and better understand cultural, theological, and scriptural development from the Old Testament, into the world of Jesus, and the New Testament.

Abiding in Christ: John 15

may 31-June 21 | fellowship Hall | 10:15am

In a world full of competing promises and false sources of meaning, Jesus cuts through the noise with a simple but profound invitation: “abide in me”. Drawing from John 15 and the rich imagery of the vine and branches, this class explores how Christ alone is the true source of life, and what it looks like to remain deeply connected to him. Together we’ll examine the fruitfulness that flows from genuine abiding, and why the painful process of pruning is not a sign of abandonment — but of the Father’s faithful love shaping us for greater growth.

Upcoming Classes:

Summer Lectures

JUNE 28–JULY 26 | Meets in the Sanctuary & Fellowship Hall | 10:15am

Join us for four Sundays for lectures on various topics such as Christian World-and-Life View, Christians in the Workplace, and Mission in the DC Metro Area.

  • June 28:
    • Men’s Lecture (Sanctuary) | Pastor Ryan on Act Like Men: Reflections on Being a Godly Man.
    • Women’s Lecture (Fellowship Hall) | Stephanie DiMaria on The Necessity of the Bible in the Lives of Christian Women in the DC Metro Area.
  • July 5: NO Discipleship Hour classes due to holiday weekend; Women’s Summer Connect: Growing in Prayer begins (McLean Room).
  • July 12–26: ACE Lectures (Sanctuary & Fellowship Hall), Women’s Summer Connect: Growing in Prayer (McLean Room).

ACE Growth Paths

As a supplementary framework to Trotman’s Wheel Illustration, we have identified six primary areas to focus on in our Adult Christian Education curriculum. We call these areas Growth Paths because they give disciples the tools they need for growing in Christian faith and maturity. All of our courses fit into one of these Growth Paths and have specific goals to achieve our overarching main goal.

The Bible is the primary way God reveals his character, will, and actions in history to his people. It is a complex book comprised of sixty-six distinct works, spanning several genres, written by dozens of authors over more than a thousand years. Our Bible courses aim to make the Bible more accessible and more precious to believers.

Courses include:

  • Doctrine of Scripture
  • How to Study the Bible
  • Old Testament Survey
  • New Testament Survey
  • Books of the Bible

Theology develops out of a close reading of the Bible. It organizes the facts of Scripture into logical categories to make the faith as clear and easy to apply as possible. Our Theology courses aim to equip people with language and concepts that help bring biblical truths to bear on every facet of their lives.

Courses include:

  • Creeds and Confessions
  • Covenant Theology
  • Doctrine of God / Doctrine of Creation
  • Christology / Soteriology / Eschatology
  • Ecclesiology

Throughout the whole of the Bible, across every book and chapter, God weaves together a single story of who he is and what he is doing to redeem his people. Biblical theology focuses in on individual themes throughout Scripture, like individual threads in the single story God is weaving. Our Redemptive History and Biblical Theology courses aim to chart out that grand story and closely examine primary themes throughout it.

Courses include:

  • Redemptive History (Biblical Theology) Introduction
  • Kingdom
  • Temple
  • Other themes

Coming to faith in Jesus comes with radical changes in how one lives. As our church likes to say, grace changes everything. Christ teaches that the two defining markers of a genuine faith are love of God and love of neighbor. Our Ethics courses aim to teach how Christian love plays out in real life.

Courses include:

  • Ethics Introduction and Survey
  • Biblical Ethics
  • Christian Ethics

Just as Scripture tells one grand, overarching story, each individual tells their own grand story to account for life’s big questions—questions like, “What is the meaning of life?” or “Why is there evil in the world?” This personal grand narrative is called a world-and-life view. Every person finds answers to these questions in their upbringing, culture, education, and many other factors. Our Christian World-and-Life View courses aim to ask those big questions, work out what answers we’ve come up with, and explore how our answers compare with a Christian world-and-life view.

Courses include:

  • Biblical Metanarrative (CFRR)
  • History of Christianity
  • Christianity and Culture
  • Mission – Local and Global
  • Apologetics
  • Current events / hot topics

Some specific topics outside of the five set growth paths are worth special attention. Our Elective courses aim to address particular needs and produce well-rounded disciples who are equipped to face the full complexity of life.

Courses include:

  • Preparation for Leadership and Service
  • Lay Counseling
  • Spiritual Disciplines
  • Parenting
  • Conversations in Worship
  • Stewardship and Budgeting
  • Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands
  • Evangelism
  • What does it mean to be Presbyterian?
  • How People Change
  • Other