Sunday Morning Adult Education at St. John the Divine

Week 2 of Prayer: Conversations with God explores corporate prayer and what it means to become a praying church. We look to Jesus’ own prayer life, consider revival rooted in repentance and humility, and name the marks of a Spirit-led community: fellowship, dependence on God, and mission. Join us as we ask the Holy Spirit to awaken our church for God’s purposes.

Prayer isn’t just a topic to study. It’s a relationship to live. In this opening session of Prayer: Conversations with God, we explore how prayer moves beyond rituals and techniques to become an encounter with the living God. Drawing on Scripture, story, and reflection, we’re invited to lay down our burdens, open our hearts, and imagine the “more” that God has prepared for us.

Members of St. John the Divine share stories from their recent mission trip to the Diocese of Kondoa in Tanzania. Hear firsthand accounts of vibrant worship in rural villages, the courage of first-generation Christians, and the joy of partnerships that cross cultures and continents. From ordinations and baptisms to sewing schools and church plants, discover how God is at work in Tanzania. See how this growing relationship is transforming lives on both sides of the globe.

Join members of St. John the Divine as they share heartfelt stories from their mission trips to Amistad in Bolivia. This isn’t a trip about building houses or digging wells. It’s about friendship, presence, and love. Hear how God’s Spirit was felt in orphanage “family homes,” in Bible studies with caregivers, and in simple moments of connection with children whose joy and resilience shine brightly. Learn about the deep, ongoing relationship between our church and Casa Monte Serra, and discover ways you can pray, give, or even join the next trip to be part of this life-changing mission.

In the final installment of “Our Favorite Heresies,” seminarian Karlie Keller explores what it means to be saved—by whom, from what, and for what. Through ancient heresies like Docetism, Pelagianism, and Quietism, Carly traces the boundaries of Christian belief to reveal the depth and beauty of salvation through Jesus Christ. Along the way, she unpacks major atonement paradigms and affirms the role of the Church, the work of the Holy Spirit, and our call to faithful, embodied discipleship.

In this talk, Dr. Kira Moolman Pettit explores ancient heresies about Jesus’s nature and why they still matter. With insight and humor, she unpacks what it means for Christ to be fully God and fully human, and why that truth offers both comfort and hope. Theology, she reminds us, isn’t just for the mind but speaks to our everyday lives.

What does it really mean for God to be Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three persons in one God? In this session of our “Favorite Heresies” series, we explore three major Trinitarian heresies: Adoptionism, Modalism, and Arianism, and why they matter for our faith today. We unpack how each distorts our understanding of who God is, why it’s essential to hold to the historic teaching of the Trinity, and how the Nicene Creed helps keep us grounded. Along the way, we look at everyday analogies, examine what Scripture says about God’s triune nature, and discover how knowing God as Trinity shapes our relationship with Him. Join us as we dive into the mystery of the Trinity and why it matters for your life.

What if the God of the Old Testament and the God of the New Testament aren’t the same? That question isn’t new—it’s at the heart of an ancient heresy called Marcionism, and it’s one many still wrestle with today. In this second week of our summer series on heresies, Kira Moolman Pettit explores why Christians have sometimes tried to cut the Bible in half, how the Church responded, and what we lose when we dismiss the Old Testament. Along the way, we’ll talk about how Scripture was formed, why it still matters today, and how God continues to speak—through the Bible, the world, and the community of faith. This isn’t just a history lesson. It’s about how we come to know who God really is.

Think heresies are ancient history? Think again. In this engaging and insightful talk, Dr. Kira Moolman Pettit kicks off a series on the “greatest hits” of Christian heresies—starting with Gnosticism. Why does it still matter? Because the idea that the material world is bad and secret knowledge will save you hasn’t exactly gone away. With humor, clarity, and depth, this session explores what’s at stake when we get creation, salvation, and God's identity wrong—and how these old errors can help point us back to the beauty of Christian orthodoxy.