Sunday Morning
Christian Education
Week Day
Bible Studies
Ongoing Ministries
and Activities
Adult Education Hour
Adult Christian Education opportunities at Great Valley Presbyterian Church aim to:
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Empower disciples to hunger for the truth found in God’s Word and to obey its teachings.
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Engage all people in the process of becoming more Christ-like.
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Equip followers of Jesus to serve the Kingdom both in the church and in the community.
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Enrich relationships within our body of Christ as we study, fellowship, and grow together.
To accomplish this goal, we provide Sunday morning classes that follow a Bible Track (touching on the whole counsel of God) and a Discipleship Track (allowing for teaching and training in application of Scripture).
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. —2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)
Bible Track
Ephesians 4ff: Finding Joy in Living According to Design
Led by Rev. Bob Scott
This class will be a study in Ephesians starting in chapter 4.
In the first half of Ephesians Paul writes about the mind-boggling spiritual blessings enjoyed by those “God chose to be united to Christ from before the creation of the world,” i.e., to Christians! We also read about God's previously hidden plan “to use the church to display his wisdom in all its rich variety to the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places!”
In the 2nd half of Ephesians the Holy Spirit, working through Paul, helps us understand how to “live worthy of the calling to which we have been called.” In other words, how do I live worthy as one God has so blessed and chosen to be his own? Or we might ask, united in Christ, how then should I live under the sun? You're welcome to join us as we seek to “live as children of light” and “making the most of every opportunity” to pursue joy by living according to design!
Discipleship Track
A Relationship "With" God
Led by Jim Shackleton
This is an elective for those who attend church regularly. Why is this introduction prefaced in this way? Because…
All people inside the church face the challenge of the human condition (Genesis 3…we live with/in our sinful nature, and Galatians 5:17…the Holy Spirit leads our fight against this sin nature). Churchgoers face this unique challenge every day, and this elective will clarify and expose the mindsets and the motivations behind them. The desire is that you will learn about yourself, and this awareness will give you plenty to consider as you sojourn with our loving Lord.
Using teaching from Scripture and two books in particular, With by Skye Jethani and Jesus the King by Tim Keller, we will look at the human condition of healthy and unhealthy mental and spiritual postures before our Lord, and how they have resulted in church joy… and church struggle, both recently and historically. As I’ve prepared this material, I (Jim Shack) have found this to be an incredibly insightful and helpful look into my own heart, and the grace of God.
This elective will have similarities to an elective taught last Spring, Reconsidering Our Relationship with Christ, while also including new material for those wishing for more in this area of personal understanding and growth.
Options for Life Group
Bible Study
Interested in Studying the Bible?
There are a number of small groups studying Scripture. Some groups meet during the day and others at night. Many, but not all, gather weekly. The groups listed below meet at the church; others meet in local homes.
Men's Group:
Tuesdays at 6am (young professionals)
Tuesdays at 12:30pm
Thursdays at 7am
Women's Groups:
Tuesdays at 10:30am (Zoom available)
Thursdays (except the first Thursday of the month) at 9:15am
Thursdays at 7:30pm (young women)
For more information and additional groups, see the current Life Groups list or contact Paul Reader.
Opportunities for Prayer
and Fellowship
Great Valley Prayer
Saturdays at 9 AM in the sanctuary
Come any Saturday you like - there is no weekly commitment needed to attend. We spend a little more than a half hour in corporate prayer and we would be encouraged by having you join us.
Cottage Prayer meeting
The second Wednesday each month, beginning at 7:00PM, folks gather for prayer. A time of sharing blessings and needs is followed by a reading from the Bible, then prayer. The evening concludes with fellowship over dessert. The meeting is held in homes on a rotating basis. The location is noted in the bulletin the Sunday prior. For more information contact the church office.
Missionary Society
The Missionary Society may be the oldest continuously-meeting group in the church, originating nearly 200 years ago, with the sole purpose of learning of, praying for, and giving to missionaries. On the third Wednesdays of September-December and March-June, men and women with a heart for missions meet in the Chapel to hear missionary speakers share their experiences and insights then fellowship over lunch. A brief business meeting begins at 10:30 followed by devotions, a program at 11:00, and lunch at noon. All are cordially welcome!
First Thursday
First Thursday is a mid-day gathering consisting of lunch and a program, often with a special speaker. Beginning with devotions at 11:30 AM and ending around 2 PM, it is held on the first Thursday of October, November, December and April, May and June. The events are free, but, for accurate lunch planning, advance reservations are greatly appreciated. Please sign up at the church or call the office.
Great Valley Book Club
Great Valley Book Club is a place for those who love to read and discuss books with others. The club is currently meeting monthly in the Chapel. New members are always welcome! Our 2022-2023 schedule is below. Contact the church office for more info!
October 18
Upstairs at the White House by J. B. West
November 15
The War that Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
December 13
Christmas Tea - We each bring ideas of books for gift giving and a small treat (cookies, candy, etc.) to share. We also bring a wrapped, gently used book to have a book exchange!
January 17, 2023
Crossing the Line by Kareem Rosser
February 21
The Nature of Fragile Things by Susan Meissner
March 21
Little Princes by Connor Grennan
April 18
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
May 16
Movie Night - The Secret Garden