ELECTIVES

Have you ever doubted your faith? Ever heard a criticism of Christianity that kind of made sense? Apologetics is not only a defense of the faith or being able to debate about it: it is reasoning with and through our faith. Asking and answering good questions about things like different worldviews, trusting the Bible, evil, aliens, or evolution is a good thing for the individual, the church, and the glory of God!

Since COVID, anxiety and depression among high school students have reached an all-time high. Anxiety and Depression are not problems that should be ignored or downplayed. Take it from someone who has battled with them throughout his entire adult life—it is real. But what is depression? What is Anxiety? Are they psychological problems or spiritual issues? Could they be both? This elective seeks to answer those questions and more, while helping students recognize the patterns that lead to anxiety and depression and learn to combat them with truth.

In a world constantly bombarding you with messages like ‘You’re enough,’ ‘You got this—just push through,’ or ‘Live your own truth,’ it’s easy to feel lost or unsure. But here’s the anchor: The Lord is exactly who He says He is—good, faithful, our protector, deliverer, the source of life—and He will do what He says He will do. Join me as we dive into the attributes of God, discovering how His unchanging character gives us a solid foundation to trust Him, no matter what life throws our way.

Have you ever been frustrated by professing Christians who seem legalistic? Or confused by professing Christians who seem like their lives are no different from those who don't believe? Paul tells us in Ephesians 2 that we're saved by grace through faith, not a result of works. AND James tells us that faith without works is dead! How do these ideas fit together? Far from a conflict, these passages open the door to some of the richest practical treasures in Reformed theology: the full Gospel, the whole Christ, and a redemption that doesn't stop until it's made complete. We'll explore Scripture, working out how the same sovereign grace that justifies us by faith alone also sanctifies us, fueling a life of good works lived for Jesus Christ.

One of the most important questions that people have ever asked is, “Who is Jesus?” What better way to get at the very heart of that than by looking at his words? In the Gospel of John, Jesus makes seven distinct statements that reveal who he is and what that means for us.  Join us as we spend time investigating Jesus’ very words as we go through the Gospel of John.

We spend most of our days pursuing peace, pleasure & fun. In and of themselves, those aren't always bad things. God gives us pleasures and joys throughout our day-to-day lives, but he also gives us suffering. No one in their right mind would ask God to give them more pain and affliction, but it is often the primary avenue God uses to make us more like his Son, Jesus. In this class, we will consider why we suffer and how we can strive to live faithfully in the midst of a broken and hurting world.

What does it actually mean to be right with God? How can you know that you have a good relationship with him? Can you know for sure that he loves you and that he has really forgiven your sins? In this elective, we will discuss these questions and more as we look at the problem that disrupts our relationship with God, how the Gospel provides the solution, and what that means for us in our daily lives. If you ever feel disconnected from God or struggle to feel forgiven, this is an elective you might want to consider. It will also be helpful to students who feel overwhelmed living up to God’s standards, or who generally struggle to feel “good enough.”

Maybe you have been ready for this day for a looooong time, or maybe you feel like you’re not quite ready for what’s next. Whichever one describes you, one thing is certain: your life is about to change, and maybe in some really significant ways. In this elective, we will look at life after High School and how you can not just follow, but live for the Lord in this next phase of your life.

Have you ever just sat there in bed, wondering what to pray, but in the end, you fall asleep without even starting to pray? In this elective, we will look at why prayer is so hard for us, what prayer actually is, and how it works in the life of the Christian. Rather than seeing prayer as something to check off a list or a duty we need to fulfill, the goal of this elective is for students to see prayer as a gift of God, something we should be longing for rather than dreading.

If God is sovereign, why do wildernesses still exist? If God longs to dwell with his people, why would he allow those wilderness experiences? Join us as we look at the story of Exodus and uncover that God is both the God who is sovereign AND the God who longs to be with his people, culminating in the establishment of the Tabernacle.

Worship is the most important thing you will ever do. Why is it so important? Because who, or what, you worship shapes you more than anything else in life. "Those who make [idols] become like them; so do all who trust in them." (Psalm 115:8) Join us as we look to God's Word to answer these questions and more - "What is the difference between true and false worship?" "What happens during true worship?" "How can we worship God with all our life?" See you there!