- Adult
- Sunday School – Our Adult Sunday School class meets year-round at 8am in the Sea of Galilee Room. Using a Bible-based, Christ-focused, United Methodist-approved curriculum, these classes offer vibrant discussions on a variety of topics that are pertinent to today’s world. All adults are welcome to join at any time during the year.
- Disciple Bible Study – The Disciple Bible Study series, which is made up of four sets of studies, is designed to help individuals and groups develop a strong faith through the in-depth study of Scripture. Through Disciple, participants are strengthened in their faith and guided into service and ministry. Although many Disciple groups complete the four sets of studies together, all are welcome to join at any time, after completing Disciple I. Most of our Disciplegroups meet from September/October through May and are able to complete one set of studies in the series per year.
- Disciple I: Becoming Disciples through Bible Study – During this thirty-four week course, groups move through the biblical stories of Creation to the New Jerusalem. The titles of the sessions along with the theme words, theme verses, and major persons, events, and topics set the sequence of the biblical story in the minds of the participants. The principal Scripture for each session follows the chronological movement of the biblical story.
- Disciple II: Into the Word; Into the World – Designed for those who have completed Disciple I, this thirty-two week study encourages participants to open themselves to hearing what God has to say to them through the Bible, and to be guided into service in the world by the study of Scripture. Each week focuses on a specific portion of Scripture, allowing participants to delve deeper into them. The Scripture passages are selected from four specific books of the Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Luke, and Acts), with appropriate connections made to other parts of Scripture through both reading and study assignments.
- Disciple III: Remember Who You Are – The driving idea behind this study is the connection between memory and identity as people of God. Participants in this thirty-two week study will read the major and minor Old Testament prophets (except Daniel), as well as the thirteen letters traditionally attributed to Paul. Several themes weave their way through this study: the call to remember, the call to repentance, the need for renewed vision, and the place of community.
- Disciple IV: Under the Tree of Life – The last of the Disciple series, this thirty-two week study focuses on invitation, welcome, sheltering, security, and rest—home at last. The biblical texts used in this study include several from the Old Testament (Ruth, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Ester, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, Lamentations, and Daniel) as well as the New (the Gospel of John, 1/2/3 John, James, Jude, and Revelation. Emphasis on the Psalms as Israel’s hymnbook and prayer book leads naturally to an emphasis on worship in this study. Present throughout is the sense of living toward completion, toward the climax of the message and the promise, extravagantly pictured in the Revelation.
- Small Group Studies – throughout the year, a number of Small Group Studies are offered on both Sunday mornings and during the week. Classes offered beginning this fall include:
- Understanding Spiritual Gifts – This 6-8 week adult small-group study will help participants identify their spiritual gifts and consider how God wants them to be used. Within a small group and as you read the Bible at home, you will be guided to respond personally to short scripture passages. This study can open new doors in your spiritual formation as you discover how the selected Bible passages relate to your life.
- This We Believe: The Core of Wesleyan Faith and Practice – During this 8-10 week study, participants will be provided with information about our Methodist beliefs that will help them live more faithfully as disciples of Jesus Christ. The study is designed to give guidance for interpreting the Scriptures within a Methodist/Wesleyan framework.
- Introduction to World Religions – This adult small-group will include a brief introduction to various world religions, such as Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, and Islam to name a few. Participants will explore the basic beliefs of these and other world religions in an effort to gain a better understanding of these faith traditions and how they intersect with Christianity.
- Desert Diners – Desert Diners are small groups that meet monthly for food, fun, and fellowship! Each group is made up of about 8-10 people who attend worship at Gold Canyon UMC and who live near each other. Being a part of a Desert Diner group is a great way to meet new friends! Those interested in becoming part of a Desert Diner fellowship group are encouraged to contact the church office at churchoffice@goldcanyonumc.org for more information.
- W.O.W Team – The purpose of the WOW Team is to share the Wonder of God’s love through fellowship at Gold Canyon United Methodist Church. Members of the team serve as greeters on Sunday mornings as well as during special events, especially during the Christmas and Easter seasons. They also organize and staff our spring and fall festivals, and provide food for special events and services (such as funerals). Their Community Grounds Coffee Room meets every Tuesday at 10am in the Education Building, Room 101/102. All are invited to attend and join this energetic group of servant leaders!
