Bible Study

Bible Study  -  Learn, Grow, Discover

Bible Study at the First Baptist Church of Rome draws Adults together in various stages of life, unified by the desire to seek the heart of Christ through the study of Scripture, prayer, and fellowship. Preschoolers, children and youth meet with leaders who are prepared to meet their specific needs. Use this guide as a way to find YOUR place in Bible Study.

 

Journey Class

A gathering of (mostly) young (mostly) professionals with school-age children. The class is shepherded by member-leaders who present each week’s Scripture passage with historical and theological background, followed by lively discussions on its relevance and application in our daily lives. Teachers/leaders are: Jim Poyner, Robert Hortman, Jordan Rowan Fannin, Jeremy Salter, and Ryan Weldon. Meets Sunday at 9:45 a.m. in Room 304 on the 3rd Floor of the Education Building.

 

Builders Class

A co-ed class who enjoy being together, supporting each other, and learning how the Bible applies to their lives in the 21st century.  Meets Sunday at 9:45 a.m. in Room 302 on the 3rd Floor of the Education Building with Coleman Fannin and Stephanie Lewis as teachers.

 

YAGO (Young Adults Getting Older)

This co-ed class has met together since many were young adults and they always enjoy adding to their community.  They appreciate spirited discussions about Scripture and life. John McClellan, Vicki Gee, Jana Weidemann and Roger Goss rotate in teaching and facilitating discussions. They meet Sunday at 9:45 a.m. in Room 303 on the 3rd Floor of the Education Building.

 

Dean's List Class

A caring fellowship of Believers that gathers to study of the Bible and  seeks to understand the Scriptures historically, and also their meaning for our lives today. Varying viewpoints are respected with open and honest discussion and the sharing of life experiences. Prayer for each other is central to the care this class offers as they seek to follow Jesus. Dr. Joe Baskin and Anne Vaughn teach this  co-ed class Sunday at 9:45 a.m. in the Community Room, located on the Ground Floor.

 

Conundrum Class

This adult Bible study is what its name implies—a place to wrestle with the difficult questions of faith. Led by Brian Inman and Bill Davies, this group meets Sunday at 9:45 a.m.  in the Dining Room located on the Ground Floor. Although many (maybe most) of the co-ed group have retired, all ages are welcome.

 

 

Coffee & Conversation

Seeks to provide a place for young adults (35 and under) to ground their lives through Scripture and with the support of faithful friends. John and Lee Ann Head teach this class Sunday at 9:45 a.m. in Room 310 on the 3rd Floor of the Education Building.

 

Monday Morning Women's Bible Study

offers an option for those unavailable on Sunday mornings. Tamara Tillman Smathers leads the study from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. every Monday between Labor Day and Memorial Day in the Dining Room on the Ground Floor. 

 

O.M. Cates Class

is comprised of mostly retired men who use the lessons of the past to understand the challenges of the present by studying the Bible, sharing quality fellowship, and by reaching out to those in need of care and a redemptive community. This class is taught by Earl Tillman and Pete O'Callaghan and meets Sunday at 9:45 a.m. in the Conference Room on the Ground Floor.

 

The Joy Class

is a group of senior ladies who are definitely young at heart. Their life experiences are varied and diverse, but their love for their Lord, their church, and each other brings them together in a delightful way. Nancy Ratcliffe teaches this class, and there is never a lack of lively discussion and sharing in this group. They meet Sunday at 9:45 a.m. in Room 240 adjacent to the elevator on the 2nd Floor of the Office Building.

 

 

Chapel Class

The Chapel Class meets in the Chapel-considered by some to be the BEST location. Openness, laughter, and lively discussion of scripture are embraced. Andy Davis, Ashley Garner, Bob Hortman and Tamara Smathers rotate teaching,  which begins at 10:00 a.m. Sunday to accommodate those who serve early in other areas.

College Class

Cy Farmer teaches this class and they meet Sunday at 9:45 a.m. in Room 242 on the 2nd floor of the Office Building.

 

Scrap Iron Bible Study Class Radio Broadcast

The Scrap Iron Bible Class Radio Broadcast can be heard every Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m. on WLAQ 1410. Continuing a tradition of over 75 years, this radio broadcast presents a 30 minute lesson each week.

Looking for a particular room?

View First Baptist Church's floorplan.

Bible Study Teacher Helps 

Nurturing Faith Journal and Bible Studies

When preparing to teach, this site offers great helps.

  • Teaching plan, with discussion questions
  • Digging Deeper (corresponds to the shovel icon on the lesson page)
  • Hardest Question
  • Video featuring an overview by Tony Cartledge,
  • An electronic version of the lesson, if by chance you have misplaced your magazine.

To reach these materials:

  • Select “Teachers”
  • Enter a Password (given on page 21 of the NFJ). With each month, a new password will be required. This can be found on the Introductory page (p.21).
  • Other good stuff!
    Nurturing Faith Journals are no longer mailed out, however, copies are available in all adult classrooms (and the church office). Encourage your class to note other very timely articles in the Journal. These are designed to make us think!

Faith Element

Another online resource that corresponds to the same text used in the NFJ. There are six different teaching plans that cater to various learning styles. Nikki Hardeman offers a video review of the lesson, and also media options.
We have a group subscription to this resource. To access it:

Text Week

A teacher’s goldmine of journal articles, sermons, contemporary readings, etc. Search any scripture passage.

The Lectionary Library of Vanderbilt University

Again, search for the scripture passage, and find artwork, prayers, and related readings.

Bible Gateway

Read and print Scripture passages from a wide range of translations. Teachers can also listen to the text being read aloud and discover how to pronounce some of those difficult names and places.

Working Preacher

A site designed for preachers and teachers. Usually offers a commentary on the text we will be studying, as well as thoughtful questions about the text. In addition, you’ll find Scripture Index. Enter almost any text and find commentary information.

Google

REALLY….don’t trust everything you find on the internet. There’s a world of information there. Know the source, the perspective they come from, and the purpose for which it was written.

The Lectionary

It’s a new word for many Baptists! Known as the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL); A three-year cycle of Bible texts built around the seasons of the church year and used by a majority of mainline Protestant churches in the US and Canada. Each week it will include readings from the Hebrew bible; a Psalm; an Epistle and a Gospel. Nurturing Faith uses one of these texts. Matt is currently preaching from one as well. Look ahead at the Bible reading for Worship and you will be able to make connections between the Bible study and Worship.

Resources available at First Baptist Church include an extensive collection of Bible commentaries, dictionaries, and atlases–all available in the office building, Room 242.