Formations Scope & Sequence

Formations study units follow a twelve-month topical calendar, offering a diverse and balanced study over the course of the year.

Each month, with the exception of May, Formations explores a central theme of the Christian faith, examining a wide range of biblical texts to gain greater insight and understanding into these important concepts.

During May, Formations features a focused study on one book of the Bible, alternating each year between the Old Testament and the New Testament.

The following chart outlines the annual thematic schedule of Formations.

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Month Theme Goal Core Questions
Jan Knowing God Explore the nature of God and our relationship with God. How do we know God? How does God know us? Does this impact how we know ourselves?
Feb-Mar Life of Jesus Explore Jesus’ life according to the Gospel writers, focusing on the nature of his ministry as well as the various responses to it.
 How did the Gospel writers portray Jesus? What was the response to Jesus’ ministry? How do we choose to respond?
Apr The Church Gain greater insight into the early church and its role in nascent Christianity as a means for contrast with the modern church.
 Are the struggles of the early church and its leaders still relevant? If so, how do they speak to the modern church?
May Bible Book Study Broaden biblical knowledge by in-depth study of a particular book, alternating annually between the Old and New Testaments.
 What purpose did the text serve in its original context? How is this purpose relevant today?
June Spiritual Disciplines Encourage a fuller understanding and practice of the spiritual disciplines.
 How do I incorporate the practice of spiritual disciplines into my daily routine?
July Missions Investigate biblical models for missions as a tool for planning future missions. What are the various ways to be in missions? How can we better discern and act on a specific plan for missions?
Aug Life Management Evaluate priorities and a sense of calling as preparation for leading a purpose-driven life.
 What does it mean to have a calling? Do I have one? If so, what are ways I can live out my unique sense of calling?
Sept Old Testament Biography Explore significant figures from Hebrew Scripture and how their lives can inform our understanding of faith.
 How does this person’s story fit within the overall framework of the Hebrew Bible? What might we ask that could prove helpful in a contemporary context?
Oct Stewardship Alternate annually between individual and church stewardship as preparation for managing our time and resources. How can we be responsible caretakers of God’s many gifts, both at church and in our personal lives?
Nov Faith & Culture Examine the complex relationship between the Christian faith and an increasingly secular culture. What does it mean to “live in the world, but not be of the world”?
Dec Advent Explore the concept of Advent and how this time of preparation for the birth of Christ can deepen our understanding of its significance.
 How do we prepare for the birth of Christ? What does God’s entering the world through a child tell us about God’s nature? How can the birth of Christ be a source of transformation for Christians?

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