We want education to equip us in our faith however new or seasoned we are, so we might grow in maturity and “to the measure of the full stature of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:13) Part of that involves making sure we’re not just reading the parts of the Bible with which we’re comfortable. This also means learning from those who have gone before us, such as stories of the Church since the New Testament and how the faith has been passed down, and learning about what discipleship looks like in practice! So you’ll find classes in Basic Bible Study on books of the Old and New Testaments that we haven’t taught before, topics that engage with church history and theology, apologetic sessions that deal with current issues Christians disagree about and some food for thought on discipleship. The series of electives are three-to four-week smaller, themed classes that focus on a specific subject. The five themes are Faith and Culture, Basics of Faith, Mission and Outreach, Parenting and Marriage.

Basic Bible Study and Electives

Most Sundays
10:15 a.m.

From Bewitched to Beloved: A Survey of Paul’s Letter to the Galatians
With the Rev. Dr. Russell J. Levenson, Jr.
Sundays, January 6, 13 and 20, and February 3
Bagby Parish Hall
“Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins to rescue us…” With these words, Paul sets the stage for what will be a hard, and at the same time, encouraging letter to read, not only to the Christians in churches throughout Galatia in the early 50s AD, but also for us – in our time and day. Join us for four reflections on some of the key themes in this brief, but power-packed letter of Paul, including Paul’s assertion that there is but one Gospel, that Jesus’ followers are saved by grace through faith, that there is freedom in the Christian life, and finally – and perhaps most especially – how we “live” in that freedom.

Elective – Enriching Marriage
With Deniece Christ-Rice and Jeffrey Rice
Sundays, January 13 and 20, and February 3 and 10
Payne Education Center, Room 210/212
Whether it’s our relationship with our in-laws, differing views about finances, physical intimacy or the division of household labor, the marriage relationship is susceptible to all kinds of challenges. Whether you’re facing them already or simply wanting to plan ahead, this class will equip you with tools for the road to help work through these common tests of marital bliss.

Deniece Christ-Rice holds a Master’s degree in Social Work and has a private psychotherapy practice. She has training and experience in CBT (cognitive behavior therapy), trauma therapy, anxiety treatment, biofeedback techniques, relationship therapy, grief and loss, self-compassion and self-care, and depression treatments.

Jeffrey Rice is a graduate of Brandeis University who specializes in marriage and family therapy. He previously worked as the Recreation Director at Avondale House and then as Administrator at The Briarwood School. Jeffrey is a cancer survivor who is passionate about his work and being the “voice for those who don’t have a voice.”

Whose Land Is It? – Reflecting on the Age-old Questions About Israel and Palestine
With the Honorable James A. Baker, III, Rabbi David Lyon, the Rev. Dr. Russell J. Levenson, Jr. and the Rev. Dr. Suse McBay
Sundays, February 10 and 17
Bagby Parish Hall
It is not just the last two centuries that have involved serious conflict over the Holy Land. It goes all the way back to the earliest of biblical histories when the Israelites entered Canaan. As Christians, with God’s promise of a land to the Jews as our heritage, how do we navigate the contentious theological and political issues that are as prevalent today as they were 2,000 years ago? Join us as our speakers share history, thoughts and hope for the land we know as “Holy.”

The Honorable James A. Baker, III served as the 61st U.S. Secretary of State under President George H.W. Bush, as the 67th Secretary of the Treasury under President Ronald Reagan, and as White House Chief of Staff to Presidents Reagan and Bush. He also served as Under Secretary of Commerce to President Ford. He led five presidential campaigns from 1976 to 1992. Baker graduated from Princeton University and received his J.D. with honors from The University of Texas School of Law. He is presently a senior partner in the law firm of Baker Botts. He and his wife, Susan Garrett Baker, reside in Houston, and have eight children and 18 grandchildren.

Rabbi David Lyon is a native of Chicago, Illinois, who was ordained Rabbi in 1990 at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. He served as Assistant and Associate Rabbi at Congregation Beth Israel from 1990 – 1997, returning in 2004 to serve as Senior Rabbi. Rabbi Lyon serves on numerous boards, including United Way of Greater Houston and Interfaith Ministries of Greater Houston. He is the author of God of Me: Imagining God Throughout Your Lifetime and can be heard on Sunday mornings on KODA 99.1 FM.

God’s Word – Our Hope
With Max Lucado
Sunday, March 3
Bagby Parish Hall
What’s shaking in your world right now? Your future? Your faith? Your family, friendships, health? Could you use some unshakable hope? Here’s the good news: God’s promises are bigger than any problem you’ll ever face. Let’s take a look at God’s promises and be reminded of this unshakable hope: you have a God who promises always to love you and never leave you.

Since entering the ministry in 1978, Max Lucado has served churches in Miami, Florida; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and San Antonio, Texas. He currently serves as Senior Minister of Oak Hills Church in San Antonio. Lucado is America’s bestselling inspirational author with more than 130 million books in print. His writing has been translated into more than 54 languages and featured in countless national media outlets. Lucado received his BA in Mass Communications and MA in Biblical and Related Studies from Abilene Christian University.

Clergy Roundtable – Spiritual Disciplines 101
With Members of St. Martin’s Clergy
Sunday, March 10
Bagby Parish Hall
Maybe you, like the psalmist who cries “deep calls to deep” (Psalm 42:7), long for a deeper, fuller life. As Richard Foster has described, spiritual disciplines are the very things that “call us to move beyond surface living into the depths.” St. Martin’s Clergy will share and discuss from their experiences of these habits, from prayer to submission, worship to fasting.

Fish Food, Frustration, Focus and God’s Purpose
With the Rt. Rev. Mike Hill
Sundays, March 17 and 24
Bagby Parish Hall
This Lent, Bishop Hill will teach his way through the Book of Jonah, following the story of a reluctant prophet who knows God’s ways well enough to want to run away.

Bishop Mike Hill was initially brought up in Manchester and northwest England. After a short career in the business world, he trained for Ordination at Ridley Hall and Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge. He became a Christian at the age of 18 and was ordained when he was 28. Bishop Mike served in parish ministry for 14 years before becoming Archdeacon of Berkshire and then Area Bishop of Buckingham in the Diocese of Oxford. He served as the 55th Bishop of the Diocese of Bristol from 2003 to 2017. Bishop Mike has a passion for mission and leadership in the Church and is known around the world for his teaching ministry. His wider responsibilities in the Church of England included being Chair of the World Mission and Anglican Communion Panel. Bishop Mike has served on the Board of several theological training institutions as Chairman and Board member. During the summer of 2009, Bishop Mike became a member of the House of Lords.

Is That Really You, God? – Learning to Recognize the Voice of God
With Canon Dr. Christina Baxter, CBE
Sunday, March 31
Bagby Parish Hall
Was that dream you had last night the voice of God? Or the result of the food you ate before bed? Or simply your over-active imagination? As disciples we are called to follow Jesus; but recognizing God’s voice over and above the voices of our hearts, the world and the devil can be a challenge. Sharing from her experience and life walking with Jesus, Dr. Baxter will offer wisdom about how to learn this fundamental discipline of the Christian life.

Canon Dr. Christina Baxter, CBE is a former Principal of St John’s College, Nottingham and has pursued a distinguished career as an educationalist and theologian. Before her appointment as Principal, Dr. Baxter had given long service to St. John’s College, first as a lecturer and then as Dean. Throughout her varied career Dr. Baxter has maintained a strong interest in Systematic Theology, in particular the theology of ordination and the theology of Karl Barth, and in Anglicanism and the Church of England. Dr. Baxter is a member of the Church of England and has been a Reader since 1971. Until her retirement in 2010, Dr. Baxter was a prominent member of the General Synod, holding the position of Chair of the House of Laity and member of The Archbishops’ Council.

*Please bring your Bible for these classes when there will be discussions about specific books of the Bible.

Seekers (60s and up)

Sundays
10:15 – 11 a.m.
Activity Center, Aerobics Room
Clergy Liaisons: The Rev. Nick Dyke and the Rev. Robert Wareing
Seekers is a great place for couples and singles to meet and study the Gospel and other readings, and then branch off into Church history, liturgy, sacraments and other related areas. We just have fun learning! Please come and join our group.

St. Martin’s 20s & 30s

Wednesdays
Clergy Liaisons: The Rev. R-J Heijmen
St. Martin’s 20s & 30s meet on Wednesdays throughout the year at various locations. You are always welcome to join one of the other Sunday morning peer groups. Click here for more information.

Covenant Groups

Have you found yourself desiring a closer relationship with other parishioners while  deepening your personal spiritual life? Join one of our Covenant Groups, small groups of  10 – 12 people who meet bi-weekly from September to May in parishioners’ homes. Meeting for approximately two hours on a designated weeknight, each group discusses the week’s Bible study as they forge new friendships in a pleasant and welcoming setting.  Making a choice from a selection of study guides suggested by St. Martin’s Clergy, each  group will study and discuss their particular choice for the entire year. For more information and to participate, contact Kathy Johnson at 713-985-3834 or email hidden; JavaScript is required.