School of the Laity Classes
School of the Laity
March 8-9, 2025
Registration for March 2025 is OPEN now through February 7, 2025
The School of the Laity courses are held hybrid with both online (via Zoom) and in-person participants. In-person classes are held at Epworth By the Sea on St. Simons Island, GA. Participants can join a small cohort beginning each June and complete the full two-year program or can take a singular course as their schedule permits.
There are pre-course assignments for each course shared on the registration brochure. March and October Sessions begin early Saturday morning and conclude late Sunday afternoon while June Sessions begin on Friday evening and continue through late Sunday afternoon. For more details click the LEARN MORE button below. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Marty Susie, SOL Registrar, at (800) 616-3671 ext. 703 or msusie1@savannahpresbytery.org.
2025 Upcoming Core Classes
New Testament Survey
Offered March 8-9, 2025
Essential Elements of Worship
Offered March 8-9, 2025
Introduction to the Bible
Offered June 20-22, 2025
Introduction to Reformed Theology
Offered June 20-22, 2025
Introduction to Practical Ministries
Offered June 20-22, 2025
Old Testament Survey
Offered October 4-5, 2025
History, Mission & Polity
Offered October 4-5, 2025
2025 SOL Upcoming Electives
THE TREE OF LIFE; An Introduction to the Wisdom Literature of Ancient Israel
Offered March 8-9, 2025
World Religions; A Survey of the Abrahamic Traditions
Offered October 4-5, 2025
YEAR ONE
INTRODUCTION TO THE BIBLE
Introduces students to study tools and interpretation methods as it offers a broad survey of the literature, history, and faith of the people of Israel as recorded in the Old Testament. Led by Dr. Robert Bryant, Bible Professor at Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC.
OLD TESTAMENT SURVEY
This course delves deeper into the Old Testament scriptures and explores the inspiration, authorship, context, and criteria used to determine which books became part of our canon. This course builds on the Introduction to the Bible course developing a deeper understanding of Old Testament themes and early Hebrew theology.
NEW TESTAMENT SURVEY
This course delves deeper into the New Testament scriptures and explores the inspiration, authorship, context, and criteria used to determine which books became part of our canon. This course builds on the Introduction to the Bible and Old Testament Survey courses developing a deeper understanding of New Testament themes and early Christian theology and examining how contemporary Christians interpret Old Testament scriptures through a Christian lens.
Pre-course assignment: Participants are required to acquire The New Testament, A Student’s Introduction by Stephen L. Harris and read the text alongside the New Testament in their Bibles writing down any questions that come to mind. These questions should be emailed to MSusie1@savannahpresbytery.org by February 24th, 2023. Survey is led by Rev. Dr. Kaye Nickell, who earned her PhD at Vanderbilt Divinity School.
YEAR TWO
INTRODUCTION TO REFORMED THEOLOGY
This course provides a foundational introduction to Reformed Theology and explores how it shapes and informs the ministry of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). We will survey the tenets of the Reformed Tradition, doctrines of the Church, and various confessional and creedal statements.
HISTORY, MISSION & POLITY
This course will provide an overview of our Presbyterian identity and help participants learn to use Presbyterian polity to address specific issues and practices in church life. Participants will also become acquainted with the Book of Order and how it helps to further the ministry and mission of the church.
ELEMENTS OF WORSHIP
This course focuses on what constitutes faithful Christian worship and discusses the theological underpinnings of key elements of worship including scripture, confession, prayer, music, sacraments, and sermon. Participants will be encouraged to think critically about each element of worship and develop a deeper understanding of why we do what do when we gather to worship God. Participants will be encouraged to share their diverse experiences of worship.
Pre-course assignment: Participants are to read A More Profound Alleluia; Theology and Worship in Harmony by Leanne Van Dyk to prepare for the course led by Rev. Rick Douylliez, Savannah Presbytery’s Director of Pastoral and Ecclesial Affairs and longtime pastor of First Presbyterian, St. Marys.
YEAR THREE
PRACTICAL MINISTRIES
This course is the capstone of the School of the Laity program. Participants will develop an understanding of how to use what they have learned by going out, integrating, and expanding their learning through application in areas such as leading Bible Studies, organizing retreats, and pastoral care visitation. Participants will be encouraged to share meaningful ministries from their home congregations and will be introduced to resources from the PC(U.S.A.), the Association of Presbyterian Christian Educators (APCE), and others.
ELECTIVE COURSES
The Tree of Life: An Introduction to the Wisdom Literature of Ancient Israel
This course is an introduction to the wisdom literature of ancient Israel, especially the books of Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes. Our goals are to consider the definition and key characteristics of wisdom; to develop a familiarity with the background, forms, content, theologies, and interpretive issues of the wisdom texts; and to reflect on the place of wisdom in the Christian Scriptures. Furthermore, we will explore the relevance of wisdom’s perspectives for contemporary preaching, teaching, and theological reflection in Christian communities. Dr. Christine Yoder, J. McDowell Richards Professor of Biblical Interpretation at Columbia Theological Seminary.
Pre-course assignment: To read Proverbs, Job & Ecclesiastes and make note of what stands out to you, what surprises you, how you would describe each book to someone who had never read it, how the books are similar and how they are different. Additional recommended reading: Samuel E. Balentine, Wisdom Literature. Core Biblical Studies, Abingdon, 2018; William P. Brown, Wisdom’s Wonder: Character, Creation, and Crisis in the Bible’s Wisdom Literature. Eerdmans, 2014.
World Religions; A Survey of the Abrahamic Traditions
SCHOOL OF THE LAITY COMMITTEE
Bain Head, Chair (Saint Simons)
Marty Susie, Director of Mission & Program Advancement
Katie Hogan, Elder (Henry Memorial)
Nancy Bertrand, CRE (Beersheba)
Mary Simpson, Elder (Wilmington Island)
Cyncelia el-Shair, (Altama)
Linda Nelms, (St. Simons)
Ella Kent, (Saint Simons)