Discipleship

A disciple is a follower - a disciple of Christ is a follower of Christ.  Discipleship is the process of growing into deeper, more complete disciples of Christ through the equipping of the Holy Spirit to become more Christlike.  In order to become better disciples we must continue to deepen our faith and understanding of Scripture.  Discipleship is a deep process, not a wide process.  We must be disciples before we can make disciples and at Aley we believe that an important part of this is discipleship together in community.


“Rest and self-care are so important. When you take time to replenish your spirit, it allows you to serve others from the overflow. You cannot serve from an empty vessel.” -Eleanor Brown

Online options

Due to social distancing and closure of Aley as a response to COVID-19 outbreak, we will have online bible study available for those who would like to participate.  You can use your phone, a table, or a computer - you will need to create an account, but everything we'll be using is free!! 


Beginning April 22 we will begin our next study using YouVersion.  If you're using your phone or a tablet, please download the YouVersion Bible App (pictured above) and create an account.  If you'll be using a computer, please go to my.bible.com and create an account (you can link it with a google account or facebook account if you would like, but you don't have to).  


AFTER you have created an account, click here to access the invitation and join our study.  Near the bottom will be a button that says 'Accept Invitation'.  Once you have accepted the invitation and the study 'opens'.  You can access the study by clicking the 'Plans' button (on the mobile app that button is near the bottom - on a computer that button is near the top).  Click here for a short document showing how to join a group using a phone or tablet.  Click here to view a short video showing how to join using a computer.   


Each day there will be a short devotional, Scripture, and an opportunity to engage in dialogue with others.  While you are able to read ahead, please do not - if you fall behind you can catch up, but in attempt to keep everyone together, please do not get ahead of the daily schedule.  Your level of involvement in discussion is completely up to you, whatever you share will be visible to ALL participants in our group.  

If you choose to participate in the conversation with the group, please follow these few guidelines:

     -Respect the thoughts and opinions of others

     -Do not share information from the group discussion with anyone outside the group, what's said in the group stays in the group

     -Please refrain from political remarks and keep the conversation Godly and centered around the readings. 


Below is a description of the 14-day study we will be embarking on together...

"Explore Christ's heart for sinners and sufferers each day with a brief Scripture reading and a meditation reflecting on a particular aspect of the heart of God and of Christ.  Realize afresh not just what Jesus has done for you, but how he feels about you, and that in doing so, be deeply and lastingly changed."


If you have questions, or trouble getting setup, please contact Pastor Abby.

Sunday mornings

You're invited to join us for one of several opportunities to dive deeper into Scripture with community on Sunday mornings.  Each class starts at approximately 10:10a.m. - or following the conclusion of the 9 a.m. service.  Feel free to swing by the Hospitality Center to grab some snacks and/or coffee before joining a group for fellowship and discipleship.


Gnosticism: From Nag Hammadi to the Gospel of Judas                                                                                                           

   Location: Room 204

Gnosticism is one of the most fascinating and perplexing phenomena in Western religious history. At its heart was gnosis—direct knowledge of God—expressed in complicated myths. Yet Gnosticism itself often escapes our knowledge. Was it the first great Christian heresy? A new world religion? Or an invention of alarmed Christian leaders and modern scholars? How did it influence other religions? And why did its mythology appeal to so many people? Above all, what does Gnosticism mean?


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Cultivating Relationships: Irresistible - Reclaiming the New that Jesus Unleashed for the World         

   Location: Room 201

    Come join us for an 8-session DVD-based Pastor Andy Stanley Bible study titled “Follow”.  He writes… “Lots of people think Christianity is all about doing what Jesus says. But what if doing what Jesus says isn’t what Jesus says to do at all? Jesus’ invitation is an invitation to relationship, and it begins with a simple request: follow me.  Religion says "Change and you can join us." Jesus says, "Join us and you will change." There’s a huge difference.  Jesus doesn’t expect people to be perfect. He just wants them to follow Him. Being a sinner doesn’t disqualify anyone.  Being an unbeliever doesn’t disqualify anyone. In fact, following almost always begins with a sinner or an unbeliever taking one small step… In this study, Andy Stanley will take us on a journey through the Gospels as he traces Jesus’ teaching on what it means to follow.”

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Fellowship Bible Study Class                                                                                                                                                                 

   Location: Parlor/Fellowship Room

This class utilizes the "International Sunday School Lessons" curriculum.  The theme for March-May is "Justice and the Prophets".  Student booklets are available for free at the class on Sunday mornings or anytime through the church office.

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Women's Sunday School Class: Waiting on God                                                                                                                         

   Location: Room 202

Waiting on God challenges our faith when the bills are stacking up, our families are falling apart, or our dreams feel like they won't come true.  We know that God hears our prayers, but it's hard when the clock is ticking yet He hasn't shown us the answer.  Together we will discover that there is goodness and blessing to be found in times of waiting, including a closer relationship with God than we've ever dared to dream.



College-Age                                                                                                                                               

   Location: Library

Join other college-aged individuals in an intimate setting to explore faith and Scriptures together using video guides and other guided materials.  



Youth: Simplicity - Finding Contentment in a Busy Life                                                                                                                            

   Location: Activities Building

Youth in grades 6-12 are welcome to join us for a deeper dive into Scripture where we explore the hard questions and deal with confusing Scripture together in an open environment.  You don't need to bring anything but yourself, so come join us as we dive in to the Bible together in new and creative ways.



Children: Learning about Traditions                                                                                                                                             

   Location: Downstairs Children's Rooms

Each week in between the 9a.m. and 11:15a.m. services, children are invited to come learn about the many traditions in the church.  We will get a better understanding of how the traditions started, what they really mean, and why we still do them.  Let's explore The Lord's Prayer, All Saints Day, the meaning behind acolytes, and much more together!  

Weekday opportunities


Journeyers Bible Study: Mondays 9:30a.m. - 11:30a.m.                                                                                                                

   Location: Room 201

This class, now in its 17th year, is doing a multi-year examination of the Old Testament. We welcome anyone who is interested in a fairly in-depth study of the scriptures.


Women's Bible Study: Tuesdays 3:00p.m. - 4:30p.m.                                                                                                         

   Location: Room 202

We are a small group of women who meet for informal study, we choose a variety of topics from the LifeGuide series with each study lasting an average of 8-9 weeks.  We welcome women of any age.