New Bible Class at Collegeside

In room 229/230 in the upstairs class area, we will begin a new textual study travelling through some of the most explosive signs of Jesus's power and statements of Christ's divinity in John's Gospel. John recorded 7 miraculous signs and "I Am" statements in his gospel message that truly point to Jesus's identity as the Messiah. 

Class format: 

• Each class will begin at 8:30am with a prayer for wisdom. 
• Next we will be introduced to a short Greek word from our text.
• Then we will read our passage out loud. 
• We will progress to hear from a class member about the context of the passage.
• The bulk of the class will be open discussion on the Power of Christ. 
• To conclude, Topher will suggest life application & recap what we gleaned from our 45 minute time together. 

Class Goals: 

• Learn about the Divinity of Jesus and become more familiar with ancient Greek
• Worship God in our conversation, personal study through the week, and prayer appreciating Jesus's Divinity
• Connect to each other & God as we discuss faith challenges/opportunities in our lives 
• Invest our time & energy into our faith through study

Class Tips: 

• To get the most out of a passage, pre-read the selected passage before class. 
• Come ready to start at 8:30am - This will be a fast-paced fun-filled class!
• Volunteer in advance to be a reader or a context presenter on Topher's sign up sheet passed around in the first class. 
• Review class notes on my personal old blogsite, http://www.topherwiles.com/. I'll post them weekly. 
• Feel free to message or call me or other class members through the week with questions and ideas. 
• Watch the Bible Project's overview video on the Gospel of John: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-2e9mMf7E8

Class Calendar: 

The Seven Signs of Christ & "I Am" Statements in the Book of John

• 1/8 Overview of Power Sevens - (John 1:1-18) - Greek Word = LOGOS (John 1:1)
• 1/15 Turning Water into Wine (John 2:1–11)
• 1/22 Healing the Nobleman’s Son (John 4:46–54)
  
• 1/29 Healing the Lame Man (John 5:1–15)
  
• 2/5 Feeding the Multitude (John 6:1–15) & "I am the bread of life" (John 6:35-48)
  
• 2/12 Walking on Water (John 6:16-21)
• 2/19 "I am the light of the world" (John 8:12; 9:5) & Healing the Blind Man (John 9)
• 2/26 "I am the door" (John 10:9) & "I am the good shepherd" (John 10:11-14)
• 3/5 Raising Lazarus (John 11) & "I am the resurrection and the life" (John 11:25)
• 3/12 "I am the way, the truth and the life" (John 14:6)
• 3/19 "I am the true vine" (John 15:1-5)
• 3/26 Power Sevens Wrapup (John 21)

Wiles Family Bio: 

    After 6 years of youth ministry and 11 years of preaching ministry, the Wiles expanded their family in October 2022 as they joined with the brothers and sisters of Collegeside Church of Christ in Cookeville, TN, where Topher serves as Facilities Director.  They've enjoyed 18 years of marriage and God has given them four wonderful children in Gabriel (15), Ethan (13), Micah (9), and Clara (6).
     ChrisTopher has a degree in theology from Lipscomb University with an emphasis in Biblical Languages. By God's grace he also served as principal of the local homeschool cooperative, tennis coach of multiple teams, high school math teacher, and a chaplain at a local hospital. In 2020 & 2021 he was voted "Community Role Model" by the public of White County through the local Expositor Newspaper. His special talents include squeezing as much life as he can into every minute, sparring with three boys at one time without anyone being seriously injured, and bringing adventure to anyone who will join him.

     Ashley holds a degree in social work with a minor in theology from Lipscomb University and worked in geriatric social work prior to the birth of their first child. She now enjoys homemaking and homeschooling. She has been blessed to share her faith in Christ as a speaker at multiple ladies' days and the 2021 Harding University Lectureships.  Her special talents include miraculously feeding unexpected guests without going to the grocery store, doing all sorts of complicated household tasks with one hand while holding a baby, and finding the misplaced objects that no one else can seem to find.

     As a family, the Wiles enjoy playing & coaching tennis, practicing hospitality, reading, Scrabble, chess, caving, and camping.  The Wiles genuinely enjoy people and they look forward to meeting you!

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If you've read this far, congratulations, and thanks for hanging with me!  Wherever you land on Sunday mornings over the next three months at 8:30am, I hope you find your faith increasing in God and blessing others. Let me know if you have any questions. 

Grace & Peace in Him, 

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	ChrisTopher Wiles Facilities Director Collegeside Church of Christ 252 E 9th St, Cookeville, TN 38501 topher@collegeside.org 931.526.2661
“A man who has friends must himself be friendly…” Proverbs 18:24a www.collegeside.org