Adult Education at Fourth Presbyterian Church

Upcoming Class Offerings

The adult education programs of Fourth Church provide short-term and ongoing education for our members, friends of the church, and the wider community, through both in-person and Zoom options.

Video Archive of Past Adult Education Classes
Top Ten Bible Podcast

Jump down to

Subscribe to our newsletter
Share your input
Contact the Adult Education staff

CURRENT CLASS OFFERINGS

Pope Francis and Pope Leo: A Different Kind of Pope
October 18, October 25, and November 1
11:00 a.m.

Borwell Dining Room and livestreamed

Something has changed in the Roman Catholic Church. What can we learn from it?

Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV have each signaled important shifts in how the papacy is understood and exercised in the modern world. In this three-week series, Professor Steven P. Millies will explore recent developments in the Catholic Church, the challenges and opportunities shaping its future, and why the papacy may never look quite the same again.

Information about our presenter:

Stephen P. Millies is the Professor of Public Theology and Director of the Bernardin Center at Catholic Theological Union.

A Living Faith and The Digital World
Sunday, November 8 11:00am

Is technology in 2026 "friend" or "foe" to faith? From the releases of new gadgets and online meeting platforms to the booming AI industry, the impact of technology on our lives continues to hold implications for how we worship, pray, connect, and serve. Join Pastor Nancy Benson-Nicol as she identifies the promises and pitfalls of faithful living in the age of the internet.

Information about our presenter:

Rev. Nancy Benson-Nicol, Associate Pastor, Fourth Presbyterian Church

Time, Talents, Treasures, and Temples: Pillars of Stewardship in Our Spiritual Practices
Sunday, November 15 11:00am

In this class, Pastor Nancy Benson-Nicol and Richard Knorr, a member of the church’s Spiritual Formation Committee, will explore how practices of generosity nurture and deepen our relationships with God and amplify the gospel.

Information about our presenter:

Rev. Nancy Benson-Nicol, Associate Pastor, Fourth Presbyterian Church
Richard Knorr, Member, Fourth Presbyterian Church

Bible Top 10 Podcast: Live!
Sunday, November 22 11:00am

Associate Pastors Rocky Supinger and Matt Helms invite both longtime and brand-new listeners alike to join them for a live taping of their popular "Bible Top 10 Podcast" - a wide-ranging show blending bible study, history, and humor! Rocky and Matt will begin by sharing some history and behind-the-scenes stories from recording, as well as what they've learned from doing the podcast over these past 5 years, followed by a live recording of a brand-new 45 minute episode as they cover their "Top 10 Speeches in the Bible".

Information about our presenters:

Rev. Dr. Rocky Supinger, Senior Associate Pastor, Fourth Presbyterian Church
Rev. Matt Helms, Associate Pastor, Fourth Presbyterian Church

No Class
Sunday, November 29

Please note that we will not hold an Adult Education class on Sunday, November 29, due to it being Thanksgiving weekend.

A Just Peace in the Middle East: A Faith-Led Perspective
Sunday, December 6 11:00am

In a time of violence and pain in Palestine, Israel, and across the Middle East, we will have an opportunity to hear from Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon, the Executive Director of Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP), who will provide attendees the opportunity to discuss what it means to advocate for sustainable, just peace in the Middle East. As tensions flare, understanding the geopolitics, social considerations, and other elements at work in the Holy Land demands that we, as people of faith, look beyond the headlines into the daily realities of people living on the ground. This class will offer reflections on the historical context of the region, along with practical ways that each of us can engage in efforts striving for peace with justice.

Information about our presenter:

Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon, Executive Director of Churches for Middle East Peace

The Screwtape Letters
Sunday, December 13 and 20 11:00am

December 13. Introducing the Devil. In preparation for the December 20 discussion of C.S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters, Jeff Doane and John Clum will talk about representations of the devil in the Bible and literary classics including Milton’s Paradise Lost, Goethe’s Faust, and Mark Twain’s The Mysterious Stranger.

December 20. C.S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters. Jeff Doane and John Clum lead a discussion of this humorous classic about how we humans can beat the devil

Information about our presenters:

Rev. Dr. Jeff Doane, former Parish Associate at Fourth Church, and former pastor at The Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church in Chicago
Dr. John Clum, Professor Emeritus of Theater Studies and English, Duke University

If you want to tap into the rich resources of previous classes, simply click on this link to find all the adult education classes that were recorded.

Give Us Your Input

To make an inquiry for information or to send evaluative comments, or to suggest a future course offering, email the Adult Education office.

Proposal Form to submit a class of your own for consideration

Staff/Contact Information

Matt Helms
Associate Pastor
Email