We believe that Christian discipleship is a holistic endeavor, involving a whole life transformation that impacts every aspect of our life. At the very center of any "school" of discipleship is Christ in the gospel, wherein the life of God is given to all who believe in him. The gospel is the free gift of God’s grace possessed by faith in Christ alone. It is the discovery of being set free from the fear of divine and human condemnation, even as this transforms our relationships, our work, and our worship! The Gospel is nothing less than the "power of God unto salvation!"

Any school of discipleship will involve at least three components — "word, worship, fellowship." The emphasis at CPC is in the two contexts where all three come together—in formal worship on Sundays and in the informal context of family groups that are located throughout the downtown and greater New Haven region (see "Worship at CPC" and "Fellowship Groups at CPC"). It pertains to the teaching and training aspects of the "word" component especially, as to complement the preaching at CPC, that we envision a CPC Study Center. The CPC Study Center is expressed in three major ways at CPC:

• The CPC Study Center Online
• The CPC Study Center Library
• The CPC Study Center Classes and Programs

The online study center makes available both written and audio sermons, class syllabi with annotated study guides and links to relevant readings, topical pamphlets and papers, links to other good resource sites online, etc. (please see the buttons to the upper left and the tabs above). For those interested in learning more about the church in general, be sure to check out the Introduction to CPC and Christian Worldview.

Located at 135 Whitney Avenue in downtown New Haven, the library is situated off the balcony area overlooking the CPC chapel. Our selection of books and audio resources covers a range of categories including biographies, children’s books, church history, the church, family, fiction, general discipleship, sermons and biblical studies, sociology/evangelism/apologetics and theology. Books and audio resources may be checked out as well as enjoyed in our facility. To learn more about the material avialable, see the the library catalogue here.

You will discover plenty of opportunity for learning and training at CPC offered in a variety of contexts.

• 10 AM Sundays
  Whereas this time is often utilized for special seminars and classes as deemed useful from time to time, the core curriculum for our Adult Sunday Study Center program are as follows:
  Fall Semester
  
  • Gospel Transformation 1
    Centers upon the transformation of the Christian by the power of the gospel and helping the believer formulate and clarify their identity in Christ. Recommended for those who have not yet taken Gospel Transformation 1 or 11.
  • Christian Faith in a Pluralistic World
    Increasingly, we live in a post-modern, post-secular albeit pluralistic world. With the help of Ravi Zaccarias (on audio/video), the class will discuss how to be a witness living in the world for the world, even if "being other wordly." Recommended for those who have completed Gospel Transformation 1 or 11.
  Winter Semester
  
  • Introduction to CPC and Christian Discipleship
    Ordinarily offered in the Winter term every year, the class introduces students to the gospel, the so called "reformed and Presbyterian tradition," the five core values of ministry at CPC, issues in discipleship and divine wisdom, vocation and calling, the "missional church," and issues related to membership at CPC. It is open to anyone. It is NOT required in order to join CPC, but it is highly recommended, even if already a member.
  • Spiritual Leadership
    a five week study in 2 Timothy. Topics include "Guarding the Gospel", "Suffering for the Gospel", "Community Formation", etc.
  • Gospel Transformation II
    continuation -see write up above.
  Spring Semester
  
  • Christian Calling and Divine Wisdom
    - Does God have a blueprint for our lives and if so, ought we to be looking for it? Or should we be looking for divine wisdom, trusting the blueprint to God? This class is designed to help the student "live" the Christian life, especially as pertaining to the choices we make in the areas of public service, family and church.
  • Gospel Transformation II
    continued.
  • Toward a Reformed Theology of the Cross: The Meaning of the Atonement for the Missional Church
    (taught by Rev. John Hardie) In these four conference style sessions we will explore the meaning of the Cross, an event which lies at the very heart of the Christian faith. Just as the Cross is central to the Christian faith, the Cross should be central in a Reformed understanding of spirituality. These lectures will attempt to summarize what the Church has affirmed about the Cross in the theological tradition, especially in recent contemporary theology, while also moving on to the 'So what?' question of how the Cross relates to a particularly Reformed approach to spirituality. This lecture will suspend regular adult Sunday School.
  Summer Semester
  
  • Sermon Discussions
    (summers and throughout the year intermittently) Many at CPC have found this to be one of the most rewarding events, where the disciple of Christ is enabled to go deeper and wider with the preacher. It is driven mostly by Q & A.
• College Class -Fall, Winter, Spring
  This class consists of college students throughout the area. During the class questions such as How can I be right with God? and How can I know what is true? will be explored. Please see material in the Welcome Center at CPC.
• Mid-week Expositions
  
  • Expositional Studies in Proverbs
    (taught by Rev. Preston Graham.) Meets each 1st & 3rd Thursday evening of the month at 7:00 pm here at CPC. We welcome everyone to join in this study.
  • Graduate Student & Professional Fellowship, Prayer, Praise
    Meets Thursday evenings at 7 pm during the month.
  • Confessional Theology (Individual Self Directed Study)
    The course is aimed at a more comprehensive and systematic understanding of Christian faith. And yet, we will not be doing it alone! We utilize that unbroken tradition of interpretation distinguished as the classic evangelical and reformed faith. The course assumes a confessional approach rather than a skeptical & apologetic one. Continuity within the historic reformed tradition will be illustrated from our primary text. The Westminster Confession of Faith, together with readings that seek to span the duration of church history. A study guide is provided. It is a required class for small group leaders and teachers at CPC.
  • Weekend Courses (Friday evenings and Saturday mornings)
    On a rotating schedule, the church seeks to provide training in the following topics every 2-3 years year 2004-2005 offers:
    • Evangelism Training October 8 & 9, 2004
    • Child Discipleship March 4&5, 2005
    • Bible Interpretation (Hermeneutics) - January 28 &29, 2005TBD
    • Small Group Leaders TrainingJanuary 28 &29, 2005-TBD
• Directed Study Program
  The program would consist of both individual study and meeting with the pastoral team to discuss what various topics of interests. Contact one of the pastors for more information.
• Student Internship Program (joint program between RUF and CPC)
  The student internship program is designed to prepare the student for leadership in the church upon their graduation. Whereas the student is espoused to the full range of ministry within the church, he/she will also be trained in the development of a ministry from start to finish, according tot he students interests. This program does offer financial assistance in coordination with support raising. The program involves training in ministry, church planting and theology throughout the year.