Teacher: Jeff Manning

Purpose: This class explores a Christian theology of emotions and how it applies to the whole of Christian life. Together, we will examine what emotions are and why a good God gave them to us, how our hearts reveal what we truly love and worship, and how the Gospel teaches us to engage feelings like fear, anger, grief, guilt, and shame with wisdom, rather than either indulging every impulse or suppressing what we feel. Participants will grow in their ability to articulate a theology of emotions rooted in the Gospel, apply it to daily life in the church, and recognize the competing cultural stories that quietly teach us how, and whether, to feel.

Each week moves from Scripture and the church’s worship and experience, to doctrinal foundation, to practical wisdom for life together, naming and answering a common cultural narrative about feelings along the way.

Overview: This Core Class is one of our Community Life classes on Christian Wisdom, which orders every dimension of human life, including our emotions, toward the love of God and neighbor.