Adult Study Groups
Find community and grow in your spiritual walk through our adult discipleship groups. See options below for in-person and hybrid (Zoom + in-person) meetings.
How to Find and Pay for Books
Study books are on 1) shelves in the main church entrance (Door #2) and 2) the Connection Tables in the Gathering Area. Entrance shelves are available Mon-Th (9a-4p), Fri (9a-1p), and Sun mornings.
To pay for books, mark your envelope as “Study Books” and place in the offering plate, office, black box on the shelves, or basket on the connections table. Make checks to St. Mark’s UMC with “study books” in the memo line. You can also pay online.
Themed and Short-Term Studies
Short-term studies explore specific themes (e.g., discipleship topics, spiritual growth, social justice, Advent & Lenten seasons).
Disciple I Fast Track Bible Study – New Testament Portion
Sunday evenings, January 25-May 3 | No meetings April 5, 19, 26 | 5:30-7:00 PM
Led by Ken Steppe | Room N, The Living Room | Cost is $18 to cover the New Testament workbook
A few spots remain for the New Testament portion of Disciple I Fast Track! A portion of the group began the Old Testament study in Fall 2025, but spots remain if you would like to join the group for the 12 sessions of the New Testament (covering the life of Christ, the early church, Paul’s letters, and the mysteries of Revelation). Each session includes a video in class, reflection questions, and weekly Bible reading assignments to read ahead of the meeting.
The Grace of Les Misérables – Lenten Series
Sundays, 2/15-3/22 | 10-11AM | Foundations & Friendships Sunday Class led by Doug Brown, Todd Snow, and Kathy DeaKyne| Room J/K (no signup needed, just show up!)
Thursdays, 2/26-4/2 | 10-11AM | Thursday AM Study led by Judy Woempner | Room N (The Living Room) + Zoom if requested
Fridays, 2/20-3/27 | 9:30-11AM | Friday AM Study led by Jennifer Cloud-Buckner and Annessa Miller | Room B/C and Zoom
In The Grace of Les Misérables, author and pastor Matt Rawle dives into six ideals —grace, justice, poverty, revolution, love, and hope—represented by characters in Victor Hugo’s epic story. If you’ve seen the Broadway musical or a screen adaptation, or you’ve tackled the 1400-page 19th century novel, you may already know the power of Les Mis. (If you’ve not seen the movie or play, mark your calendar for a St. Mark’s screening on February 20.)
Through this study we’ll explore the intersection of church and culture with Rawle’s explanations of parallels between the iconic story and our Christian calling. Let the imperfect and relatable characters of Les Mis, and the way their ideals work together or contrast with each other, inspire you to understand your faith and live it out in the world.
Follow along with the Lenten sermon series with any of these study groups reading Matt Rawle’s book. Books are $12, available in the Gathering Area.
Weekday Study Groups: 2026
Study groups meet during the school year (Sept-May) on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.
The Final Days: A Lenten Journey through the Gospels | Wednesday AM Study
Wednesdays, February 25 – April 1 | 9:30-11 AM
This Lent, ponder the themes of justice, poverty, freedom, and love through different lenses of each of the four Gospels. While Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John present distinct details of Jesus’ last week in Jerusalem, they offer the same Resurrection hope. Author Matt Rawle explains that these different perspectives aren’t a reason to dismiss the Gospels; rather they reveal an abundant, diverse, and complementary picture of God’s work in the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
The Heart of the Psalms: God’s Word to the World |Men’s & Pastors’ Study Groups
Wednesdays, February 25 – April 1 | Room B/C and Zoom | Books $17
TWO Sections: Men’s Bible Study, 8:00-9:00 AM | Pastors’ Bible Study, 9:30-10:30 AM
Led by Pastors Nathan Whybrew and Karla Elliott
The Book of Psalms has been called a school of prayer, as these eloquent words to God become the Word of God for us and a road map to navigate life with God in this world. Focusing on six psalms—Psalm 8 (awe), Psalm 27 (beauty), Psalm 51 (mercy), Psalm 73 (surely), Psalm 90 (time), and Psalm 116 (love) —this study offers a glimpse into God’s heart and examines why the words have connected so deeply throughout history with people, with the church, and beyond. Join others in finding hope, comfort, inspiration, and transformation through the Psalms.
The Grace of Les Misérables | Thursday AM Study
Thursdays, February 26 – April 2 | 10-11 AM | Led by Judy Woempner | The Living Room (Room N) | Books $12
In The Grace of Les Misérables, author and pastor Matt Rawle dives into six ideals —grace, justice, poverty, revolution, love, and hope—represented by characters in Victor Hugo’s epic story. If you’ve seen the Broadway musical or a screen adaptation, or you’ve tackled the 1400-page 19th century novel, you may already know the power of Les Mis. (If you’ve not seen the movie or play, mark your calendar for a St. Mark’s screening on February 20.)
Through this study we’ll explore the intersection of church and culture with Rawle’s explanations of parallels between the iconic story and our Christian calling. Let the imperfect and relatable characters of Les Mis, and the way their ideals work together or contrast with each other, inspire you to understand your faith and live it out in the world.
The Grace of Les Misérables | Thursday AM Study
Fridays, February 20 – March 27 | 9:30-11 AM | Led byJennifer Cloud-Buckner and Annessa Miller | Room B/C and Zoom| Books $12
In The Grace of Les Misérables, author and pastor Matt Rawle dives into six ideals —grace, justice, poverty, revolution, love, and hope—represented by characters in Victor Hugo’s epic story. If you’ve seen the Broadway musical or a screen adaptation, or you’ve tackled the 1400-page 19th century novel, you may already know the power of Les Mis. (If you’ve not seen the movie or play, mark your calendar for a St. Mark’s screening on February 20.)
Through this study we’ll explore the intersection of church and culture with Rawle’s explanations of parallels between the iconic story and our Christian calling. Let the imperfect and relatable characters of Les Mis, and the way their ideals work together or contrast with each other, inspire you to understand your faith and live it out in the world.
Sunday Morning Small Groups & Classes
Cutting Edge
Zoom can be available upon request
Reel Spirituality
Foundations and Friendships
The Living Room
10:00 AM in Room N
This informal, drop-in space is open every Sunday for conversation, connection, and individual down time—where you can just BE, rest, read, listen to a podcast, or sit between worship services. Each week you can find coffee, conversation starters, games, and space to relax. Occasionally, guided discussions take place in a portion of the room, leaving plenty of space to chat or read as desired (details at stmarkscarmel.org/workshops). May this be a space that feeds your soul with a sense of community and a way to refresh before the busy week. If you have feedback or questions about The Living Room or other 10 AM options, please contact Jennifer at grow@stmarkscarmel.org.
For more information on adult studies, please contact Jennifer Cloud-Buckner (grow@stmarkscarmel.org), St. Mark’s Adult Discipleship Coordinator.