Classic Texts.
Contemporary Conversations.

GUIDED EXPOSURE TO CLASSIC THEOLOGICAL TEXTS FOR PASTORS AND LAY LEADERS

Reading Groups

Teaching Women to Teach

Institute for Faith, Work, & Culture

Group 2

“I do not wish the ordinary reader to read no modern books. But if he must read only the new or only the old, I would advise him to read the old."

— C.S. Lewis

Navigating contemporary culture as a Christian has become increasingly complex.

As the culture attempts to define morality, the church too often disagrees on how to respond.

We desire answers that tell us what to think. What we need is instruction on how to think… a spiritual formation that equips us to interpret biblically and interact charitably with others in any situation.

Group 4

Paideia Reading Groups

The Paideia Center offers reading groups, special lectures, and resources on classic theological texts by authors like Augustine and John Calvin with the aim of increasing spiritual maturity in the church body through deeper spiritual formation of its lay leaders and pastors.

Group 3-min

Historical Wisdom for Contemporary Culture

READING AND DISCUSSING CLASSIC THEOLOGICAL TEXTS PROVIDES A CONTEXT FOR UNDERSTANDING AND APPLYING HISTORICAL INSIGHT TO MODERN LIFE.

  • Foster competence in engaging serious, classic Christian literature for yourself.
  • Understand the significance of classical theological texts in their historical context.
  • Know how to draw on classic writings to help reframe and renew contemporary discussions.
  • Cultivate an ability to critically and charitably converse with others about weighty (even controversial) matters.
  • Gain wisdom from mature, respected Christian leaders.
Group 2

"The Paideia Center reading groups provide wonderful opportunities for Christians from all sorts of backgrounds and contexts to encounter and learn from the classic texts of the Christian tradition. These reading groups offer excellent environments for thoughtful Christians to be discipled with the wisdom from the past and grow alongside fellow Christians by studying and discussing the ideas in these texts."

— Dr. Josh Bruce, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

2024-2025 Reading Groups

This year the Paideia Reading Groups will focus on the diabolical devices that can tempt us so powerfully, exploring the topics of sin and temptation.  We will be studying Precious Remedies Against Satan’s Devices by the Puritan Thomas Brooks in the fall term, and then in springtime we’ll read The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis. Each text reveals why sin can be so alluring, illumines how devils seek to lead us into darkness, and also helps us identify ways of killing sin and fleeing temptation. We expect the reading and discussion of these texts will make us more perceptive to and wise regarding the spiritual battle that marks our daily lives in this present age.

Precious Remedies

Fall 2024

Precious Remedies Against Satan’s Devices

HOW TO ENGAGE WITH THE READING GROUPS

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Enroll in a Group

Choose a local or virtual group. The cost is $25.

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Connect with Your Leader

Your group leader will contact you and provide participation details.

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Read the Classic Text

Obtain a copy of the text, and read assigned sections before each meeting.

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Discuss with Your Group

Participate in the three monthly group discussions.

Upcoming Reading Groups

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Australia – Online

8pm Pacific Standard
September 10, October 8, November 5

Blairsville GA

Blairsville

7pm
September 17, October 7 , November 4

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Charlotte

7pm
September 24, October 22, November 19

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Chattanooga

7pm
September 12, October 24, November 14

Downtown Chicago Skyscraper Cityscape along the Chicago River. Typical yellow Tourboat cruising on the Chicago River towards the Michigan Lake. Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Chicago

7pm
September 25, October 30, December 4

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Jackson

7pm
October 3, October 24, November 14

Orlando-edit

Orlando

7pm
September 26, October 24, December 5

Pittsburgh-edit

Pittsburgh

7pm
September 12, October 10, November 14

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Washington D.C. – Online

7pm Eastern Time
September 12, October 10, November 14

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You host a group

Time and Dates
are set by you, and are communicated by you to your group.

Special Lectures

In addition to the reading groups, the Paideia Center provides special lectures designed to augment the groups’ study for that semester.

The speakers at the 2024 Paideia Lectures were:

  • Dr. John Fesko
    • "The Westminster Confession on Justification: Metaphysics and Eschatology.”
  • Dr. Blair Smith
    • The Father’s Family: Adoption in the Westminster Confession of Faith

PAST PANELISTS AND PRESENTERS INCLUDE:

  • Gregory Lee
  • Michael Allen
  • Mark McDowell
  • Joey Sherrard
  • John Fesko
  • Blair Smith
  • N. Gray Sutanto
  • Sinclair Ferguson
Group 2

"The Paideia Center has not only provided me with a structure and occasion for reading the classic works of the Christian tradition, but a space to dialogue with others who share a common interest in deepening their capacities for a more holistic approach to theological understanding. Each gathering has been spiritually rich in both practical and theoretical ways, and continues to be instrumental in my own theological maturation."

— WILLIAM VEGA, ORLANDO, FLORIDA

RTS eBook 3D

Free eBook

from the Paideia Center

Reformed Theological Seminary exists to train men and women to see the beauty of Jesus in all of Scripture and to commend his beauty to others.

This little booklet is designed to give you a taste of the kind of Christ-honoring teaching that our faculty engages in both inside and outside the classroom.

Contact Us

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