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

2023-2024 Text

This year the Paideia Reading Groups will focus on the whole counsel of God, that is, the big picture of Christian teaching. To help us think and talk more wisely about the full range of biblical teaching regarding Christian faith and practice and how Christianity fits together as a whole, we will be studying the Westminster Confession of Faith. While this seventeenth century text failed to win adoption in its native English church, it continues to gain wider, more diverse adherents around the globe today. We expect the reading and discussion of this confession will lead us back to Scripture, take us deeper in wonder, and help us go further in witness.

westminster-COF banner

Fall 2023 - Spring 2024

The Westminster Confession of Faith

HOW TO ENGAGE WITH THE READING GROUPS

People Icon 1

Enroll in a Group

Choose a local or virtual group. The cost is $50 and includes a digital copy of the text.

People Icon 2

Connect with Your Leader

Your group leader will contact you and provide participation details.

Book Icon

Read Classic Text

You’ll receive a digital copy of the text, and read assigned sections before each meeting.

Discuss Icon

Discuss with Your Group

Participate in six monthly group discussions, three in the fall, and three in the spring term.

Current Reading Groups

Sort Groups:

City
Select by Location
Online 1

Australia – Online

8pm EST | 10am AEST
Sept 25|26, Oct 30|31, Dec 4|5

Rectangle 67 copy 11

Charlotte

7pm
Sept 20, Oct 25, Nov 29, Feb 28, Mar 27, Apr 24

chatt

Chattanooga

7-8:30pm
Sept 14, Oct 26, Nov 9, Feb 1, Mar 7, Apr 11

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

Chicago

7-8:30pm
Sept 20, Oct 25, Nov 29, Feb 7, Mar 20, Apr 17

Edinburgh

Edinburgh

7:30-9am
Sept 12, Oct 10, Nov 14, Feb 6, Mar 26, Apr 30

Rectangle 67 copy 4

Greece – Online

8pm
Oct 23, Nov 20, Dec 11

pieter-van-de-sande-NafRX_hGvEU-unsplash

Jackson

7pm
Sept 7, Oct 19, Nov 9, Feb 8, Mar 7, Apr 11

chad-morehead-AHnmupFDWCc-unsplash-scaled

Nashville

7-8:30pm
Sept 18, Oct 16, Nov 20, Feb 19, Mar 18, Apr 15

Orlando-edit

Orlando

7pm
Sept 21, Oct 26, Dec 7, Feb 29, Mar 21, Apr 18

Philly-edit

Philadelphia

6pm
Sept 13, Oct 18, Nov 15, Feb 14, Mar 13, Apr 17

Pittsburgh-edit

Pittsburgh

7pm
Sept 7, Oct 5, Nov 2, Mar 7, Apr 4, May 2

tanner-van-dera-oaQ2mTeaP7o-unsplash-scaled-e1593005717922

UK – Online

3pm GMT | 10am ET
Oct 3, Nov 7, Dec 5, Feb 6, Mar 5, Apr 16

justin-shen-Pi9CXMq4XHM-unsplash-scaled
vlad-tchompalov-dHjV9czPNHs-unsplash

Washington D.C.

6pm
Sept 13, Oct 11, Nov 8, Feb 14, Mar 13, Apr 10

austin-park-VoUUYQfhTXE-unsplash

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.

Dr. Blair Smith and Dr. John Fesko will be the speakers at the 2024 Paideia Lectures.

PAST PANELISTS AND PRESENTERS INCLUDE:

  • Gregory Lee
  • Michael Allen
  • Mark McDowell
  • Joey Sherrard
  • 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

WHETHER YOU’RE A PROSPECTIVE STUDENT, CURRENT STUDENT, ALUMNUS, DONOR, OR FRIEND, WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU

I want to learn more about:

I can be reached at:

Additional Comments:

Author