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
“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.
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.
Historical Wisdom for Contemporary Culture
READING AND DISCUSSING CLASSIC THEOLOGICAL TEXTS PROVIDES A CONTEXT FOR UNDERSTANDING AND APPLYING HISTORICAL INSIGHT TO MODERN LIFE.
"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.
Fall 2023 - Spring 2024
The Westminster Confession of Faith
HOW TO ENGAGE WITH THE READING GROUPS
Enroll in a Group
Choose a local or virtual group. The cost is $50 and includes a digital copy of the text.
Connect with Your Leader
Your group leader will contact you and provide participation details.
Read Classic Text
You’ll receive a digital copy of the text, and read assigned sections before each meeting.
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:
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
"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
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.
