Equipped

We would love to have you join us for Equipped.

Equipped Adult Education Program
Our goal is to engage the hearts and minds of participants, equipping participants to be fully devoted disciples of Jesus.

Join us for classes and events that will deepen your understanding of Scripture, Theology, Church History, and Christian Living.

When: Sunday mornings, 10– 10:45am (September – May)

In addition to Sundays, we offer special events throughout the year as part of our “More Than Sunday” mission. We invite you to join us on Sunday mornings or at one of our special programs.

Sunday Mornings

The Odyssey
Class Leader: Dr. Alexander Loney
Sunday, March 23 & 30 | 10-10:45am | Parlor

Class Description

A two-week exploration of a foundational book in literary and cultural history with deep and surprising connections to Christian faith and the Bible—Homer’s Odyssey. This book was selected as Wheaton College’s Core Book for 2024-25 and is the subject of a multi-episode podcast by several Wheaton faculty members, among whom is Dr. Alexander Loney.
We will look at the Odyssey by focusing on some enduring story patterns which the Odyssey has provided powerful examples of.
Week 1: Exile and return. Odysseus is our first nostalgic. And the poem gives an exciting account of his laborious but triumphant return journey home. Exile and return (e.g., from Eden and to Jerusalem) are profound Christian themes as well.
Week 2: Revenge and reconciliation. Odysseus returns home to exact revenge on those trying to win his wife and take his home. But he also reconciles at the end of the poem with his enemies. We will find that the Christian calling to pursue justice and also mercy resonates with the Odyssey.

CLASS LEADER: Dr. Loney is a literary critic and scholar of ancient Greek literature and thought. His work focuses on archaic and classical Greek poetry, with particular attention to questions of ethics, temporality, and narrative. He also studies how early Christians received and responded to Greek myth and literature. He teaches widely across the canon of classical Greek and Latin prose and poetry.

From Eden to Patmos: The Bible and Migration
Class Leader: Dr. Daniel Carroll
Sunday, April 6 & 13 | 10-10:45am | Parlor

Class Description

From the opening chapters of Genesis to the book of Revelation migration is a constant reality in the Bible. This two-part series is designed to introduce the breadth of material on migration across the Old and New Testaments. The goal is to establish a biblical foundation that can orient current debates on this highly charged topic.
CLASS LEADER: Dr. Daniel Carroll R. (Rodas) is a professor of Old Testament at Wheaton College. He is half-Guatemalan and was raised bilingual and bicultural. He spent summers growing up in Guatemala and later taught at a seminary in the capital city for many years. Since returning to the U.S. he has been involved in writing and speaking on the topic of the Bible and migration. He has authored The Bible and Borders: Hearing God’s Word on Immigration and co-edited two books on the topic. His most recent book from that perspective is Reading the Bible Latinamente: Latino/a Interpretation for the Life of the Church. He has been married to Joan for 48 years. They have two adult sons and five grandchildren.

More than Sunday Mornings

Love and Justice: Reimagining Hope in a Divided World
Saturday, March 22 | 9-10:30am | Gathering Place

Class Description

In a time of deep political polarization and social fragmentation, Dr. Theon E. Hill will offer a lecture inspired by the prophetic voice of James Baldwin to illuminate a path of hope, justice, and radical love. Baldwin’s profound writings challenge us to confront the deep-rooted injustices that divide our communities while holding fast to a vision of human dignity and divine reconciliation.
Rooted in Baldwin’s nuanced understanding of American identity, social struggle, and spiritual transformation, this presentation explores how Christian faith calls us to be agents of both love and justice—a calling that refuses to be trapped by ideological echo chambers or passive acceptance of systemic wrongs. Participants will be challenged to see justice not as a political weapon, but as a sacred expression of God’s heart for human wholeness and dignity. Drawing from Baldwin’s powerful insight that “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced,” Dr. Hill will offer a compelling vision of hope—a hope that is active, courageous, and deeply rooted in both love and the pursuit of justice. Specifically, the presentation will challenge listeners to move beyond surface-level reconciliation, calling instead for a robust, faith-driven approach to justice. Register here today!

Speaker Bio: Dr. Theon E. Hill serves as Associate Professor of Communication at Wheaton College, where his work examines the intersection of faith, justice, politics, and popular culture. As both a scholar and ordained minister, he brings unique insights to conversations about cultural engagement and social transformation. His research appears in academic journals, books, and popular media. Dr. Hill is Scholar-in-Residence at The Redemption Church, where he serves on the preaching team and leads the justice & mercy ministry. He is also a Civil Society Fellow with the Aspen Institute and member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network.