Thursday Morning Prayer and Bible Study
A long-time activity at Westhampton is the Upper Room Prayer group. It is a devoted group of people who join on Thursday mornings at 10:00 a.m. for an hour of prayer and Bible study in the Prayer Room (108). The group is comprised of men and women and is open to all members and guests of the church. It is led by retired pastor Rev. Paul Campbell.

Disciple Bible Study
Opportunities for the Disciple bible Study program are available each year. Classes are either 30 to 35 weeks in length, or 8 weeks. They begin in the fall. Opportunities include the following classes:

• “Becoming Disciples Through Bible Study” is a 34-week in-depth study of the entire Bible with an equal emphasis on the Old Testament and the New Testament. The content of the sessions follow the chronological movement of the biblical story. Groups meet each week for 2 hours. Participants become committed to living as disciples as they examine the 34 marks of discipleships. This study is the foundation for the other long-term Disciple Bible studies.
  
• “Jesus in the Gospels” is a 30-week study of how Jesus is portrayed in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. In addition to the study manual, participants use the Gospel Comparisons book to examine similarities and differences in Gospel accounts. Participants will encounter the Jesus who is both hard to ignore and hard to control – an attractive, commanding, morally compelling figure. It is that Jesus who is Lord and Savior.
  
• “Christian Believer” is a 30-week daily Bible study utilizing readings from the writings of Christians ancient and modern, on the great doctrines of the Christian faith. Video presentations from Bible scholars, church historians, and preachers with knowledge of and expertise in the historic doctrines of the Christian faith help guide the study. This study puts an emphasis on understanding more fully what we the church believe with a closer look at the symbols of the church, the language of the church, and the doctrine found in familiar hymns.

“But… what if I don’t have 34 weeks?” Then these may be for you:

• “Invitation to the New Testament” is an 8-week study. The story of Jesus is the starting point for understanding the church’s identity and mission. It weaves a dialog between that story, as told by Matthew, and the other New Testament writings. Participants learn how the New Testament writers wrestled with the issues and implications of the story of Jesus for the formation of communities of faith.
  
• “Invitation to the Old Testament” is also an 8-week study. It invites participants to listen afresh to the various narrators of stories from the Torah, the Law, the Prophets, and the Wisdom writings. Participants gain a broad perspective of how the Old Testament clarifies God’s call in the Bible and encourages our response.