This ten-week small group experience will form, shape, and empower you to walk in the ways of Jesus. Each session will include prayer, teaching from By the Way: Getting Serious about Following Jesus by Pastor Derek Vreeland, small group discussion, and personal reflection.
Formation School In-person begins Wednesday, September 7 @ 6:30PM CT in the Life Center led by Pastor Derek.
Formation School Online begins Thursday, September 8 @ 7:00PM CT on Zoom led by Bruce Kokko.
ABOUT BRUCE KOKKO
Bruce was born in Colorado in 1956 and first experienced the Lord at the age of four, and has followed Him thereafter, not without many “faith quakes'' along the way. After attending the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs and then graduate school at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign, he worked as a research organic chemist for thirty-two years before retiring in 2015. From there, Bruce turned his attention to theology. He earned an MA in Church History with an emphasis in the Early Church from Wheaton Graduate School.
Currently he and his wife, Sara, live in Door County, Wisconsin, where he works full time as a teacher’s aid in special education and Sara as a speech pathologist in the same school district.
Bruce and Sara have been online members since February 2022.
WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO PARTICPATE IN THE FORMATION SCHOOL?
1. Attend Prayer School. Completion of Prayer School is a prerequisite for participation in Formation School. Our next Prayer School Online is August 28-30. Details are at wolc.com/prayerschoolonline.
If you have attended prayer school online, or an in-person prayer school in the past, you DO NOT need to attend prayer school again, but it would be a good to brush up on praying according to the Morning Liturgy of Prayer.
2. Consider getting Pastor's Derek's book. Reading By the Way is not required, but encouraged. Copies will be available in the Porch for the in-person group. We will start with Chapter 1 during the first week, so read the assigned chapter ahead of time.
3. Complete this form and click or tap "Register."
SESSION FORMAT
1. Opening Prayer
2. Large Group Teaching
3. Small Group Discussion
4. Personal Reflection
• What have I learned today?
• What do I need to reflect on further?
• What do I need to put into practice?
5. Large Group Wrap-up
6. Closing with the Lord’s Prayer
SCHEDULE
September 7 & 8, 2022
• Opening prayer: The Jesus Prayer
• Chapter 1: “Disciple: The Way of Jesus”
• Discussion questions 6-10 (page 41)
September 14 & 15, 2022
• Opening prayer: Praying Psalm 107
• Chapter 2: “Story: The Way of the Gospel”
• Discussion questions 3-5, 8-9 (page 60)
September 21 & 22, 2022
• Opening prayer: Anglican liturgical prayer
• Chapter 3: “Cruciform: The Way of the Cross”
• Discussion questions 2, 4-6, 8 (page 77)
September 28 & 29, 2022
• Opening prayer: Breath Prayers
• Chapter 4: “Life: The Way of Resurrection”
• Discussion questions 2, 5-8 (Page 96)
October 5 & 6, 2022
• Opening prayer: Litany to the Most Holy Trinity
• Chapter 5: “Trinity: The Way of Love”
• Discussion questions 3-4, 6, 8-9 (Page 116)
NO FORMATION SCHOOL OCTOBER 12 & 13 DUE TO THE COLORADO MOUNTAIN RETREAT
October 19 & 20, 2022
• Opening Prayer: The Lord’s Prayer, The Jesus Prayer, & Silence
• Chapter 6: “Thinking: The Way of the Mind”
• Discussion questions 3, 5-7, 9 (Page 135)
October 26 & 27, 2022
• Opening Prayer: The Trisagion Prayers
• Chapter 7: “Change: The Way of Transformation”
• Discussion questions 6-10 (Page 154)
November 2 & 3, 2022
• Opening Prayer: The Jesus Prayer (reduced and expanded)
• Chapter 8: “Gathering: The Way of Community”
• Discussion questions 1, 4-5, 9-10 (Page 174)
November 9 & 10, 2022
• Opening prayer: Opening Prayers from the Morning Liturgy
• Chapter 9: “Habitus: The Way of Liturgy”
• Discussion questions 3-4, 6, 8-9 (Page 192)
November 16 & 17, 2022
• Opening prayer: Ignatian Prayer of Examen
• Chapter 10: “Justice: The Way of Reconciliation”
• Discussion questions 3, 6-7, 9-10 (Page 212)
RESOURCES
Discussion questions (for those who do not have the book)
Please contact Pastor Derek at if you have any questions.