We Exist to grow Together in Faith
God’s grace is a continual presence in our lives. Through studying the scriptures, prayer, and serving others, this grace will grow our love and understanding of God. We invite you to join our small group studies and Sunday school classes to help you grow in your own relationship with God.
Our adult Sunday School class is taught as a hybrid class at 9 a.m. on Sunday mornings. You may attend in person at the church or online via ZOOM.
Get Connected to grow: e-mail grow@atlantafirstumc.org for the ZOOM links, information on how to join a small group or attend Sunday School classes, and other learning opportunities. Click the image below to download a handy guide to choosing a study bible.
Study Bible Guide!
Click the image below to download a handy guide to choosing a study bible.
Sunday Morning grow Group Study
Sundays at 9 a.m. Eastern Time
Study for the latter half of August: Wonder – Seeing the Extraordinary. What changes when we learn to see every person as a bearer of God’s image? This three-week series, inspired by the film Wonder and grounded in Genesis, Isaiah, and Romans, explores sacred worth, courage in the face of fear, and genuine love as a way of life. You do not need to have seen the film. In the Sunday grow Group we will dive deeper into the themes and lessons of each week’s sermon and the Devotional Guide Book.
The Sunday grow Group meets at 9 a.m. Eastern Time on Sunday mornings, in person at the church and online via ZOOM. All are welcome!
Click Here to Register (Optional)
Click Here to Join the ZOOM
Meeting ID: 817 7912 8812
Passcode: 0360
Phone: 301.715.8592
Tuesday Evening grow Group
Job In Exile
Tuesdays at 7 p.m. Eastern Time
Begins September 8
Join the Tuesday grow Group this fall as we undertake a brand new study based on Job in Exile: A Guide for Spiritual Refugees by David P. Gushee.
The book of Job is one of the most unsettling texts in the Bible. It confronts readers and faith communities with questions about faithfulness, suffering, and justice. For many today, especially those who feel alienated or marginalized by religious communities, the story of Job feels newly urgent.
In Job in Exile, internationally known Christian ethicist David P. Gushee offers a new interpretation that brings clarity and relevance to this ancient book. Gushee argues that Job’s story is not only about suffering; it is also about spiritual exile. Written especially for post-evangelical pastors, churches, artists, and other spiritual seekers and refugees, Job in Exile invites readers to engage scripture with unflinching honesty and courage. It offers guidance and hope for anyone seeking faith, integrity, and community.
The Tuesday grow Group meets at 7 p.m., online via ZOOM. Lead Pastor Rev. Jasmine R. Smothers is the class facilitator. Please register to receive the ZOOM link and study materials.
Wednesday Evening grow Group
Sacred Playlist
Wednesdays at 7 p.m. Eastern Time
The Wednesday grow Group is spinning and rocking in a series called Sacred Playlist! Join in the fun as we discuss the Christian themes of favorite songs selected by group members. We listen to the songs together and discuss virtually on ZOOM every Wednesday night. Grab your Bible, a snack, and your ZOOM device, and let’s have fun growing together!
The Wednesday Evening grow Group meets online via ZOOM at 7 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday evenings. You may register HERE to receive the study materials. The links for the song suggestions form and the ZOOM meeting are below. Let’s grow in musical discipleship with God together!
Thursday Morning grow Group
Fall Study: Romans
Begins September 3
This fall, the Thursday Morning grow Group will begin a new study based on Genesis to Revelation – Romans. This is a comprehensive, verse-by-verse, thirteen week in-depth study of the Book of Romans. It begins with an introduction to the Apostle Paul and following through his life and his call. Some of the major idea explored are: his purpose and situation, righteousness and wrath, being set free from sin, new life in the Spirit, and a tolerant ethic. We will incorporate videos from the Bible Project.
The Thursday grow Group meets in-person at the church and online via ZOOM at 11 a.m. Eastern Time on Thursday mornings. The class is led by Rev. Dr. Jacqui Rose-Tucker. You may register HERE to receive the study materials and ZOOM link. All are welcome to join in, so let’s grow in discipleship with God together!
Book Club
Next Meeting: Monday, September 27
Love to read? Join our Book Club on the last Monday of every month to discuss some of the hottest reads in the last several years through the lens of faith. The group meets online via ZOOM.
For the month of September, we will read The Mount of Olives: 11 Declarations to an Extraordinary Life by Michael V. Ivanov. We will meet on ZOOM on Monday, September 27. Please register to receive the ZOOM link.
Atlanta First UMC grow Survey
Atlanta First UMC is expanding our grow offerings for the coming year to include new long-term and short-term courses. This brief survey will help us gauge interest and shape our new slate of offerings for the 2026 year. Thanks for your interest and your help!
Children & Youth Ministries
We are aiming to relaunch our youth and children’s ministries, and we need your input! To better understand your family’s needs, we’ve created two surveys, one for youth and one for families with children. If this is you, please consider taking 2-3 minutes to fill out the surveys below! We cannot wait to start back as we support our families at Atlanta First UMC!
Atlanta First UMC Children’s Ministry Survey
Atlanta First UMC Youth Survey
Creating a Safe Sanctuary
Jesus said, “Whoever welcomes a child … welcomes me” (Matthew 18:5). Children are our present and our future, our hope, our teachers, our inspiration. They are full participants in the life of the church and in the realm of God.
Jesus also said, “If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones … it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matthew 18:6). Our Christian faith calls us to offer both hospitality and protection to the little ones, the children. The Social Principles of The United Methodist Church state that “children must be protected from economic, physical, emotional and sexual exploitation and abuse.” (¶ 162C).
Tragically, churches have not always been safe places for children. Child sexual abuse, exploitation, and ritual abuse [“ritual abuse” refers to abusive acts committed as part of ceremonies or rites; ritual abusers are often related to cults, or pretend to be] occur in churches, large and small, urban and rural. The problem cuts across all economic, cultural, and racial lines. It is real, and it appears to be increasing. Most annual conferences can cite specific incidents of child sexual abuse and exploitation within churches. Virtually every congregation has among its members adult survivors of early sexual trauma.
Such incidents are devastating to all who are involved: the child, the family, the local church and its leaders. Increasingly, churches are torn apart by the legal, emotional, and monetary consequences of litigation following allegations of abuse.
God calls us to make our churches safe places, protecting children and other vulnerable persons from sexual and ritual abuse. God calls us to create communities of faith where children and adults grow safe and strong.
Thus, in covenant with all United Methodist congregations, we have a policy for the prevention of abuse at Atlanta First United Methodist Church and accompanying procedures to demonstrate our absolute and unwavering commitment to the physical safety, emotional well-being, and spiritual growth of all our children, youth, and vulnerable adults. Find a copy of that policy HERE.
This form is for unintentional acts which occur on church property or during church events and someone is hurt. For example: A child falls on the playground; an older adult slips on the floor; a tooth is knocked out during youth basketball.
This form is used when an action is observed that does not require reporting to DFCS, but does require attention by staff or clergy. For example: A Sunday School teacher “loses it” with a class; an adult “in charge” walks out of a classroom to get supplies and leaves children briefly unattended.
This form is used when a volunteer or staff person sees, has been told of, or suspects a child, youth or vulnerable adult has been abused in some way. For example: A youth confides abuse to a counselor; a child comes to Sunday School with bruising and injuries he can’t/won’t explain; a homebound visitor finds a senior adult without food in the house.
This Suspected Abuse Follow-Up Form is used to record additional steps taken by staff to address the Suspected Abuse.
A form to give permission to the church to use your image, or the image of someone you are the legal guardian of, in print, web, video, and all other media. Please fill out separate forms for all adults and children in a given household. Please email the completed pdf form to engage@atlantafirstumc.org.
A form for parents or guardians of children and youth to fill out with emergency contact and insurance information. Please email the completed pdf form to engage@atlantafirstumc.org.