Class Offerings - Lifelong Learning
We look forward to seeing you this semester!
The Lifelong Learning courses for Spring 2026 run from Jan. 28 through April 23. In the Spring 2026 Classes section below, click the + icon in the tabs to expand each day to see details of our class offerings.
Registration opens Jan. 6, 2026!
*Note: Current and retired Lipscomb faculty and staff are eligible for a 50% discount off certain in-person/Zoom classes. Discount does not apply to Special Gatherings or the Adult Beginning Piano Class 2 and Adult Piano Class R&C (Resuming and Continuing) classes. Please contact lifelonglearning [at] lipscomb.edu (Lifelong Learning) for the discount code to register online.
Class Offerings - Spring 2026
Mondays
The Ark of the Covenant: A Biography
February 2, 9, 16, 23; March 2
- 10-11:30 AM CT
- Location: Longview Mansion
- IN PERSON & ZOOM
- Cost: $80
Instructor: Chris McKinny, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Center for Biblical Archaeology, Lipscomb University
The Ark of the Covenant is the most important object in the Bible. Everyone wants to know—Where is the Lost Ark? That’s a difficult question to answer, but we can delve into ancient legends and explore what the ancient Judeans believed about the Ark’s current location and its promised resurrection. To me, a more important question is: What is the Ark of the Covenant? This question can be answered emphatically from both a biblical and an archaeological perspective. This course will address these two questions through an exploration of the “life” or “biography” of the Ark of the Covenant, or what I like to call the “incarnation of the Hebrew Bible.”
Capturing Your Family Stories
March 23, 30; April 6, 13, 20
- 10-11:30 AM CT
- Location: Longview Mansion
- IN PERSON ONLY
- Cost: $80
Instructor: Nancy Posey, Ed.D., Adjunct Professor, English and Modern Languages Department Lipscomb University
Even when we value family stories—our own and those passed down to us—we can be overwhelmed by the idea of writing them. Nancy Posey will work with participants to break down the project into a manageable size, crafting flash memoirs (500-to-1,000-word stories) and narrative poetry, using family photos as inspiration. She will also share options for using these writings to create albums or chapbooks to create family keepsakes and gifts. She will share a bibliography of books that offer examples and inspiration as well.
Tuesdays
Five Constitutional Amendments to Save America
February 3, 10, 17, 24; March 3
- 10-11:30 AM CT
- Location: Cofer’s Chapel Free Will Baptist Church; 3915 Franklin Pike
- IN PERSON & ZOOM
- Cost: $80
Instructor: David French, J.D. (’91), Distinguished Visiting Professor of Public Policy, College of Leadership & Public Service, Lipscomb University
In this class, we will use five separate proposed constitutional amendments to outline all of the different ways in which American democracy has become dysfunctional — in part by disregarding the most valuable insights of the founding generation. We will talk about presidential power, the complete failure of Congress to do its job, and the challenges the judiciary faces. Each day of the class will highlight a specific portion of the federal government, describe how it has gone wrong, and propose a way to make it right.
Weathering the Storm: A Study of Weather and Why It Happens
March 24, 31, April 7, 14, 21
- 10-11:30 AM CT
- Location: Longview Mansion
- IN PERSON ONLY
- Cost: $80
Instructor: Andrew Leeper (’03 Lipscomb Academy), Co-owner, Nashville Severe Weather; Worship Minister at Brentwood Hills church of Christ; Guest speaker Bree Smith, former chief meteorologist at NewsChannel 5
Weather affects every human being on the planet. From bluebird skies to tornadoes, our skies over Middle Tennessee are capable of so much. In this class, we'll explore how the weather "machine" works. What is forecasting anyway? How does a beautiful spring day turn into a raging thunderstorm? We'll answer these questions as well as take a look back through some of the most memorable weather events that shaped Nashville's history and why they happened.
Wednesdays
America's Civics Lesson: 250th Anniversary and Midterm Elections 2026 Edition
January 28, February 4, 11, 18, 25, March 4, 11, 18, 25, April 1, 8, 15, 22
- 1-2:30 PM CT
- ZOOM ONLY
- Cost: $110
Instructor: Linda Peek Schacht (’72), Retired Lipscomb University Faculty
2026 is the 10th anniversary of America's Civics Lesson! Just in time for celebrating America's 250th Anniversary and preparing for the 2026 Midterm elections.
Linda Peek Schacht brings her political, governmental and corporate experience to a weekly conversation designed to help us be more engaged and informed citizens. We consider current events through the lens of history, government policy, political strategy, leadership communication and survey research. We explore how to use the information ecosystem of legacy media, social media influencers and the proliferation of news sites, newsletters and podcasts.
With civil conversation, guest speakers and analysis, we will navigate tumultuous times while celebrating the ideas and institutions that unify us.
You’re Never Too Old for Yoga!
February 4, 11, 18, 25; March 4
- 10-11:30 AM CT
- Location: Longview Mansion
- IN PERSON ONLY
- Cost: $80
Instructor: Ruth Henry, Ph.D. (’75), Adjunct Professor, College of Health Sciences, Lipscomb University
This class will incorporate both chair-assisted standing and seated yoga poses, and will emphasize alignment, breathing, strength, flexibility and balance. Besides numerous known physical benefits of yoga, helping with mood, mental health and providing a social outlet is perhaps where yoga shines the most. Don’t miss out on this opportunity and let’s start moving!
Modifications will be shown for all fitness levels.
Adult Piano Class II
February 4, 11, 18, 25; March 4, 18, 25; April 1, 8, 15
- 5:30-6:30 PM CT
- Location: Piano Lab at McMeen Music Building
- IN PERSON ONLY
- Cost: $250
- Capacity: 10
Instructor: Jackie Edwards-Henry, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Piano, Mississippi State University; Adjunct Instructor and Collaborative Pianist, Lipscomb University.
Adult piano classes will be offered again this semester through a collaborative effort of Lifelong Learning and the School of Music at Lipscomb. Adult Piano Class 2 is a continuation of Piano 1. The class will begin with a review of basic pitch and rhythm notation and will feature a variety of styles of repertoire, chord construction, lead sheets, improvisation and ensemble playing.
This hour-long class will meet once per week for 10 weeks. Only 10 spaces are available and will be filled on a first-come, first-reserve basis.
Adult Piano Class R & C (Resuming and Continuing)
Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25; March 4, 18, 25; April 1, 8, 15
- 6:30-7:30 PM CT
- Location: Piano Lab at McMeen Music Building
- IN PERSON ONLY
- Cost: $250
- Capacity: 10
Instructor: Jackie Edwards-Henry, Ph.D. , Professor Emeritus of Piano, Mississippi State University; Adjunct Instructor and Collaborative Pianist, Lipscomb University
Adult piano classes will be offered again this semester through a collaborative effort of Lifelong Learning and the School of Music at Lipscomb. Adult Piano Class R & C is for students who have had a year or more of piano study and can read treble and bass clef. The class will begin with a review of basic pitch and rhythm notation and will feature a variety of styles of repertoire, chord construction, lead sheets, improvisation and ensemble playing.
This hour-long class will meet once per week for 10 weeks Only 10 spaces are available and will be filled on a first-come, first-reserve basis.
Take Me Out to the Ballgame: The Baseball Fiction of W.P. Kinsella
March 25; April 1, 8, 15, 22
- 10-11:30 AM CT
- Location: Longview Mansion
- IN PERSON ONLY
- Cost: $80
Instructor: Willie Steele, Ph.D. (’95), Professor of English, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, Lipscomb University
In this class taught by Dr. Willie Steele, we will explore the baseball short stories of W.P. Kinsella, the author of “Shoeless Joe,” the novel on which the film “Field of Dream”s is based. Steele, who is Kinsella's biographer, will introduce the genre of baseball fiction and explore with the class some of Kinsella's most popular short stories as well as some of his more obscure tales. And for those of you who might not be baseball fans, that's ok. As Kinsella himself said, these stories are not about baseball; they are stories that happen to have baseball in them.
Thursdays
Women Warriors: An Examination of Service, Sacrifice and Trauma
February 5, 12, 19, 26; March 5
- 10-11:30 AM CT
- Location: Longview Mansion
- IN PERSON ONLY
- Cost: $80
Instructor: Karon Uzzell-Baggett , OTD, OTR/L; LT COL, USAF, Retired
Women are the fastest growing veteran demographic, but the experiences and needs of these selfless warriors are unique. This course will examine these unique issues and ways women warriors can address trauma in their lives.
Thinking About Heaven
February 5, 12, 19, 26; March 5
- 2-3:30 PM CT
- Location: Longview Mansion
- IN PERSON ONLY
- Cost: $80
Instructor: Rubel Shelly, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor of Philosophy and Religion (Retired), Lipscomb University
This is a serious theological study of the biblical information we have been given about Heaven. What happens when a Christian dies? What can we know about our resurrection bodies? What happens in the New Heaven and New Earth? How is it different from the "Old Heaven and Old Earth?" Is Heaven really "beyond the azure blue?” Will the present Earth be destroyed? Are there "signs" of Christ's return we should watch for? What will we do in Heaven? Is there marriage in Heaven? And your questions . . .
Building Resilient, Eco-Friendly Habitat
March 26; April 2, 9, 16, 23
- 10-11:30 AM CT
- Location: Longview Mansion
- IN PERSON ONLY
- Cost: $80
Instructor: Paul Prill, Ph.D., Retired Lipscomb University Professor; Certified Master Gardener of Davidson County; Certified Tennessee Naturalist
- Classes 1 and 2: "It all begins with the soil." There's a lot more to soil than dirt. Healthy soil covers a multitude of gardening sins.
- Class 3: "Lowering the temperature." What does a warming city mean for our gardens and yards? What difference does our yard make?
- Class 4: "Alternatives to Murder." What can we use in place of all of the chemical inputs in our gardens?
- Class 5: "Supporting Wildlife and Biodiversity." If we do gardening better, we can improve conditions for wildlife in our yard, our neighborhood and our city.
Revelation Without Fear: How the Last Book of the Bible Can Change Your Life
March 26; April 2, 9, 16, 23
- 2–3:30 PM CT
- Location: Longview Mansion
- IN PERSON ONLY
- Cost: $80
Instructor: Russell Moore, Ph.D., Editor-in-Chief, Christianity Today; Bill & Crissy Haslam Endowed Distinguished Professor of Faith and Reason, Lipscomb University
For many Christians, the Book of Revelation is intimidating. For some, that’s because they’ve seen it treated as a codebook for conspiracy theories or a horror movie in Bible form. For others, that’s because the contents—dragons and trumpets and beasts and secret numbers—seem impossible to understand. This course shows how the last book of the Bible is actually not for doomsayers but for ordinary believers—even when the world feels like it’s coming apart.
We will look at how Revelation pulls the curtain back on the whole sweep of human history, and how that can shape the way we live now in our decisions, our endurance, our worship and even in our emotions, and will help us to think through death and what comes after it.
No prophecy charts needed: just your Bible, your questions and a willingness to let Revelation do what it was given to do.
- Week One: Revelation 1-3, The Visions of Jesus to the Churches
- Week Two: Revelation 4-11, The Unveiling of the Spiritual Realm
- Week Three: Revelation 12-18, The Fall of the Powers
- Week Four: Revelation 19-20, The Apocalypse as Good News
- Week Five: Revelation 21-22, The Life to Come
Fridays
"Aging Well" Series
February 13, 20, 27; April 17
- 10-11:30 AM CT
- Location: Longview Mansion
- IN PERSON ONLY
- Cost: $25 per session
Instructor: Katlyn Green, Ph.D.,Gerontologist & Eldercare Coordinator, Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)®, COS, Certified Geriatric Doula (EOLD)
"Aging Well" is a supportive and practical lecture series designed to help aging adults navigate the emotional, psychological and practical transitions that come with later life. This class provides a safe, engaging space to explore healthy ways of coping with grief and loss, understanding the evolving role of caregivers and adjusting to the psychology of retirement—including changes in identity, purpose and daily routine. Participants will also gain clear, approachable guidance on Medicare basics, empowering them to make informed healthcare decisions with confidence. By addressing both emotional well-being and real-world needs, "Aging Well" equips attendees with tools, knowledge and community support to promote resilience, independence and a fulfilling quality of life in the years ahead.
- Feb. 13: Coping with Caregiving
- Feb. 20: The Various Types of Grief - Living with it, Never Getting Over It
- Feb. 27: Psychology Insights to Retirement
- April 3: Medicare Basics