LSM Themes

Northwest Synod of Wisconsin
Lay School of Ministry
Monthly Themes/Topics | Reading Assignments for Biblical and Systematics
Click here for Christian Spiritual Formation and Worship
Pr. Kaufmann's Biblical Reading Assignments - Year One -
Pr. Kaufmann's Biblical Reading Assignments - Year Two
Continuing Education Topics and Readings for 2008 - 2009 Study
Mentor Pastor Guidelines

Year One

Month	Biblical	Systematics
September	Introduction to the Biblical story	Introductions & On Being a Theologian
October	Canonization of the Bible "How did we get what we got?"	The Bible as God's Word of Law and Promise
November	Creation Literature	God, Creation and Law
December	Following the Exodus Trail	Human Being, Being Human and Sin
January	Introduction to the Gospels	The Work of Christ
February	The Passion of Christ (Part 1)	The Person of Christ
March	The Passion of Christ (Part 2)	God as Triune
April	God's Spirit in the Bible	The Holy Spirit
May	The Catholic Letters	The Church

Year Two

Month	Biblical	Systematics
September	Psalms	Prayer and The Lord's Prayer
October	Exilic Literature	Baptism
November	1 Corinthians	Holy Communion
December	Galatians	American Lutheranism (Part 1 )
January	From Exodus to Exile (Part 1 )	American Lutheranism (Part 2 )
February	From Exodus to Exile (Part 2 )	World Religions (Part 1 )
March	Acts	World Religions (Part 2 )
April	Apocalyptic Literature	Vocation and Ethics (Part 1 )
May	Your Biblical Questions	Vocation and Ethics (Part 2 )

Monthly Reading Assignments

Year One

Month	Biblical	Systematics
September	Introduction to the Bible story	Introductions & On Being a Theologian
October	Canonization of the Bible "How did we get what we got?" Drane: Chapters 1, 13, 31	The Bible as God's Word of Law and Promise Truemper & Niedner, pp. 9-22 Kolb and Wengert, pp. 345-351, 377-386
November	Creation Literature Drane: Chapter 10 Genesis 1-3 Psalms 3, 19,33, 100, 104	God, Creation and Law Truemper & Niedner, pp. 23-52 Kolb and Wengert, pp. 351-355, 386-433
December	Following the Exodus Trail Exodus 1-20 Drane: Chapters 2 & 9	Human Being, Being Human and Sin
January	Introduction to the Gospels Drane: Chapters 20 & 21 Read your favorite Gospel	The Work of Christ Truemper & Niedner, pp. 53-62 Kolb and Wengert, pp 355, 434-435
February	The Passion of Christ (Part 1) Drane: Chapters 14 - 16	The Person of Christ Truemper & Niedner, pp. 63-78
March	The Passion of Christ (Part 2) Drane: Chapters 17 - 19	God as Triune Luther On the Councils and the Church (to be distributed)
April	God's Spirit in the Bible (The readings are on the worksheets which will be handed out in March)	The Holy Spirit Truemper & Niedner, pp. 79-99 Kolb and Wengert, pp 355-356, 435-440
May	The Catholic Letters James, 1 Peter, 1 John, Drane: Chapters 29 & 30	The Church

Year Two

Month	Biblical	Systematics
September	Psalms - Israel's LBW! Read Psalms 1,2,22,23,51,137	Prayer and The Lord's Prayer Truemper & Niedner, pp. 100-116
October	By the Waters of Babylon: Exilic Literature Drane: Chapter 7 Isaiah 40 to 55, Lamentatons, Psalms 74, 79, 137	Holy Spirit and the Church Truemper & Niedner, pp. 88-99 Luther's Large Catechism-Apostle's Creed, the Third Article. Kolb and Wengert, pp. 355-356, 435-440
November	Paul and the Corinthians Drane: Chapters 23 - 28 I Corinthians	Baptism and Holy Communion Truemper & Niedner, pp. 117-144 Luther's Large Catechism-Baptism, Communion and the Office of the Keys, Kolb and Wengert, pp. 359-363, 371-375, 456-480
December	Paul and Galatians Drane: Review Chapters 25 & 26 Galatians (on tape)	American Lutheranism (Part 1 ) Nichol, All These Lutherans
January	Life in the Promised Land Drane: Chapters 3 - 6 I & II Samuel	American Lutheranism (Part 2 ) Nichol, All These Lutherans
February	Life in the Promised Land II Drane: Chapters 11 & 12 I & II Kings	World Religions (Part 1 ) (Handouts)
March	Acts and the Early Church Acts Drane: Chapter 22	World Religions (Part 2 ) (Handouts)
April	Apocalyptic Literature Drane: Chapter 8 & Review Chapters 29 & 30 Daniel and Revelation	Vocation and Ethics (Part 1 ) Kolden Living the Faith
May	No assigned readings	Vocation and Ethics (Part 2 ) Kolden Living the Faith

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Christian and Spiritual Formation
Year One and Two
Pastor Mary Jorgensen
Northwest Synod of Wisconsin • Lay School of Ministry •

SPIRITUAL FORMATION
YEAR ONE

September 13

Introductions and Beginnings
We meet one another, receive the year’s syllabus and get introduced to the T.R.I.P. method of prayer.

October 11

Just What Is Faith Formation?
We take a look at what we mean by faith or spiritual formation, and we begin discussion and exploration of how our own faith has been developing.
Frogs – Chapters 1 & 8
Calhoun – Introduction and Appendix 1 Inventory

November 8

Life Together: Covenant Groups
We confess that we believe in the communion of saints. We are shaped and supported by the Christians around us. One of the significant elements of Lay School is the formation of covenant groups. The class will have the opportunity to meet in their groups.
Frogs – Chapters 3 & 9
Calhoun – Accountability Partner, Community, Covenant Group

December 13

A Faith Testimony
Bishop Duane Pederson visits our Lay School today. He will share a testimony of his faith’s development – the persons, events and forces that have brought him thus far by faith.
No assignment

January 10

A Light to My Feet: The Holy Scriptures
God’s word as revealed to us in the Bible is one of the most foundational building blocks of our faith. We explore our relationship to the Bible and also experience a form of prayerful reading of the scriptures called Lectio Divina.
Frogs – Chapter 10
Calhoun – Bible Study, Devotional Reading, Meditation, Praying Scripture

February 14

Be Fruitful: Creativity as Spiritual Expression
We have been created in the image of a creative God. Creativity is part of who we are, and it’s also an integral part of our faith expression. Today we welcome artist Janelle Thompson. Janelle is an artist, and she’s also a graduate of Lay School. She will share her how creativity shapes her faith.
Bass – Singing Our Lives
Handout

March 14

The Open and Receptive Heart
Like freshly tilled soil, an open and receptive heart facilitates the soul’s ability to receive and be influenced by the Holy Spirit. We consider being open to God and experience the discipline of the Examen.
Worksheet
Calhoun – Examen, Teachability, Humility, Fixed Hour Prayer

April 4

Faith Development and the Role of Family and Church
Our faith is greatly shaped by our families and our church communities. The class will explore how these factors have influenced them and also discuss the dynamics in their present congregation towards the faith formation of its members.
Frogs – Chapters 2, 4-7
Worksheet

May 9

Incarnate and Beautiful: An Embodied Faith
We are embodied creatures. Our bodies, by their magnificence, abilities, limitations and pains, inform and shape who we are, including our faith. We examine how our physical nature can and does affect our faith, and we also practice Shibashi, a form of prayer used by Asian Christians.
Bass – Honoring the Body
Calhoun – Fasting, Breath Prayer, Prayer Walking, Appendix 7

YEAR TWO

September 13

Faith’s Taproot: Prayer
Prayer and faith go hand in glove. We will examine the forces at work in teaching us to pray, what our prayer experience has been, and where our yearnings are leading us.
Calhoun – Conversational Prayer, Intercessory Prayer, Liturgical Prayer, Prayer Partners, Prayer of Recollection

October 11

A Faith with Muscles: Vocation
Whether or not we are employed, we all work. Work is essential to life, and it fills us with meaning. Faith informs our labors, and our labors shape our beliefs. Faith yearns to be translated in action, and that happens through the daily labors.
Handout
Worksheet

November 8

The Cheerful Heart: Generosity and Giving
Generosity is one of the fruits of the Spirit. As faith develops, generosity emerges as a natural outpouring. Cheerful giving leads to joy.
Handouts
Calhoun – Gratitude, Simplicity, Stewardship

December 13

A Faith Testimony
Bishop Duane Pederson visits our Lay School today. He will share a testimony of his faith’s development – the persons, events and forces that have brought him thus far by faith.
No assignment

January 10

Wordless & Unknown: Faith Development in the Depths of Mystery
Faith encompasses both the rational mind and the unseen depths of mystery. This month we’ll focus on the role of mystery. We'll also practice Centering Prayer, a wordless form of prayer which submits to God in emptiness.
Calhoun – Contemplation, Practicing the Presence, Silence, Centering Prayer, Contemplative Prayer

February 14

Be Fruitful: Creativity as Spiritual Exercise
We have been created in the image of a creative God. Creativity is part of who we are, and it's also an integral part of our faith expression. Today we welcome artist Janelle Thompson. Janelle is an artist, and she's also a graduate of Lay School. She will share her how creativity shapes her faith.
Bass – Singing Our Lives
Handout

March 14

Discernment: Faith’s Sextant
“What would Jesus do?“ At the heart of this question is a search for discernment. As Christians we are confronted with the many decision daily living demands. This class hour will be chiefly devoted to working through a classic Christian methodology of decision making. Come to class with a decision you have been struggling with. It will be the grist for your discernment exercise.
Bass – Saying Yes and Saying No; Discernment
Calhoun – Detachment, Discernment

April 4

Service, Justice and Prophecy
Christian faith calls us to service for our neighbor. Likewise we are called to strive for justice in the world, all for the sake of our neighbor. We'll discuss the powerful role service plays in faith formation.
Bass – Testimony
Calhoun – Service, Compassion, Control of the Tongue, Justice, Truth Telling
Frogs – Chapter 11

May 9

Wrapping Up and Godspeed
Our two years together draws to a close! We'll sum things up and end with a brief service of prayer and meditation.

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WORSHIP • Year One
Lay School of Ministry • Northwest Synod of Wisconsin

Instructor Rev. David K. Anderson, Immanuel Lutheran Church 715-832-7832
prdavea@gmail.com

Worship
Purpose: We will study the practice of worship in the assembly of the faithful, attending to the biblical, historical, theological and ritual roots of worship. Participants will examine prinicipal rites of the church and their contemporary usage in order to understand what constitutes sound and faithful worship practices and understand worship in the context of the congregation life and mission.

Required Texts:
Evangelical Lutheran Worship (pew edition)
Renewing Worship: Principles for Worship (ELCA) 2002,
Introduction to Christian Worship, James F. White (Paperback - Jan 2001)

Optional Texts:
New Westminister Dictionary of Liturgy and Worship, Bradshaw, P.
(This is a thorough reference on all things liturgical. I might be a good book for a group of LSM students to recommend for their church library).

Syllabus

September: Introduction and Preview
	Topic: What is Worship? Assignment for September: Ask yourselves the questions: 1. What do we do when we worship? 2. How is worship like other human endeavors? 3. How is it different? 4. Why do we (you) worship?
October
	Topic: Worship: A Practice of the Church Assignment for October: White, pp. 17-46.
November
	Topic: The Context for Worship: Symbols and Space Assignment for November: White, pp. 81-102; Principles of Worship, iv-xii, 67-96
December
	Topic: Holy Communion: Gathering - Word Assignment for December: White, pp. 151-173
January
	Topic: Holy Communion: Meal - Sending Assignment for January: White, pp. 229-262
February
	Topic: The Rhythm of the Worship: The Church Year: Advent - Epiphany Assignment for February: White, pp. 47-67
March
	Topic: The Rhythm of the Worship: The Church Year: Lent – Christ the King Assignment for March: White, pp. 67-80
April
	Topic: The Rhythm of Worship: The Daily Prayer of the Church Assignment for April: White, pp. 131-149
May
	Topic: The Use of the Means of Grace Assignment for May: White, pp. 175-201; Principles of Worship, 98-143

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WORSHIP
Year Two
Textbooks

Required Textbooks:

Evangelical Lutheran Worship
Bradshaw, P. New Westminster Dictionary of Liturgy and Worship

September
	Topic: Christian Initiation, Rites Surrounding Baptism I Assignment: White, pp. 203-228
October
	Topic: Christian Initiation, Rites Surrounding Baptism II Assignment:
November
	Topic: Occasional Services Assignment: White, pp. 263-276, 286-294
December
	Topic: Rites Surrounding Healing and Death Assignment: White, pp. 295-303
January
	Topic: Christian Marriage Assignment: White, pp. 276-286
February
	Topic: Preaching (I) Assignment: Principles of Worship, pp. 48-66
March
	Topic: Preaching (II) Assignment: Prepare an outline of a sermon or devotion based on February class work.
April
	Topic: Worship and the Creation of Community Assignment: Principles of Worship, pp. 2-22
May
	Topic: The Future of Worship Assignment: White, pp. 111-129; Principles of Worship, 24-46

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The Northwest Synod of Wisconsin’s
Lay School of Ministry
2008-9 Continuing Education
"The Gospels - Canonical and Non-Canonical"
Faculty - Months and Topics

September
Mark Allen Powell, Trinity Seminary, will introduce the class to Gospel Literature.

A quick overview of all four Gospels, emphasizing how they are alike and how they are different. We will focus on identifying key characteristics and major themes for each of the Gospels. We will also look at how certain characters (Jesus, the disciples, the Pharisees) are developed differently in each of the Gospels and will discuss how those different portrayals are intended to affect readers of the Gospel stories. One goal will be to give students enough basic background information for them to place any individual Gospel story within the context of the book in which it is found and to understand its meaning as part of that larger work. The professor is a specialist in literary criticism of the Bible and is author of A Fortress Introduction to the Gospels.

October
Ray Picket, Lutheran Seminary in the Southwest, will cover Luke.

Living the Gospel of Luke

The Gospel of Luke grounds the story of Jesus in the Scriptures of Israel and narrates it as a story of "salvation". However, in Luke, as in the Bible as a whole, the hope of "salvation" is depicted primarily in terms of the restoration of Israel and the renewal of life in the present. The Gospel of Luke presents the ministry and teachings of Jesus as a counter-cultural vision of life set in contrast to imperial society. This study of the Gospel of Luke will focus on how Jesus "releases" people from an imperial system predicated on patronage and honor by exemplifying a pattern of life in community founded on the reception and practice of Divine generosity and hospitality.

November
Richard Caemmerer Jr., Grunewald Institute, will present Art and the Gospels.

Until the 20th century, a great percentage and often a majority of art done since the time of Christ has been based on Gospel literature. This class will go through the life of Christ using art from the first Christians to artists working today. As we compare approaches, we will discover the cultural reasons for the variety of styles. We will also spend time discussing the relationships between art and idolatry and particularly the Lutheran fear of images. We will attempt to combat this it by doing some imaging in the class.

December
Jim Boyce, Luther Seminary

Discipled for the Kingdom: The Gospel of Matthew

The traditionally familiar Gospel of Matthew, the longest of the four gospels, begins with the announcement of the birth of Jesus Emmanuel -- God with us -- and concludes with Jesus' disciple commission and promise to be "with us" until the end of the age. In between are packed five unique and powerful "speeches" of Jesus, including the Sermon on the Mount and numerous Parables of the Kingdom. Through lecture and discussion, we will explore features that mark Matthew's distinctive telling of the gospel story:
* Overall structure of the Gospel
* Major Themes of the Gospel
* Distinctive Stories of Matthew
* Matthew's Understanding of the Kingdom
* Jesus' Call to Discipleship

January
Sarah Henrich, Luther Seminary, will cover the Non-Canonical Gospels.

The Non-Canonical Gospels

Get to know your "family" a little better! We will pay attention to family members that didn't get their pictures in the album.

We've all met Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. They are the cream of a crop of quite a lot of early Christian writings. These other "gospels," as well as other texts (letters, Acts, sayings) show us a great deal about how believers understood the story of Jesus in different ways. Studying these non-canonical writings will help us see more clearly the concerns and passions of the early church; the diversity of theological and Christological understandings; and the value of our own gospels. What is good news, to whom, and how does some good news get to be in the canon of the faith and some never make it?

February
Hans Wiersma, Augsburg College, will present Film and the Gospels.

Film and the Gospels.

What do actresses Anne Bancroft, Debra Messing, Monica Bellucci, Olivia Hussey, Dorothy McGuire, Barbara Hershey, and Jacqueline Bisset have in common?

Answer: Each one has played either Mary, the Mother of Jesus, or Mary Magdalene in a feature film about Jesus Christ.

In this course, we will consider Hollywood's treatment of the gospel narratives. Course participants will view and interpret scenes from movies that offer re-representations of the life and death of Jesus (such as The Greatest Story Ever Told and The Passion of the Christ) as well as movies whose themes and narrative structures are informed by the gospels (such as Jesus of Montreal and Monty Python's The Life of Brian).

Consideration will also be given to the manner in which movies and other media can inform teaching and preaching.

March
Susan Briehl, Valparaiso University & Wartburg Seminary, will cover John.

April
Audrey West, LSTC, will present Parables and the Gospels.

May
Phil Ruge-Jones, Texas Lutheran University, will cover Mark.

Phil will be doing the entire Gospel of Mark in story format for the class as well as leading us in discussions.

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LAY SCHOOL OF MINISTRY

Pr. Greg Kaufmann's Class
THE BIBLICAL NARRATIVE YEAR ONE
READING ASSIGNMENTS
All Readings come from "Introducing the Bible" by John Drane

September: Introduction to the Biblical Story

Beginning with the life of Jesus, we will work backwards through the Biblical story. Using numerous overheads, and a timeline your small group will create, we will familiarize ourselves with the "high points" of the Biblical timeline.Some representative questions include:

What other options did first century Jews have? What led to the growth of apocalyptic literature? Why was Jesus unacceptable to most of his contemporaries?What led to the birth of Judaism after the exile? Why were parts of the Southern Kingdom of Judah in exile? What happened to the Northern Kingdom? Why were there two kingdoms in the first place? Why did they have a king? Why did the Exodus happen?What were the Israelites doing in Egypt?
Why did God choose a people?

October: Canonization of the Bible:
How did we get what we have in our Bibles? Drane: Chapters 1, 13, 31

Journal Summary: Reflect on issues raised during our September discussion of The Story. Relate it to the story you learned as you grew up.

November: Creation Literature

Drane: Chapter 10
Genesis 1-3
Psalms 3, 19, 33, 100, 104

Journal Summary: What do I mean/believe when I weekly confess that "I believe in God the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth."
What would change if we adopted Harry Wendt's suggestion to add "and owner" after the word "creator?"

December: Following the Exodus Trail

Exodus 1-20
Psalms 78 & 105
Drane: Chapters 2 & 9

Journal Summary: We proudly point to the Reformation as the birth of the Lutheran Church. The Exodus is the defining event that created the people of Israel. Compare these two events.
What does a comparison of Psalms 78 and 105 with Exodus suggest about the "10 plagues"?

January: Introduction To The Gospels Read your favorite Gospel.
Aland: Bring it to class!
Drane: Chapters 20 & 21

Journal Summary: Reflect on the church's practice of using a three-year lectionary. Each year highlights one of the synoptic gospels. How has this shaped your beliefs about who Jesus is and what he did?
What are the benefits/drawbacks of having four distinct gospels in our NT?

February: The Passion of Jesus (Part 1)

Drane: Chapters 14 - 16
Aland: Bring it to class!
Continue Reading your favorite Gospel. (If you haven't finished it yet.)

Journal Summary: React to the following statement "The four canonical gospels are less interested in telling their reader/auditor what happened and much more interested in explaining how the death of Jesus could possibly be good news."

March: The Passion of Jesus (Part 2)

Drane: Chapters 17 - 19
Aland: Bring it to class!

Journal Summary: How has your study of Jesus' arrest and trial helped you understand the unique portraits of Jesus in each of the four canonical gospels? Outline your favorite gospel's account of Jesus' Passion. Why is it your favorite?
Is Luke's portrayal of Jesus' passion and crucifixion more like John or Matthew/Mark?

April: God's Spirit in the Bible

The readings are on a series of handouts which will be passed out at the close of the March session.

Journal Summary: Reflect on any surprises you discovered as you worked through the OT and NT passages on God's Spirit.Some scholars suggest that John portrays the Spirit as none other than Jesus' presence after his return to the Father. What do you think?
How has the Spirit of God been active in your life?

May: The Catholic Letters

Read James, 1 Peter, and 1 John
Drane: Chapters 29 & 30

Journal Summary: No one operates with a portrait of Jesus identical to any one of the four canonical gospels. In our journal, reflect on how your congregation has adapted Jesus' message to fit your situation. Which of the Catholic letters comes closest to your congregations adaptation?

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LAY SCHOOL OF MINISTRY

Pr. Greg Kaufmann's Class
THE BIBLICAL NARRATIVE - YEAR TWO
READING ASSIGNMENTS

September: Psalms - Israel's LBW!Read Psalms 1, 2, 22, 23, 51, 137

Journal Summary: Compare your own prayer life to that exhibited in the Psalms. Do you find yourself more or less "reverent" in your prayer life? Why do you think that is?

October:"Exilic Literature"

Read Isaiah 40-55, Lamentations, Psalms 74, 79, 137
Drane: Chapter 7
Klein: Israel in Exile

Journal Summary: Exile and the return of the remnant to Palestine is the lens through which the Jewish community views its theology. Baptism is our lens. Compare the two.
Change at any time is difficult. The experience of Exile elicited a variety of responses from the Israelites in Babylon and Palestine. Some confessed their past wrongdoings, making exile inevitable. Others longed to return to the good old days. Some just wondered whether or not God was even out there! How does your congregation's response to change (or yours) compare?

November: Paul and the Corinthians

Read 1 Corinthians
Drane: Chapters 23-28

Journal Summary: Paul is more important in shaping Lutheran theology than any of the gospel writers. Do you agree? Why or why not.

December: Paul and Galatians

Read Galatians
Drane: Review Chapters 25 & 26

Journal Summary: Parallel to Paul's task, missionary work today faces the challenge of crossing cultural borders and translating the gospel from one side to the other. Where in the world today is this challenge most evident? What kind of Paul do we need today to do the job? Which Paul does your congregation need? Your community?

January: Life in the Promised Land - Part 1

Read 1 & 2 Samuel
Drane: Review Chapters 3-6

Journal Summary: Between the time of the Exodus (@1200 BCE) and the Exile (597 BCE), Israel struggled with its relationship to God. Worship of Yahweh was only one of many religious options. Compare this period with our own in modern America.

February: Life in the Promised Land - Part 2

Read 1 & 2 Kings
Drane: Chapters 11 & 12

Journal Summary: One of the major dilemmas faced by the Israelites was determining who spoke for God. How did one know just what God expected out of the average Israelite "in the pew?" Was God more interested in an individual's belief in God and his/her worship in the temple, or in one's dealings with the stranger in our midst? How does this compare to the tension in our own church surrounding social justice issues?

March: Acts and the Early Church

Read Acts
Drane: Chapter 22

Journal Summary: Acts shows the struggle the early followers of Jesus had in determining how inclusive the church should/could be! Compare the choices made in Acts with those made by your congregation/the ELCA.
The Greco-Roman world was in many ways a very pluralistic one, as is our own. How does the way Acts portrays Paul and others dealing with this pluralism shed light on our own struggle to deal with the pluralism in our age?

April: Apocalyptic Literature

Read Daniel and Revelation
Drane: Chapter 8 & Review Chapters 29-30

First the Assyrians, then the Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, and finally the Romans romped and stomped on Israel. One response to this experience was Apocalyptic literature such as Daniel (written about 168 BCE) and Revelation (written about 95 CE). How can the modern Christian Community use these books filled with vivid images and esoteric symbolism?

May: Your Biblical Questions

No additional readings

This will be our final meeting of the LSM. We will spend the two hours answering any questions you wish to pose. I look forward to this session!

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