Year Two Class

All Readings come from “The Bible: An Introduction” by Jerry L. Sumney

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:

1. 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?
2. Why did God choose a people?

1. 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

Psalms 3, 19, 33, 100, 104

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

December: Following the Exodus Trail

Psalms 78 & 105
Sumney: Chapter 5

1. 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.
2. What does a comparison of Psalms 78 and 105 with Exodus suggest about the “10 plagues”?

Aland: Bring it to class!
Sumney: Chapter 12

1. 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.”

February: The Passion of Jesus (Part 2)

1. 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?
2. Outline your favoriate Gospel’s account of Jesus’ passion. Why is it your favorite?
3. Is Luke’s portrayal of Jesus’ passion and crucifixion more like John or Matthew/Mark?

March: The Four Gospel Accounts – Is that Good News?

1. 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?
2. What are the benefits/drawbacks of having four distinct gospels in our NT?

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.

1. 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?
2. How has the Spirit of God been active in your life?

May: The Catholic Letters

1. 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?

Sumney: Chapter 9

1. 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”

Sumney: Chapter 6

1. 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.
2. 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

1. 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
Sumney: Chapter 16

1. 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

1. 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

1. 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

Sumney: Chapter 14

1. 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.
2. 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

Sumney: Chapter 18

1. 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!

Christian and Spiritual Formation
Year One and Two
Pastor Natalie Leske

Year One

November ~ Faith Formation
Readings: Soul Feast – Hunger and Thirst for the Spirit
Spiritual Disciplines Handbook- Appendix 10, Seasons, Stages and Ages of Transformation
Handouts: “Faith Practices, Faith Lives,” Dr. Martha E. Stortz,
“Study Guide on Christian Practices,” Dorothy C. Bass

December ~TBA Synod Staff

YEAR TWO

October ~ Mystery/Contemplation
Readings:: Soul Feast – Gathered in the Spirit
Simply Ways to Pray for Healing – Chapter 8
Spiritual Disciplines Handbook Contemplation, Labyrinth Prayer, Centering Prayer

December ~ TBA Synod Staff

April – Service/Justice/Mission
Readings: Practicing our Faith – Chapter 7

Spiritual Disciplines Handbook Care of the Earth pp. 180-182, Justice pp. 193-195:

May – Wrap up and Sending
Readings: Soul Feast – Putting It All Together

WORSHIP • Year One

Instructor Pastor Jamie Brieske, ELCA Pastor, Immanuel, Eau Claire

Worship

An NRSV (New Revised Standard Version) is the best choice, whatever you use in Biblical Studies this year. The Synod Resource Center has good deals on The Lutheran Study Bible if you are in the market for a new Bible.

Central Things: Worship in Word and Sacrament by Gordon W. Lathrop

Other Readings as Assigned. From time to time I will hand out or email other brief readings.

Syllabus

Worship Year One

September Class 1: What is Worship? Learning the essentials of worship (Central Things Preface & Chapter 1)

October Class 2: Hymnody and Music in Worship: Experience some hymnody and worship music. Discuss music in worship and what makes it meaningful for corporate worship.

November Class 3: The Parts of the Liturgy: What do the elements of worship mean and how are they connected? (Central Things Chapter 2, ELW pg. 92-93, 1154-1159, ELW Service Settings)

December Class 4: Service of the Word and Preaching Introduction: How is it practiced today and what is the purpose of proclamation and the preached word? What makes for a good sermon? (Central Things Chapters 3 & 4, ELW Service of the Word pg. 210-222)

January Class 4: Service of The Meal: What are the Biblical roots and history of Communion and how is it practiced? (Central Things Chapter 5 & pg. 79-80, ELW Service of Holy Communion Settings)

February Class 5: Baptism and the Life of Faith: What are the parts of the baptismal service and what does it mean for our identity and purpose and Christians? (Central Things Chapter 6, ELW Baptismal Service)

March Class 6: The Church Year: What are the seasons of the church year and how do they shape our worship and living? Begin sharing faith stories. (ELW pg. 13-61, 1121-1152, Central Things Chapter 7)

April Class 7: Taught By Bishop or Synod Ministers

May Class 8: How do be a worship leader: What does it mean to be a worship leader? How do I do it to the best of my abilities and help train others to do the same? Share a faith story. (Finish Central Things Chapter 7)

Resources: Central Things: Worship in Word and Sacrament by Gordon W. Lathrop

ELW: Evangelical Lutheran Worship (Cranberry Hymnal)

Worship Year Two

Required Textbook:
Evangelical Lutheran Worship

Class 1, Practicing Baptism & Affirmation of Baptism Services: Engage in a baptismal remembrance blessing and learn about the part of the baptismal service and confirmation service in a hands-on way! Assignment for next month: Write/bring an example of prayers of intercession.

Class 2, Hymnody & Prayers: Engage with hymnody and other forms of music and prayers. How does hymnody and music elevate the worship service? Learn about why some hymns are placed where they are in the service. Practice leading the Prayers of Intercession.

Class 3, Practicing Holy Communion: Learn about Holy Communion through the lens of a minister or assisting minister. Walk through the elements of the Communion Service and see which settings work best contextually.

Class 4, Preaching & Proclamation: Strategies and forms to use while preparing a biblical sermon, or listening to one! Begin preparing your sermon or reflection of a sermon at home.

Class 5, Funeral Services, Weddings, and Healing Rites: Practice engaging with the funeral and committal service as a minister or family member. Learn about the marriage service in regards to the rehearsal and service outline.

Class 6, Lent, Holy Week & Easter: The Great Three Days: Engage with Holy Week services. How do you preach, lead, and worship in particular ways during Lent, Holy Week, and Easter?

Class 7: One class will be led by Bishop/Synod Ministers TBD

Class 8 Preaching & Worship Practice: Walk through any needed practice of funerals, weddings, and Holy Week and practice the rite of healing. Begin sharing what class members have prepared including sermons, reflections, children’s messages, ect.

Other potential topics: Inclusive Language in Worship and Why it Matters Including The ELW, The ELW Psalms, Different versions of the Bible, Other music sources, Biblical images in preaching, and pronouns,

Praise Music and Services: “Contemporary” and “Traditional” worship, Can it be Lutheran Worship? Global Music and Diversity in Worship

Our Bishop and Synod Staff/Ministers will take one class session from each instructor to cover topics that they are involved with and to let you know what they are doing in behalf of the synod’s congregations and members.