Education

Good News for Ordinary People

Where Faith and Life Connect

Draw nearer to God by exploring the Bible and experiencing the power and possibility of Scripture. Express your faith in new ways through personal study and small group discussions. Adult Education offers Bible studies, book groups, classes, and events to deepen your faith and help you apply it to your daily life.

Bible & Theological Studies

LIVING THE MESSAGE 2023-2024
God Reimagined: The Biblical Foundation of Luther’s Reformation
First Tuesday of the month October through May, 6:30-7:30pm; and via videos

In 1998, just ahead of the new millennium, Life Magazine published a list of the 100 most important and influential people of the previous 1000 years. Martin Luther was third, coming just behind Thomas Edison and Christopher Columbus, because of the way his reforms, teaching, preaching, and translations so dramatically altered the worlds of religion, politics, and culture. Interestingly, very few people realize before he became (in)famous, before he was the leader of the Reformation, and before he changed the world forever… Martin Luther was a Bible scholar and teacher. And every single element of his reform movement stemmed from his deep engagement with Scripture. This year in our Living the Message class, Pastors Ruud and Lose will delve into the passages and stories of Scripture that most shaped Luther’s theology and life. Join us — we’re going to have a great time!

For more information, and to register, click here.

WORD WITH YOUR PASTORS FALL 2023
Two class options – one at the Mpls Campus and one at West

Mpls Campus: For Heaven’s Sake, Give It a Rest!: God’s Radical Sabbath Command
Taught by Pastor Ruud
Wednesdays, October 18 through November 8, 2023, 10:30-11:30am, at Mpls; or via videos (This class will be offered at West spring 2024.)

Ever feel life is too busy? Or like the world races ahead and it’s all we can do to keep up? Or like each day is an endless list of demands and to-dos amid the yearning and/or incessant pressure to accomplish, achieve, amass, or produce? “Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.” We recognize this as one of God’s storied 10 Commandments in scripture, but what does it really mean? Interpreted often as “going to church” and/or taking time for rest, there is a depth to be explored in this command which may be more astounding and life-changing than meets the eye. Join Pastor Ruud to delve into the radicality of Sabbath.

For more information, and to register, click here.

West Campus: The Rise and Fall of the American Christian Empire?
Taught by Pastor Dixon
Thursdays, October 19 through November 9, 2023, 10:30-11:30am, at West (This class will be offered at Mpls and via videos spring 2024.)

In the summer of 1925, John Scopes–a substitute high school science teacher–was put on trial in Tennessee for violating the Butler Act, which made it a crime for teachers in any public school in that state to teach human evolution. He lost. This was the high (or low) point in the war between Christian Fundamentalism in America and modernity, and it explains more about your world today than you might guess. How has the role of the church in culture changed in your lifetime and why? How can it be that the forces that seemed overwhelmingly responsible for the growth of Christianity in America be likewise responsible for the crisis of the present moment marked by declining attendance, the mass exodus of young people from faith, and the steady growth of the “nones” (people who claim no religious affiliation)? Is Christianity in America doomed? (No.) But is American Christendom? Maybe. Join Pastor Dixon to reflect more carefully on these questions, reexamine your experiences as Christians in 20th- and 21st-century America, and redouble your gratitude for a congregation like ours.

For more information, and to register, click here.

Adult Education Videos

Built On a Rock ~ Exploring the Heart of Christianity from Genesis to Revelation (LIVING THE MESSAGE – 2022-2023)

Becoming a Community of Shalom – Spring 2023

Behind the Book(s): A History of How Our Bible Came to Be – Winter 2023

Pray Without Ceasing – Fall 2022

So What?! Does Luther’s Theology Still Matter? – Spring 2022

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about the New Testament (Living the Message 2021-2022 series)

The Gospel of Mark – Winter 2022

The Word with Your Pastors: The Prophets –Fall 2021

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about the Bible… but were afraid to ask! (Living the Message 2020-2021 series)

What Does “Lutheran” Mean?

Gospel of Matthew

Journey through Hell – Click Here for the Study Guide

Rally in the Valley – A Study of King David

“The Story Behind the Nativity Story” with Pastor Lose

“The Story Behind the Seven Last Words of Christ” with Pastor Lose and Dr. Beverly Claflin.

Video #1 – Introduction
Video #2 – Words 1, 2, 3 & 4
Video #3 – Words 5, 6, 7 & the Chorale

Book Discussions

Evening and Daytime Options

Come and enjoy a lively discussion of a new book every month. The same book will be discussed at the evening and daytime options. New members are always welcome! You can join in for one discussion – or all!

Daytime Discussions: 10-11:30am the second Tuesday of the month; Mpls; Bonnie Morris, facilitator
Evening Discussions: 7-8:30pm the second Wednesday of the month; Mpls; Mary Slinde, facilitator

Or contact Katie Stevenson at katies@mtolivet.org | 612.767.2232.

Upcoming Books:
2023
June – The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles
July – The Maid by Nita Prose
August – The Last Flight by Julie Clark
September – Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
October – Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng
November – The Many Daughters of Afong May by Jamie Ford
December – Rafferty’s Last Case by Larry Millett
2024
January – The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict & Victoria Christopher
February – Before All Is Said and Done by Pat Miles & Suzanne Watson
March – Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson
April – Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
May – The Only Woman in the Room by Marie Benedict
June – The Secret Life of Sunflowers by Marta Molnar & Dana Morton

LGBTQ Voice and Verse

LGBTQ Voice and Verse is an educational opportunity of communal study in love, support, and continued understanding of all aspects of gender identity and sexual orientation in faithful life together. Through shared experience, discussion, and learning, this group seeks to build mutual awareness and insight in this particular reality of faith and life toward honor and love for all.

If you’d like more information about LGBTQ Voice and Verse, contact Pastor Ruud at 612.767.2261 or by email.