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.
Living the Message
Essential Eight Bible Stories Taught by Pastor Lose
If you had a friend or family member who wanted to know what this “Christianity-thing” was all about and asked you for some good Bible stories to them get started, what stories would you share? This year in Living the Message, we’re trying to answer that question by looking at – actually, reconsidering – eight important stories that reveal who God is for us. Each of them is reasonably familiar. And each of them, in my opinion, is often either underestimated or misinterpreted. Finally, each of them, when read differently, gives us access to a God bigger, bolder, and way more interesting than the one we’d perhaps imagined and, in this way, can revitalize our faith. The lineup of this year’s “essential eight” includes the following:
- October 1: Exodus 3: God is revealed by what God does.
- November 12*: Exodus 20: God’s chief desire is that we love each other.
- December 3: Mark 7: God became one of us. Really!
- January 7: Genesis 3: God will not give up on us.
- February 4: Luke 15: God doesn’t wait for us to be ready.
- March 4: Jonah 4: God’s love is bigger than we think.
- April 1: 1 Kings 19: God shows up in the most unlikely of places.
- May 6: Luke 24: God is available to us here and now.
Series runs the first Tuesday of the month October 2024 through May 2025, 6:30-7:30pm
All held at Mpls except for November and March are at West.
*One week later due to Election Day on November 5.
Mpls Campus: 5025 Knox Ave South, Mpls, MN 55419 in Room 207
West Campus: 7150 Rolling Acres Road, Victoria, MN 55386 in the Rehearsal Hall
Also available via pre-recorded videos emailed the first Tuesday of the month
All are welcome at any time!
Questions? Contact Katie Stevenson, Coordinator of Adult Education by email or at 612.767.2232.
In the Footsteps of Paul
In the Footsteps of Paul
A Word with Your Pastors Class – Spring 2025
Join Reverend Dr. Theresa Latini, Executive Director of Mount Olivet Conference & Retreat Center, and Pastor Jeni Grangaard, in exploring the Apostle Paul’s missionary journeys as recorded in the book of Acts. This class offers a rich exploration of Paul’s travels through Greece and Turkey, bringing biblical history to life through Dr. Latini’s firsthand experiences, photos, and videos from her recent pilgrimage.
We will visit key locations where Paul preached and taught, including Mars Hill in Athens, where he boldly addressed Greek philosophers; Corinth, the city that inspired two of his most well-known epistles; and Ephesus, a major center of early Christianity where Paul spent two years spreading the Gospel. In addition, we will glimpse the rise of Christian monasticism through the breathtaking Meteora Monasteries of Greece.
Through historical insights and theological reflection, we will explore how Paul engaged diverse religious traditions and cultures, courageously sharing the love of Christ. Together, we will consider the transformative power of Paul’s message, its impact on the ancient world, and its relevance for our lives today. Come be inspired by the Apostle’s journeys and the enduring call to follow Christ wherever he sends us!
Apr 30/May 1: Paul in Athens: Proclaiming the Gospel Amidst Greek Religion and Philosophy with Rev. Dr. Theresa Latini
May 7/8: The Spread of Christianity in Greece: Kalambaka as a Geography of Grace with Rev. Dr. Theresa Latini
May 14/15: Paul in Corinth: Conflict and Compassion in a Cosmopolitan Port City with Pastor Jeni Grangaard
May 21/22: Paul in Ephesus: Riots, Miracles, and Conversions with Rev. Dr. Theresa Latini
Wednesdays at Mpls; 10:30-11:30am; 5025 Knox Ave South, Mpls, MN 55419 in Room 207
Thursdays at West; 10:30-11:30am; 7150 Rolling Acres Road, Victoria, MN 55386 in the Rehearsal Hall
Also available via recorded videos emailed one week after Mpls class
Register Here for the Mpls Campus Classes
Register Here for the West Campus Classes
Cost is donations either given in class or online via the link sent in the confirmation email for this class.
Questions? Contact Katie Stevenson, Coordinator of Adult Education by email or at 612.767.2232.
Adult Education Videos
Eight Essential Bible Stories (Living the Message 2024-2025)
- Living the Message 2024-2025 Overview
- Session 1: Exodus 3 – God is revealed by what God does.
- Session 2: Exodus 20 – God’s chief desire is that we love each other.
- Session 3: Mark 7 – God became one of us. Really!
- Session 4: Genesis 3 – God will not give up on us.
- Session 5: Luke 15 – God doesn’t wait for us to be ready.
- Session 6: Jonah 4 – God’s love is bigger than we think.
- Session 7: 1 Kings 19 – God shows up in the most unlikely of places.
- Session 8: Luke 24 – God is available to us here and now
Songs of Luke – Winter 2025
- Session 1 | Songs in Scripture with Pastor Olson Popp
- Session 2 | My Soul Magnifies the Lord — Mary’s Song with Pastor Grangaard
- Session 3 | In the Tender Mercy of our God — Zechariah’s Song with Pastor Olson Popp
- Session 4 | Your Word has been Fulfilled — Simeon’s Song with Pastor Grangaard
In the Beginning: Origin Stories in Genesis – Fall 2024
- Session One | Beginnings with Pastor Lose
- Session Two | Jacob: The Heel to Israel with Pastor Cieslik
- Session Three | In Place of God, Joseph’s Story with Pastor Grangaard
- Session Four | Stories of Overlooked Women with Pastor Olson Popp
The Rise & Fall of the American Christian Empire? Pastor Dixon – Spring 2024
- Session 1 | The Origins of the Church in America
- Session 2 | The Rise of Fundamentalism
- Session 3 | The Rise of the Religious Right
- Session 4 | The Decline of American Christianity
God Reimagined: The Biblical Foundation of Luther’s Reformation (Living the Message 2023-2024)
- 2023-24 Living the Message Overview
- Session 1 – The God You Didn’t Expect: Justification by Faith
- Session 2 – God’s Two Words: Law & Gospel
- Session 3 – An Ambidextrous God: Two Kingdoms
- Session 4 – Called for Good: Vocation
- Session 5 – God Hidden and Revealed: Theology of the Cross
- Session 6 – Visible Words: Sacraments
- Session 7 – Semper Simul: Saint & Sinner
- Session 8 – Walls Optional: The Church
Costly Witness, Costly Grace, Free in Christ: The Life and Legacy of Dietrich Bonhoeffer – Winter 2024
For Heaven’s Sake, Give It a Rest!: God’s Radical Sabbath Command – Fall 2024
- Session 1 | Remembering the Sabbath: Beyond Worship, A Wholly Endeavor
- Session 2 | Keeping the Sabbath: Saying “No” to Pharaoh
- Session 3 | Giving the Sabbath: It’s Nothing Personal
- Session 4 | Embracing Sabbath: Humans, Being
Built On a Rock ~ Exploring the Heart of Christianity from Genesis to Revelation (LIVING THE MESSAGE – 2022-2023)
- Oct 2022 – God Talk: Theology In and Out of the Bible with Pastor Lose
- Nov 2022 – Original Blessing: Creation (at West) with Pastor Ruud
- Dec 2022 – Missing the Mark: Sin with Pastor Lose
- Jan 2023 – East of Eden: Covenant, Law, and Community with Pastor Ruud
- Feb 2023 – God con Carne: Incarnation with Pastor Lose
- Mar 2023 – Love Wins: Atonement (at West) with Pastor Lose
- Apr 2023 – The Body of Christ: Church and Holy Spirit with Pastor Ruud
- May 2023 – The End of All Things: Eschatology with Pastor Ruud
Becoming a Community of Shalom – Spring 2023
- The Beauty and Promise of Shalom with Rev. Dr. Theresa Latini
- Equanimity for Turbulent Times with Rev. Dr. Theresa Latini
- Compassion for Self and Others with Rev. Dale Peterson
- Wisdom in Daily Life with Rev. Dale Peterson
Behind the Book(s): A History of How Our Bible Came to Be – Winter 2023
- What’s In? with Pastor Lose
- What’s Out? with Pastor Cieslik
- A Translation Tour with Pastor Ruud
- Gutenberg and the Reformation with Pastor Dixon
Pray Without Ceasing – Fall 2022
- What Is Prayer? with Pastor MacLean
- Prayer & the Community of the Spirit with Pastor Dixon
- Prayers My Grandmother Taught Me with Pastor Kalland
- How Should We Pray? with Pastor Freeman
So What?! Does Luther’s Theology Still Matter? – Spring 2022
- Two Kingdoms: Faith, Politics & the Body of Christ with Pastor Lose
- Justification: You Just Can’t Help Yourself with Pastor Ruud
- Law & Gospel: It’s a Matter of Death and Life with Pastor Dixon
- Vocation: Why Should I Get Out of Bed? with Pastor Cieslik
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about the New Testament (Living the Message 2021-2022 series)
- Oct 2021: What is a Gospel Anyway? The Big Four ~ plus some New Testament overview with Pastor Lose
- Nov 2021: What Is the Kingdom of God and Why Does Jesus Talk About It So Much? Matthew, Mark, and Luke with Pastor Ruud
- Dec 2021: What About John? John, the Maverick Gospel with Pastor Lose
- Jan 2022: Jesus Is Risen! Now What? Acts of the Apostles with Pastor Ruud
- Feb 2022: Why Is Paul Such a Big Deal? Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, 1 Thessalonians, Philemon with Pastor Lose
- March 2022: How Did Paul’s Legacy Continue? Ephesians, Colossians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus with Pastor Ruud
- April 2022: What About All These Other Letters? Hebrews, James, 1 & 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Jude with Pastor Lose
- May 2022: Seriously… What’s Up with Revelation? Pastor Lose and Pastor Ruud duke it out over this intriguing final Book of the Bible
The Gospel of Mark – Winter 2022
- Mark: The Gospel as the Evening News with Pastor Ruud
- Bookends of Revelation & Fulfillment in Mark with Pastor Kalland
- Healings in Mark: “Your Faith Has Set You Free” with Pastors Freeman and Hammersten
- The Hidden Kingdom: The Parables of Jesus in Mark with Pastor Dixon
The Word with Your Pastors: The Prophets –Fall 2021
- Prophets: Burdened, Blessed & Bothersome with Pastor Lose
- Jeremiah: Prophet of Lament & Faithfulness with Pastor Dixon
- Isaiah: Prophet of Warning, Comfort & Hope with Rev. Dr. Theresa Latini
- Minor Prophets: Short Books, Big Themes with Pastor Ruud
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about the Bible… but were afraid to ask! (Living the Message 2020-2021 series)
- May: Q&A with Pastors Lose & Ruud
- April Question: What About the Really Hard (or Weird?!) Parts? with Pastor Lose
- April Deeper Dive
- March Question: How Do I Enjoy Reading the Bible (Part 2)? with Pastor Ruud
- March Deeper Dive: The Prodigal Son, Part 2
- February Deeper Dive: The Prodigal Son, Part 1
- February Question: How Can I Enjoy Reading the Bible (Part 1)? with Pastor Lose
- January Question: Who Wrote the Bible? with Pastor Ruud
- January Bonus Video: Deeper Dive on passages from the Gospel of John with Pastor Lose
- December Question: Is the Bible the Word of God? With Pastor Lose
- December Bonus Video: Deeper Dive: The Raising of Lazurus
- November Question: Is the Bible True?
- November Bonus Video: Deeper Dive: the Garden of Gethsemane (told 3 ways!)
- October Question: What Is the Bible, Anyway? with Pastor Ruud
What Does “Lutheran” Mean?
- Session 1 | Faith Alone: There’s nothing for you to do… No, but seriously… there’s nothing for you to do… seriously
- Session 2 | Saints and Sinners: Living the double life. Resurrected daily.
- Session 3 | Theology of the Cross: The Power of God found in puny, weak, common, hidden things, and why we often seek something more
- Session 4 | Vocation: What to do, and what God does with you, now that there’s nothing to do, sometimes whether you like it or not.
Gospel of Matthew
- The Gospel of Matthew Introduction with Pastor Lose
- Matthew’s Community with Pastor Dixon
- Law & Righteousness with Pastor Ruud
- Emmanuel: God with Us with Rev. Dr. Theresa Latini
Journey through Hell – Click Here for the Study Guide
- A walk-through of ‘hell” with Pastor Lose
- Who Is Satan? with Pastor Dixon
- Antichrist as anti-Christ with Pastor Ruud
Rally in the Valley – A Study of King David
- Overview with Pastor Ruud
- David and Goliath with Pastor MacLean
- David’s Anointing as King with Pastor Lose
- David and Bathsheba with Pastor Freeman
“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
Register here for Daytime Discussion
Register here for Evening Discussion
Or contact Katie Stevenson at katies@mtolivet.org | 612.767.2232.
Upcoming Books:
2025
June 10/11: The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters
July 8/9: The Women by Kristin Hannah
August 12/13: The Soul of an Octopus by Sy Montgomery
September 9/10: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
October 14/October 8: March by Geraldine Brooks
November 11/12: Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano
December 9/10: Table for Two by Amos Towles
2026
January 13/14: Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
February 10/11: Master Slave Husband Wife by Lyon Woo
March 10/11: Between Two Kingdoms: A Memoir of a Life Interrupted by Suleika Jaouad
April 14/April 8: James by Percival Everett
May 12/13: The Day the World Came to Town by Jim DeFede
June 9/10: The Measure by Nikki Erlick
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 Katie Stevenson at 612.767.2232 or by email.