Education

Good News for Ordinary People

Register for Living the Message

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

The Word with Your Pastors – Spring 2023 – Mpls and West Campuses
Becoming a Community of Shalom
Throughout the Hebrew Bible (our Old Testament), the concept of shalom conveys God’s desire for all people: relationships marked by wholeness, peace, health, and security. We are called to shalom in our relationships with God, each other, and all creation. When our communities are marked by shalom, they exude compassion, wisdom, and equanimity (i.e., balance and serenity). In this class, we will explore the biblical concept of shalom and pray together for it. Join Reverend Theresa Latini (Executive Director, Mount Olivet Conference & Retreat Center) and Reverend Dale Peterson (Director of Spiritual Care, Mount Olivet Careview Home and Mount Olivet Home) for a mix of biblical study, reflection, and guided prayer all aimed at helping us receive God’s promise of wholeness and peace.

This four-week series runs 10:30-11:30am Wednesdays at Mpls and Thursdays at West or via videos that are filmed live during the Mpls class and will be emailed out one week later.

Dates | Topic | Teaching Pastor
April 12/13 | The Beauty and Promise of Shalom | Rev. Dr. Theresa Latini
April 19/20 | Equanimity for Turbulent Times | Rev. Dr. Theresa Latini
April 26/27 | Compassion for Self and Others | Rev. Dale Peterson
May 3/4 | Wisdom in Daily Life | Rev. Dale Peterson

Register here for Mpls classes and videos

Register here for the West classes and videos

Please contact Katie Stevenson, Coordinator of Adult Education, by email or at 612.767.2232 with any questions.

Mpls: 5025 Knox Ave South, Mpls, MN 55419
West: 7150 Rolling Acres Road, Victoria, MN 55386

LIVING THE MESSAGE – 2022-2023
Built On a Rock ~ Exploring the Heart of Christianity from Genesis to Revelation
If you’re curious about God and your life of faith, this class is for you. By looking at these central parts of the Christian story, which are sometimes called “theological doctrines,” we will explore the heart of our Christian faith and wonder together about just how important that faith is to our everyday lives. Taught by Pastors Lose and Ruud.  Come to the once-a-month Tuesday night presentation or watch and learn on your own time via pre-recorded videos. (Or both!) For more information and to register, click here.

Schedule/Monthly Topics
Mpls (except where noted); 6:30-7:30pm
Oct 4: God Talk: Theology In and Out of the Bible – Pastor Lose
Nov 1: Original Blessing: Creation – Pastor Ruud (at West)
Dec 6: Missing the Mark: Sin – Pastor Lose
Jan 3: East of Eden: Covenant, Law, and Community – Pastor Ruud
Feb 7: God con Carne: Incarnation – Pastor Lose
Mar 7: Love Wins: Atonement – Pastor Ruud (at West)
Apr 11*: The Body of Christ: Church and Holy Spirit – Pastor Lose
May 2: The End of All Things: Eschatology – Pastor Ruud

*the second Tuesday of the month due to Holy Week.

Register here.

Adult Education Videos

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. Mary Slinde is facilitating both the evening and daytime discussions. 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 (begins in September)
Evening Discussions: 7-8:30pm the second Wednesday of the month; Mpls (ongoing)

Register here for Daytime Discussion
Register here for Evening Discussion

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

Book Selections 2022-2023
July – Remember by Lisa Genova
August – The Mothers by Brit Bennett
September – Lightning Strike by William Kent Krueger
October – After You’d Gone by Maggie O’Farrell
November – Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead
December – Four Seasons in Rome by Anthony Doerr
January – The Seed Keeper by Diane Wilson
February – Ladies of the House by Lauren Edmondson
March – The Sentence by Louise Erdrich
April – Resistance Women by Jennifer Chiaverini
May – The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
June – The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles

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.