Education

At Christ Lutheran Church, we offer weekly Bible and discussion classes which allow you to grow in your faith and knowledge of Jesus Christ and what he's done for you. As the prayer puts it, we should take every opportunity to "read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest" the Holy Scriptures. Consider joining one of our classes this month!

Opportunities for Adults

Sundays, 8:45-9:45 a.m.

Our study entitled "How We Got the Bible" concludes on March 7. This 5-part DVD series has indeed led us to more fully understand the historical development, textual transmission, and publication history of the Bible.

On March 14, we begin a new series entitled "Oh, Come, Let Us Worship Him." The series is a Bible Study on Lutheran Worship. This in-depth series will help us better appreciate the orders of services we use on Sunday mornings. Not only will we discuss the various parts of the Divine Service, but we will also briefly explore the purpose of the Sermon, the value of hymns, and the reasons why we continue to use these Gospel-centered services today. The series is based on a collection of articles which appeared in the Lutheran Witness between 1999 and 2000. Those who attend will receive a copy of the featured article each week.

Wednesday Lunch Bunch

Note that due to Lent midweek services, our monthly Lunch Bunch will resume in April.

Children's Sunday School

All children three years of age by September 1 and toilet trained are invited to come to Sunday School!

Mar 7	Today, the Sunday School classes will learn about Jesus' miracle of feeding 5,000 hungry people (John 6:1Ð14). They will learn that in His love, God promises to care for all our physical and spiritual needs and gives us the greatest treasureÑHis Son and the gifts of forgiveness, life, and salvation. As a family, talk about the many ways that God has provided for both your physical and spiritual needs. In the catechism, look at the explanation to the First Article of the Apostles' Creed.
Mar 14	The key point of today's Sunday School lesson is that, in our sin, we are lost from God and doomed to die, but God, in His love, sought and found us and keeps us with Him forever. The Bible story is about Jesus seeking the lost as recorded by St. Luke (Luke 15). In your family discussions, talk about how God keeps us through the work of the Holy Spirit in the Word and the Sacraments. In the catechism, review the explanation to the Third Article of the Apostles' Creed. How does this fit with the Bible story?
Mar 21	In today's Sunday School lesson the children will learn how in faith, a sinful woman lovingly anointed Jesus' feet. They also will learn how in faith we grasp God's free mercy, receive the forgiveness of sins, and respond with acts of love and praise. As a family, consider ways that you might respond to God's mercy. Ask your children what sins God will forgive (all of them!), and in your catechism review, look at the section about the Confession of Sins.
Mar 28	The key point of Sunday School today is that Jesus is our Passover Lamb, who with His very body and blood grants us forgiveness, life, and salvation. The children will learn about the Last Supper, the Lord's Supper (Luke 22:1Ð23). In your family discussions, talk about the benefits and blessings that we receive in the Lord's Supper. Talk about and remind the children that such benefits are theirs through their Baptism, in Holy Absolution (the forgiveness of God spoken by the Pastor), and through God's Word, which is preached and taught to them. In the catechism, review the Lord's Supper.

Confirmation

Confirmation is a "public rite (ceremony) of the Church that is preceded by a period of instruction designed to help baptized Christians identify with the life and mission of the Christian community. Having been instructed in the Christian faith prior to admission to the Lord's Supper (1 Corinthians 11:28), the rite of Confirmation provides an opportunity for the individual Christian, relying on God's promise of Holy Baptism, to make a personal public confession of the faith and a lifelong pledge of fidelity to Christ" (Lutheran Worship: Altar Book, pg. 33).

Youth: The goal of this class is to prepare members of Christ Lutheran Church in the 7th and 8th Grades for the Rite of Confirmation. Confirmation instruction is a two year program which culminates in Confirmation for students in 8th Grade. The class meets on Wednesday afternoons at 5 pm until 6 pm and the class follows the public school academic schedule. In Year A, students are provided an overview of the Old and New Testaments. Luther's Small Catechism is studied deeper in Year B. During Year A, students will memorize the Ten Commandments, Apostles' Creed, and Lord's Prayer (including explanations); during Year B, students will memorize Baptism, Confession, the Lord's Supper, Bible verses, and hymn stanzas. At the conclusion of Year A, students will recite the primary texts of the Ten Commandments, Apostles' Creed, and Lord's Prayer (not Luther's explanations) from memory in front of the Pastor and parents. Confirmands and their families are encouraged to attend Pastor's Adult Bible Class each Sunday as well as to be regularly in God's house for public worship. Homework may be given in the form of exercises from "A Bible History: Student Workbook," worship service and sermon written analyses, memory work, or other types of assignments given at Pastor's discretion. The class reviews assigned homework during class. Oral and written tests are periodically given.

Adult: Confirmation classes, usually lasting fourteen weeks, are taught by Pastor Schilbe upon request. Those interested in becoming members who might be already confirmed members of non-Lutheran denominations are asked to attend the class. During the class, discussion revolves around Christian topics such as: the Bible, God, the Fall of Man, the Ten Commandments, the Apostles' Creed, the Church, Prayer, Baptism, the Lord's Supper, Confession and Absolution, Eschatology, Worship, and Stewardship. In addition to Luther's Small Catechism and other class materials, each class member is given a copy of "Why I Am a Lutheran: Jesus at the Center," a brief book which reinforces class teachings.