Fall 2016 Bible Study “Menu” for Holy Cross Lutheran Church

Here are some options for our Bible Studies this fall. This list was also printed in the August newsletter. Please let Pastor know your choice by August 21. 

Fear

                We don’t like to admit how often we are afraid. We try to cover up or ignore the things that scare us. In this study we will see what God has to say about our fears. We will also learn what it means to “fear the LORD,” a phrase used over and over again in the Old Testament. While we won’t force you to face your fears directly (no snakes, spiders, or heights will be involved) we will see how God wants us to look to Him when we are afraid.

The Large Catechism

                In confirmation, we studied Luther’s Small Catechism, written in 1529. That same year, Martin Luther also wrote the Large Catechism. (The Small Catechism is actually only about 50 pages. The Large Catechism, at 150 pages, is shorter than Luther’s Small Catechism with Explanation.) This class will provide a more in-depth look at the Christian faith as taught by Dr. Luther. This class will require a little bit of knowledge of Christian teaching.

From Luther to Us: Church History from the Reformation to the Present

                On October 31, 2017 we will celebrate the 500^th Anniversary of the Reformation. To prepare for this, we will look at the history of God’s people from Luther’s time to our own. A major focus will be placed on understanding both our own history and the history of other denominations and their teachings. We will also discuss the present state of the church throughout the world and the future of the body of Christ.

Your Worst Life Now: What God Says on the Day of Disaster

                Life in this world is filled with disasters. Some, like war or tsunamis, impact whole nations. Others, like tornadoes, impact a region. Some impact you personally. Whatever the disaster, God has words of hope and comfort for you. (Pastor’s Dad used this study in Thailand in 2005 after the Tsunami hit that nation.) This study will explore those words of comfort as we face discord and disaster in our world, nation, and in our own lives.

Contending for Creation (Before Evolution)

                Our generation is not the first to defend the claims of Genesis to an unbelieving world. Before Christianity became popular, there were many other theories about how the world came into existence. In Old Testament times, the people of Israel were completely surrounded by other nations who had different theories about how the world came into existence. This study will examine the way that the Bible and early Christians talk about the creation of the world. We will see how God uses this to comfort us.

The Book of Genesis

                The Bible’s first book sets the stage for the rest of the Old Testament, New Testament, and God’s plan of action for the rest of human history. In this study we will simply read the text of Genesis and glean from it what God says about the world, humanity, our sin, and His unfailing promise. While the accounts of Genesis are familiar to some, there are always new things for us to learn. This study would be easily accessible for people who don’t feel like they know the Bible well.   

The Book of Isaiah

                Over the course of the church year, our Old Testament readings quite often take us to the prophet Isaiah. His book is also often quoted in the New Testament. In this study we will read through Isaiah and learn more about God’s promises to His people of Isaiah’s day and how they apply to us as well. This study would be easily accessible