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!
Sundays, 8:45-9:45am
We continue to study the 6th Century B.C. prophet Ezekiel. This Bible book is rather challenging. Among the prophets, his style of presentation and use of symbolic language and images is most complex. However, the sense of awe and majesty in the words and visions of Ezekiel is among the most striking and inspiring in Scripture. And in this book you will discover once again the central themes of judgment and deliverance as God deals with humanity.
Wednesday Lunch Bunch
Due to midweek Lent services, our monthly Lunch Bunch will resume in April.All children three years of age by September 1 and toilet trained are invited to come to Sunday School!
February 5: "Jesus Heals a Man Who Is Paralyzed" is the lesson for Sunday School today. The miracle of healing the paralytic confirms that Jesus, the Son of Man, has authority on earth to forgive sins and it confirms what the Son of Man chiefly came to do: deliver us and all believers from sin, death, and the power of the devil.
Consider discussing, "In addition to healing the paralyzed man, what else does Jesus tell him? How has Jesus healed us from our sickness of sin?"
February 12: The story "Jesus Heals Jairus's Daughter" serves as the focus of Sunday School today. Just as Jesus by Word and touch raised the dead girl to life, so by His Word and Sacraments, He kills and buries death and raises us to eternal life.
Questions for discussion include, "How did Jesus heal this little girl? How does Jesus heal us from the sickness of sin?"
February 19: On this Transfiguration Sunday, the Sunday School students will study the story of "The Transfiguration." In the Transfiguration, we see Jesus as the pure and holy Son of God, whose perfect righteousness is given to us through God's Word and Sacraments.
Parents could ask, "What did Jesus reveal to His disciples about Himself in the Transfiguration? What does God's Word reveal to us about Jesus?"
February 26: As we begin the season of Lent, the Sunday School students will study the account "Jesus Calms a Storm." Just as Jesus calmed the storm with His Word for the frightened disciples, so He calms and ends the storm of sin and death by taking our sin upon Himself and dying in our place so we may live eternally.
Consider discussing, "What did Jesus do to calm the storm? How does Jesus calm the storms in our life?"
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.
