2006 Synod Assembly

Small Group Bible Studies

• Ruth - "Love is a Choice” - Rev. Kristen Schlauderaff (St Paul, Redwing)

"Where you go, I will go. Where you lodge, I will lodge." Those verses from Ruth are often read at weddings. When they were first spoken they were a pledge from a woman to her mother-in-law, not to her husband. What binds us together in family, in community, and in faith?

• Galatians – “Freed for Service” - Rev. Kathleen Lowery (Stordahl, Zumbrota)

We are freed from the power of sin and the law to serve our living Lord.

• 2 Timothy - "Dear Timothy, I Hear You Are Discouraged" - Rev. Glenn Monson (Our Savior’s, Austin)

This study will focus on an unusual book of the Bible, a personal letter to the young pastor, Timothy. In this letter we can see how Paul encourages a person who is fighting many battles in the ministry. This gives hope to anyone engaged in ministry conflict today.

• Amos - ”Just a Member of the Laity” - Rev. Dick Rehfeldt (Retired)

At the height of national prosperity Amos, a layperson, could no longer remain silent as he witnessed the gross inequalities between the increasing number of wealthy elite and those crowded off their ancestral farms and plunged into poverty. We shall witness a farmer and tender of fruit trees confront a nation unaware it was on the road to disaster. When ordered by the priest at the national shrine to stop prophesying, Amos responded "I am not a prophet, but a layperson."

• Matthew 20:1-16 - “Parable of the Vineyard” - Rev. Jim Radatz (Greenfield, Harmony)

In this study we will take a look at what has been considered one of the most mind-boggling and misunderstood of Jesus' parables. We will explore the economic conditions and practices of small rural villages in Galilee at the time of Jesus that are reflected in this parable, as well as the literary skill of Jesus as a parable teller. He enticed the listeners into the tale, so that they became emotionally involved in and committed to this story. In the same way, Jesus pushes every listener or reader of this parable, including you and I, into a response. The nature of the response reveals a great deal about our own hearts.

• John 2:13-22 "Praying Through the Text Using Ignatian Prayer” - Rev. Peter Reuss (Peace, Eyota)

We will walk with God through biblical stories and prayer; in particular this story of Jesus cleaning of the temple as told by John. 

• Ps. 120-134 – “The Songs of Ascent” - Rev. Eric Finsand (Chatfield, Chatfield)

The psalms are always worth knowing better, but with a hundred and fifty to choose from, where do you begin? Our session will help us feel at home with one collection from within the Psalms, called the Songs of Ascent. These were the "pilgrimage" songs that Israel would sing together as they traveled from every point of the compass to worship together in Jerusalem. We too, will hear our journeys sung in these fifteen songs that encourage faith in every season of our lives.

• 1 Corinthians 12 - "What does it mean to be a diverse church?" - Rev. Mark Wendland (First, Glenville)

In this Bible study, we will be looking at the Biblical concept of spiritual gifts in relationship to a church that is focusing on diversity. What does it mean to be a diverse church? Possibly, it could have something to do with spiritual gifts. Let's talk about it.

• Isaiah - Rev. Paul Baker (Good Shpherd, Wells)

• “Theology of the Land” - Rev. Lane Zaffke (Cross of Christ, Houston)

What does the Bible tell us about land and its use? What is this ‘Jubilee Year’ Stuff? Does God’s ministry work through the Land? How does the biblical understanding apply to some of today’s farming methods? We will try to answer these questions and more.

• Luke 10:25-37 - "With Whom do You Identify?" - Rev. Dan Doering (Grace, Waseca)

The Parable of the Good Samaritan is one of the most beloved of all of Jesus' Parables. In this study, we will look at the parable from the point of view of every character in the parable and try to determine with whom do we identify? Do we find ourselves lying in the ditch, walking by, stopping to help, or welcoming a hurt person into our midst?

• 1 Corinthians 12 - "Discerning God's Gifts" - Rev. Louise E. Stromberg (Cross of Christ, Houston)

This study will look at 1 Corinthians 12 and the Apostle Paul's teaching on our God given gifts. We will look at the source of our gifts and abilities, the variety of gifts and the purpose behind these gifts. Each person will be asked to think about their own gifts and the ways God calls them to use them.

• 1 Corinthians 4:1-2 “We Say Yes - to What?” - Rev. Scott Olson (Central, Winona)

Augsburg Fortress uses 1 Corinthians 4.1-2 as the foundational scripture for its "We Say Yes" Stewardship Resources, yet doesn't provide a Bible study on the passage. Come and see how understanding four key words in these verses can unlock a world of meaning for stewardship today.

• Psalm 121: “God in the Midst of Busy, Daily Living” - Rev. Karen Behling (Our Savior’s, Austin)

Funerals and hospital rooms - that's where we often hear Psalm 121. Certainly these words bring comfort and hope to those in distress, yet these words also proclaim a powerful message in the midst of our busy, everyday lives. As we race about, coming and going here and there, Psalm 121 invites us to reorient our lives as we strive to live with our eyes focused on God. Come take a new look at this old, familiar psalm.

• Luke 15 “Finding the Lost” - Rev. Mary Waudby (Garness Trinity & Scheie, Mabel)

In the parables of the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the lost sons, Jesus redefines Old Testament Metaphors for God (Based on the work of Kenneth Bailey).

• Luke 15:11-32 “The Prodigal Son” - Rev. Dave Hernes (East Freeborn, Albert Lea)

This is a story of a prodigal father, a restless son and a sour home-body/ or a waster, a wait-er and a grouch/ or a giver, a grabber and a grump.

• Acts – “Expanding Our Mission” - Rev. Paul Meierding, Ph.D. (Bethlehem, Mankato)

When Jesus ascended into heaven, Peter and the other disciples concentrated their efforts on bringing Jews to faith in Jesus. The Book of Acts describes the conflict that occurred as the early church expanded its mission to include Gentiles. What would be the requirements for these outsiders (Gentiles) regarding circumcision and table fellowship? What can we learn from Acts that will help 21st Century churches expand their vision and mission to include “outsiders?”

• “Looking at Covenants with Missional Eyes” - Rev. Joel Xavier (Community, Geneva)

Get a new look at covenants by looking through the evangelizing lens of mission. In a new book from Augsburg Fortress, The Evangelizing Church: A Lutheran Contribution, one of the authors, Kelly Fryer sums up the missional lens in the words: “Now it must be said, of course, that Jesus is at the center of this mission to save the world. But from the very beginning, the gospel story has been about a world full of people who insist on going their own way and a God who relentlessly pursues them.”

• Jonah - "Get a (Whale) Belly Laugh from Jonah" - Rev. Norm Wahl (Bethel, Rochester)

Do you think that God has a sense of humor? Because we are thousands of years from the date of the writing of the Bible, we often miss the subtleties of the text. Jonah is ripe with irony and humor. Enjoy the story--while learning something of God's great love for all people.

• Exodus 3:1-4:17, 27-31 - “Excuses, Excuses: When God Called Moses" - Rev. Tom Kolden (LeRoy, LeRoy)

When God called Moses to go back to Egypt and confront Pharaoh, Moses was full of excuses. We also find excuses to say "No!" to God. God did not give up on Moses, but empowered him. God will empower us to do what needs to be done, much to our amazement.

Read the News story about the small group studies.