Milestones in the Early Church

Led by Professor James Korthals

Church Fellowship Hall
Sundays, 9:15 AM

April 7 through May 12, 2013

The Christian Church officially began at Pentecost following Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension. In the early years of the church’s history the small group of believers in Jerusalem spread around the Mediterranean world and grew in number. What challenges did the early church face? What did the Lord use to give these Christians guidance and help? What does our church still use from those early days? These and other questions will be explored during this six-week Bible class. Each week will focus on a specific issue, including:
1) New Testament Canon and Pseudepigrapha
2) Persecution and Martyrdom
3) The Church “Fathers” and the Apostles Creed
4) The Council of Nicea and its Creed
5) How the Bishop of Rome became the Pope
6) Purgatory and Indulgences
 
Professor Korthals is a 1976 graduate of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. He served congregations in Michigan and Wisconsin and as history professor at Northwestern College in Watertown. Since 1997 he has served as professor of Church History and Homiletics at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary.

 

The Joy of the Lord is Our Strength 

Pastor Robert Koester
Editor, Adult Discipleship
Northwestern Publishing House

Church Fellowship Hall
Mondays, 6:30 PM
April 1, 2013 to May, 2013

 

Pastor Robert Koester leads this study of the Book of Ezra and the Book of Nehemiah.

Nehemiah stood before the Jewish people and said, "Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." (Nehemiah 8:10) Do you think of the Old Testament as a time of joy in the Lord? Or do you see it as a time of law demands and regrets over disobedience? The books of Ezra and Nehemiah show us two people we can use as patterns for our lives, even though they lived in Old Testament times.














 

Professor of Church History, the Lutheran Confessions and Education
Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary

The Book of Hebrews 

Pastor Robert Koester
Editor, Adult Discipleship
Northwestern Publishing House

Church Fellowship Hall
Mondays, 6:30 PM
September 10, 2012 - March 11, 2013

 

Don't give up on Jesus! That's the theme of the book of Hebrews. The Jewish Christians had many challenges to their new-found faith in Jesus. Most of those challenges came from Jews who refused to give up the Old Testament laws and ceremonies. Many people challenge Christians today with the claim that the things of this world are more valuable than Jesus. In this study we will see how the writer explains the true nature of the Old Testament law and encourages God's people of all time to hold on to their faith in God's Son.














 

God's Love Confronts Evolution

Pastor Robert Koester
Editor, Adult Discipleship
Northwestern Publishing House

Church Fellowship Hall
Sundays at 9:15 AM

September 9 through October 21, 2012

A Christian family stands at the lip of the Grand Canyon listening to the naturalist describe the geology of the canyon. He explains to the group how many millions of years ago each layer was put down. Later when the family discussed the naturalist talk, the father said, "Perhaps God used evolution to create the world." Has that thought ever entered your mind? It is what many, perhaps most, members of Christian churches believe today. In this study we will evaluate this idea in the light of God's love as Scripture describes it.