Starting Classes Soon!

[SplendidTree]

I am starting my classes January 19th to be a member of the LCMS! I am very excited about this decision and just wanted to share.

 

[ctay]

That's great!!!!

 

[SplendidTree]

Thanks! I am quite eager to begin.

 

[filosofer]

Excellent. Wish you well on your study!

I started teaching the Basics class last Saturday morning... it will run between 18-26 weeks, depending on questions. Always a great time. Most people hate to see it end.

 

[joyfulthanks]

That's wonderful! Best wishes to you!

 

[Lupinus]

Congrats

 

[LilLamb219]

You'll have a good time at the classes Keep smiling!

 

[Luther073082]

Excellent. Wish you well on your study!

I started teaching the Basics class last Saturday morning... it will run between 18-26 weeks, depending on questions. Always a great time. Most people hate to see it end.

Wow that long? When my wife and I can finally settle on a church, I might have to ask if I can test out.

 

[filosofer]

Wow that long? When my wife and I can finally settle on a church, I might have to ask if I can test out.

I get that reaction often from pastors who think it is insane to expect people to go “that long.” Part of the problem with catechism instruction is that it is presented as a “package of knowledge.” So, 6-8 weeks is deemed sufficient, and one can even “test out.”

However, Catechesis is a discipleship lifestyle that includes more than just some head knowledge. By moving the Basics class into a Catechesis mode, I am doing more than presenting knowledge. They are learning how to use the Bible (that’s the only text we use and allow); they are learning to incorporate this into worship life, and especially into their personal life and devotional life.

Most “programmed” approaches to instruction see a drop off in interest at about week 8. However, if you continue by week 13 the interest not only picks up, but continues to grow. By week 18-20, they begin to ask “What can we study next?” It is that process that is being modeled, encouraged, and supported in the longer classes. Not one student/participant has every complained about the length.

I should add that I encourage all adults to take the class every five years. That also forms a method of assimilation so that by the end of 26 weeks the new people have made good friends in the class. You have a built in preventive for church drop outs after six months. And you get away from “assimilation by election to committee” nonsense.

 

[crishmael]

Congrats!

 

[SplendidTree]

Thank you very much.

 

[Luther073082]

I get that reaction often from pastors who think it is insane to expect people to go “that long.” Part of the problem with catechism instruction is that it is presented as a “package of knowledge.” So, 6-8 weeks is deemed sufficient, and one can even “test out.”

However, Catechesis is a discipleship lifestyle that includes more than just some head knowledge. By moving the Basics class into a Catechesis mode, I am doing more than presenting knowledge. They are learning how to use the Bible (that’s the only text we use and allow); they are learning to incorporate this into worship life, and especially into their personal life and devotional life.

Most “programmed” approaches to instruction see a drop off in interest at about week 8. However, if you continue by week 13 the interest not only picks up, but continues to grow. By week 18-20, they begin to ask “What can we study next?” It is that process that is being modeled, encouraged, and supported in the longer classes. Not one student/participant has every complained about the length.

I should add that I encourage all adults to take the class every five years. That also forms a method of assimilation so that by the end of 26 weeks the new people have made good friends in the class. You have a built in preventive for church drop outs after six months. And you get away from “assimilation by election to committee” nonsense.

Oh so you would say most LCMS churchs do 6 to 8 weeks, you just do an extra long one because you belive it helps with assimilation? Got it. . .

If the pastor will let me test out I might try to.

The difficulty we right now are having is that my wife works Sunday mornings and most of the LCMS churchs that offer Saturday worship times are kind of far and have it at a time that my wife would ordinarily like to be getting to bed for work the next morning. (Since she gets up at 4 in the morning she'd like to get to bed kind of early.)

If we could find one close by that offers Saturday services year round it would be great but everything that does seems to be a half hour drive each way min.

 

[filosofer]

Oh so you would say most LCMS churchs do 6 to 8 weeks, you just do an extra long one because you belive it helps with assimilation? Got it. . .

If the pastor will let me test out I might try to.

Well, assimilation is a valid reason, but the primary reason is to discuss and search Scriptures to cover the six chief parts. And I allow any questions... that takes longer, but everyone benefits in the end.

Keep in mind I don’t mandate how long it will last. If they want to meet twice a week for four hours each, then it could be shorter (but the benefits of fellowship and assimilation are minimized.

“Testing out” is not even an option for us... There is no “test.”

 

[wendit]

Hello everyone, I will give you a short history of my experience. I was raised Catholic and attended a Catholic school K-12. My entire family is Catholic and are active supporters of their faith. After meeting my fiance two years ago, I attended services with her (WELS), and after eight months I finally agreed to take instruction class. After the 22 week instruction, which was one on one with the pastor, I became a member on October 2nd 2011. In relation to this post, I feel the need for an extension of the class since it was so fruitful for me. I am especially curious about Book of Concord, and what would be the best way to further my knowledge of its contents, especially since we never really discussed it in class. I am assuming that most of this would have been taught in confirmation class. Would some form of confirmation class be appropriate for me? As a convert, the length of instruction was essential allowing for prayer, and the Holy Spirit to do his work. Looking back, at week eight my mind was still hostile towards the Lutheran church and I would not have made the right decision. I haven't asked the pastor about this, but I will. God Bless - Travis

 

[Luther073082]

Hello everyone, I will give you a short history of my experience. I was raised Catholic and attended a Catholic school K-12. My entire family is Catholic and are active supporters of their faith. After meeting my fiance two years ago, I attended services with her (WELS), and after eight months I finally agreed to take instruction class. After the 22 week instruction, which was one on one with the pastor, I became a member on October 2nd 2011. In relation to this post, I feel the need for an extension of the class since it was so fruitful for me. I am especially curious about Book of Concord, and what would be the best way to further my knowledge of its contents, especially since we never really discussed it in class. I am assuming that most of this would have been taught in confirmation class. Would some form of confirmation class be appropriate for me? As a convert, the length of instruction was essential allowing for prayer, and the Holy Spirit to do his work. Looking back, at week eight my mind was still hostile towards the Lutheran church and I would not have made the right decision. I haven't asked the pastor about this, but I will. God Bless - Travis

In my experience the Book of Concord isn't discussed too much in classes like that. I think the reason is that it can be a bit heavy theologically for your average belevier. Plus it also needs to have some historical context to help understand.

Most of the people on TLC are above average in their interest in theology and so most of us have read at least parts of it if not all of it.

You can access the entire book of concord at Welcome to the Book of Concord

Now if you don't like to read things from a computer screen you can purchase a used copy of the book for relatively cheap.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Book+of+Concord

If you want to spend a little bit more you can get it with commentary from the LCMS's publishing house Concordia Publishing house.

Welcome to CPH.org

I would recommend looking at used prices first. I have the Kolb/Wengert Translation that I got used for like 5 bucks and it came to me and was like new. I'm pretty sure whoever owned this book before me, never opened it.

This is the one I have that I bought used for like $5

http://www.cph.org/p-1065-book-of-concord.aspx?SearchTerm=Book of Concord

Some of those have commentary too which might help, so you may want to consider that.

This is the popular one here that most people seem to recommend. It might be good because I believe it provides commentary.

http://www.cph.org/p-11428-concordi...k-of-concord-2nd-edition.aspx?SearchTerm=Book of Concord

Of course please feel free to ask any questions here.

In terms of reading I would start with the Augsburg Confession, Small Catechism, and Large Catechism.

Being a fomer Roman Catholic you should already be familiar with the creeds.

**Note: I'm not sure if the WELS has their own version of the Book of Concord, but you can look into that.**

 

[SplendidTree]

Wow thanks for that post, Luther because I would like to check out those links as well!

I had my first class tonight and it was great!

 

[aflower4God]

Congrats and ANSWERED PRAYERS sis. (((((((BIG HUGS))))))))))

 

[Aibrean]

I just got a postcard in the mail from our pastor last week about attending catechism class as a refresher. However, I probably am more active in reading the BoC than most as I am not a cradle Lutheran. Don't really need a refresher

 

[Shane R]

I think a problem with much of Protestantism is an attempt to over-simplify conversion. In some extremes it seems like one can be a grounded Christian once they have learned John 3:16 and Rom 10:9, maybe also Rom 3:23. The fact is the Hebrew author proposed a much broader base of subjects as elementary doctrine (Heb 6:1-2). Many churches are essentially expecting people to believe in a God they know nothing about.

In ancient times the period of catechesis could last as long as three years. I think my pastor tends to spend about 14-16 weeks with his catechumens. Upon their completion of the initial instruction they are provided with either a Lutheran Study Bible or a Book of Concord.

 

[Aibrean]

I don't think you can ever stop learning