Welcome to Bethlehem Lutheran Church

 

Christian Education

Our goal is to help all of God’s people grow into disciples who are strong in faith, clear in witness and eager to serve others in need through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

Christian Education is a life long process that seeks to nurture the relationship that we have with God and the relationships we have with God’s people. We employ multiple and redundant systems of delivery to continually connect our faith to daily living so that everyone connected to Bethlehem Lutheran Church knows what it means to live as a disciple of Christ. Our goal is to help all of God’s people grow into disciples who are strong in faith, clear in witness and eager to serve others in need through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

We start this process as early in life as we can. God and the community of faith are constant companions through each stepping stone along the journey of life. All programs begin by recalling the mighty acts of God in Baptism as well as the promises made in baptism.

In Holy Baptism our gracious heavenly Father liberates us from sin and death by joining us to the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are born children of a fallen humanity; in the waters of Baptism we are reborn children of God and inheritors of eternal life. By water and the Holy Spirit we are made members of the Church which is the body of Christ. As we live with him and with his people, we grow in faith, love, and obedience to the will of God.

For parents of infants we begin supporting the faith development process through a send-home resource entitled “SPLASH.” This resource helps parents understand the physical maturation process and how to establish devotional times as well as a prayer life for the child, the parents and the whole family.

Sunday School begins as early as age 2 and continues for people up to the age of 102!
Our Sunday school meets weekly at 9:15 and 10:30 a.m. The 9:15 classes are all age-based and use a more traditional curriculum. At 10:30 our classes are multi-aged and employ multiple learning styles. Lesson themes are presented on a rotational basis over a three to four week period. This same program is expanded and used for our Wednesday night Adventure Club (listed in more detail below.)

In addition to Sunday morning classes, we offer an experiential Faith Stepping Stones program for parents and their children in grades first through sixth. Faith Stepping Stones engages parents in learning and teaching and growing the faith with their child through age-appropriate activities and mentoring.

1st Graders Prayer Bear workshop Children and their parents meet for a short morning. Students make prayer petitions and attach them to a prayer bear that is also crafted by the children and their parents. This workshop helps parents and children to build an on-going conversation with God to build a foundation for all that is to come.

2nd Graders Basic Bible Workshop We learn how to navigate the Bible, how to establish the habit or regular Bible reading using a special picture Bible geared for early readers.

3rd Graders First Communion workshop with parents, learn about and prepare to receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion. The students learn about church symbols, the theology and history of the Lord’s Supper, they make the bread for their first celebration and also chalices that they use to commune everyone in their family.

4th Grader Family Heritage Students and parents gather for an almost til midnight workshop in the church. During the extended time we explore our family heritage, what it means to be a part of the family of God and do some extended Bible study as well as play games of skill, trivia and physical strength all around the bonds of our family history and heritage.

5th Grade Advanced Bible Lock-in Students meet for a lock-in with parents to explore scripture on an level. Student receive a Bible in contemporary English to help them understand the Word of God in a relevant way. Bible searches, memory and trivia games help parents and their children immerse themselves in the wonderful ways that God speaks to us.

6th Grade – Worship Immersion Lock-in for parents and children focusing on serving in worship as acolytes and communion assistants. We explore the ins and outs of worship, how it got the way it is and why… We also learn about what to watch for and ways to be engaged throughout the time of worship.

The Summer time brings a special multi-age experience called “Market Place.”
Market Place is a recreation of a Biblical Village. Children and all the adult Artisans craft sandals, jewelry, bread, pottery and a variety of daily use items. The program teaches about life in Biblical times through music, games, Bible study and prayer. This is a week long event involving nearly 300 people.

During the school year we offer a special mid-week program for children in grades K through 5 called “Adventure Club” Adventure Club works in close cooperation with our children’s choirs and follows a rotational format that explores a Bible lesson through drama, arts & crafts, study and games. This program is growing into an alternative to regular Sunday School classes for families with busy schedules and as an enrichment opportunity for students enrolled in Sunday School. Wednesday evenings continue to be a busy time at Bethlehem Lutheran Church and feature low cost healthy meals for children and families and after the meal time an opportunity for prayer, meditation and worship under candlelight in the sanctuary.

Middle School Ministry (6th, 7th and 8th grades)
With all of the changes that come during the middle school years we have developed a comprehensive approach to support parents and youth through the many transitions. Sunday School and Confirmation classes may sound like a traditional program but their application is anything but. Middle School students meet every Sunday for games, mixers and exploration of faith. We use the new Wild Truth curriculum to provide an opportunity for all Middle school students to be involved in Bible study, using a biblical text for study discussion and related activities. The class format and content, using biblical texts, is spread over a two-year cycle, giving an overview of the Old and New Testaments. The Middle School and Confirmation page has more including a schedule for the 2007 and 2008 year.

Confirmation uses a constantly evolving approach to touching the hearts and lives of young people. We work with youth to help them explore and strengthen their relationship with God and with God’s people, The program is a partnership between confirmation leaders, parents and mentors in the nurturing of the students as they grow in faith. We make use of the Here We Stand resources to learn how God comes to us and makes a difference in our lives. A typical class includes music, video games, quiz shows, Bible study and small group peer to peer time facilitated by an adult faith mentor.

For Adults

As Christians we are called to study and learn the Word of God. Bethlehem has a wide variety of learning opportunities to inspire us to take intentional and continuing steps down the path of lifelong learning and toward the goal of greater practice of Christian faith. 

Kaleidoscope is a framework designed to pull together the various learning opportunities that are available for adults, to expand our curriculum and to offer a greater variety of formats, schedules and places for learning opportunities in: Theology, Bible Study, Spirituality, Family Life Stages and Sunday Morning Adult Studies.

As we view your daily life through the cylinder of the kaleidoscope, we marvel at the way God’s light shines through the beautiful, redemptive patterns of divine love. 

Theology

Theology courses are designed to help us apply the Bible and our faith into our daily lives as we grow in our understanding. They go a step beyond reading and learning about the Bible to integrate philosophy and intentionality for living.

Bible Study

Includes step by step reading of biblical text, the historical and literary context, as it impacts our lives today and throughout the life of the church.

Spirituality

The exploration of how God moves within and around our lives. It is a life long process of learning to listen and see the presence of God while growing in relationship with God and all His creation.

Family Life Stages

Courses designed to address the joys and celebrations as well as the grief and loss that come during changes along our life journey.

Sunday Morning - Adult Education at 9:15

A kaleidoscope of short studies led by dynamic leaders in their respective fields. The studies are self contained and are open to all adults on a drop in basis.