Book: Beginners Gospel Story Bible

The Beginner's Gospel Story Bible is a gospel-centered, Bible storybook for toddlers and preschoolers with fifty-two Bible stories retold in a simple and compelling way.

Author Jared Kennedy traces through the stories of the Old and New Testament how God keeps his promises in surprising ways better than anyone could have ever thought or imagined! Each story highlights for young children God's story of redemption through Jesus Christ and the unexpected ways that God's grace and mercy are revealed throughout the Bible. Children will hear the good news of God's love for them clearly expressed in ways that will speak to their young hearts. Each story ends with a question that Christian parents and caregivers can use to further reinforce the story. 

Brightly colored illustrations highlight each story and add fun teaching elements of
counting, opposites, patterns, and object recognition to keep even the youngest child's attention on these important Christian teachings about God's love.

Available from Amazon

Article: How to Share the Good News of Jesus

How to Share Your Faith

from Christ the King Lutheran Church LCMC - West Hoover

A definition of faith-sharing success is NOT leading someone to Jesus Christ.   Instead, it is sharing Christ, inviting to faith in Christ, and living out your Christian life whether people accept Christ or not.

What is the central message of the gospel?

The message we as Christians proclaim is “Christ has Risen!”

In Christ's resurrection, he defeated humanity’s greatest enemy - Death itself.

Death is coming for us all. We exist in a state of Sin and Death.

The GOSPEL is: Christ defeated our Death and made us alive in Him!

Through Jesus’ Death on the cross he takes our sin - our sin was crucified with Christ. Through his resurrection, he defeats Death - he takes victory over Death. At Jesus’ resurrection Death itself was defeated and the devil’s grip on this world was broken.

Why is the news good?

Jesus defeated sin, death, and the devil for YOU.

The 4 P’s Method

• Pray - for divine appointments - send people and show me who I should share the gospel with
• Post - make a note - create a follow-up method
• Pray - again for the names you post. Pray for softened hearts and opportunity to share the Good News
• Plant - the seed when God opens the door. Become spiritually alert.

Two questions that show Christ’s love…

• Can I pray with you? (right now? this shows immediate love for them…)
• How’s your soul? (when people have things going on in their life - remind them of their salvation and offer encouragement)

Questions to initiate the conversation (***Listen, do not argue: love is listening***)

• Do you have any kind of spiritual belief?
• What is your understanding of Jesus Christ?
• Do you think there’s heaven or hell?

Verses you can use to share your faith 

(Ask what each verse means to the other person. The person teaches themselves.)

Why do I need salvation?

• Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
• Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is Death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

How did God meet my need - Why is the news good?

• John 3:16-17 - For God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son that whosoever should believe in Him should not perish but have eternal life; for God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved.

How do I receive salvation?

• John 3:3 - Jesus answered him (Nicodemus), “Truly , truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
• Acts 2:38 - Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Born of our mothers in sin and death, born again through the Spirit)
• Romans 10:9-11 - If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in Him will not be put to shame.”

Story / Narrative Evangelism: >>> Share parables

eg.  The Prodigal Son (Luke 15) - I like this one if they have walked away from the Church

• “Where are you in the story?”
• “Are you still partying; are you at rock bottom with the pigs; are you ready to come back to your Father?”

What’s next?

• Jesus Prayer - “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
• You’re not finished! Hand them off to your church leadership for catechism and Baptism (if they haven’t already been baptized)
• A word on Baptism - it’s that marked moment in time where I can always remember and know that God saved me. God did not save me because I was very sincere when I prayed the Jesus prayer (for our sincerity can wax or wane). Rather, it was God’s grace that saved me.

2026: September - Lutheran Fellowship Gatherings weekly resource

 AUGUST weekly resources

Click on the weekly links below  to access the weekly resources

September week 1:  Matthew 18:15-20 Proper 19 

September week 2:  Matthew 20:1-16  Proper 20

September week 3:  Matthew 21:23-32 Proper 21

September 4:  Matthew 21:33–46  Proper 22

DONATE HERE

 

The Lutheran Fellowship Gathering weekly resource is for small groups or small worshipping communities to help them connect with God and each other focussing on the Gospel reading of the Revised Common Lectionary  

I have made this resource available is to support people who wish to gather around God’s Word, focus on Jesus and to grow as part of God’s church.  

You may want to use it to help you start a small group in your church community, or to gather people in a community where a Lutheran church currently is not present.  

This resource is offered free of charge to non-commercial situations, on the understanding that you will not charge for copies or its use.   

This resource has been developed by Pastor Richard Schwedes, richardschwedes@gmail.com 

If you have feedback, suggestions or improvements feel free to email me

Lutheran bible studies and other resources for women

The following Lutheran bible studies and resources are available for women

Lutheran Women of Australia - Bible Studies   

Lutheran Women of Australia - Devotions 

Women of North American Lutheran Church - Online Bible Study 

Gather magazine Bible Studies

Boldcafe

Lutheran Women in Mission - Bible Studies 

Book:  Preaching from Home: The Stories of Seven Lutheran Women Hymn Writers 

Book:  Pew Sisters- A Women's group bible study

Book:  Strong in the Lord: A Women's Bible Study on Faith and Mental Health

Lutheran Women who write studies for Lutheran Women

Donna Snow

Deb Burma 

Sharla Fritz

Heidi Goehmann

Gretchen Ronnevik

 

Book: Evangelism in a Skeptical World: How to Make the Unbelievable News about Jesus More Believable

Evangelism in a Skeptical World: How to Make the Unbelievable News about Jesus More Believable is a book written by Sam Chan, an experienced evangelist who has experienced evangelising in modern and post modern scenarios, varying cultural contexts and over many years.   

He recognises that many of the old methods of evangelism no longer work effectively today. We need new methods to communicate the timeless message of the gospel in culturally relevant ways.

In a post-Christian, post-churched, post-reached world, most Christians have been poorly equipped to tell their friends about Jesus. Dr. Chan combines the theological and biblical insights of classic evangelistic training with his own and hard-won insights from missiology on contextualization, cultural hermeneutics, and storytelling.

Every chapter is illustrated with real-world examples drawn from over fifteen years of evangelistic ministry across the globe. These are methods that really work—with university students, urban workers, and professionals—getting past the defensive posture that people have toward Christianity so they can seriously consider the claims of Jesus Christ.

Field-tested and filled with unique, fresh, and creative insights, this book will equip you to share the gospel in today's world and help as many people as possible hear the good news about Jesus.

Chapters include

1. A Theology of Evangelism
2. Everyday Evangelism
3. How to Craft a Gospel Presentation
4. Evangelism to Postmoderns
5. Contextualization for Evangelism
6. Gospel-Cultural Hermeneutics
7. Storytelling the Gospel
8. How to Give Evangelistic Topical Talks
9. How to Give Evangelistic Expository Talks
10. Religious Epistemology, Apologetics, and Defeater Beliefs

Evangelism in a Skeptical World available here

Book: Contending for Christ Through the Creed: Apologetics for Loving Answers on the Christian Faith

Holy Scripture directs all Christians to contend for the faith that was once delivered to the saints (Jude 3). 

Unfortunately, all too often the Christian resorts to defensiveness that amounts to becoming contentious, which is contrary to the way of Jesus Christ. Engaging for Christ requires both gentleness and respect (1 Pet 3:15). 

But where to begin? In this unique approach to cultural apologetics, Alfonso Espinosa employs the outline of the ancient Apostles’ Creed. Creedal organization not only demonstrates the timeless and enduring relevance of the Christian faith, but it also puts forth a logical and systematic approach to Christian apologetics. Such a method is first immensely personal since the Creed begins with “I believe.”

At the same time, however, it does not perpetuate the hyper self-centeredness of our age but presents the outward orientation to consider the importance of creation, Christ-centered salvation, and the churchly context of the work of the Holy Spirit. 

In all this apologetic clarification, important answers to the faith once delivered are offered so that comfort is had not in religious ambiguity and subjectivism, but rather in the objective foundation of truth that endures, truth that we can contend for. 

Chapters:

Introduction: Contending While Loving

Part I: Contending for the Faith According to the First Article of the Creed

     1. Contending for Identity: “I”
     2. Culture and the Old “I"
     3. Contending for the Father
     4. Contending for the Creator

Part II: Contending for the Faith According to the Second Article of the Creed

     5. Contending for Jesus Christ of Real History

     6. Contending for Jesus, God Who Die

     7. Contending for Jesus, the Death of Death

     8. Contending for Jesus, the Keeper of Promises Coming Again

Part III: Contending for the Faith According to the Third Article of the Creed
     9. Contending for the Holy Christian Church
   10. Contending for Our Same Bodies Raised
   11. Contending for the Life Everlasting

Available from Amazon 

Podcast: Preaching to Uncle Bob: Evangelistic Preaching in a Post-Christian World with John Dickson

In this episode, Ridley College Faculty member, Tim Johnson, sits down with the John Dickson — historian, author, podcaster, and public Christian — ahead of the annual Ridley Preachers Conference. 

Their conversation centres on one of the most important and underestimated skills in ministry: evangelistic preaching. Not the Billy Graham crusade kind — but the kind that happens every Sunday in local churches around the country, where real doubters are sitting in real pews. 

John makes a compelling case that the local church is still the most powerful evangelistic tool we have, and that any preacher — not just the gifted evangelist — can learn to preach in a way that has something for the doubter in the room. 

They explore the difference between evangelistic preaching and evangelism, the common missteps that lose sceptical listeners, how to handle questions about Christianity's goodness and reputation, what Aristotle's three elements of persuasion have to do with the pulpit, and John's one piece of advice for anyone preparing an evangelistic sermon this Sunday. 

Whether you're a seasoned preacher or just starting out, this is a conversation that will change the way you think about your next sermon.

You can listen to this podcast here

Book: Apply the Word

Every preacher wants to see God’s Word impact their congregation. 

We wrestle with meaning, check the original Greek, and consult commentaries to make sure we’re faithful, articulate, and gospel-driven . But what if, in our diligence, we’re neglecting application, leaving our listeners informed rather than transformed?

Richard Coekin is passionate about application and candidly shares his own mistakes and growth in preaching over the past thirty years. Writing for both new and experienced preachers, Coekin lays out what good application is, what it’s not, and how to develop in this vital area so congregations don’t just hear the Word, but are equipped to put it into practice.

Key Points 

• The Problem with Expository Preaching: Why accurate textual exposition often neglects clear, practical application, leaving congregations informed but unchanged.
• Defining True Application: What faithful, text-driven application looks like (and distinguishing it from legalism, moralism, or subjective opinion).
• Application to the Heart: Shepherding listeners across different life situations—addressing tired parents, anxious believers, proud leaders, and skeptical guests.
• Nuts and Bolts of Sermon Preparation: Practical techniques and structural tools for incorporating clear application directly into sermon outlines and delivery.

Available on Amazon

Worship and Study resource: Creation in Christ Day

Creation in Christ or Feast of Creation has been introduced into the liturgical calendar to be celebrated on 1 September or the nearest following Sunday.  

Grounded in the ancient liturgical tradition of the Orthodox Church, “Creation in Christ” (or “Feast of Creation”) celebrates God as Creator and ponders the great mystery that everything was created through Christ. And, as a result, it also inspires us to care for the gift of the created world. Although the rich theme of Christ’s activity in creation abounds throughout the liturgical year, setting aside this day brings an important focus to this mystery.

Resources 

Creation in Christ Web site

LWF  information

Consultation on Common Texts - recommended texts and rationale

ELCA - Year A worship resources

2026 August Lutheran Fellowship Gatherings weekly resource

 

AUGUST weekly resources

Click on the weekly links below  to access the weekly resources

August week 1:   Pentecost 10 Proper 13 Matthew 14:13-21

August week 2:  Pentecost 11 Proper 14 Matthew 14:22-33

August week 3:  Pentecost 12  Proper 15 Matthew 15:10-28

August week 4:  Pentecost 13 Proper 16 Matthew 16:13-20 

August week 5:  Pentecost 14 Proper 17 Matthew 16:21-28

DONATE HERE

 

The Lutheran Fellowship Gathering weekly resource is for small groups or small worshipping communities to help them connect with God and each other focussing on the Gospel reading of the Revised Common Lectionary  

I have made this resource available is to support people who wish to gather around God’s Word, focus on Jesus and to grow as part of God’s church.  

You may want to use it to help you start a small group in your church community, or to gather people in a community where a Lutheran church currently is not present.  

This resource is offered free of charge to non-commercial situations, on the understanding that you will not charge for copies or its use.   

This resource has been developed by Pastor Richard Schwedes, richardschwedes@gmail.com 

If you have feedback, suggestions or improvements feel free to email me

Study: Lutheran Hermeneutics - The Bible in the life of the Lutheran communion

For Lutherans the Bible is the word of God 

The Bible is also read in hugely diverse cultural, political, economic and religious contexts. 

The Bible in the life of the Lutheran Communion engages with the question how Lutheran churches in such varied contexts can reach a shared and mutual understanding regarding their reading and interpretation of biblical texts. 

Chapters

1. Introduction:  The Lutheran churches’ focus on the Bible and its interpretation 
2. What does sola scriptura mean?  
3. Challenges of interpreting the Bible today
4. Opportunities for reading and understanding the Bible in the twenty-first century 

Download a copy of The Bible in the life of the Lutheran Communion here

Resource: Beyond the hymnals - New Lutheran Hymns

Beyond the hymnals resource arose because every year new original hymns are composed for Lutheran congregations and worship.   Many of these new hymns grow out of a pastoral need or situation. 

The goal of this resource is to sustain awareness and access to this treasure of Christian hymnody and to demonstrate possible uses for the Sundays and festivals of the Church Year, of Year A.   They pray it is a source of inspiration to pastors, church musicians, worship planners, classroom teachers, composers, and others. 

There are 211 hymns representing the work of 19 Lutheran hymn writers, ranging from the now sainted to current college students. 

You can download the resource Beyond the hymnals - here

Free Bible Studies

 The Church of the Lutheran Brethren offers free downloadable bible study series.

The studies available include:

• Symbols of our savior - Lent Study
• Spiritual Formation - working with Jesus to become more like Jesus
• Our artists God 
• Full of grace and truth
• Intentionally intergenerational
• Mental health and the church
• Partner in Mission
• All things new
• Identity in Christ
• Identity in Christ - Justification
• Innocent Blood
• Triumphant Christian living
• The truth in Jesus 
• The life in Jesus
• Living Faith
• From disappointment to joy
• Directions in God's Word

  These studies are available at https://clbforge.org/studies

Hymn Devotion: Devotions on hymns of the day (Church Season)

Behind every hymn there is a story.  
Concordia University - Centre for Music helps us reflect more deeply on the hymns and their stories by offering us Devotions on the hymn of the day

Written by a wide variety of Lutheran pastors, teachers, church musicians and laity, each of these devotions seeks to unwrap the gift of the hymn text and apply it to the our Christian life.

To discover these devotions visit:   https://www.cuchicago.edu/academics/centers-of-excellence/center-for-church-music/devotions-on-the-hymn-of-the-day/

Book: Uproar: Calm leadership in anxious times

Uproar: Calm Leadership in Anxious Times helps leaders understand the powerful impact that emotional processes have on the people they lead.

If “these are the times that test men’s souls,” never more than for the leader’s ability to think clearly, to be present calmly, and to challenge effectively. 

It’s a time when leaders cannot be as anxious as those they serve; otherwise, the system is leaderless. Anxiety flows down like water from a leaky pipe. To lead effectively we must understand the impact of powerful emotional forces on people’s behavior, especially in anxious times.

Peter Steinke, bestselling author of Congregational Leadership in Anxious Times draws on decades of work on system conflict and personal experiences to share real stories of challenges leaders have faced and how understanding the power of emotions has dramatically influenced their success. 

In this book, readers will observe important leadership characteristics such as separating oneself from the surrounding anxiety, making decisions based on principle and not instinct, taking responsibility for one’s own emotional being, staying connected to others including those who disagree with you, being a non-anxious presence, focusing on emotional processes rather than the symptoms they produce, knowing people naturally influence one another, and recognizing leader and follower as complements. 

At the end of each chapter, there is a Leader’s Notebook, a short section to illustrate, enrich or engage your thinking about leadership. 

As Steinke suggests, being anxious causes you to lose perspective, and leaders do their best thinking when they are not overly stressed and can think about options, doing their best work when they work on themselves. 

So where are you in your leadership journey? No matter where you are―beginning, middle or end― this book will be one the most significant leadership books you’ll read.

Chapel Curriculum: Your word is growing in me

 

A chapel curriculum that has been developed by LCMS Lutherans for LCMS Schools.

Each Chapel suggests a simple theme on which to build a Chapel message, Bible verses that the Chapel message is based on, Song suggestions that connect to the Chapel message and Bible verses, 

Includes:

• Theme Song and motions, music score, chord charts, videos, and more! 
• Chapel Ideas for 35 Weeks of the school year that are thematically tied to “God’s Word is Growing Me.” 
• Chapels are sequenced to connect with major seasons of the church year
• Week 1: Opening Chapel - God’s Word is Growing Me (Orientation to the theme) 
• Weeks 2-3: God’s Wisdom 
• Weeks 4-8: God’s Word and its reliability 
• Weeks 9-17: God’s Word was Growing Them (a look at important people from the Bible who were changed by God’s Word) 
• Weeks 18-29: God’s Word Gives Me…(a look at the promises God gives us in His Word) 
• ○ Weeks 30-34: God’s Word Shapes My Values and Character (a look at how God’s Words can align our values and character can be more like his) 
• Week 35: Closing Chapel - Keeping God’s Word so that it continues to grow,     
• Theme graphics

To preview the resources visit https://mailchi.mp/cui.edu/your-word-preview

App: Weave Worship

A worship app built for the local church

• Faster Discovery -  Search by theme, Scripture, service fit, meaning, tune, doctrines and more.
• Clearer Discernment  - Learn more about how a particular song or hymn functions in the Lutheran service.
• Better Building - Filter doctrinally reviewed resources, create setlists, find liturgy pairings, and sync to Planning Center Services.

Weave is a powerful, searchable worship planning suite that empowers pastors, music directors, and worship leaders to select songs and liturgical elements with theological confidence and clarity. Rooted in confessional Lutheran theology and attentive to the rhythms of the church year, Weave helps evaluate music by both its sound and its substance. It also integrates seamlessly with Planning Center Online, streamlining the planning process from reflection to execution.

Developed by the Center for Worship Leadership at Concordia University Irvine,

Sign up for free  https://weaveworship.com/

Book-pdf Be at Leisure-A Lutheran approach to outreach

 "Be at Leisure: A Lutheran Approach to Outreach" addresses how outreach happens naturally within the congregation. 

The advice in this book is not so much about changing practices as it is about focusing the faith of the heart on Christ, and teaching minds to think according to how the Scriptures speak. 

Chapters

1. Motives - Approach (Diagram) 
2. Faithfulness 
3. Beauty 
4. Hospitality 
5. Procreation 
6. Catechesis 
7. Straying 
8. Invitation 
9. Good Works 
10. Epilogue: Waiting

You can download a free copy of the book at https://steadfastlutherans.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Be-at-Leisure-by-Andrew-Richard.pdf

Worship and Study Resources: Leaving no one behind

In 2026, the Bible Society of New Zealand, in celebrating their 180th anniversary, are focusing on 5 powerful parables from the Gospel of Luke....with the theme Leaving no one behind

The resources they are providing are for all ages — designed to help individuals, churches, and ministries engage deeply with God’s Word.

Each week you will focus on one of the parables:

• The lost coin
• The lost sheep
• The prodigal son
• The Good Samaritan 
• The Sower

The resources available include:

• Adult devotional bible studies
• Teen devotional bible studies
• 7 day challenge plan
• Children's lesson
• 31 day reading plan

For more information visit

https://biblesociety.org.nz/bible-month-2026/#bm

Resources: Faith and Lead

Faith and Lead:   Faith Leadership for Everyone

Faith and lead provides on-demand courses, live ministry workshops, learning communities, and peer support for congregations, pastors, lay workers, leaders  and members.

Resources available include

• live learning 
• on demand learning 
• Ebooks
• Podcasts
• Blogs

You can choose to have becoming a member giving you access to courses and resources for no further charge or you can pay a one off fee for a resource/course. 

They also offer a limited number of free courses and resources

Main Topics covered include:

• Bible
• Cultivate community
• Faith and contemporary issues
• Faith in daily life
• Faithful innovation
• Justice and service
• Ministry leadership
• Mission and Evangelism
• Rural Ministry
• Spiritual Practices
• Stewardship and Sustainability
• Theology and History 

Begin exploring faith and lead https://faithlead.org/

A missionary idea: The whiteboard/butchers paper

In a place where your congregation gathers for fellowship place a whiteboard or butchers paper in a prominent place with some markers, and the following question:

How can we as a church, share God with our wider community through:
our relationships

technology

buildings

people?

And encourage people to put down their thoughts

Article: Lutheran Ecclesiology - Jonathan Mumme

Jonathan Mumme's article in the St Andrew's Encyclopedia of Theology is Lutheran Ecclesiology.  

The article covers

Introduction

Late medieval ecclesiological thought

The ecclesiology of the reformers and the confessions

            General characteristics

            Symbolical expression (the Lutheran Confessions)

            Productive theological pairings

                    Invisible and visible

                    Faith and the means of grace

                    Church and marks of the church

                    Ministry (Amt) and congregation (Gemeinde)

                    Internality and externality as ecclesiological diagnostic

Historical unfolding

                   Orthodoxy and Enlightenment

                   The long nineteenth century

                   Recent and contemporary

                   Polities and particular ecclesial trajectories

                          Germany

                          Nordic countries

                          America

                          Amalgamations

                  Lutheran approaches to general ecclesiological concerns

                          Israel and eschatology

                          The church and the state

Current state of play

                 Federations, communions, and associations

                 Ecumenism and post-ecumenism

                 Directions toward the future

Lutheran Ecclesiology by Jonathan Mumme is available at St Andrews Encyclopedia of Theology 

Book: Called to Witness - doing missional theology

One of the leading voices in the missional church conversation, Darrell Guder here lays out basic theological issues that must be addressed for the church to serve God faithfully as Christ's witnessing people. 

Guder argues that there are major consequences for every classical theological locus if the fundamental claims of the missional church discussion are acknowledged. 

In Called to Witness he delves into these consequences, saying that we need to keep doing missional theology until it is possible to leave off the "missional scaffolding" because, after all, mission defines the very essence and calling of the church.

Chapters 

1. Reconstructing Theology: Mission and the Task of Theology
2. The Missional Challenge: De-Centering Christendom
3. The Missional Calling: The Apostolic Vocation of the Church
4. Why the Term “Missional”?
5. The Witness of God: The Trinitarian Foundation for Missional Theology
6. The Witness of God’s Word: Reading Scripture Missionally
7. The Witness of God’s People: The Royal Priesthood
8. The Witness of the Marks of the Church: The Nicene Creed
9. Integrating Theological Formation for Apostolic Vocation
10. The End of Missional Theology

Available on Amazon

Book: The Great Sending- God's heart beating through you

Will Sohns goes right to the heart—the heart of the missional problem—and offers a powerful solution. 

God’s Sending is a call to join Him in something beyond self, beyond a congregation, and beyond a denomination. God is calling us to much more. His Great Sending is His heartbeat for the world that He wants beating in and through you. 

Readers will learn to re-arrange their understanding of Scripture and life around God’s Mission…no longer arranging God’s Mission around their self-centered lives. 

Each chapter in this collection of writings from renowned authors connects God’s heart to your own through a deep dive into Scripture. The Great Sending will begin new conversations in the church around the Great Sending (Missio Dei) and lead laity, congregations, and pastors to let God change the direction of local churches that are collapsing under protectionism and self-preservation. 

The Great Sending is about opening up to God’s heart for the world. Let this book challenge you and call you to see God’s Mission and move your life to join God in the Mission.

chapters

1. Christ in the heart of the great sending
2. Engaging Disciples in the great sending
3. The great Christ sending
4. The great sending essentials
5. The great sending in the multiplication of Acts
6. The great sending in nature and culture
7. Nailing 12 missional theses in the great sending
8. Missional Resources 
9. A missio dei catechism

The Great Sending is available on Amazon

Confirmation Curriculum - Lutheran House of Study

The Lutheran House of Study has developed a free online Lutheran Confirmation Course to assist congregations and members in preparing for people to be confirmed as members of their Lutheran congregation

The curriculum covers:

• Luther's Small Catechism
• The Bible and key bible lessons

The resources available include:

• interactive digital lessons (modules)
• custom-made videos
• quizzes
• drag/drop tasks
• discussion questions
• scripture passages
• prayers. 

To discover more about the Lutheran Confirmation Course visit 

https://lutherhouseofstudy.org/confirmation/

Hymn: Soul adorn yourself with gladness

The hymn originally called "Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele" was written by German poet Johann Franck wrote the hymn following the devastating Thirty Years' War in Germany. Despite the grief, destruction, and personal tragedies that surrounded him, Franck penned a text designed to uplift the faithful by placing their focus on God. The hymn draws heavily from the Parable of the Wedding Banquet and imagery from Psalm 43, urging the individual to leave behind earthly sorrows and approach the Lord's Table with joy.  So the hymn is often sung as a Holy Communion Hymn

Catherine Winkworth translated the hymn into English

The hymn is known as

• Soul adorn yourself with gladness
• Soul adorn thyself with gladness
• Deck thyself my soul with gladness

Text and sheet music

https://hymnary.org/text/soul_adorn_yourself_with_gladness

Video versions

Book: Reformational Missiology: An Evangelical Lutheran Perspective for Global Mission

Reformational Missiology is about why Christians share their faith--not because they made it up, but because God calls us to share. 

It explains how Lutheran beliefs, like being saved by grace alone and focusing on Jesus' sacrifice, shape the spread of the message of Jesus today. The book covers the Bible's teachings, history, modern challenges and practical ways to live out serving in God's mission today. Lutheran mission perspective may present different than that of other Christians, but all agree mission is about telling people God forgives them and invites them into His family.

Main themes covered

• Biblical & Theological Foundations: Focuses on the missio Dei (mission of God),
• Historical Perspectives: Traces how Lutheran historical doctrines shape the message and motive of mission today.
• Worldviews & Culture
• Contextualization & Translation: Explores practical ways to communicate the Christian message in diverse cultural settings without compromising core biblical truths.
• Praxis and Modern Challenges: Provides actionable guidance on modern ministry, diaspora missiology, and local church missions without relying on a priestly hierarchy.

Available at Amazon

Book: Mission from the cross

Klaus Detlev Schulz unpacks a Lutheran perspective of mission that is centred and grounded in the cross of Jesus

“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” Luke 10:2   Whether you go on mission trips or support them through prayer or funds, this book offers a great understanding of your involvement in the mission field. Discover the theology that underlies mission and connects you to this vital activity of proclaiming the Gospel.

The mission field is all around you—down the street and across the world. We are called to go and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19) and to not be ashamed of the Gospel (Romans 1:16), so how do you live that out? This books covers important topics such as cultural anthropology, communication styles, linguistics, ecumenical issues, strategies and more.

Mission from the Cross is a valuable resource as it helps you understand how God blesses His children through your service in His kingdom. This resource explores the Lutheran theology of mission through a contemporary lens and focuses on how it is accomplished through God’s grace.

There are two versions of Mission from the Cross

Lay Reader Version

Available at Amazon

Academic Version

Available at Amazon

Book: Christ Alone

 In our postmodern, pluralistic world, there are plenty of genuinely spiritual people who consider Christ a way to heaven, or even their way to heaven, but who refuse to acknowledge Him as the one and only way for everyone.

In their estimation, anyone who stresses an exclusive, saving faith in Jesus Christ is at the least intolerant and, at worst, completely ignorant. Yet as Rod Rosenbladt shows in this booklet, there are numerous evidences that support the centrality and exclusivity of Christ. He draws on these here to affirm that even in the face of sophisticated theological attacks, God's Word--and Christ's unique claims--still hold true.

In defending solus Christus Christians need not disregard the noble words or deeds of unbelievers throughout history. But there is One whose words and works stand far above all others, and whose entire existence proved His exclusive claims. And He deserves not only our worship, but our witness before a lost world.

Chapters

1. Solus Christus in the Scriptures - The Bible Is About Christ
2. The Background of Solus Christus
3. Today’s Theological Attack on Solus Christus
4. The Offense of Solus Christus
5. Solus Christus and the Pastor
6. Summary and Conclusion and Further Reading

Available on Amazon

2026 July Lutheran Fellowship Gatherings weekly resource

JULY weekly resources

Click on the weekly links below  to access the weekly resources

July week 1: Pentecost 6  Proper 9 Matthew 13:1–23

July week 2:   Pentecost 7  Proper 10 Matthew 13:24–43

July week 3:  Pentecost 8 Proper 11  Matthew 13:31–52

July week 4:  Pentecost 9  Proper 12  Matthew 14:13–21

 

The Lutheran Fellowship Gathering weekly resource is for small groups or small worshipping communities to help them connect with God and each other focussing on the Gospel reading of the Revised Common Lectionary  

I have made this resource available is to support people who wish to gather around God’s Word, focus on Jesus and to grow as part of God’s church.  

You may want to use it to help you start a small group in your church community, or to gather people in a community where a Lutheran church currently is not present.  

This resource is offered free of charge to non-commercial situations, on the understanding that you will not charge for copies or its use.   

This resource has been developed by Pastor Richard Schwedes, richardschwedes@gmail.com 

If you have feedback, suggestions or improvements feel free to email me

Celebrating the Gospel of Jesus - Augsburg Confession

An early copy of the Augsburg Confession is currently listed for sale at 45,000 Euros (about AUD $73,730). According to the seller, its value comes from its provenance—originally owned by Lazarus Spengler, a close friend and supporter of Luther—its age (printed in 1530), and the fact that it is an authorised early edition (the fourth edition).

Yet the true value of the Augsburg Confession is not found in its price tag, its rarity, or its historical owners. Its real worth lies in what it proclaims: a clear witness that being a Christian is entirely the result of the saving work of Jesus, and that the Church exists to live from and share this Gospel. That is why many Lutheran churches set aside 25 June each year to commemorate the presentation of the Augsburg Confession.

On 25 June 1530, the Lutheran reformers publicly presented the Confession in Augsburg to clarify what it means to be a Biblical, Gospel centred church and Christian. It addresses:

•       Who God is (Articles 1–3)
• How God communicates His saving love (Articles 4–6)
• What is essential for Gospel ministry (Article 5)
• How faith and good works relate (Articles 6, 18–20)
• How the Church lives in unity and diversity (Articles 7–15)
• How Christians live in the secular world (Article 16)
• Christ’s return (Article 17)
• The biblical understanding of saints (Article 21)
• Practical issues that needed/needing attention (Articles 22–28)

The purpose of these articles was never to create more rules about God or the Christian life. Instead, they were written to help the Church see more clearly—through Scripture—that Christian faith is about what God is doing for us and through us in Christ.

As Paul writes in Romans 1:16:

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.”

So, commemorate the presentation of the Augsburg Confession, by focussing on Jesus and God’s saving Gospel, because this is why those who compiled and presented the Augsburg Confession 

Bishop Richard Schwedes     June 2026      

2026 June Lutheran Fellowship Gatherings Weekly resource

 

June weekly resources

Click on the weekly links below to access the weekly resources

June week 1: Pentecost 2 - Proper 5 Matthew 9:9-26 

June  week 2: Pentecost 3- Proper 6 Matthew 9:35-10:33

June week 3: Pentecost 4- Proper 7 Matthew 10:34-39 

June week 4:  Pentecost 5 - Proper 8 Matthew 10:40-42 

 

The Lutheran Fellowship Gathering weekly resource is for small groups or small worshipping communities to help them connect with God and each other focussing on the Gospel reading of the Revised Common Lectionary  

I have made this resource available is to support people who wish to gather around God’s Word, focus on Jesus and to grow as part of God’s church.  

You may want to use it to help you start a small group in your church community, or to gather people in a community where a Lutheran church currently is not present.  

This resource is offered free of charge to non-commercial situations, on the understanding that you will not charge for copies or its use.   

This resource has been developed by Pastor Richard Schwedes, richardschwedes@gmail.com 

If you have feedback, suggestions or improvements feel free to email me

Missional Thoughts - Pentecost

Every year at Pentecost we have this great reminder of at least three things about the church (the community who follows Jesus).

1. The life of the church, its shape and its direction is dependent on God's Holy Spirit.   
2. The church is and will be consist of people of all nations who are dependent of God's Holy Sprit for who they are.
3. The main purpose of the church is to be a community witnessing to what God has done, God is doing and God will do through Jesus.

Take a moment to read and reflect on 

Acts 1:1-11

In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach  until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.  After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.  On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.  For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” 

Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 

He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.  But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 

After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. 

They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them.  “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” 

Acts 2:1-12

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.  Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.  They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues x as the Spirit enabled them. 

Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven.  When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language?  Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?” 

Question to ponder:    How has and is God's Holy Spirit shaping your church community?

Prepared by Bishop Richard Schwedes LCA NSWACT and NZ for congregations and their members who are part of God's church to use and share,