Encouraging Bible Classes in Our Congregations

Abstract

Mark Braun’s 1984 essay, Encouraging Bible Classes in Our Congregations, addresses the low participation in adult Bible study within the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. Braun presents a three-part framework: assessment, attitude, and approach. He highlights troubling statistics, especially in Wisconsin districts, and critiques the church’s emphasis on youth education while neglecting adult spiritual growth. Braun identifies attitudes that hinder adult Bible study, such as post-confirmation complacency and overreliance on doctrinal possession. He then outlines practical strategies to increase engagement, including personalized invitations, relevant topics, consistent promotion, and structured follow-up. Braun shares his experience with the Adult Inquirers’ Class at St. John’s in Sparta, offering sample letters, survey tools, and ideas for long-term curriculum development. The essay calls for renewed pastoral focus on adult education and challenges congregations to invest in staffing and resources to support lifelong learning in God’s Word. —Abstract prepared by Microsoft Copilot (GPT-4)