Augsburg Fortress Book of Faith Resources

Irene Flynn posted this note in the resource center director's list serve. What she says applies to all of us. Enjoy reading her praise of the Augsburg Fortress Book of Faith resources.

Hi Everyone,
I’ve been thinking about all the great Book of Faith resources that Augsburg Fortress has published these past years! I just want to say that I think they are excellent! I love the 3 series –People of Faith; Books of Faith; and Together in Faith. I am especially pleased with the Books of Faith series. FINALLY! A book by book excellent study with great scholarship and great teaching suggestions and Lutheran takes on things! I appreciate them all! I also love the foundational series. I think David Lose has done an excellent job with his “Making Sense of…..” And those Lenten and Advent series have been stellar. The Lutheran Study Bible is so well done and that middle section is gorgeous . The Spark curricula is flexible and thorough. I must say, my favorite is the Spark Children’s Bible. I love looking at the illustrations and I love reading the stories. It’s just chock full of Good News! Thanks Augsburg Fortress and everyone who has worked so hard on all of these resources!

Irene Flynn
Specialist in Resources
Florida-Bahamas Synod, ELCA
813-876-7660 ext 229
IreneF@FBSynod.org

New resources are here!

The new resources about re:form Traditions - Methodist, Lutheran, Reformed - are here. If you would like to stop by and preview them, please feel free to do so. They are so "teachable" that your young folks or, for that matter, adults who are looking to know more about our neighbor's faith, will really respond to this style of teaching. Be sure to stop soon!

We have "The Greatest Story" with all the Lutheran Study Bible references removed. It also has the Sand Art dvd with it that has been so popular.

These are a few of the new things just in at Your Synod Resource Center. Do stop by or call and see what is here for you!

New resources just in!

A new resource that is sure to help you spend your "extra" time reading it, is "The Art of Curating Worship: Reshaping the Role of Worship Leader" by Mark Pierson from Sparkhouse in the new Clayfire emphasis. From the review by Leonard Sweet: "Mark Pierson believes that all of us are artists, born with a box of materials and supplies - words, images, song, dance, food, smells, dreams. Read this book to find out why we should open our box, reach in, and pull out our instruments for creating and curating. Few books provide such a quiver full of creative artistry as (this book)."

From the Book of Faith series, we now have studies on the book of Luke and on I Peter, and Making Sense of the Christian Faith by David Lose.

More will be coming from Augsburg Fortress soon. Stay tuned for the latest in wonderful, helpful resources!

Free Web-based Bible Study Resource from AF!

I received this email from Beth Lewis, CEO of Augsburg Fortress. This is an offer no one can refuse!
Enjoy.
Greg

You asked for it....we've got it!

Over and over again, I have heard questions like these from people throughout the country:

"Does AF offer a web-based Bible study program?  We have members who want to participate in Bible study, but can't because they are  ___________.  The blank is filled in with a variety of phrases:

"too busy"

"traveling with their work"

"parents of young children who can't afford weekly babysitters"

"web-oriented and much more comfortable with the Internet than with traditional forms of reading and study."

You asked....we've got it!  Starting this Sunday, September 5, we are launching a FREE year-long  on-line  Bible study via our Lutheran Study Bible Facebook page!   Each day, we will post that day's reference from the very popular (and much requested) Bible Reading Plan (Survey Path) from our Lutheran Study Bible.  This will be an exciting year-long journey through the Bible!  

How can you participate?

You may journey through this Bible study on your own;

Or, with a small group;

Or, through your campus ministry;

Or, with your family and friends who live miles apart from one another;

Or, as a congregational activity;

Or, as a chaplain with the men and women in the armed forces with whom you serve.

The key is to participate!  And, we'd love to hear from you.  How are you using this new on-line Bible study resource?  We are confident that you'll have some creative ideas to share with us.

Thanks for asking for this new resource!  Be sure you let us know what else is on your "faith formation & worship resources wish list."  We're listening and trying very hard to meet the needs of your community of faith!

Blessings,

Beth

http://twitter.com/bethalewis
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Beth A. Lewis, President & CEO Augsburg Fortress

We will soon receive our copy of "The Greatest Story", complete with a dvd. This is a 16-session basic Introduction to the Bible, that covers Genesis to Revelation. Key people, places and events are introduced in an easy-to-understand story. \

Participants are invited to explore where they fit in the greatest story and how the greatest story fits in their lives. The Lutheran Study Bible is at the core of each lesson, introducing participants to the Bible through stories, illustrations, and reflections. Each session is visually depicted through captivating session videos that feature the sand art of renowned artist Joe Castillo.

The Greatest Story can come alive for you and your congregation as you share the great stories of faith.

Teaching the Bible, Hosting the Conversation

As your resource center director and Book of Faith synod advocate, I'm always on the lookout for resources that will help you and your congregation encounter the Bible.

A critical role in the process is played by those leading bible studies in their homes or in their congregations.

Are you looking for material to enhance your teaching skills or support others who are teachers?

Teaching and learning the Bible is one of the primary faith formation practices for Christians. For members of the ELCA, the Book of Faith Initiative calls us to encounter the Scriptures in a deep and powerful way. Teaching the Bible, Hosting the Conversation helps support the development of teaching skills.

Taught by professors of Christian education, religion and the Bible at ELCA seminaries and colleges, this course explores the many facets of the church’s ministry of teaching, especially as it relates to the Bible. Focusing primarily on teaching adults, individual sessions examine the dynamics of adult learning, methodology, designing teaching/learning experiences, pastoral implications of teaching the Bible, multi-cultural considerations in exploring biblical texts, and the use of media in teaching.

1. Teaching as Conversation: Where Do We Begin?
2. Teachers and Learners: Relationships Matter
3. Adults as Learners: What Does the Brain Tell Us?
4. How We Teach Matters as Much as What We Teach
5. Hearing Other Voices: Multi-culture Encounters with the Bible
6. From Creche to the World Wide Web: Using Visual Media to Teach the Bible

I'm very pleased that their is an online version of this course that combines the use of the DVD lectures, reading assignments, and online interaction with fellow participants and the class facilitator, Diane E. Shallue, Ed.D., president of Lutheran Association of Christian Educators. You can find out more about how you can be part of this online course by contacting me at: gkaufmann@nwswi.org or 715-579-1556.

Biblical Stewardship: Duty and Delight

I’ve been previewing the sessions of Biblical Stewardship: Duty and Delight, as part of the editing team and Dr. Mark Allan Powell has hit a home run again. He engages the viewer well, his stories are “on the money” so to speak and the content is excellent. This seven session DVD resource, which comes with a robust study guide will be excellent for any congregation's fall stewardship program. At $49 it is affordable for almost everyone. It was listed in the Select Learning catalog mailed to all rostered leaders in July. It will be available for purchase September 1.
I highly recommend this resource!
Greg