Designs for Living: Paul and Luther on Christian Freedom

Roseville Lutheran Church: 10:10 Hour -- October 7, 14, 21, 28

"For freedom Christ has set us free!" So Paul wrote to the Galatians. In our baptism God calls us for a purpose – with our neighbors as the beneficiaries. At its "heart" Christian freedom is about vocation. At RLC we talk about "a heart to Care." In these weeks leading up to Reformation Sunday, we will read Martin Luther's reformation treatise on the "Freedom of the Christian" as a basis for reflection and group discussion on the shape of Christian freedom in relation to Vocation." Together we explore implications of the way in which God continues to free, unite, and empower us as whole persons to serve our neighbor in our daily lives.

Session Handouts:

Session 1: Introduction: Martin Luther: Hearing the Word

Reading Outlines: On Christian Liberty: Part 1,   Part 2,   Part 3

Reading Outlines: Mark Kolden: The Christian's Calling in the World: Part 1,  Part 2

James Boyce, "The Poetry of the Spirit" Word & World (2000)

Session Outline

Session 1: Sunday, October 7

“Designs for Freedom: Luther on Hearing the Word.”

Session 2: Sunday, October 14

“Designs for Freedom: A New Creation: Life in ChristW”

Martin Luther, On Christian Liberty, p. 1-33a (“…believes that he is justified”)

Suggested: Romans 4-6

Session 3: Sunday, October 21

“Designs for Freedom: Willing and Doing – The Poetry of the Spirit”

Martin Luther, On Christian Liberty, p. 33b-60a (“Now let us turn…contrary to God.”)

Marc Kolden, The Christian’s Calling in the World, p. 6-15: An Understanding of Christian Vocation

Suggested: Romans 7-8

Session 4: Sunday, October 28

“Designs for Freedom: Living in My Neighbor”

Martin Luther, On Christian Liberty, p. 60b-74 (“From what has been said…end”)

Marc Kolden, The Christian’s Calling in the World, p. 18-49: The Christian’s Calling in the World

Suggested: Romans 12-13

Suggested Supplementary Reading

Robert Benne. Ordinary Saints: An Introduction to the Christian Life (Augsburg Fortress, 2003):

Part 1: The Call of God (Sessions 1-2)

Part 2: The Calling of the Christian (Sessions 3-4)

Part 3: The Callings of the Christian (Session 5)

Steven Paulson. Luther for Armchair Theologians (Westminster John Knox, 2004) especially chap. 11: “Freedom of a Christian”

Parker J. Palmer, Let your Life Speak (Jossey-Bass, 2000)

James L. Boyce.  "The Poetry of the Spirit:  Willing and Doing in Galatians 5 and 6."   Word & World.   Summer 2000.  Vol. XX  No. 3

See Marc Kolden's Luther Seminary Web Site:  Resources: URL:  http://www.luthersem.edu/mkolden/

See "Ministry in Daily Life" Web resources of the Division for Ministry of the ELCA: URL: http://www.elca.org/dm/midl/ministry.html