# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1989_S77
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

LIFELIGHT™

Introduction

In the spring of 1986 the International LWML passed
a resolution:

WHEREAS, a need is recognized for The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod to have available a Biblically sound
in-depth Bible study; and

WHEREAS, an in-depth Bible study will be comprehensive,
doctrinally pure with evangelical emphasis, and stress prac-
tical aspects of living a Christian life; and

WHEREAS, an in-depth Bible study will call for a com-
mitment to the study of God’s Word through advance home
preparation by participants, small-group discussion of home-
work, and large-group lecture; and

WHEREAS, the President of The Lutheran Church—Mis-
souri Synod fully supports this project and is willing to be
involved in the entire process; and

WHEREAS, the magnitude of developing, writing, and pro-
ducing an in-depth Bible study for The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod will require special funding; therefore be it

RESOLVED, that the Board of Directors of the Lutheran
Women’s Missionary League allocate $100,000 to fund a new
in-depth Bible study.

The resolution adduced the following: “Supporting in-
formation—Women of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary
League and The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod are in
community Bible studies where they learn questionable
and false interpretation and doctrine. Because of their de-
sire to find acceptable Bible study materials, many women
have asked the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League
and/or The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod to produce
an in-depth Bible study.”

In two subsequent meetings, President Bohlmann met
with the presidium of the LWML (president and four vice-
presidents) and representative Synod staff. The meetings
resulted in the establishment of an in-depth Bible Study
Committee, appointed by the President:

Editorial Committee—LWML/LCMS In-depth Bible
Study

e@ Alberta Barnes (LWML)

@ Roy Bleick (LCMS Stewardship)

e Alice Cross (LWML)

@ Anita Gaede (LWML)

@ Earl Gaulke (LCMS Parish Services)—committee chair-
man and managing editor

@ Betty Haar (LWML)

e@ Erwin Kolb (LCMS Evangelism)

@ Richard Krenzke (LCMS Social Ministry)

@ Samuel Nafzger (LCMS Theology and Church Relations)

e@ Sandy Thompson (LWML)

© Ex Officio Frank Starr (pastor, First Lutheran, Lufkin,
Texas)—project editor

This committee blueprinted LifeLight, an in-depth Bi-
ble study series for adults.

Purpose
Consistent spiritual growth begins with consistent per-
sonal study of God’s Word. LifeLight is an in-depth Bible

BIBLE STUDY

study program designed to get every adult in every con-
gregation into God’s Word on a daily basis.

But LifeLight takes its participants one step further.
Through the weekly LifeLight gathering, participants are
encouraged to share their burdens and blessings as well
as discuss their answers from their personal study of the
Scripture. Participants experience a unity and fellowship
that will encourage them to continue studying God’s Word
and to live out the truths learned.

A Walk through LifeLight™

LifeLight is described as “in-depth” because passages
of Scripture are examined in a variety of ways—through
personal study, group worship and discussion, lecture, and
review notes. The following represents a typical week of
LifeLight study.

1. Personal study

Students individually study a passage of Scripture as
outlined in the study leaflet, a 5-day lesson plan. Students
spend 20 to 30 minutes on each day’s lesson in preparation
for the weekly LifeLight gathering.

2. Worship

After five days of personal study, all participants meet
in a large group to open the class session with worship (5—
10 minutes).

3. Discussion

Participants then gather in preassigned small groups
(8-12 per group) to share their answers to the study ques-
tions. A prepared small group leader facilities the discus-
sion (55 minutes).

4. Lecture

Next, the small groups reassemble to listen to the lec-
ture, which recaps the lesson. Through the power of the
Holy Spirit, the lecture will open even deeper insights into
the Scripture studied and will move participants to act on
these truths (20 minutes).

5. Review

After the lecture, participants receive review notes that
summarize the week’s lesson. They also receive a new
study leaflet for the following week. And the process begins
again.

Materials
A Five-Year Plan of Study

Written by experienced Lutheran pastors and teachers,
each week course presents in-depth studies of selected
books of the Bible.

The LifeLight Planning Manual suggests scheduling
three studies per year (during fall through spring) in order