By Jenny Scott
September 2021
Imagine the power of prayer and sense of community possible if all LCMS Northern Illinois District congregations participate in the same Bible study. That’s a potential of more than 200 churches and as many as 67,652 communicate members.
Pastor Kris Whitby, Assistant to the President – Mission & Ministry, has written a study based on that community with materials now available for exploration. Any congregation or individual wishing to participate can join in the district-wide study in February 2022.
“I believe that having all congregations of our District participating in the same study reminds us that we, in our various congregations and ministries, are a part of a greater group of Jesus’ followers known as the Northern Illinois District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod,” said Pastor Whitby. “If we’re all diving into God’s Word through the same materials, it affords us the opportunity to promote dialogue church-to-church, both in person and through social media.”
This study is designed to now invite people to return to an ‘in person’ community of faith by exploring the God-given blessings that come as the followers of Jesus gather around His Word and Sacraments.
The study is available as a free downloadable resource on the NID website at nidlcms.org/incarnate-communitybible-study. It’s designed to be a four-week, or four-session study. Sermon-related materials will also be made available to pastors if they would like to address the study from the pulpit. While the study materials are designed for groups, they can also be used as a self-study resource.
WORD: Helping congregations be more centered on a rich life of Word and Sacrament, with congregational support in transitions as well as time of joys and sorrows.