“If God is all-powerful, and if God loves me, then why did He allow this tragedy?” Questions like this are often in the background of those who have walked away from the Christian faith. This breakaway will discuss that question, giving a clear understanding of Christian suffering and helping attendees prepare to endure the sufferings of life that they might stand firm in times of trial. Further, we will discuss ways to engage those who might have left the Christian faith as a result of suffering.

If baptism is as important as Lutherans say it is, you should notice that! But somehow the actual place of baptism in our Christian lives falls far short of what we say about it. This talk will explore what the bible says about baptism and answer the question of what being baptized actually means for your everyday life. Some people say that baptism isn’t for children (wrong!), but it’s easy to make the opposite mistake, and think it’s only for children (just as wrong!). The truth is, the more you embrace your baptism, the more you’ll discover each day how much it is for you, whatever your age.

How should we respond as Christians to reports of UFOs/UAPs (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena)? Is the possibility of alien life consistent with the Christian faith or a diversion from it? We will explore what the Bible has to say on this subject as it relates to creation, the God-given role of human beings, angels and demons, and especially the person of Jesus Christ. His incarnation and His redemption of all creation gives us the proper framework for how to approach the existence of extra-terrestrial life.

The eye is a gatekeeper, letting in either light or darkness. What happens when a Christian fixes his eyes on pixilated porn? How does it corrupt the mind, the heart, the imagination? What long-term effects are there? More importantly, is there hope for porn-darkened eyes? Come and fix your eyes on Jesus, dive into His Word, find newness of life therein, and learn how God purifies pornographic passions, rightly orders natural desire, and sanctifies sexuality. Rather than cursing the darkness, we will light a candle by bringing Christ into this discussion!

When someone close to you is hurting, you just want it to stop. When it leaves scars and welts, it’s terrifying. The temptation to answer with platitudes like “it will be OK” gives way to outright lies that only try to bury the hurt instead of facing it. The truth is, sin isn’t just an idea that can be pushed aside by a smile and positive thinking. Sin is brokenness and hurt, but our God really did bleed for sin. Our God really did die for you. It is already finished.

What do Jehovah’s Witnesses believe about Jesus and God? Why in the world isn’t it obvious to Jehovah’s Witnesses that Jesus is God? Why would anyone want to deny this basic biblical truth? Is there anything in how the Bible presents Jesus that might lead to confusion? What really is the Jehovah’s Witnesses ultimate authority? How does what they believe about the person of Jesus influence how they think about His work. Learn why it’s important for you to know that Jesus is Jehovah, the ways that Jehovah’s Witnesses respond to traditional proofs that Jesus is God, and how to talk to them about the true Jesus when they come knocking.

This sectional strives to provide youth the language, permission, and location for their laments in Christ. Our youth might know to pray, praise, thank, and serve Christ, but lament is easily overlooked or underdeveloped. By exploring the Psalms of Lament, participants can learn from David’s heartfelt cries to God, Jesus’ ultimate lament on the cross, and how we, as Sons and Daughters of David, can bring our own struggles before Christ. May this sectional be an opportunity for youth and adult leader alike to learn how Christ makes all things new, especially from His cross and tomb for us in our lamentation.

“Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?” is an idiom sometimes said to someone using expletives or other inappropriate language. The troubles of the tongue originate from our sinful heart. When we constantly hear corrupting talk in our sinful world, we begin to mimic it. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing; this should not be so! We are created to praise God with our lips. Learn to identify sinful influences and guard your lips from corrupting talk. As the Spirit cleanses our hearts for right speech, so our mouths may declare His praise.

Love. We think about it. We want it. We wonder when we’ll find it. We wonder IF we’ll find it. And if we do, how long will it last . . . because, let’s be honest, relationships break. Hearts break. People break. Is love really all it’s cracked up to be? The simple answer is, YES! God desires to give His people life-affirming love, and one of the ways He provides the blessing of love is through marriage. Learn how to spot real love, how to grow it, and how to give it as you abide in the love of Christ. Interested in learning more about REAL LOVE and how it upholds LIFE? Join this session, young lover

The Te Deum (“We Praise You, O God”) is one of the oldest and most enduring hymns of the church, the “fourth Creed” of Christendom (Luther), and one of the historic canticles of our liturgy. Though its authorship is uncertain, its trinitarian shape, biblical confession, and numerous musical settings have secured its place as perhaps the hymn of the New Creation. Walk through the text with an eye on Revelation 4 and 5, explore musical settings that are fitting for Lutheran worship. An informal companion to the field trip to see the Riojas Te Deum at Our Savior Lutheran Church.

The media report that homosexual marriage is now favored by a “vast majority” of young people. ”Dead naming” is considered “hate speech.” Choosing your own “gender” is trendy. What does God think of all of this? Using the story of the emperor’s new clothes, we’ll investigate how people are being told to shut their eyes to what God designed sex and marriage to be. We’ll see the lies told by people promoting the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Queer agenda. Most of all, we’ll see (from the Bible) God’s good plan for sexuality and marriage.

John’s gospel begins by referring to the second person of the Trinity as the Word of God; that Word of God who created all things by calling it into existence. Should it surprise us to notice that the focus of the devil’s assaults against God’s truth and grace begin at the level of words and their meanings? This session will study how the Scriptures themselves define OT and NT vocabulary and what a contrast that is with common assumptions about word meanings. Knowing the meaning of words in God’s revelation is exciting because it inspires understanding and a productive place for conversations with people.

We who are baptized into Christ are not like the world. The world is not like us. We are created anew in Christ to be merciful, forgiving, patient, and strong. In this breakaway, Pastor Hull will walk through how we are all 4 of these things as baptized children of God in spite of how the world wants us to be. You will hopefully grow in this breakaway in the joy of knowing that who you are, as one new in Christ, is your identity that can never be changed.

Whether it’s a Bugatti or a baseball contract or a Van Gogh or a diamond ring or a college education, we always want to know, “What’s it worth?” We want a number that tells us how important something is. And in a world that tries to put a price on everything, it’s inevitable that we would turn that same question in on ourselves: What am I worth? To my friends? To my team? To my company? To my community? To God? Thankfully, Christ tells us what we’re worth—His own life. This reality enables us to live confidently and to see the value in others, even when they can’t.

Congratulations, you have depression! There are a million contradictory ideas about how you got depression, why you have it, and how to deal with it. Some say that medication will fix all your problems. Some say that just praying more will make it all better. How does a baptized child of God deal with depression? How should we view those who struggle with depression when their disorder leads to doubt or despair? How can a Christian faithfully suffer with depression? Short answer: Through the work of the Holy Spirit. But for a slightly longer answer, come on over!