Bible study is held on Sunday mornings from 9:00–9:45 am. If you would like to receive a Zoom link, please email us. Handouts are posted below for each session.
Bible study
wisconsin evangelical lutheran synod 175th Anniversary
The year 2025 marks the 175th anniversary of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. Begun by three pastors in Milwaukee, WI, in 1850, the Wisconsin Synod had a modest beginning. From one seminary in 1865, one world mission in 1893, and 800 congregations mostly in the Midwest as of 1965, it has grown into four ministerial education schools, world missions in 45 countries, and more than 1,200 congregations across the United States. Through it all, we will see how "Christ Through Us" has been the driving factor in our synod's history, and we will apply our past to our present and future ministry.
november 2: immigrants bring their faith
Today we begin the history of the Wisconsin Synod by looking at the years 1830–1860. We will overview the waves of German immigration to America, whereby many brought their Lutheran faith with them. European mission societies then struggled to send enough pastors to America who could serve them. We will focus on a few of them, especially John Muelhaeuser, the first president of the Wisconsin Lutheran, as well as the traveling preachers Friedrich Schmidt and Ernst Fachtmann.
Download the study guide here: L1_Immigrants.pdf
november 9: synod embraces confessionalism
Today we overview the years 1860–1890. While the early years of the Wisconsin Synod were known by its "mild Lutheranism," its second president, John Bading, led the synod into a solidly confessional position. During this time, the Wisconsin Synod cut itself off from the European mission societies for theological reasons and began to invest into its own worker training system. It also found a home in the broader Synodical Conference. During Bading's presidency, the Wisconsin Synod quickly grew with a much more dependable supply of well-trained pastors.
Download the study guide here: L2_Confessionalism.pdf
november 16: synod remains committed
Today we overview the years 1890–1914. During this time, the second generation of Wisconsin Synod Lutherans remained committed to their faith. We will look at how they began a publishing house; pursued a federation of the Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, and Nebraska Synods; began mission work on the Apache reservation; and thrived under the Wauwatosa theologians, J.P. Koehler, August Pieper, and John Schaller. People were starting to see the benefits of working with other like-minded Lutherans across state lines.
Download the study guide here: L3_Commitment.pdf
NOVEMBER 23: SYNOD perseveres through challenges
Today we overview the years 1914–1933. During this time, the Wisconsin Synod went through some tumultuous events. During World War I, German-speaking Lutherans in America faced backlash due to their heritage, and this helped hasten the synod's transition from German to English. The Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, and Nebraska synods also merged together, which required growing pains to work that out. Most of all, the synod became embroiled in the Protest'ant Controversy. Our goal for today is to see how God still brought blessing through those hardships.
Download the study guide here: L4_Perseverance.pdf