Bible Studies and Programs

Gretchen and Katie share their favorite things these days, and then, as fall scheduling is looming, they talk about the longing for a good Bible study. at church. How do we reach the women who are longing for a Bible study, but are swamped by family obligations?   We are all searching for a magical recipe for engagement, and so many things are out of our hands. It’s important that we clarify our goals. Are we wanting to get things back to the way they used to be? Are we searching for authentic friendships? Are we needing to be fed?    There’s not a grand answer, but a micro one, of looking for the needs of those right in front of us, instead of some faceless “culture.”  Show Notes: Support 1517 Podcast Network 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What’s New from 1517: Sinner Saint by Luke Kjolhaug The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley Ditching the Checklist by Mark Mattes Broken Bonds: A Novel of the Reformation, Book 1 of 2 by Amy Mantravadi More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin Magnus Persson talks from Mount Carmel Family Camp on the purpose of the church Gretchen Ronnevik's Gospel Mentoring training videos

Does it feel like kids sports are taking over your family life? Katie Koplin and Gretchen Ronnevik talk about the realities of the commitments of kids sports and the impact that has on their families. All the meets, all the performances, all the races--and the pressure for parents to be at everything, and how it becomes a part time job. They talk about the pressures on parents, the impact on marriages, and the impact that can have on discipleship. They talk about values, moms perspectives vs dads perspectives, and the main question: where is Christian freedom in this, and how do we reach families stuck in this cycle? Show Notes: Support 1517 Podcast Network 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What’s New from 1517: Sinner Saint by Luke Kjolhaug The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley Ditching the Checklist by Mark Mattes Broken Bonds: A Novel of the Reformation, Book 1 of 2 by Amy Mantravadi More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin  

Our friend, Pastor Luke Kjolhaug just released a book that we are so excited about. Since we live within driving distance from him, we attended his book launch in Alexandria, MN, at Cherry Street Books, and recorded a podcast before the audience there. (There's a bit of background noise at the beginning, but the conversation is so worth it!) The topic of Sinner/Saint is at it's root, a conversation on sanctification, and what it means for a Christian to struggle with sin. This doctrine impacts how we view ourselves, how we view others, and ulitimately, how we view God. Though this topic is often discussed in academic circles. After all "The Simul" which it's called, is shorthand said in Latin, which is translated "Simultaneously Sinner and Saint." However, Luke takes a very pastoral tone with this doctrine, and makes it applicable to everyday life. He isn't writing about some philisophical theory, but puts heart and reality into this doctrine, rooted in scripture, and delivering peace. Show Notes: Support 1517 Podcast Network 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What’s New from 1517: Sinner Saint by Luke Kjolhaug The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley Ditching the Checklist by Mark Mattes Broken Bonds: A Novel of the Reformation, Book 1 of 2 by Amy Mantravadi More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin  

Tanner Olson is a poet, author, and speaker. He has a book soon to be released with Zonderkids, on all the things we can pray to God. His poetry is extremely accessible, not high or academic, but lowly and comforting. Reading it feels like receiving comfort from a friend. His first children's book reflects that, as he's encouraging children on bringing all of their cares to God. In this interview, he talks about the struggle he and his wife have with infertility, and watching all of their friends have kids, and getting to know their kids, and wanting to create a gift for these families in their lives.  Since then, they adopted their son, and he's become a father, and he talks about learning through all of this more about who God is, and his heart for us. Poetry and children's books overlap so much as they both require carefully chosen, few words that are packed with meaning and reach the heart. And as a bonus, as adults read books to children, it impacts them as well.  Tanner is one of our favorite people, and chatting with him is always full of laughter as well as profound thoughts.  Show Notes: Support 1517 Podcast Network 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What’s New from 1517: Celebrate 2,000 Episodes of Christian History Almanac! The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley Ditching the Checklist by Mark Mattes Broken Bonds: A Novel of the Reformation, Book 1 of 2 by Amy Mantravadi More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin Tanner's website Tanner's new book:  All The Things I Say To God  

The Atlantic published a large article called "Anti-Social Century" which spurred on a conversation with Gretchen and Katie on why this generation of people is anti-social, and what to do about it. There's a rise in what they called "secular monasticism" with rigid morning routines, cold-plunge, meditation, gym time, and every angle of self-optimization. The attitude toward others isn't so much for the purpose of community building, but removing people from your life that does not assist with that optimization. The rise of "digital friendships" while often can be real, often lack the opportunity to give and receive forgiveness, or agree to disagree. Algorythms highlight commonality, and remove those who believe differently, and doesn't provide the sitting with those who are different that often is demanded from location-based friendships. The value of humility and vulnerability gives depth to friendships. There was a lot of this heafty article that we didn't even get to cover, but the discussion of how grace and forgiveness impacts community life in tangible ways remains. Show Notes: Support 1517 Podcast Network 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What’s New from 1517: The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley Ditching the Checklist by Mark Mattes Broken Bonds: A Novel of the Reformation, Book 1 of 2 by Amy Mantravadi More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin From the Atlantic: Anti-Social Century

For Valentine's Day, Gretchen Ronnevik and Katie Koplin talk about the trend of writing marriage vows, and some of the pitfalls of such a trend. What are the purpose of marriage vows? We look at trends, from both conservative and liberal perspectives, to define marriage beyond "for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health." We look at the history of marriage vows, what was going on in the church at the time, how marriage was redefined from being a sacrament to being a vocation, and the implications of all of that. With an eye on freedom, they talk about the burden of the younger generation to be unique and define themselves as a couple, and consistently reinvent the wheel. The gift of tradition can be burden lifting, so that you don't lose the plot of what marriage is, and what it is for. Show Notes: Support 1517 Podcast Network 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What’s New from 1517: Pre-order: Ditching the Checklist by Mark Mattes Broken Bonds: A Novel of the Reformation, Book 1 of 2 by Amy Mantravadi  Bible in One Year with Chad Bird Junk Drawer Jesus By Matt Popovits Take 20% Off Our Lenten Devotionals until March 5th: The Sinner/Saint Lenten Devotional Finding Christ in the Straw: A Forty-Day Devotion on the Epistle of James More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin  

Many times, Christian homes view sin as a problem "out there" and not a problem "in here." As we built a framework of building a community, in light of sin, it's important to realize, it's going to be a community that will have to deal with sin. Katie Koplin and Gretchen Ronnevik talk about expectation, boundaries, letting fallen people into your life, and into your children's lives. It's a conundrum, working through fears of protecting our kids, while acknowledging that we need a community, but the only people who are available for that community (everyone) deal with sin. Show Notes: Support 1517 Podcast Network 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What’s New from 1517: Bible in One Year with Chad Bird Broken Bonds: A Novel of the Reformation, Book 1 of 2 by Amy Mantravadi Junk Drawer Jesus By Matt Popovits More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin  

In this episode, Gretchen Ronnevik and Katie Koplin discuss the Slate article "I'm Starting to Think You Guys Don't Want a Village." It speaks to the cry of young families "where is the villiage?" and yet the high, maybe even impossible standards that are set for people who are in proximity to our kids. Though the article brings about questions that go beyond families and childraising. Can you have friendships with people who have different values than you? What do you do when all of the people around you are sinners? Is it unreasonable to have high standards? This was a fun, and even vulnerable conversation as we talk about boundaries, being willing to have hard conversations, and being a good neighbor. Show Notes: Support 1517 Podcast Network 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What’s New from 1517: Bible in One Year with Chad Bird Broken Bonds: A Novel of the Reformation, Book 1 of 2 by Amy Mantravadi Junk Drawer Jesus By Matt Popovits More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin  

What is a spiritual director? Are they directing your spiritual life? Are they telling you to do something? Are they fulfilling a pastoral role? Rev. Alan Johnson talks about this, as he has been studying it for his disseration. He distinguishes the difference between a spiritual director and a pastor, and would explain that spiritual direction is listening to someone and helping them pay attention to God's work in their life. Spiritual directors seek to ask good questions, rather than give answers.  A spiritual director is more of a mentor who can, as Eugene Peterson said "show up and shut up" and let people talk and work through problems, and help people gain some clairty through that process. This was a fascinating conversation, on working through when you feel "stuck" and various aspects of the church body who can continually point us to Christ. Show Notes: Support 1517 Podcast Network 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What’s New from 1517: Bible in One Year with Chad Bird Broken Bonds: A Novel of the Reformation, Book 1 of 2 by Amy Mantravadi Junk Drawer Jesus By Matt Popovits More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin  

Are the concepts of "spiritual formation" and Lutheran doctrine compatible? Gretchen Ronnevik discusses this concept with Rev. Alan Johnson who is finishing up his dissertation on this very topic. He says that we Christians feel we should love the Lord our God with all our mind, all our mind, and all our mind. After graduating from seminary, he contemplated about how he knew more about God, but questioned whether he knew God himself better. He started asking questions about what it means to love God with our heart, and the all consuming, holistic aspect of faith. They talk about spiritual disciplines/practices, the difference between Christian spiritual practices and spiritual practices in other religions, and how they feel about contemplative practices, and the concept of "lone-ranger Christianity." This is 1 of 2 episodes on our conversation. Next week we will discuss the concept of spiritual direction. Show Notes: Support 1517 Podcast Network 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What’s New from 1517: Bible in One Year with Chad Bird Broken Bonds: A Novel of the Reformation, Book 1 of 2 by Amy Mantravadi Junk Drawer Jesus By Matt Popovits More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin