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Following Jesus to Purpose and Meaning
Uncover the Depth of Jesus' Teachings to Lead with Purpose, Live with Meaning.
About this Course
Following Jesus to Purpose and Meaning was designed to tackle head-on the clash between conventional standards of success and the timeless wisdom of Jesus and offer practical tools to navigate this tension with grace and wisdom.
What You’ll Be Able to Do:
In a world obsessed with material success, have you ever felt a disconnection between societal expectations and the teachings of Jesus? You're not alone, and we understand the questions weighing heavy on your heart. With faith as its foundation, examine what it means to truly live like Jesus in a world often at odds with his message.
The struggle between traditional definitions of "a good life" and Jesus' teachings can be overwhelming. Following Jesus to Purpose and Meaning tackles head-on the clash between conventional standards of success and the timeless wisdom of Jesus and offers practical tools to navigate this tension with grace and wisdom.
More than mere theory, this course presents a practical approach to living out the teachings of Jesus in your daily life and urges you to uncover the meaning behind your efforts in ministry and personal faith journey and align them with the teachings that truly matter.
Modules
Welcome
Get oriented to the course, meet your instructor, download the interactive handbook, and more.
The Purposeful Life
In this module, you will:
- Consider definitions of a "good life."
- Reflect on your assumptions about these definitions.
- Draft your own definition of a "good life."
Jesus Addresses Purpose and Meaning
In this module, you will:
- Consider Jesus' teaching about a good life.
- Develop an openness to Jesus' words.
- Reflect on how Jesus' teaching and your definition relate to each other.
Markers of Purpose and Meaning
In this module, you will:
- Identify markers of a meaningful life including radical love and Sabbath.
- Consider the "roots" and "branches" of that life.
- Begin to apply these markers to your own life.
Failure, Purpose, and Meaning
In this module, you will:
- Learn about the effects of failure.
- Understand the forgiveness of God.
- Develop habits of forgiveness as an antidote to failure.
Suffering, Purpose, and Meaning
In this module, you will:
- Consider the place of suffering in following Jesus.
- Learn fruitful ways of responding to suffering.
- Experience God's constant presence.
Experiencing Jesus in a Purposeful Life
In this module, you will:
- Learn about the emotions of Jesus.
- Consider the value of happiness vs. joy.
- Reflect on your own expectations about emotions.
- Plan an action step for moving to a more purposeful life in Jesus.
Completing the Course
Find out your next steps as you complete the course. You'll also be encouraged to submit feedback about your course.
One-time purchase
$55
With Faith+Lead Membership
$0*
Get a free public display license to use for group study.
$0*
*by joining Faith+Lead Membership for just $19.95 per month
- Modules:
8 Modules
- Format:
Self-Paced, On-Demand
- Access:
Lifetime Access
Get to Know Your Instructors
Angela Williams Gorrell
Author and Speaker
Rev. Dr. Angela Williams Gorrell is the author of Always On: Practicing Faith in a New Media Landscape and The Gravity of Joy: A Story of Being Lost and Found. She speaks and writes about joy, meaning, finding the life worth living, and the intersection of spiritual and mental health. Media sources such as the New York Times, NPR, and Christianity Today have highlighted her research. She has taught at several schools including Yale University, Baylor University, and Fuller and McCormick Seminary. Angela is a consultant and thought leader for numerous organizations. She utilizes her expertise to help create collaborative communities of prevention specifically working to lower suicide and addiction rates. You can find her on Instagram @angelagorrell. Angela and her sister, Stef, co-host The Grief Sisters podcast and The Grief Sisters book club & support group on Facebook.
Ready to Enroll?
Enroll in this on-demand course today or unlock free access to this and all Faith+Lead’s on-demand courses, plus more with a Faith+Lead Membership.
Enroll in this on-demand course
$55
One-time purchase
- Access to this on-demand course
- Access the leaders guide for group study
- Access the course workbook for individual study
- A private, supportive online community
- Public display license for all on-demand courses and workshop recordings
- Access to 40+ on-demand courses
- Access every live and recorded workshop
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Access this on-demand course
$0*
*by joining Faith+Lead Membership for just $19.99 per month
- Access to this on-demand course
- Access to all 40+ on-demand courses
- Public display license for all on-demand courses and workshop recordings
- Access all leaders guides for group study
- Access all course workbooks for individual study
- A private, supportive online community
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What to Expect with a Faith+Lead Academy Course
You’ll get a transformative learning experience that combines trustworthy theological teaching with spiritual practices, interactive elements, and a supportive online community.
Know
Expand your theological toolkit with fresh insights for today’s ministry landscape. Connect timeless wisdom with practical frameworks for navigating change.
Be
Do
Practice skills to lead confidently in your ministry context. Take actionable steps to invite your community into God’s unfolding story.
Every Academy course is designed to
Help your growth in one of these core areas:
Develop a Christ-centered identity, grounded in theology, scripture, and spiritual practice, that empowers community members to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in everyday life.
Tell the story of Jesus and invite neighbors into Jesus’ way of life and love through words and actions they can recognize.
Listen deeply, name God’s presence in the midst of everyday life, and form life-giving relationships across all dimensions of diversity—both within and beyond the church.
Through mutual relationships with the neighbors among whom you’re hosted, join in acts of compassion, justice, and reconciliation as a witness to the ministry of Jesus—especially in places of suffering and despair.
Harness skills of agile leadership, stewardship, fundraising, entrepreneurism, and management to be nimble enough to respond to a changing cultural landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I expect when I take an Academy course?
Academy courses consist of 6-10 lessons or modules, each walking you through the “know, be, do” learning framework. You’ll learn some new information with instructor videos and other resources (know). You’ll engage in a spiritual practice that will help you develop your faith around the topic (be). Then, you’ll be asked to apply what you’ve learned through activities completed online or in the “real world” (do).
How long will it take me to complete a course?
Each module is designed to take 15-45 minutes. Some learners complete the course in as little as one day. Some do a module a day or even a module a week. We suggest allowing some time between modules to process what you are learning, but not so much time that you lose momentum.
What resources are available if I’m a group leader?
Each course includes a flexible leader’s guide with multiple pathways for group facilitation. You’ll find thought-provoking discussion questions and practical activities that connect faith with daily life, designed to work with whatever preparation time you have available. These resources equip you to foster meaningful discipleship experiences that meet your community where they are.
What do I need to know about the free private online social group?
The private online group allows you to connect with others. Because our courses don’t have a required start or stop date, you will encounter others in different places in the course and even in different courses altogether. This is by design. Feel free to interact as much or as little as you like.
What should I do if I have questions or problems with my registration?
Reach out via email to faithlead@luthersem.edu with your question and we’ll get back to you with a response within two business days.
What if I have a suggestion or request for a course topic?
The best way to connect with us is to complete this form with your suggestion. We always want to hear your feedback. You may also include it in the comments section of the course evaluation.
Don’t see your question addressed?
Email us at faithlead@luthersem.edu for more information. We’ll be delighted to connect!
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