Homepage / Academy Catalog / Overflow: Loving God With Our Mind
Overflow: Loving God With Our Mind
Learn how to read the Bible deeply, pay attention to how God speaks through Scripture, and lovingly apply God’s Word in the world.
About this Course
Overflow: Loving God With Our Mind was designed to help you rediscover the myriad ways God speaks through the Bible and how you can listen and respond with an open heart and mind.
What You’ll Be Able to Do:
Have you ever felt like you're just scratching the surface of God's Word? Like there's a deeper conversation with God waiting for you within Scripture, but it's just out of reach? Introducing Overflow: Loving God With Our Mind, a course that will help you rediscover the myriad ways God speaks through the Bible and how you can listen and respond with an open heart and mind.
Taught by pastor, cartoonist, and professor Steve Thomason, this course uses gorgeous original visuals to take you beyond traditional Bible study techniques into practices that will help you make Scripture a living part of your daily life—while also inviting you to ask deep questions and engage your whole self in learning.
Whether you're seeking to deepen your personal walk with God or lead your community with greater spiritual insight, this course offers the tools you need for personal growth and impactful leadership. Use it for your own personal spiritual practice, or get a group registration to use in Bible studies, adult education, or small group gatherings.
Modules
Introduction
In this course you will
- Learn theories and practices for studying the Bible.
- Value the ways in which God speaks through the Bible.
- Develop attitudes of openness and honest listening to apply God's word in the world.
Getting Started
In this module you will
- Understand why learning is important to connecting with God.
- Practice learning as a spiritual practice.
- Develop a foundation for prayer and Bible study as habits of spiritual learning.
Studying the Bible
In this module you will
- Understand and use resources available for Bible study.
- Appreciate and notice context.
- Develop motivation for not simply hearing the word, but applying it.
Observation
In this module you will
- Learn resources and strategies for effective observation during Bible study.
- Practice observation skills by noticing terms, structure, context, and form.
- Consider how God is speaking during your observations.
Putting the Bible in its Place
In this module you will
- Learn about the Bible's contexts.
- Practice applying a contextual lens to your own study.
- Develop an open mind and humble heart toward Bible study.
Context: Multiple Perspectives
In this module you will
- Learn about the historical and geographical foundations of the Bible.
- Cultivate a mindset that welcomes multiple perspectives.
- Practice applying multiple perspectives to biblical study.
Working with Interpretation
In this module you will
- See the application of interpretive strategies on a particular scripture passage.
- Find and use interpretive tools like a concordance.
- Consider how God can speak through these tools.
Renewing Our Minds
In this module you will
- Learn about ways that the "mind" was conceptualized in biblical times.
- Develop an appreciation for learning and study in seeking God.
- Consider how to develop and protect your own mind in our current culture.
Application
In this module you will
- Use the metaphor of a bridge to understand how to apply biblical truths.
- Develop a plan for continued learning to pursue God's kingdom.
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:
10 Modules
- Format:
Self-Paced, On-Demand
- Access:
Lifetime Access
Get to Know Your Instructors
Steve Thomason
Rev. Dr. Steve Thomason is an artist, pastor, and teacher, passionate about studying and teaching the Bible. He earned a Ph.D. in Congregational Mission and Leadership from Luther Seminary and then became an Associate Professor of Spiritual Formation and Discipleship within the seminary.
He is the author of “A Cartoonist’s Guide to the Bible” and “The Visual Preacher: Proclaiming an Embodied Word.” In his work as an artist, Steve regularly focused on writing and drawing about Spiritual Formation, Biblical Studies, Theology, and Art.
He is a graduate of Wheaton College, where he studied art (BA, 1990), Bethel University, where he focused on Biblical Studies (MDiv, 2002), and Luther Seminary (Ph.D., 2015).
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
Popular
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
Need financial support?
Check out the newest courses
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 support@faithlead.org for more information. We’ll be delighted to connect!