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Overflow: Loving God With Our Spirit
Journey deeper into prayer, worship, and connection with God.
About this Course
Overflow: Loving God With Our Spirit was designed to help you draw near to God through prayer and worship.
What you’ll learn:
Do you ever feel like your heart longs for more—more closeness, more connection, more of God? Maybe you’re feeling distant from the One you love and follow and long to know. Maybe you feel an emptiness in your spiritual life, and you just don’t know how to bridge the gap.
Welcome to Overflow: Loving God With Our Spirit, an on-demand course designed to help you draw near to God through prayer and worship. Led by pastor, cartoonist, and professor Steve Thomason, this course invites you to experience the very real and constant presence of God.
Together, we’ll uncover ways to:
- Deepen your personal prayer life.
- Breathe new life into your worship.
- Grow in faith—both individually and as part of a community.
Whether you’re looking to renew your own connection with God or guide others in spiritual formation, this course is here to support you. It’s a perfect fit for small group study and discipleship; simply register a group and dive into our easy-to-use Leader’s Guide.
Modules
Welcome
In this module, you will
- Understand the concept of loving God with our whole being as taught by Jesus.
- Reflect on your personal spiritual journey and how it relates to loving God.
- Develop a commitment to exploring and deepening your relationship with God.
What is Christian Spirituality?
In this module, you will
- Comprehend the definition and components of Christian spirituality.
- Deepen your awareness of God’s spirit.
- Express your understanding of how Christian spirituality differs from other forms of spirituality.
What is Your Spiritual Style?
In this module, you will
- Understand the various spiritual styles as presented in the four-quadrant model.
- Identify your own spiritual style and its implications for your faith journey.
- Develop an appreciation for diverse spiritual expressions within Christianity.
Lord, Teach Us to Pray
In this module, you will
- Learn the basic components and purpose of prayer as taught by Jesus.
- Listen for God's voice and discern God’s guidance through prayer.
- Develop a regular practice of prayer in your daily life.
Practicing Prayer
In this module, you will
- Understand the D.A.T.E. method for spending time with God.
- Apply the D.A.T.E. method to your personal prayer life.
- Experiment with different approaches to prayer that align with your spiritual style.
What is Worship?
In this module, you will
- Comprehend the definition and purpose of worship in Christian faith.
- Reflect on your personal understanding and experience of worship.
- Develop a more intentional approach to worship in your spiritual life.
The What and Why of Worship
In this module, you will
- Understand the elements of worship as presented in Psalm 95.
- Analyze the reasons for worshiping God as outlined in scripture.
- Express gratitude and praise to God through personal and corporate worship.
Worship as a Dance Hall
In this module, you will
- Understand the analogy of worship as a dance with God.
- Reflect on your personal engagement in the "liturgical dance" of worship.
- Participate more fully in corporate worship, recognizing it as an encounter with God.
How Do I Find A Worshipping Community?
In this module, you will
- Understand the historical and cultural factors that influence worship styles.
- Evaluate different worship communities based on provided criteria.
- Develop a plan for finding and engaging with a worshipping community that aligns with your spiritual style.
One-time purchase
$55
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- Modules:
11 Modules
- Format:
Self-Paced, On-Demand
- Access:
Lifetime Access
Get to Know Your Instructors
Steve Thomason
Associate Professor of Spiritual Formation and Discipleship, Luther Seminary
The Rev. Dr. Steve Thomason’s passion and purpose intersect in the areas of theology, spiritual formation, and art. Mixing a lifelong love of drawing, illustrating, and animating with degrees from Wheaton College, Bethel Seminary, and Luther Seminary, Steve has done everything from owning and operating his own art studio to pastoring an 8,000 member congregation.
In addition to his faculty position at Luther Seminary, Steve has developed and maintains A Cartoonist’s Guide to the Bible. He is also the author of several books, including The Visual Preacher: Proclaiming an Embodied Word (Fortress Press, 2022), A Cartoonist’s Guide to John (Vibble Books, 2022), A Cartoonist’s Guide to Luke (Vibble Books, 2021), A Cartoonist’s Guide to Mark (Vibble Books), and A Cartoonist’s Guide to Matthew (Vibble Books, 2019).
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 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!