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Storied Faith: Listening to God Through Story
Elevate your ministry’s impact through the art of storytelling.
About this Course
Storied Faith: Listening to God Through Story was designed to foster cultural sensitivity, adaptability, and the transformative power of storytelling for ministry entrepreneurs to engage with a variety of audiences.
What You’ll Be Able to Do:
In a world filled with competing stories, Storied Faith: Listening to God Through Story offers a transformative solution, guiding you on a journey of self-discovery to connect your unique narrative with God’s grand story. This unique course seeks to foster cultural sensitivity, adaptability, and the transformative power of storytelling for ministry entrepreneurs to engage with a variety of audiences. Led by Dr. Susan Brooks and featuring the dynamic artist Joe Davis, you will delve into biblical narratives, explore your own stories, and discover how storytelling strengthens the community around you.
Through a series of engaging modules, you will delve into the theology of storytelling, create narratives that resonate and adapt to different audiences, and contextualize your own relationship with God. Each module features a Bible story recounted by the captivating storyteller Joe Davis. Through his lively and thought-provoking style, Davis will bring to life six familiar biblical tales that will captivate your imagination and open your heart to the profound truths they hold. By the end of the course, you will have the tools to share your own story confidently, cultivate a community of Christ-like people, and nurture an honest and open congregation.
Modules
Welcome
Get oriented to the course, download the interactive handbook, and access the group to chat with others!
Transcendent Story
In this module, you will:
- Consider the ways in which story and truth intersect.
- Identify some of your own transcendent stories.
Wired for Story
In this module, you will:
- Understand the ways in which the human brain processes story.
- Pay attention to your own reactions to story.
- Practice gratitude for God’s gift of story.
Grand Story
In this module, you will:
- Understand the ways in which faith intersects with archetypal story structures.
- Consider your place in God’s grand narrative of redemption.
Story Truth
In this module, you will:
- Understand the ways in which faith intersects with archetypal story structures.
- Consider your place in God’s grand narrative of redemption.
Story as Remembrance
In this module, you will:
- Enter into the sacredness of listening and remembering.
- Reflect on your own story of God’s work in your lif
Transformative Story
In this module, you will:
- Experiment with story shapes
- Create a story of God’s work in your life
Completing the Course
Find out your next steps as you complete the course and how to stay connected with your group. You'll also be able 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
Susan Brooks
Dr. Susan Leigh Brooks is a lifelong literacy educator with a passion for learning and teaching. After more than three decades of teaching reading and writing to learners from preschool age to graduate students, she currently serves as the Director of Faith+Lead Academy.
Brooks creates online courses to encourage and equip people in their faith. She is a graduate of Bethel University (B.A.), Minnesota State University (M.A.), and University of Minnesota (Ph.D.).
Along with reading, of course, Brooks loves to garden and hike. She also loves to travel, having been to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area over 50 times. She and her husband have two adult children, two amazing children-in-law, and two grandsons, all of whom receive books for Christmas.
Joe Davis
Joe Davis is a nationally-touring artist, educator, and speaker based in Minneapolis, MN. His work employs poetry, music, theater, and dance to shape culture. He is the Founder and Director of multimedia production company, The New Renaissance, the frontman of emerging soul funk band, The Poetic Diaspora, and qualified administrator of the Intercultural Development Inventory. He has keynoted, facilitated conversation, and served as teaching artist at hundreds of high schools and universities including in New York, Boston, and most recently as the Artist-in-Residence at Luther Seminary where he earned a Masters in Theology of the Arts.
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 support@faithlead.org for more information. We’ll be delighted to connect!