LINCOLN (SNR) - The Emmaus Institute for Biblical Studies will present a morning seminar Saturday, Jan. 23, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., on the theme “Redeeming Communication: Christian Speech in a Hostile World.”
The event will be hosted by St. Michael Church, 9101 S. 78th St., Lincoln. Mass will be celebrated at 8:15 a.m., followed by refreshments at 8:45, courtesy of The Harbor Coffeehouse.
The seminar will feature three talks, one by each of the Emmaus teaching staff, that consider how the way Christians communicate with others should be shaped by the way God has shared himself with the world in his Word.
In a session entitled “Words That Hurt and Words That Heal,” Emmaus president Dr. Vern Steiner will survey the biblical voice of Wisdom, especially as heard in Proverbs and Sirach, gleaning some of the Bible’s rich insights on the power of words and on how God’s people are called to speak to one another and to the world for good and not for evil.
In a second talk, “Sticks and Stones?” associate teacher Joshua Burks will focus on James 3 and the costly weight of words, and will explain how sins such as lying, gossip, and slander lie at the root of many of our modern problems in the Church and in the world.
In a final session, “Gracious and Seasoned with Salt” (Col 4:6), associate teacher Chad Steiner will explore practical ways to develop skills necessary for fruitful communication (including tips on how to argue without quarreling), as well as the virtues necessary to practice such skills wisely so that one’s speech is truly Christian.
The content is designed to be informing, inspiring, and accessible to people at all levels who wish to understand how God desires and instructs his people to speak to one another and to a world that is fractured and fragmented by hostility.
A question-and-answer session will follow the talks at noon, and a light lunch will be catered, also by The Harbor Coffeehouse.
For more information and to register, go to www.emmausinstitute.net or contact the Institute office at 402.327.1671 before the registration deadline Jan. 21. The seminar cost of $30 includes a binder of handout materials. All are welcome. As space is limited, interested attendees are encouraged to register early.
This is the second of three quarterly Emmaus Institute seminars planned for the current academic year. The spring seminar on the topic of the Holy Spirit is scheduled for April 17.
