Evangelism and Witnessing

What About Islam?
Just added! Based on a pamphlet by the late LCMS president A.L. Barry, this is a concise introduction to the history, belief and practices of the Islamic religion, including similarities and differences with Christianity and how to share the Gospel with our Muslim friends.

How to Speak to Muslims (or any non-Christian)
These are the notes from Pastor Okubo's Sunday bible studies on Islam, its origins, and how to share your faith with Muslims in a friendly, non-confrontational manner.

Symbolism Behind "The Passion of the Christ"
Pastor Okubo wrote these notes after our church-sponsored screening of "The Passion of the Christ" in 2004. He explains the biblical and non-biblical symbolism used in the popular Mel Gibson picture and how we must be careful on how such symbols can affect our understanding of Christ.

Inductive Bible Studies

The Book of Isaiah
Outline and study notes on the Old Testament book, focusing on Isaiah's prophecies against a wayward people and the promise of a future Messiah: Jesus of Nazareth.

The Book of Jude
The notes from a recent adult Bible study by guest pastor Carl Nelson on the letter from Jude, the brother of Jesus, exhorting believers to hold on to the faith and watch out for false teachers.

The Lord's Prayer: A King and His Castle
This article, written by a longtime Immanuel member, explains the Lord's Prayer using the imagery of a king and his castle, showing how the King and Kings and Lord of Lords cares for those in His Kingdom.

The Lost Son
These are notes taken from Pastor Okubo's first adult Bible study at Immanuel, an inductive study and discussion of Jesus' parable of the lost son (better known as The Prodigal Son) in Luke 15:11-32.

Structure of Revelation
The outline of Pastor Okubo's study of Revelation from our adult Bible study, looking at the meaning behind the book's symbols and imagery and its call for all believers to keep the faith in the face of persecution and God's final and complete victory over Satan.

Lutheran Theology and Beliefs

A Study of the Reformation
A three-part study of Martin Luther, his discovery of salvation by grace through faith instead of by good deeds, and the events leading to the birth of the Lutheran church and the Protestant Reformation.

Outline of Heresies
False teachings like denying the Holy Trinity, not accepting Christ's human as well as divine nature, and salvation by good deeds are as old as the church itself, as explained in this handy outline of historic heresies that have challenged the church through its history.

The Athanasian Creed: Affirming the Trinity
The text of the Athanasian Creed and a devotional on its defense of the Holy Trinity--God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

Christ, Our Life
This the outline of an in-depth study by Seminarian Chris Halbert given at the adult Bible study at Immanuel in August 2003 and at his home church in Laguna Niguel, CA.

Who Are These Lutherans?
This short outline explains the differences between Christianity and other religions, man's relationship to God, and how Lutheranism differs from other Christian denominations.