Christian Education

"And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk to the when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise." (Deuteronomy 6:6-7)
Christian education is a special focus at Trinity. We teach the faith to all ages and seek to help parents prepare their children to live their lives as Christians, trusting in God's unfailing love through Jesus Christ.

Wednesday School

Trinity Lutheran hosts Wednesday School every Wednesday 6:00PM-7:45PM that Ottumwa Public Schools are in session. Children third through eighth grade are welcome to attend. We teach the children through Bible stories, music, and lessons. The children meet in the Sanctuary for a music lesson before splitting into groups according to their age group for lessons. Children, teachers, and parents meet together at 7:15PM for Vespers service. We follow every lesson with worship, because worship is so central to the Christian life. Our faith thrives on God's Word and promises.

Confirmation Class

6th graders on up study the basics of the Christian faith through learning Luther's Small Catechism. This usually takes two years of instruction. In that time students learn by heart the Small Catechism, which teaches them about sin, God's Law, who God is, who their Savior is, how to pray, Baptism, Absolution, and the Lord's Supper.

Learn the Catechism by Heart

Wednesday School Learn by Heart Schedule 2024-25 (PDF)

Sing the Faith

Sing the Faith is yet another means to teach children the Small Catechism. This album aids the children in learning the Catechism by heart through melodies and repetition. You can listen to it on Spotify or YouTube.

Luther's Small Catechism

Lutheran Congregations have been using Luther's Small Catechism to teach children the faith since 1529. This resource divides the fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith found in Scripture into six parts: The Ten Commandments, The Apostles Creed, The Lord's Prayer, Baptism, Confession and Absolution, and the Sacrament of the Altar. Each child in confirmation class (grds 6-8) receives his own copy. We encourage parents to assist their children in learning the catechism by heart by reciting it out loud together everyday.

3rd-5th Graders Read the Bible

Our Wednesday School students are split into two age groups: 3rd through 5th graders and 6th through Confirmation. Grades third through fifth read lessons straight from the Bible. We alternate each year between the Old and New Testament, 32 lessons for each year. We also use My First Catechism, in order to become familiar with Luther's Small Catechism. Each child receives his own copy to keep. My First Catechism introduces the Catechism in a simple, non-intimidating way and prepares the children for confirmation class taught by the Pastor.

Sunday School

Children ages two-years-old to twelve-years old are welcome to attend Sunday School. Sunday School starts every Sunday between Labor Day and Memorial Day at 10:30 AM. The Sunday School and Adult Bible Study meet together in the fellowship hall after Coffee Fellowship and say prayers together before the children head off to Music and then their Bible lesson according to their age group. We use The Story Bible for children 2-5, One Hundred Bible Stories for children 6-8, and Concordia's Bible History for students ages 9-12. All other ages, including children under two, are invited to join us for Adult Bible Study. Come join us!

Bible Studies

We offer several Bible studies at Trinity Lutheran.

Sunday Morning @ 10:30 AM: Adult Bible Study
Thursday Mornings @ 9:00 AM: Women's Bible Study on Isaiah

Confirmation

Confirmation is the rite by which we confirm the faith of each child's baptism. In Confirmation the confirmands (student of the catechism preparing for Confirmation), after they have been instructed and examined by the pastor, confess the faith of their baptism and promises to never deny the Christian faith as taught in the Small Catechism, even to death. This is why it is so important to learn the catechism well. After Confirmation the confirmands receive the Lord's Supper for the first time.

Adult Instruction

Luther's Small Catechism is used to instruct adult confirmands as well. Adults can enter instruction with the pastor privately or in a group. Instruction generally takes thirty-two classes, which last one hour fifteen minutes each following the outline of Luther's Large Catechism

College Student?

Are you or your child going to college or university soon? Ask your pastor for help in finding a good church to attend while away from home. Also check out LCMSU to find a faithful church near you or your loved one in college.