Registration is now open for the Lay Bible Institute “And He Spoke Many Things to Them in Parables,” led by Dr. James Fickenscher, assistant professor of Exegetical Theology. During the one-day workshop, Fickenscher will examine the nature of Jesus’ parables and will demonstrate how Christians can faithfully interpret and apply them to their daily lives.

The workshop will be held Aug. 2, 2025, from 10 a.m.–3 p.m. in Sieck Hall Room 202 on the campus of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.

“The parables of Jesus are some of the most beloved passages of Scripture. At the same time, they can be difficult to understand, with many readers interpreting them in very different ways,” said Fickenscher. “In this workshop, we will explore what kind of stories the parables of Jesus are, how Jesus is using them to teach the truths of God, and how we can apply them to our lives as God’s people today. My hope is that participants come out of the workshop with increased confidence to read and apply these treasured stories of Jesus, so that through these beloved Scriptures, the Lord Jesus might draw us ever closer to Himself.”

The Lay Bible Institute is offered three times a year by Seminary faculty members and is open to anyone interested in deepening their understanding of faith and its connection to everyday life.

The registration deadline is July 21. The fee for the workshop is $25 and $18 more for a boxed lunch. For more information, visit Lay Bible Institute or contact Continuing Education at 314-505-7286 or ce@csl.edu.

About Concordia Seminary

Concordia Seminary, St. Louis provides Gospel-centered graduate-level theological education for pastors, missionaries, deaconesses, scholars and other leaders in the name of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). To learn more, visit csl.edu.