Faith Formation & Play

Tuesdays, July 7– August 11, 2026, 7 – 8 PM CT 

In the Large Catechism, Martin Luther cautioned that "what must be enforced with rods and blows only will not develop into a good breed, and at best they will remain godly under such treatment no longer than while the rod is upon their back." The alternative he proposed was to teach "in a childlike way and playfully in the fear and honor of God." While this was written with children in mind, playful teaching is relevant to the catechesis and faith formation of people of all ages.  

This course takes Luther's caution and explores ways that we can use play and playfulness to bless and benefit people of all ages. This is designed to be a course that participants can apply to a variety of settings, supporting teachers, DCEs, pastors, parents, Bible study and Sunday school leaders and teachers, and anyone else who is involved in the faith formation of others. Drawing on Scripture and the ancient art of ludology (the study of games and play), we will explore a wide array of playful approaches to teaching and learning.  

We will give special attention to riddles, fables, proverbs, parables, lessons from past and present treasure hunts and adjacent forms, along with an overview of using simple games and game design. Whether you work with children, teenagers, young adults, adults in midlife, or those moving into retirement, this course will offer you a variety of ideas for how to use playfulness in faith formation while also granting it the care and seriousness that it warrants. 

Course Objectives:

• Articulate a biblical foundation for the use of play and playfulness in catechesis and faith formation.  
• Apply riddles as a tool for stimulating curiosity and deeper engagement with God’s Word. 
• Use fables to help learners explore and better understand biblical truth.   
• Employ proverbs as a form of concentrated wisdom that opens genuine conversation in teaching and faith formation. 
• Incorporate the form of parables in teaching the faith, drawing on the teaching practice of Jesus himself. 
• Design treasure hunt or adjacent experiences that play a meaningful role in catechesis and faith formation.  
• Construct simple games and game-based learning experiences suited to specific ministry settings. 

Individuals affiliated with eligible preferred partner organizations receive exclusive tuition discounts for Concordia Nebraska Studia Vitae courses. Please visit cune.edu/partnerdiscount to view a list of current preferred partners and verify your membership to receive your discount code.