I have taught in a variety of denominational settings, including AME, Baptist, Episcopal, Methodist, Presbyterian, UCC, and Unitarian Universalist churches. I have led classes and workshops for entire congregations, senior adult groups, and young adults. I have led multi-week series and given stand-alone talks.
“…I consider Lynn’s greatest strength to be her capacity to relate Biblical scholarship to groups of widely diverse people in terms of education levels and previous knowledge of Scripture. Her studies with our members always left people empowered and in possession of tools which allow for life-long learning.”
Rev. Phil Hardy, Senior Pastor Congregational Church of Pinehurst, Pinehurst, NC
Teaching about the New Testament to laypersons is a passion. Having been raised in an evangelical church, where Bible Study was held at least weekly, I am sympathetic to Christians and former Christians who have been taught to read biblical texts literally and who struggle with passages about gender, sexuality, class, enslavement, and other topics that challenge their understanding of themselves and the tradition. I employ empathy while encouraging folks to think about the writings of the Bible critically, historically, and even creatively. I provide space for conversation about a range of meanings within biblical texts. My experience in seminary and in diverse congregational settings has taught me to approach teaching with a sense of pastoral care and a passion for justice and equity. Additionally, having been raised by a public school teacher, I know the importance of making things interesting! My talks always include images of relevant material culture and artistic representations that I have collected from teaching and traveling abroad, which helps others literally see what the text means. I truly believe that teaching and learning about the Bible can be transformative.
Past Teaching Series Topics
Apocalypse Unveiled: Reading Revelation in Text and Image
This is a multi-part series (anywhere from 4-8 weeks) that introduces participants to the Book of Revelation in its historical context and through visual representations of the book, which is arguably one of the most illustrated texts in history. Images range from the illuminations found in medieval European apocalypse “picture books” to the work of self-taught artists in the U.S.. Encountering Revelation in this way introduces participants to the variety of ways Christian interpreters across history have found the text meaningful and opens up the possibility of thinking about what the text might mean in contemporary contexts.
Biblical Family Values: Gender and Sexuality in the New Testament and Early Christianity
A four-week series on the ways New Testament writings, especially those associated with Paul, both draw upon and resist ancient perspectives on gender (masculine and feminine) and discuss (or don’t discuss) sexuality. Participants are introduced to the ways that people in the first century understood biological sex and how this shaped early Christian teachings about the role of women in the Church. This series uses a variety of images to help participants see and understand the world of the New Testament.
New Testament 101
This multi-week series introduces participants to basics about the New Testament, including how the different writings came to be and came together as a collection. The emphasis is on the Jewish context of the early Jesus-followers and the diversity of perspectives found in the New Testament writings.
Paul and the Body
Women in New Testament Traditions
I am happy to talk about other possible topics and series. Please feel free to reach out via the contact information on my home page.
Lynn R. Huber 