Sacrament of Baptism
Our lesson was on the Sacrament of Baptism. Here is some of the highlights and information regarding what we covered in "big group"
Bible Text:
Matthew 3:1–17; Mark 16:15–16; Matthew 28:19–20; Colossians 3:1–14
Lesson Focus:
In baptism we join the family of faith and receive God's promises of forgiveness, salvation, and new life.
Big Question:
What really happens during baptism?
Key Words:
BORN AGAIN, INFANT BAPTISM, DAILY REPENTANCE, BODY OF CHRIST
Here are the definitions of the key words:
BORN AGAIN:
having received in baptism salvation, forgiveness of sins, and the promise of everlasting life with God.
INFANT BAPTISM:
occurs when a baby receives the sacrament and becomes a full member of the body of Christ. The infant becomes a member not by his or her own decision, but by the undeniable grace of God.
DAILY REPENTANCE:
the realization every day that you are a sinner, but through your baptism into Jesus Christ you are redeemed and forgiven.
BODY OF CHRIST:
the entire company of saints, including everyone on earth—past, present, and future—who lives in the promise of salvation in Jesus Christ for eternity.
The Adolescence Connection
What really happens during baptism?
The metaphor of God's cleansing through the practice of remembering your baptism can be lived out through daily washing. Youth wash their hands to eat (sometimes) and bathe to remain acceptable to their peers. Establishing the connection between daily washing and being washed in God's grace through baptism helps youth to remember that God's grace cleanses them and makes them new in God's eyes, just as bathing helps them to remain clean and ward off disease and unpleasantness.
Baptism has become a powerful part of our communal life. It is through this sacrament that people are initiated into the community of faith. Belonging is important to youth. Their need to be part of a group helps them to bond together and feel the strength of numbers. Episcopal priest and author John Westerhoff refers to one of the stages of faith as "affiliative." By this term he means "belonging" to a certain denomination or church and claiming the name of that church. Belonging is an important step on the journey of faith. Remembering their baptism and reviewing the symbolic inclusion will give youth a sense of being a part of a larger community. It is in this community that youth begin to discover what it means to say, "I am a Christian. I am a member of the Lutheran Church." This belonging becomes part of their identity.
I think that Baptism is the start of your journey through your walk with Christ.At such a young age you don't really under stand it much but, later in life you start to understand why they put the holy water on you and bless you. I don't remember much of my baptism but i understand why I was baptized.
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