Make-Up:
We ask you to read the material below. The material will include "deep thought", our key words (definition), scripture (link - please read) and some general thoughts. We ask you to read all material and then comment in the comments section. Share one key thought or concept that came to you and how it will make a difference.
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Article Two
We are three weeks into our series. If you want to check out the youth reflective version of the Apostle Creed, go to Article One Post.
Bible Text:
Matthew 1:18–25
Lesson Focus:
Jesus came to teach us how to live and free us from sin and death.
Big Question:
Wait, God became human?
Key Words:
CRUCIFIED, RESURRECTION, ASCENDED, LORD, REDEMPTION
Definitions of Key Words
CRUCIFIED: executed on a cross.
RESURRECTION: returned to life, raised to life.
ASCENDED: gone up, as in Jesus has gone up to heaven.
LORD: ruler of all.
REDEMPTION: rescue from sin and death
Going Deep
The Apostles' Creed was formed primarily to articulate the reality of Jesus Christ in relation to God. Addressing the concerns from which the Creed arose, the second article focuses on Jesus' relationship in the triune God and on Jesus' incarnation. Jesus' life in flesh attests that Jesus is fully human. Jesus was born a human being of a human being (Matthew 1:18–25; Luke 2:1–20). Jesus suffered, was executed by crucifixion, and was buried (Matthew 27:26–50, 57–61; Mark 15:16–47; Luke 23:26–56). Family, friends, and followers knew Jesus as a human being. Yet Jesus' contemporaries—friends and enemies—did not fully understand who he was (Matthew 13:54–58; Mark 2:1–12; Luke 5:27–6:5).
The resurrection shed more light on the reality of Jesus. Jesus is fully divine. The Gospel authors wrote of Jesus' human life from the perspective of the resurrection. Jesus rose from the dead (Matthew 27:53, 28; Mark 16:6; Luke 24:5, 13–49). Jesus ascended into heaven (Luke 24:51; Acts 1:2, 9–11, 22). Jesus is seated at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty (Matthew 28:18; Mark 16:19; Acts 7:55; Hebrews 1:3), maker of heaven and earth.
The second article is the longest of the Creed's articles. There are two inseparable themes: Jesus' divinity and Jesus' humanity. Jesus' being fully human and fully divine is crucial to the work of redemption. God is willing to go to any length, even human suffering and death, to redeem creation, including humanity. God does this out of love for creation, including us.
Jesus is Lord. Jesus freed all creation from sin, death, and the power of evil. One way of talking about this is to say that Jesus redeemed or purchased humanity's freedom. In this sense, Jesus "owns" us and is Lord. Jesus is also Lord because Jesus sits at the right hand of God and is one with God the Father Almighty, maker of all things.
The Creed doesn't tell all there is to know about Jesus. It focuses on the concerns that prompted its writing. The life of Jesus between incarnation and death is conspicuously absent. Jesus' life revealed the content of God's reign. The Creed makes no reference to Jesus' preaching and enactment of God's reign.
The most widely accepted creed is the Nicene Creed. It was formulated in A.D. 325 at the Council of Nicea, a gathering of Christian leaders under Constantine's auspices. Until then, Christian creeds were local.
Creeds articulate orthodox teaching but do not necessarily resolve controversy. It was long the popular view that God created the Logos.
In our sinfulness, we misuse God's good creation. Our bodies are part of God's good creation—in sinfulness we misuse them, too. We fail to observe the Third Commandment, to rest. We eat things that do not nourish us—"junk food." We serve bodily addictions, for example, to sugar, caffeine, cigarettes, alcohol, sex, or drugs, including over-the-counter medicines, prescription medications, and illegal substances. We inflict violence on others and ourselves; for example, by physical abuse, war, or a division of work that physically overworks and maims some while it underworks and atrophies others. We stand by silently as others misuse and abuse their bodies or as others go hungry.
Human sinfulness in the use of our bodies does not mean that our bodies are bad. God's creation is good (Genesis 1) but fallen (Genesis 3:1–24). Human beings are sinful. Jesus Christ, who made God known to us in human flesh, is the Redeemer of all creation, including us (Romans 8:19–24). Jesus Christ has freed us, including you and me, from sin, and freed us, including you and me, to partnership with God in grace-filled care of our bodies and the bodies of others.
Small Group Connection
Music Option: Don't Take the Girl
Twice in this song, a young man is willing to lay down his life for someone he loves. Both times, he pleads to keep his girlfriend/wife safe, saying, "Don't take the girl." Remind youth that the second article of the Apostles' Creed focuses on Jesus, the one who gave his life for us. Pay attention to themes of sacrifice and love as you listen to this song.
Debrief the song with these questions:
• Why is the man in this song willing to risk everything for his girlfriend/wife?
• Is there anything or anyone in this world you would be willing to die for? What and why?
• How does the love of the man in this song mirror the love of Christ?
• Why would Jesus come down from heaven and risk everything to save us?
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