On December 5th, we began a two-week series on
Bible Text:
Matthew 16:13–20; Luke 4:18–19; Romans 3:21–26; Ephesians 2:8–9
Lesson Focus:
Christians continually reform the church to spread the good news to every generation and culture.
Big Question:
Who is Martin Luther and what does it mean to be a Lutheran?
Key Words:
MARTIN LUTHER, REFORMATION, CATHOLIC, THESIS, RECANT
Key Word Definitions
MARTIN LUTHER: a German monk and priest who worked to make changes in the church during the 16th century. He became known (not by his choice) as the founder of a new movement that became the Lutheran Church.
REFORMATION: time period in the 16th century when church leaders attempted to change the way the Roman Catholic Church functioned.
CATHOLIC: with a capital C, refers to the Roman Catholic Church, or the traditions of the Western European church before the Reformation. With a lowercase c, refers to all Christians in the universal Christian church; this is the "catholic" we speak of in the Christian creeds.
THESIS: a statement made to provoke an argument or discussion. Luther posted "95 Theses" (plural) on the door of Wittenberg Church in hopes of engaging church leaders in a conversation about his concerns.
RECANT: To withdraw a statement or belief. Luther was asked to recant what he stated at the Diet of Worms in 1521. He did not recant.
Luther: Right With God
Throughout Luther's ministry, he struggled with what it meant for someone to be "right with God." His main question was, "What does it take to please God and attain righteousness in God's eyes?" While studying the Letter to the Romans, he was smacked over the head with the realization that no one can do enough to be right with God AND that God has already solved the problem by making us righteous through Jesus Christ. This idea led to other new insights and the recognition that the Roman Catholic Church needed to change. Luther began to point out practices that he felt went against what the Bible said about God, and he called on the church leaders to make changes. Making use of the newly invented printing press, he circulated pamphlets featuring his ideas and eventually posted "95 Theses" for debate on the door of the church in Wittenberg.
Some Central Theological Points of the Reformation
1. God's love is unconditional.
2. Sin is VERY real.
3. The three solas—sola scriptura (scripture alone), sola fidei (faith alone), sola gratia (grace alone)—are central to Luther's teaching and the Reformation. These are often quoted as "the key" to Luther's teaching.
4. We are saved by grace through faith.
5. We are saved by grace, not works.
6. All people have the duty to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ, not just pastors.
7. The imperfect church continues to be imperfect. Luther taught that the church is a human institution. It makes mistakes and it needs to be continually learning and reforming. When the Christian church is faithful to God, it is continually changing and evaluating what has been done in the past and learning to adapt to new times and cultures.
Showing posts with label sunday recap. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sunday recap. Show all posts
Friday, December 10, 2010
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Creed: Article Two
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
Definition 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.
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
Definition 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.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Creed: Article One
Bible Text:
Genesis 1:1—2:25
Lesson Focus:
God's creative work in the world is ongoing.
Big Question:
How do we know God is still creating stuff today?
Key Words:
CREATE, CREATION, SUSTAIN, EX NIHILO, STEWARDSHIP
Key Word Definitions
CREATE: to make from nothing.
CREATION: all that exists; all that God has made.
SUSTAIN: to keep, preserve, and maintain.
EX NIHILO: Latin for "out of nothing."
STEWARDSHIP: responsibility for care and proper use.
Going Deep
Genesis records two accounts (1:1–2:4a and 2:4b–25) of God creating the heavens and the earth and their creatures. The first account focuses on God's speaking—God's word forming an orderly creation from chaos. God separates, for example, light from darkness, to create. The second, older account focuses more specifically on human beings and their relationship to the rest of creation. Human beings are formed from the dust of creation and are intended to care for creation. God is creator of all that is. The visible creation helps human beings understand the invisible, including God's "eternal power and divine nature" (Romans 1:20).
God's creation is fallen (Genesis 3). The entire sweep of history is moving to a final reconciliation of God and creation (Romans 8:19–25) in a new creation. This new creation is the aim of God's relationship with us and our relationship with God. God's creative power was not only in the beginning but continues (2 Corinthians 5:17). Finally, God's creative power will make all things new, a new heaven and a new earth (Isaiah 65:17; 66:22; Revelation 21:1–4).
Our Prayer
Leader: Creator God,
Group: You created me and all I have.
Leader: Creator God,
Group: You provide me daily with all I need for life.
Leader: Creator God,
Group: You made us all stewards of your creation.
Leader: Creator God,
Group: Help make us better stewards
Leader: So that where there is hunger, homelessness, and despair,
Group: There may be food and shelter and hope.
All: Amen.
Genesis 1:1—2:25
Lesson Focus:
God's creative work in the world is ongoing.
Big Question:
How do we know God is still creating stuff today?
Key Words:
CREATE, CREATION, SUSTAIN, EX NIHILO, STEWARDSHIP
Key Word Definitions
CREATE: to make from nothing.
CREATION: all that exists; all that God has made.
SUSTAIN: to keep, preserve, and maintain.
EX NIHILO: Latin for "out of nothing."
STEWARDSHIP: responsibility for care and proper use.
Going Deep
Genesis records two accounts (1:1–2:4a and 2:4b–25) of God creating the heavens and the earth and their creatures. The first account focuses on God's speaking—God's word forming an orderly creation from chaos. God separates, for example, light from darkness, to create. The second, older account focuses more specifically on human beings and their relationship to the rest of creation. Human beings are formed from the dust of creation and are intended to care for creation. God is creator of all that is. The visible creation helps human beings understand the invisible, including God's "eternal power and divine nature" (Romans 1:20).
God's creation is fallen (Genesis 3). The entire sweep of history is moving to a final reconciliation of God and creation (Romans 8:19–25) in a new creation. This new creation is the aim of God's relationship with us and our relationship with God. God's creative power was not only in the beginning but continues (2 Corinthians 5:17). Finally, God's creative power will make all things new, a new heaven and a new earth (Isaiah 65:17; 66:22; Revelation 21:1–4).
Our Prayer
Leader: Creator God,
Group: You created me and all I have.
Leader: Creator God,
Group: You provide me daily with all I need for life.
Leader: Creator God,
Group: You made us all stewards of your creation.
Leader: Creator God,
Group: Help make us better stewards
Leader: So that where there is hunger, homelessness, and despair,
Group: There may be food and shelter and hope.
All: Amen.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Creed: Week One
Bible Text:
Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:28–34
Lesson Focus:
The Apostles' Creed states our shared beliefs as a community of faith.
Big Question:
What do I believe?
Key Words:
CREED, BELIEF, CHURCH, MONOTHEISM, TRINITY
Definitions of the Key Words
CREED: a statement of belief.
BELIEF: an affirmed or accepted truth.
CHURCH: the community of faith, known in the Apostles' Creed as the "communion of saints."
MONOTHEISM: the belief in one God.
TRINITY: God as three persons in one being.
Focus on Monotheism ....
Ask students to turn to Mark 12:28–34, and ask another volunteer to read the verses aloud. Asked which commandment is greatest, Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 6:4. Explain to students that the people of Israel were the only people in the time of Moses, and later, the time of Jesus, who believed in the concept of monotheism: that there is one God, not many. Other people, who believed in many gods, thought that either the God of Israel was not one of the gods, or that the God Israel worshipped was another god like theirs. The belief in only one God was radical and caused Israel a lot of problems. But without that belief, they would no longer have been Israel. If you have time at this point, you may want to have the students consider if this idea of there being only one God continues to be a radical one today.
Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:28–34
Lesson Focus:
The Apostles' Creed states our shared beliefs as a community of faith.
Big Question:
What do I believe?
Key Words:
CREED, BELIEF, CHURCH, MONOTHEISM, TRINITY
Definitions of the Key Words
CREED: a statement of belief.
BELIEF: an affirmed or accepted truth.
CHURCH: the community of faith, known in the Apostles' Creed as the "communion of saints."
MONOTHEISM: the belief in one God.
TRINITY: God as three persons in one being.
Focus on Monotheism ....
Ask students to turn to Mark 12:28–34, and ask another volunteer to read the verses aloud. Asked which commandment is greatest, Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 6:4. Explain to students that the people of Israel were the only people in the time of Moses, and later, the time of Jesus, who believed in the concept of monotheism: that there is one God, not many. Other people, who believed in many gods, thought that either the God of Israel was not one of the gods, or that the God Israel worshipped was another god like theirs. The belief in only one God was radical and caused Israel a lot of problems. But without that belief, they would no longer have been Israel. If you have time at this point, you may want to have the students consider if this idea of there being only one God continues to be a radical one today.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Sacrament: Lesson Four
Here is a brief synopsis of the lesson overview in Big Group Time
Take and Eat
Bible Text:
John 6:48–51
Lesson Focus:
Jesus feeds us with his body and blood so that we can feed others.
Big Question:
I take communion every week at church, but what am I supposed to do about it?
Key Words:
BREAD AND WINE, BODY AND BLOOD, SACRAMENT
Key Word Definitions
BREAD AND WINE: the earthly elements that, in the Lord's Supper, are Jesus' body and blood. When combined with God's word, they bring forgiveness, salvation, and life.
BODY AND BLOOD: the physical presence of Jesus Christ that he gives us in the Lord's Supper. The Lord's Supper is also known as holy communion.
SACRAMENT: something that 1) Jesus Christ commands us to do; 2) involves an earthly element, like water or bread and wine; and 3) combines with God's spoken word to bring salvation, forgiveness of sins, and the promise of everlasting life.
Going Deeper
Jesus is the bread of life. "Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh" (John 6:51). Jesus gave himself in life and death. The bread and wine we receive are Christ's body and blood. As we are baptized into the body of Christ, so in holy communion we are sustained and nourished as one body. "Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread" (1 Corinthians 10:17).
Jesus' meals inform our understanding of the Lord's Supper and all our meals. With Jesus, there is always enough for all. Holy communion is a foretaste of the Messianic banquet to which all will be invited.
Lutherans teach that the bread and wine of the eucharist become, by God's word, the body and blood of Christ and are at the same time ordinary bread and wine. The Lutheran Reformation rejected transubstantiation, which they understood to mean that the sacramental elements were essentially changed from bread and wine into Christ's body and blood. "Just as in Christ two distinct, unaltered natures are inseparably united, so in the Holy Supper two essences, the natural bread and the true natural body of Christ, are present together here on earth in the action of the sacrament, as it was instituted" (Kolb/Wengert, Formula of Concord Solid Declaration, Article VII 599.35–39). This teaching is an example of the idea that the finite is capable of bearing the infinite—finitum capax infiniti. The human Jesus is God's Word, the bread and wine are body and blood, AND the ordinary water is the water of baptism.
Take and Eat
Bible Text:
John 6:48–51
Lesson Focus:
Jesus feeds us with his body and blood so that we can feed others.
Big Question:
I take communion every week at church, but what am I supposed to do about it?
Key Words:
BREAD AND WINE, BODY AND BLOOD, SACRAMENT
Key Word Definitions
BREAD AND WINE: the earthly elements that, in the Lord's Supper, are Jesus' body and blood. When combined with God's word, they bring forgiveness, salvation, and life.
BODY AND BLOOD: the physical presence of Jesus Christ that he gives us in the Lord's Supper. The Lord's Supper is also known as holy communion.
SACRAMENT: something that 1) Jesus Christ commands us to do; 2) involves an earthly element, like water or bread and wine; and 3) combines with God's spoken word to bring salvation, forgiveness of sins, and the promise of everlasting life.
Going Deeper
Jesus is the bread of life. "Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh" (John 6:51). Jesus gave himself in life and death. The bread and wine we receive are Christ's body and blood. As we are baptized into the body of Christ, so in holy communion we are sustained and nourished as one body. "Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread" (1 Corinthians 10:17).
Jesus' meals inform our understanding of the Lord's Supper and all our meals. With Jesus, there is always enough for all. Holy communion is a foretaste of the Messianic banquet to which all will be invited.
Lutherans teach that the bread and wine of the eucharist become, by God's word, the body and blood of Christ and are at the same time ordinary bread and wine. The Lutheran Reformation rejected transubstantiation, which they understood to mean that the sacramental elements were essentially changed from bread and wine into Christ's body and blood. "Just as in Christ two distinct, unaltered natures are inseparably united, so in the Holy Supper two essences, the natural bread and the true natural body of Christ, are present together here on earth in the action of the sacrament, as it was instituted" (Kolb/Wengert, Formula of Concord Solid Declaration, Article VII 599.35–39). This teaching is an example of the idea that the finite is capable of bearing the infinite—finitum capax infiniti. The human Jesus is God's Word, the bread and wine are body and blood, AND the ordinary water is the water of baptism.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Sacrament: Lesson Three
On Sunday, October 10th, we had our 3rd lesson in the sacraments. In this class we switched over to the sacrament of Communion.
Going Deep
Jesus' family went to Jerusalem every year for the Passover festival. Jesus instituted Holy Communion at a Passover supper. Jesus said that the bread is his body and the wine his blood poured out for the forgiveness of sins. At his last supper, Jesus "took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to [the Twelve], saying, 'This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.' And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, 'This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood'" (Luke 22:19–20). His blood, he said, "is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins" (Matthew 26:28). As in baptism, here is a sacrament—ordinary bread and wine together with the word, a command ("Do this") and a promise ("for the forgiveness of sins"). God's forgiveness of sins in Holy Communion reconciles believers to God and to one another so that we are one body.
KEY WORDS
PASSOVER: the Jewish celebration of the night God passed over Egypt, killing the firstborn in every Egyptian household. God spared the Hebrews, who were protected by the blood of the lamb.
LAST SUPPER: the Passover celebration Jesus shared with his best friends on the night he was betrayed.
EUCHARIST: the communion meal Christians share that remembers Jesus' Last Supper, bestowing on them Jesus' forgiveness and grace.
COMMUNION: the Lord's Supper. Also refers to what happens when followers of Jesus Christ come together to worship, learn, or pray.
Key Components
Bible Text:
Exodus 12:1–36; Matthew 26:17–29; Luke 22:19–20
Lesson Focus:
Word, wine, and bread together give us salvation, forgiveness, and new life.
Big Question:
What really happens during communion?
Going Deep
Jesus' family went to Jerusalem every year for the Passover festival. Jesus instituted Holy Communion at a Passover supper. Jesus said that the bread is his body and the wine his blood poured out for the forgiveness of sins. At his last supper, Jesus "took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to [the Twelve], saying, 'This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.' And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, 'This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood'" (Luke 22:19–20). His blood, he said, "is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins" (Matthew 26:28). As in baptism, here is a sacrament—ordinary bread and wine together with the word, a command ("Do this") and a promise ("for the forgiveness of sins"). God's forgiveness of sins in Holy Communion reconciles believers to God and to one another so that we are one body.
KEY WORDS
PASSOVER: the Jewish celebration of the night God passed over Egypt, killing the firstborn in every Egyptian household. God spared the Hebrews, who were protected by the blood of the lamb.
LAST SUPPER: the Passover celebration Jesus shared with his best friends on the night he was betrayed.
EUCHARIST: the communion meal Christians share that remembers Jesus' Last Supper, bestowing on them Jesus' forgiveness and grace.
COMMUNION: the Lord's Supper. Also refers to what happens when followers of Jesus Christ come together to worship, learn, or pray.
Key Components
Bible Text:
Exodus 12:1–36; Matthew 26:17–29; Luke 22:19–20
Lesson Focus:
Word, wine, and bread together give us salvation, forgiveness, and new life.
Big Question:
What really happens during communion?
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Sacrament: Lesson Two
On October 3rd, we had the second session in our sacrament series and we had our second lesson on baptism. Here are some of the key scriptures and concepts:
Bible Text: Matthew 28:16–20; Genesis 6–9; 2 Kings 5:1–14; Romans 6:3–11
Lesson Focus: With water and word, we are washed in God's loving grace.
Big Question: How does baptism work?
Key Words: WATER, WORD, PROMISE, SACRAMENT
WATER: ordinary H2O through and with which God does amazing things.
WORD: Jesus Christ, the Living Word of God made flesh. Also, spoken and written words that point us to the Living Word.
PROMISE: A commitment that is dependable and reliable.
SACRAMENT: God's word joined with an earthly element through which God promises to work. The Lutheran Church teaches that there are two sacraments—holy communion and holy baptism.
Bible Text: Matthew 28:16–20; Genesis 6–9; 2 Kings 5:1–14; Romans 6:3–11
Lesson Focus: With water and word, we are washed in God's loving grace.
Big Question: How does baptism work?
Key Words: WATER, WORD, PROMISE, SACRAMENT
WATER: ordinary H2O through and with which God does amazing things.
WORD: Jesus Christ, the Living Word of God made flesh. Also, spoken and written words that point us to the Living Word.
PROMISE: A commitment that is dependable and reliable.
SACRAMENT: God's word joined with an earthly element through which God promises to work. The Lutheran Church teaches that there are two sacraments—holy communion and holy baptism.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Sacraments: Lesson 1
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.
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.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Off & Running
Crosstrainers kicked off on Sunday morning and it was a great experience. It was wonderful to see the 110+ folks in there from confirmation students, peer guides, and adult leaders.
We introduced the class, what we were studying and showed promo videos for Jr High Believe and Big Stuf Camp. We then showed a video song that the students and adults enjoyed. Afterwards, we broke them up into their 13 small groups and gave them time to get to know one another.
There are many great things to look forward to this year and one of them is coming up just around the corner ----- FALL RETREAT.
Over the next week, we will be giving you information on the schedule and what we learned. The next two items on the calendar are the following:
- spring hill: sept. 17 - 19 ( be at the church by 4:45)
- sept. 26 at 10:45 - series one: sacraments begins
I look forward to the journey.
We introduced the class, what we were studying and showed promo videos for Jr High Believe and Big Stuf Camp. We then showed a video song that the students and adults enjoyed. Afterwards, we broke them up into their 13 small groups and gave them time to get to know one another.
There are many great things to look forward to this year and one of them is coming up just around the corner ----- FALL RETREAT.
Over the next week, we will be giving you information on the schedule and what we learned. The next two items on the calendar are the following:
- spring hill: sept. 17 - 19 ( be at the church by 4:45)
- sept. 26 at 10:45 - series one: sacraments begins
I look forward to the journey.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)