This Week: The Apostles' Creed- Article One
Background Info: (Taken from Colaborate Leader Guide)
Let’s go back to Nicaea, 325 CE. Emperor Constantine has summoned Christian leaders from across the
Roman Empire to reach consensus on basic doctrine. Christians were fighting—to the point of violence--
about the divine nature of Jesus and the calendar scheme for Easter, and Constantine wanted them to
settle the debate. This became known as the First Ecumenical Council. The creeds we have now, including
the Apostles’ Creed, come from a combination of documents resulting from the First Ecumenical Council
as well as the Second Ecumenical Council at Constantinople in 381 CE.
Martin Luther was a big fan of the Apostles’ Creed. So big, in fact, that he devoted a whole chunk of
his Small Catechism to helping families unpack the meaning of these very old statements of faith. The
First Article (section) of the Apostles’ Creed deals with God the Father and Creator. In both the Creed
itself and in Luther’s explanation of this article, we see a clear statement of who God is and what God
does. When we wonder which God we serve, Luther wants us to be clear: Our God made everything and
continues to make everything. Our God is in an ongoing relationship with creation. Luther writes, “God
has given me and still preserves my body and soul: eyes, ears, and all limbs and faculties. . . shoes and
clothing, food and drink, house and farm, spouse and children, livestock, and all property—along with all
the necessities and nourishment for this body and life.”
This lesson focuses on what the First Article of the Apostles’ Creed says, but it also gets into what those
words are telling us. What does it mean when we say “I believe”? Can we keep asking questions? How do
we live together in Christian community if we disagree?
Background Info: (Taken from Colaborate Leader Guide)
Let’s go back to Nicaea, 325 CE. Emperor Constantine has summoned Christian leaders from across the
Roman Empire to reach consensus on basic doctrine. Christians were fighting—to the point of violence--
about the divine nature of Jesus and the calendar scheme for Easter, and Constantine wanted them to
settle the debate. This became known as the First Ecumenical Council. The creeds we have now, including
the Apostles’ Creed, come from a combination of documents resulting from the First Ecumenical Council
as well as the Second Ecumenical Council at Constantinople in 381 CE.
Martin Luther was a big fan of the Apostles’ Creed. So big, in fact, that he devoted a whole chunk of
his Small Catechism to helping families unpack the meaning of these very old statements of faith. The
First Article (section) of the Apostles’ Creed deals with God the Father and Creator. In both the Creed
itself and in Luther’s explanation of this article, we see a clear statement of who God is and what God
does. When we wonder which God we serve, Luther wants us to be clear: Our God made everything and
continues to make everything. Our God is in an ongoing relationship with creation. Luther writes, “God
has given me and still preserves my body and soul: eyes, ears, and all limbs and faculties. . . shoes and
clothing, food and drink, house and farm, spouse and children, livestock, and all property—along with all
the necessities and nourishment for this body and life.”
This lesson focuses on what the First Article of the Apostles’ Creed says, but it also gets into what those
words are telling us. What does it mean when we say “I believe”? Can we keep asking questions? How do
we live together in Christian community if we disagree?
Share a high from the past week.
Share a low from the past week.
Parents/Guardians be sure to share as well!
Share a low from the past week.
Parents/Guardians be sure to share as well!
Psalm 8
Divine Majesty and Human Dignity
1 O Lord, our Sovereign,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens.
2 Out of the mouths of babes and infants
you have founded a bulwark because of your foes,
to silence the enemy and the avenger.
3 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars that you have established;
4 what are human beings that you are mindful of them,
mortals[a] that you care for them?
5 Yet you have made them a little lower than God,[b]
and crowned them with glory and honor.
6 You have given them dominion over the works of your hands;
you have put all things under their feet,
7 all sheep and oxen,
and also the beasts of the field,
8 the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea,
whatever passes along the paths of the seas.
9 O Lord, our Sovereign,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
Divine Majesty and Human Dignity
1 O Lord, our Sovereign,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens.
2 Out of the mouths of babes and infants
you have founded a bulwark because of your foes,
to silence the enemy and the avenger.
3 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars that you have established;
4 what are human beings that you are mindful of them,
mortals[a] that you care for them?
5 Yet you have made them a little lower than God,[b]
and crowned them with glory and honor.
6 You have given them dominion over the works of your hands;
you have put all things under their feet,
7 all sheep and oxen,
and also the beasts of the field,
8 the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea,
whatever passes along the paths of the seas.
9 O Lord, our Sovereign,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
In verse 3, the psalm writer looks at the night sky and is overcome by God's majesty. When have you experienced something overwhelming in nature?
What does it mean to be "a little lower than God" (verse 5)?
What does it mean to be "a little lower than God" (verse 5)?
God Almighty, thank you for all you have created. Help us to believe and trust in your goodness. May we be aware of your presence in our lives wherever we are. Amen.
End your time together with the following blessing, marking the cross of Christ on your forehead as a reminder of your baptism. Parents/Guardians be sure to have your child mark your forehead as well!
(Name), you are a Child of God!
(Name), you are a Child of God!
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