Background Info: Few people would argue the fact that there are a multitude of diverent Christian denominations in the world today. Some bear a striking resemblance to each other. Others are barely recognizable as the same breed of religion. All this diversity means that we are free to choose the path that most closely aligns with our personal theological understandings of who God is and what God is doing. Looking closely at the Reformation gives us a more nuanced view of this diversity. Emphasizing biblical literacy and wider proclamation, Martin Luther and others started spreading the word that it isn't about what we do, but about what Jesus Christ has done. ![]() Share a high from the past week. Share a low from the past week. Parents/Guardians be sure to share as well! ![]() Galatians 3:26-28 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. 27 As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. ![]() What does Paul say happens when we're baptized? What would it look like to be "clothed with Christ"? Does it feel like the church (the whole church, the everyone church) is "one in Christ Jesus"? Why or why not? ![]() Pray a simple prayer for your highs and lows. Spend time quietly saying your prayers out loud or to yourself. ![]() 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!
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Background Info: Martin Luther lived in Germany more than five hundred years ago. He was a friar in a monastery and worked as a Bible professor at the University of Wittenberg. Luther's preaching and teaching led to conflict with the church in his day (the only Western denomination was the Roman Catholic Church), to the point where he was excommunicated. Luther's teaching and preaching always begins with Christ, with what his death and resurrection mean for us:
![]() Share a high from the past week. Share a low from the past week. Parents/Guardians be sure to share as well! ![]() Ephesians 2:8-10 (NRSV) 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— 9 not the result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life. 1 Corinthians 1:11-13 (NRSV) 11 For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there are quarrels among you, my brothers and sisters. 12 What I mean is that each of you says, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,” or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.” 13 Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? ![]() We can use the words faith and belief interchangeably. In worship, when we read the creeds, we say, "I believe..." or "We believe..." Is that kind of belief the same as this faith that Paul is talking about, or is it different? What does the word faith really mean, anyway? According to Paul, is our salvation the result of doing good works, or is it something else? What is the purpose of good works, then? It's easy to name the separations in the body of Christ--different congregations, different denominations, and so on. Where do we see Christians coming together? ![]() Pray a simple prayer for your highs and lows. Spend time quietly saying your prayers out loud or to yourself. ![]() 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! |
What is this?Weekly posts pertaining to the Confirmation Lessons for the week. A great way for families to have conversations of faith at home, on the road, or around a meal. Archives
July 2020
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