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.

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! 

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:

• We can't help ourselves and need a savior.
• God comes to us in the flesh and person of Jesus.
• Christ's death on the cross alone frees us from sin.
• The resurrection is God's promise of eternal grace, mercy and love.

Luther spent the rest of his life teaching, preaching and working to understand how to lead the churches that were becoming "Lutheran"--committing themselves to his theology of grace.

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!