February 3- Holy Baptism

THIS WEEK: Holy Baptism
Background Info: (Taken from Colaborate Leader Guide)
The basics you already know: Holy Baptism is one of two sacraments in the Lutheran Church (Holy Communion being the other one). The sacraments are meant to symbolize the forgiveness of sings and the power of God's grace. They do this through ordinary things (bread, wine, water) that are made extraordinary through the presence of Christ. But that doesn't mean Christ isn't resent without these things. This is where the conversation will get dicey--does God's grace only show up because we drip water on a baby's head? If this is symbolic, do we have to do it? What happens to people who aren't baptized? So many questions..

Because Lutherans see the Word within the water as the main thing in baptism, we regard baptism as doing the same thing as the Word itself--especially the Word that is Jesus in John 1. Baptism is a promise that gives what it promises: forgiveness of sin, redemption, and salvation.

The forgiveness of sin we receive in baptism comes as we are taken out of the water as a new person with a new life. No longer does our history of sin and brokenness determine our future with God. We are redeemed because Jesus has already paid the price for our sins. And we're saved and given eternal life, because how could we not head to heaven when we've been divinely superglued to Jesus?

Still, no matter how long ago someone was baptized, how it was done, who performed it, or how much water was used, we will keep sinning until the day we die. We will keep feeling the pressures of life's demands. But we can keep coming back to our baptisms to remember the promise given there: The Old Adam or Eve in us that has to submit to all those demands is done. And the New Eve or Adam in us that was created by God continues to grow in faith and service has baptism's promise to cling to.

Christian churches vary in their interpretation of the meaning of baptism. Some believe one must be of an age and understanding to be able to accept what God has done for us to be baptized. Lutherans hope baptism will be just the beginning of a life of faith but believe that baptism itself is a simple act of God's grace given to us regardless of our implementation or understanding.

Share a high from the past week.
Share a low from the past week.
Parents/Guardians be sure to share as well!

Share some information about your baptism or if you have not been baptized talk about what you see at baptisms in the church. What elements are needed for a baptism to happen?

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Romans 6:1-11 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Dying and Rising with Christ
​6 What then are we to say? Should we continue in sin in order that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin go on living in it? 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 For whoever has died is freed from sin. 8 But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. 10 The death he died, he died to sin, once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

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The focus verse, Romans 6:3-4, is often read at the start of a funeral. What meaning might a grieving person find in these words?
Facing our own death is scary. How might knowing that death didn't defeat Jesus and that Jesus has promised the same for us help us face death differently?
If you are "dead to sin and alive in God" (v11), how do you "live to God" in your daily activities at school, hanging with friends, at home, and so on?

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God, thank you for the gift of your grace shown through baptism. May we remember how our baptisms and your grace surround us everyday, again and again. AMEN.

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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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