Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Isaiah 44:6
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From the Word: Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: “I am the first and I am the last; there is no other God than me.” (Isaiah 44:6)
From the Confessions: The Small Catechism
The First Article
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
What does this mean?
I believe that God has created me and all that exists, that he has given me and still preserves my body and soul, my eyes and ears, my reason and all my senses, together with food and clothing, home and family, and all my property. Every day he provides abundantly for all the needs of my life. He protects me from all danger and guards and keeps me from every evil. He does this purely out of fatherly and divine goodness and mercy, though I do not deserve it. Therefore I ought to thank, praise, serve, and obey him. This is most certainly true!
Pulling It Together: When we say that we believe in God, we mean the Lord God named by God’s Redeemer in Matthew 28:19. Jesus gave the “name” of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In the Apostles’ Creed, we address this Trinity wholly and individually. In the first article of the Creed, we initially state our belief in God, then specifically, God the Father. In the following two articles of the Creed, we state our belief in the Son and in the Holy Spirit. In the Apostles’ Creed we affirm our belief in God: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Though Jesus and the Holy Spirit are God, and therefore almighty, we lay this honor at the Father’s feet in the Creed. In doing so, we are also saying that Jesus and the Holy Spirit are omnipotent. As they are God together, they are together almighty.
Prayer: I believe in you, Almighty Father. Amen.
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Teach Us to Pray is an eight lesson curriculum based around Luther's Small Catechism. Each lesson has a Bible study connected to the article of the Lord's Prayer covered. A section entitled "About Prayer" teaches students helpful items about a solid prayer life and a prayer assignment for the coming week. A major goal of this material is to help kids experience prayer and practice it in a variety of ways. This book could be used as part of a larger Confirmation series, or as a "pre-confirmation" Sunday School series for Jr. High and Middle School youth.
Author
Rev. Mark E. Ryman serves as Pastor for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Salisbury, NC. Previously, Pastor Ryman has served other congregations in North Carolina and Ohio, as well as a call to specialized ministry with Sola Publishing.
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