CREED What Christians Believe and Why THE APOSTLE’S CREED.

CREED What Christians Believe and Why

THE APOSTLE'S CREED.

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord.

He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.

He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.

He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again.

He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body,

and the life everlasting. Amen.

I BELIEVE IN GOD THE FATHER ALMIGHTY, MAKER OF HEAVEN AND EARTH

SUNDAY Thought ? Give up a habit. Today as we continue in our Season of Lent, our spiritual practice for the week is, giving up a habit. This is done to create more time to be with God or to serve God. What habit are you going to give up? Prayer ? God, help me give up a habit that can create more time for us to build a closer relationship during this season of Lent. Amen.

NOTES: ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________

MONDAY ? Read Exodus 3:1-6 Thought ? Seek God in all things. The number one disclaimer about God, for most people, is they believe they can't see God. Is it because they picture God looking like Santa or Zeus sitting up in the clouds? The Old Testament shows God speaking through creation. To Moses he spoke through a burning bush, a pillar of fire and a cloud on top of a mountain. How does God speak to you through creation? In your meditations throughout Lent, light a candle to remind yourself that God's presence is with you at all times. Prayer ? God, I open myself up to your creation all around me. Reveal yourself to me through the burning of a candle or through the creation of your world. Help me to know you, see you and feel you. Amen.

NOTES: ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________

TUESDAY ? Read Exodus 14:19-25 Thought ? Experiencing the unexplainable. Moses experienced many unexplainable things throughout his life that helped him with his belief in God. For many people, that is how they come to know there is something bigger than themselves. There comes a point where something unexplainable happens, and for some, that moment happens at their absolute lowest point in life. When is a moment when God did something unexplainable in your life? Write out times you believe to be miracles in your life. Prayer ? God, help me see miracles taking place in my everyday life. Guide me in living a life of awe and gratitude of all that you do. Amen.

NOTES: ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________

WEDNESDAY ? Read Colossians 1:15-19 Thought ? Jesus Christ, fully human and fully God. Throughout the Old Testament, we see God reveal Godself in many different ways and speak through many different people. In the New Testament, God reveals Godself fully in Jesus Christ. What do you believe Paul means in Colossians that in Christ, all things were created? Also, what does he mean that Christ was before all things, and in him all things hold together? Prayer ? God, help me see that you are for me, with me, and in me. Amen.

NOTES: ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________

THURSDAY ? Read John 17:25-26 Thought ? Jesus saw God as his Father. In the book of John, Jesus addresses God as Father approximately 100 times. The word Abba translates to Daddy in English. This helps us understand the relationship between God and Jesus. God is personal, relational, and intimate. In what ways has God acted as a Father in your life? How do you feel when you picture God as a Father? Prayer ? God, help me to know that you are intimate, loving and personal. Help me to know that I am yours and you are mine. Amen.

NOTES: ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________

FRIDAY ? Read Mark 9:17-24 Thought ? I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief. There comes a point where every person of faith realizes they can never fully know God. Until we reach the other side of eternity faith will always be required. This means, living a life of asking God to close the gap between our belief and unbelief. What do you do in moments of unbelief? How can God help you in those moments? Prayer ? God, I believe that you are the creator of all things. However, I still have moments of unbelief in my life. Help me overcome my unbelief. Amen

NOTES: ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________

SATURDAY Thought ? THE APOSTLE'S CREED. I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. Prayer- God, I ask for your guidance to help me understand the words that I say, so they can have transforming power for me, in me and through me. Amen.

NOTES: ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________

GROUP GUIDE

MESSAGE ? WE BELIEVE IN GOD THE FATHER.

Prayer ? God, may you guide this time together and help us to be centered around your presence and your desires. Amen.

Big Idea ? We believe in God the Father. Opening Discussion Questions: o How did you picture God the Father growing up? o What is your belief on the image of God now?

Scripture ? Exodus 3:1-6, Exodus 14:19-25 Discussion Questions: o How does God speak to you through creation? o When is a moment when God did something unexplainable in your life?

Scripture ? Colossians 1:15-19 Discussion Questions: o What do you believe Paul, the author of Colossians, means by in Christ, all things were created? o What does Paul mean that Christ was before all things, and in him all things hold together?

Scripture ? John 17:25-26, Mark 9:17-24 Discussion Questions: o In what ways has God acted as a Father in your life? o What do you do in moment of unbelief? o How can God help you in those moments?

Takeaway: o How can you be more mindful of God in your day to day life? o What can you do to help see God in creation this week?

Prayer ? Pray the Lord's prayer.

JESUS CHRIST

SUNDAY Thought ? 5 acts of kindness. This week's spiritual practice is to do 5 acts of kindness each day. If you are married, make sure one of these is toward your spouse. Prayer ? God, help me to have eyes that see people. Give me the courage to serve people today and every day. Amen.

NOTES: ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________

MONDAY ? Colossians 3:19 Thought ? Jesus Christ, fully human and fully God. Last week we discussed how God communicated through creation and prophets in the Old Testament. But in the New Testament God fully arrived in Jesus Christ. Why did God feel the need to become human? Prayer ? God, thank you for becoming one of us. Help us to know that you arrived here on this earth as Jesus Christ and that you understand what we are experiencing today. Amen.

NOTES: ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________

TUESDAY ? John 14:9-14 Thought ? Jesus and the Father are one. A belief of the ancient church is that Jesus Christ did not arrive to change God's mind about humanity but rather, change humanity's mind about God. How has reading about the life of Jesus changed your understanding about God? Prayer ? Jesus Christ, may you always be my North Star. May I always see God through the lens of your life. Amen.

NOTES: ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________

WEDNESDAY ? Luke 19:10 Thought ? Jesus came for the outcast and marginalized. When we read about Jesus' life, we often see him defending the poor, the meek, and the marginalized. Often, he calls them lost, because they have been outcast and do not know where to go. How are you helping the outcast and the marginalized people in the world? Prayer ? God, may you give me eyes to see the marginalized people in the world and give me the courage and strength to step toward them in life, like you did through Jesus. Amen.

NOTES: ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________

THURSDAY ? Romans 5:8 Thought ? Suffering is part of life. Jesus on the cross shows you God's great love for you and it also shows the rhythm of reality. Jesus' crucifixion shows us what we all know to be true, everyone and everything suffers. If Jesus suffers, we should not be surprised when we do as well. How does Jesus' suffering affect our lives? How is the cross good news to us? Prayer ? Jesus Christ, thank you for choosing to suffer for me. In my deepest suffering, give me peace and a sense of knowing that you understand what I am going through. Help me know that you are with me. Amen.

NOTES: ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________

FRIDAY ? Acts 9:1-9 Thought ? Christ continues to show up today. Tradition tells us that Saul/Paul never met Jesus during his ministry. However, Jesus Christ did appear to him after the Resurrection. Christ continues to reveal Christ's self in many different ways today. What are some ways in which you believe Christ appears to us today? Prayer ? Christ, help me see you in all things today. Give me a deep sense of your presence as I go through today. Amen.

NOTES: ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________

SATURDAY Thought ? THE APOSTLE'S CREED. I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. Prayer ? God, I ask for your guidance to help me understand the words that I say, so they can have transforming power for me, in me and through me. Amen.

NOTES: ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________

GROUP GUIDE

MESSAGE ? AND IN JESUS CHRIST, HIS ONLY SON, OUR LORD.

Prayer ? Jesus Christ, help us to experience your presence among us right now. May you be the center of our gathering today. Amen.

Big Idea ? Jesus is the Christ. Opening Discussion Questions o How did you picture Jesus growing up? o How do you see and experience Jesus now?

Scripture ? Colossians 3:19

 ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download