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Kory Bruce
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God is the source of all life. Through God s gift of breath, life entered the world. In goodness, God provided that life should flourish in God s care and protection.

The question of what God would do about sin fills the remainder of Scripture. It has also filled the hearts and minds of Christians throughout the centuries. What does God do about sin?

2 God is the source of all life. Through God s gift of breath, life entered the world. In goodness, God provided that life should flourish in God s care and protection. God intended that we would live in this loving relationship forever. But that relationship was broken when sin entered the world. The question of what God would do about sin fills the remainder of Scripture. It has also filled the hearts and minds of Christians throughout the centuries. What does God do about sin? What is forgiveness all about? How do we receive it? For Martin Luther, the author of the Small Catechism that we will spend this year studying, those very questions were important enough to risk his life to share the answer he learned from reading the Bible Spirit and Truth Publishing All Rights Reserved 2

3 Read Genesis 3:18 What do you know about the story of what God did about sin? Read Romans 5: What do you think verses 5:12 and 5:15 mean? Who is Jesus Christ? 2015 Spirit and Truth Publishing All Rights Reserved 3

4 Martin Luther and the Reformation During the 1500s, life was very different than it is now. Of course there were differences in how people dressed, and got around, and communicated with one another. But there were other differences too. Back then, most people couldn t read. The only people who could read the Bible were priests and scholars. This became a big problem. It was a problem because the priests and scholars were telling people that they would have to pay money to have their sins forgiven so that they could go to heaven. They sold pieces of paper (called indulgences) promising that whoever they were purchased for could get to heaven faster. The religious leaders would then use the money to build elaborate church buildings and to make themselves richer while the people were poor and starving. Martin Luther saw what was going on and became very upset. When Luther read the Bible he heard that God s forgiveness is a free gift given because of what Jesus did for us! He wrote out a list of 95 complaints about what was being taught and done in the church. Then he nailed them to his church door. (It was kind of like posting something on a bulletin board or on the Facebook of his day!) This act started a movement that became known as The Reformation. Martin Luther and others would spend the rest of their lives working to help others hear the good news of Jesus that is given in the Bible! 2015 Spirit and Truth Publishing All Rights Reserved 4

Early printings of the Small Catechism included Bible references throughout the catechism. Woodcut style artwork illustrated these stories alongside the topics of the catechism. Try it!

5 Early printings of the Small Catechism included Bible references throughout the catechism. Woodcut style artwork illustrated these stories alongside the topics of the catechism. Try it! Create your own woodcut style illustration! 1. Draw your design on a plain piece of white paper. 2. Color over your design with a piece of chalk. 3. Flip your design over so that the chalk side faces down on a bar of soap. a. Note: If your bar of soap has an engraved logo or is curved, you may want to make a flat surface on the bar first. A few strokes with a cheese slicer will quickly smooth out the surface so you can continue. 4. Trace over the backside of your image with a pen or marker. When you press down, the image will be copied in chalk onto the bar of soap. Remember, your picture is backwards now so that it will be the right way around when you stamp it. 5. Trace the chalk lines on your soap with marker. 6. Use a toothpick or butter knife to carve out all the space around your lines. (You ll want your lines to stand out from the background!) 7. Apply a small bit of paint or stamp ink to the raised lines on your soap. 8. Stamp your image! You ve made your own soap version of a woodcut! 9. Now check out some of the images that were included in the original printings of the Small Catechism. Imagine what time and effort went into those works of art! 2015 Spirit and Truth Publishing All Rights Reserved 5

When the Lord appeared to Abraham, Abraham looked up and saw three men.

God is one God but in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

written them down in statements of faith called creeds.

The Apostles Creed is divided into three parts.

6 When the Lord appeared to Abraham, Abraham looked up and saw three men. This passage of Scripture is often used to point to the triune nature of God. God is one God but in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Christians throughout the centuries have struggled to put into words our understanding of the triune God. As they have studied and prayed and agreed on certain things, they have written them down in statements of faith called creeds. One of the oldest and simplest of these creeds is the Apostles Creed. The Apostles Creed is divided into three parts. Each of the parts has to do with one person of the Trinity. In learning this creed, we are introduced to the triune God who creates, redeems, and empowers us! 2015 Spirit and Truth Publishing All Rights Reserved 6

7 The heart of the Small Catechism is the Apostles Creed. Reading this creed we are introduced to the God who created us and still loves and provides for us. Take a minute to read this Creed. What do you notice about God? If you were going to draw a picture to represent God based on this Creed, what would you draw? (Doodle it here!) 2015 Spirit and Truth Publishing All Rights Reserved 7

8 ? It is okay to have questions about how God can be one and yet three persons all at the same time! In fact, it is okay to have questions about lots of things about God! As you read the Apostles Creed today, what questions come to your mind? Jot them down. Save this page and add any new questions that arise as we continue to learn about the triune God throughout this year Spirit and Truth Publishing All Rights Reserved 8

9 No one deserves God s blessing, but it this was especially true of Jacob. Jacob was a lying, cheating, manipulating momma s boy who lied to his own father as he was dying and alienated his brother to the point where he had to flee for his life. Yet, God provided for him. God provided for his family, too. God even extended to this ridiculously undeserving schemer the promise first given to his grandfather Abraham that through his family all the nations of the world would be blessed. Martin Luther writes in his explanation to the first article of the Apostles Creed that we do not deserve the goodness that God gives us. This is certainly true. For Luther, the best response to God s undeserved goodness was to thank, praise, serve, and obey God. This is what Jacob did after that night spent wrestling with God. How does our wrestling match end? What do we have to give thanks and praise for? How might we serve and obey God? 2015 Spirit and Truth Publishing All Rights Reserved 9

Stupid Stuff Jacob Did Stupid Stuff I Do Genesis 25:29-34 Genesis 27:1-29

11 God continues to provide for God s people. When they wound up in slavery in Egypt, God heard their cries and God acted. God sent Moses to lead the people out of bondage and into freedom! Protected in times of danger and guarded from Pharaoh s power, the people were led to safety. God raised up leaders from among God s people to speak God s word and announce God s deliverance. As we continue to study the Reformation and our Lutheran heritage, we recognize that there have been other times in history when God has spoken and empowered bold witness to God s liberating work. Perhaps God is speaking such a liberating word even now! 2015 Spirit and Truth Publishing All Rights Reserved 11

God delivered the people from slavery in Egypt. God saved them.

God showed again God s commitment to keep the promise made to Abraham and his family- and through them to the

People, on the other hand, are far less trustworthy. We have short memories. We get scared and overwhelmed.

And so God gave some laws. God gave some rules to govern the people so that things could go well for the people.

13 God delivered the people from slavery in Egypt. God saved them. When all hope seemed lost, God provided a way for them. God showed again God s commitment to keep the promise made to Abraham and his family- and through them to the whole world. God s desire and God s actions point to blessing and to life and to well-being. People, on the other hand, are far less trustworthy. We have short memories. We get scared and overwhelmed. We panic. We look for easy ways out. We seek our own preservation rather than the welfare of others. God saw that. And so God gave some laws. God gave some rules to govern the people so that things could go well for the people. These laws, if followed, would bring blessing to the lives of God s people. They would create the sort of community in which God desired God s children to live. If only we could keep these commandments! 2015 Spirit and Truth Publishing All Rights Reserved 13

Law and Gospel Luther recognized that the Bible contains both law and gospel. The law is what we should do. It includes all the rules and commandments.

14 Law and Gospel Luther recognized that the Bible contains both law and gospel. The law is what we should do. It includes all the rules and commandments. The law shows us how God intends for God s people to live so that we can have a good relationship with God and with each other. But sin, again, is the problem. On our own, we can t keep the law. So the Bible also tells us about the gospel, the way that God has made to overcome our sin. The gospel is the good news of what Christ has done for us. Gospel includes all the promises that God gives in the Bible. It s God s work, not ours. It s the word of forgiveness, the word of grace. Though we try our best, when we fail at keeping the commandments, we can trust God s mercy. This is God s gift to us through Jesus! Try This: The next time that you are in a worship service, listen for law and gospel. Anything that lets you know that you should be doing things a certain way is law. Anything that announces the good news that Christ has already done everything for you is gospel! Make a note of what you hear. Bring your findings back to share with the rest of the group! 2015 Spirit and Truth Publishing All Rights Reserved 14

15 Martin Luther, in his Large Catechism, described parents as a treasure to their children. Ruth treated her mother-in-law Naomi as a treasure. She stuck with her through the trials and the heartbreak that had befallen their family. Ruth s determination to honor and care for her mother-in-law led to immense blessing. Not only was Ruth married again, she was given the blessing of being one of the ancestors of Jesus! The fourth commandment reminds us that the relationship between parents and children is intended to bring blessing to both! 2015 Spirit and Truth Publishing All Rights Reserved 15

In his Large Catechism, Martin Luther called parents the most precious treasure on earth. What are some of the gifts/treasures that you receive from the nurturing adults in your life?

16 In his Large Catechism, Martin Luther called parents the most precious treasure on earth. What are some of the gifts/treasures that you receive from the nurturing adults in your life? What blessings might come from your relationship for others as well? How might your family stand together against injustice, hunger, and poverty? 2015 Spirit and Truth Publishing All Rights Reserved 16

17 David is known as the best king in Israel s history. He is even called a man after God s own heart (Acts 13:22). But even David had some trouble with these Ten Commandments. (Just check out 2 Samuel 11). None of us keep all of the commandments. David is a perfect example that even the best and brightest are vulnerable to sin. Yet, David is also a good example of how we are to handle sin. When we repent of our sin God will forgive Spirit and Truth Publishing All Rights Reserved 17

19 David s son, Solomon, started out as a good and wise king. But over time, his policies and procedures got a little out of check. After his death, his son, Rehoboam took over the throne. Rehoboam clearly did not inherit any of his father s wisdom. Instead of listening to those who gave him sound council, he listened only to his friends who encouraged him to take more and more of the people s time and energy. Where Solomon had begun slavery-like work policies, exploiting those who lived in the North to build his palace in Jerusalem (in the South), Rehoboam doubled down on the exploitation. The seventh commandment not to steal doesn t only prohibit taking what does not rightfully belong to you, but Luther also explains means that we are to help our neighbor improve and protect what is theirs, including their means of making a living. Rehoboam clearly did not get this memo! His exploitation of his neighbors to the North led to disaster. The kingdom split in two! 2015 Spirit and Truth Publishing All Rights Reserved 19

20 We serve the one, true God. We have already learned that there are to be no other gods in our lives. God is holy. God s name, God s relationship with us, and our relationship with others, is to be regarded with the holiness of the God who created us. In our story for today, we hear of a time in which the Israelites forgot God s holiness. Instead, they turned to worshipping a fake god. They disobeyed God s commandments. They used their voices to call upon, even shout to, a fake god. Surprise, surprise there was no answer. In contrast, the one, true God answered. This week we turn our attention in the Small Catechism to the eighth commandment. The eighth commandment has to do with fearing and loving God so that our words speak truth. Because we serve a holy and living God, we are to speak truth of our neighbor. Not only that, but we are to speak kindly, speaking well of our neighbors defending them, and explaining their actions in the kindest way possible. In this, the holiness of God s relationship with us extends to the way that we speak not only about and to God, but to one another as well Spirit and Truth Publishing All Rights Reserved 20

21 Our passage for today is a beautiful and heart-wrenching expression of God s love for God s children. Just as a parent desires the best for their child and struggles with knowing how to love and discipline a child so that they will know goodness and peace, God acts with deep love, wanting the best for children who continually turn away from God s goodness and holiness. Hosea, as with the other prophets, pointed out the brokenness of Israel s relationship with God and called God s people to repentance. Many of the prophets not only pointed out God s people s unfaithfulness in failing to worship God alone, but also their failure to care for one another as God commanded. The ninth and tenth commandments both continue to describe how God s holiness should guide our interactions with one another. We shall not scheme or pretend to have a right to what is not ours. We shall not ruin our neighbor s relationships. Instead, the holiness of God compels us to help others keep what is theirs. Because of God s power, because of God s love, this is how we are to live Spirit and Truth Publishing All Rights Reserved 21

22 There are stark images in our readings today of what God will do. God compares the people to a vineyard in which grapes were planted, but only wild grapes grew. Though God created and cared gently and abundantly for this creation, the goodness that should have flourished did not. God expected justice, but saw bloodshed. God wanted righteousness, but heard a cry. So what will the gardener do? Tear down the vineyard? Remove its protection? God warned in the giving of the Ten Commandments that iniquity (evil, injustice) would not be allowed to continue in God s creation. God will not let this go on without doing something about it Spirit and Truth Publishing All Rights Reserved 22

Catechism Companion: Teacher s Guide (Year 2- Fall)

Catechism Companion: Teacher s Guide (Year 2- Fall) In this guide you will find suggestions for how this curriculum can be used to complement a traditional Lutheran year of confirmation. The Living the Word curriculum itself is written to be ecumenical