Spring 2017 ~ Religious Instruction Lesson #1 Learning Objectives The Chief Apostle Ministry Matthew 16:18-19; John 21:15-17; Luke 22:32 1. The children will explore how the Chief Apostle ministry came into being. 2. The children will review the names of the eight Chief Apostles of the New Apostolic Church. 3. The children will examine the some of the responsibilities of the Chief Apostle ministry and how successors are chosen. Memory Verse: "If you love me, you will obey what I command." --John 14:15 (NIRV) Getting Started Who is Leading Whom Game See: www.teensundayschool.com (Games Who is Leading Whom?) You may need extra volunteers for this game, as well as enough chairs for everyone to sit on. Please see the above website for complete instructions. Remember to choose some discussion questions for the end of this activity. Lesson Message: Feed the sheep. Teacher Background Information: (From God s Ways Volume 3) The Lord Jesus gave his disciple Simon the additional name Peter. Peter means rock. Peter stood out among the Apostles. In various places in the Holy Bible one can read that the Lord Jesus gave him special responsibilities and authority. Matthew 16:18 18 Here is what I tell you. You are Peter. On this rock I will build my church. The gates of hell will not be strong enough to destroy it. (NIRV) Jesus is speaking about a foundation (i.e. rock) and about building his congregation, as well as the special position of Apostle Peter, who is to lead the congregation. The Lord Jesus promises that He will stand by His congregation, neither death nor the Devil can harm it. Matthew 16:19 19 I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. What you lock on earth will be locked in heaven. What you unlock on earth will be unlocked in heaven." (NIRV) Loosing and binding goes beyond forgiving and retaining sins. It signifies the authority to proclaim what is permitted or prohibited. In this manner, order was to be maintained in the congregation. The Lord Jesus statement that what Peter looses on earth will also be loosed in heaven is to be understood as follows: What Apostle Peter does on earth is valid before God who reigns in heaven.
Lesson Continued John 21:15-17 15 When Jesus and the disciples had finished eating, Jesus spoke to Simon Peter. He asked, "Simon, son of John, do you really love me more than these others do?" "Yes, Lord," he answered. "You know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." 16 Again Jesus asked, "Simon, son of John, do you really love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord. You know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep." 17 Jesus spoke to him a third time. He asked, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter felt bad because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He answered, "Lord, you know all things. You know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep. (NIRV) Apostle Peter is to graze (i.e. feed) the flock of Christ (i.e. to lead Christ s church). Luke 22:32 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon. I have prayed that your faith will not fail. When you have turned back, help your brothers to be strong." (NIRV) With these words Jesus pointed out to Peter that the courage of his convictions would still have to be strengthened. At the same time he gives him the commission to strengthen his brothers in their faith. The Lord Jesus did not establish a ministerial name for this eminent position within the circle of the Apostles. The authority conferred on Apostle Peter is exercised by the Chief Apostle in our time. The name Chief Apostle came about as follows: The first Apostles of the end time viewed Christendom as the spiritual Israel and, based on the twelve tribes of Israel, referred to their respective working areas as tribes. Apostle Cardale was compared to Apostle Peter and was considered the pillar among the English Apostles. He called Apostles meetings and chaired them. Initially, the first Apostles of the new order maintained the concept tribe when referring to their respective working areas. At first the Apostles had no head amongst them. They did, however, give more and more weight to Apostle Schwartz s word in questions of faith. The oneness of the Apostles was one of the main interests. Toward the end of his life Apostle Schwartz often said, Every day I work on the oneness among the Apostles. The one with whom I am one the most is the beloved Apostle Krebs. Already at that point in time Apostle Krebs, about whom more will be learned in the next lesson, stood out among the other Apostles because of his energy for work and his understanding. Eventually the Apostles working areas were no longer referred to as tribes. However, Apostle Krebs, who became the first visible head of the Apostles of the end time, continued to be addressed as Stammapostel in Germany (= Apostle of the tribe), which became the name for the ministry comprising the authority conveyed to Apostle Peter. (In English the head of the Apostles is referred to as Chief Apostle, i.e., the chief of all the tribes or working areas of the Apostles, and the chief or head of the Apostles. The Chief Apostles: 1. Peter 6. Ernst Streckheisen (1975-1978) 2. Friedrich Krebs (1895-1905) 7. Hans Urwyler (1978-1988) 3. Hermann Niehaus (1905-1930) 8. Richard Fehr (1988-2005) 4. Johann Gottfried Bischoff (1930-1960) 9. Wilhelm Leber (2005-2013) 5. Walter Schmidt (1960-1975) 10. Jean-Luc Schneider (2013-present)
Lesson Continued Other Information about the Chief Apostle Ministry: (The following excerpt is taken directly from the NACI website: www.nak.org) Highest spiritual authority As the highest spiritual authority of all New Apostolic District Churches on earth, the chief apostle directs the Church as a whole in all spiritual matters. His primary commission is to proclaim Jesus Christ s doctrine continually and conscientiously, and to preserve its purity. He appoints and ordains district apostles, apostles, and bishops, and also retires or dismisses them. He determines the boundaries of District Churches, sets up new district apostle areas, and assigns areas of responsibility for pastoral and administrative care to the District Churches. He establishes NACI s annual budget, makes decisions regarding expenditures and the management of its assets, consults with the district apostles as regards the financial contributions they make to NACI, and decrees regulations and ordinances in matters concerning the Church as a whole. The Chief Apostle s ordinances, subject to compliance with legal provisions, are binding on all District Churches and their governing bodies. Appointing a successor The chief apostle is appointed by his predecessor. This is also the case if the predecessor falls ill or is injured in an accident but is still able to discharge his duties. In the event that the chief apostle suddenly takes ill or is injured in an accident and is left incapacitated, he can deposit documents regarding the appointment of his successor. In the absence of such an appointment, his successor will be elected by secret ballot by the District Apostles Meeting or the Apostles Meeting from among the ranks of the district apostles, district apostle helpers and apostles. His ministry commences with his ordination, which is performed by the retiring chief apostle or by the longest-serving district apostle. The change will be announced without delay to all New Apostolic congregations around the world. The Chief Apostle is entitled to retire upon reaching the age of 65. He should not continue in office beyond his 70th year however. For the purpose of appointing a successor, and to make provisions in the event of a temporary or indefinite impediment in discharging his office and functions, the chief apostle can deposit corresponding documents in NACI s safe. Should two independent physicians certify a temporary impediment, the three longest-serving district apostles shall open the relevant document. In the event that the chief apostle dies, or is confirmed to be unfit to discharge his duties, NACI will convene the District Apostles Meeting within seven days. It will take note of the chief apostle s will, and implement its stipulations without delay. Application to Real Life with Discussion Questions Look up in your Bible and read John 14:15 (Memory Verse) "If you love me, you will obey what I command." --John 14:15 (NIRV)
Application to Real Life with Discussion Questions - Continued Discussion Questions: 1. According to this verse, how do you show your love of Jesus in your life? (by obeying His commands) 2. How do you think Peter did with this? Explain. 3. What are some ways that you can show your love for God? 4. Do you ever struggle with obeying His commands? Which ones? Why? Discuss together. 5. What can you do to help yourself when you feel like you are struggling with following the Lord? Discuss together. Talk with the children about how blessed we are to have the Chief Apostle ministry active today. The Lord Jesus instructed Peter, the first Chief Apostle to feed my sheep. (Message Statement) Every Chief Apostle since then has done just that they are our closest connection to the Lord Jesus. They still feed us (the sheep) today, and they help us to understand that which is important in order for us to be ready for the day when the Lord returns. Memory Work Suggestions 5 minutes 1. Recite the memory verse. 2. Practice finding the memory verse and/or Bible text in their Bible! 3. Play a game to review an article of faith (toss the bean bag/stuffed animal, the person who catches it says the next word try to go faster and faster). 4. Allow a volunteer (child) to lead the class in an opening/closing prayer. 5. What ministry is being discussed in today s lesson? What is so special about it? Discussion and Activity Ideas Discussion: Ask the children whether they have ever been in a service held by the Chief Apostle, or perhaps even met him personally. Ask them to tell the rest of the class about it. If possible, share a personal experience or invite a special guest share a similar experience. Activities: Use the attached pages with the pictures and names of the Chief Apostles. Use them to create a matching game. You will need to print a picture page and a name page for each child. Have the children match the names to the correct picture. Obviously, we do not have a picture of Peter, our first Chief Apostle. You may also want to create a poster for your class area. Use poster board. The children could illustrate (draw) a picture to represent Peter. Be creative and have fun. Use the list of Chief Apostle names on the attached page. Cut them apart in strips. Have the children put them in the correct order. Alternative ideas to further their learning: Have the students write the names of the Chief Apostles one on each index card as you go over the lesson. Then have them glue them in order on paper. (You may need to attach a few sheets of construction paper together to make one long sheet of paper.) Post at least one in your class area.
Journal Reflection Questions Choose One - Do you have a special person in your life that you can go to when you feel you are struggling with spiritual matters, or even with your life? What is it about that person that makes you want to talk with them? How do they help you? Write about it. - What do YOU think is the most important responsibility of the Chief Apostle ministry? Why? Write about it. Homework Ideas - Read at home with a grownup the lesson titled: The Chief Apostles Part 1. - Learn the memory verse: Peter said to Him, We have left everything to follow You! --Mark 10:28 (NIRV) - Work on memorizing Article of Faith #. - Ask a grown up to share with you a special memory they may have about any of the Chief Apostles in their lifetime. Write down their experience, bring it class and be ready to share.
Peter Friedrich Krebs Hermann Niehaus Johann Gottfried Bischoff Walter Schmidt Ernst Streckheisen Hans Urwyler Richard Fehr Wilhelm Leber Jean-Luc Schneider