Part 8: What Does The Bible Say About Jesus Christ St. Peter’s Ev. Lutheran Church Waterford, Wisconsin Small Catechism: Questions 114-152 (pages 119-147)

The entire Old Testament points to Jesus Christ as the One who would come to save us from our sins by keeping God’s Law for us and by dying on the cross for our sins. The Names of Jesus Jesus: Christ:

The Two Natures of Jesus Christ True Man (Why was it necessary for Jesus to be true Man?) True God (Why was it necessary for Jesus to be true God?)

Christ’s State of Humiliation Conceived by the Holy Spirit Born of the virgin Mary Suffered under Pontius Pilate Crucified Died Buried

Christ’s State of Exaltation Judge the living and dead Sits at the right hand Ascended into heaven Rose again from the dead Descended into hell

What is the purpose of Christ’s entire work of redemption?

Part 9: What Does The Bible Say About The Holy Spirit? St. Peter’s Ev. Lutheran Church Waterford, Wisconsin Small Catechism: Questions 154-168 (pages 148-157)

The Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Trinity

THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

CONVERSION The Holy Spirit works through the Gospel (read or heard) to create faith. John 3:5-6; Rom. 10:17; 1 Pet. 1:23

Faith is God's work. Believing is what we do. FAITH (a gift from God) always preceeds BELIEVING (what we do). 1 Cor. 12:3

Faith Created Life of Unbelief

1. Faith Given 2. "I Believe"

Blind

ILLUMINATION

The Holy Spirit continues to work through the Gospel (read or heard) to sustain faith.

Life of Faith SANCTIFICATION

2 Cor. 4:1-4

Dead Eph. 2:1-5

(Blind to Se eing) 2 Cor. 4:6

REGENERATION (De ad to Living) John 3:7

Kept in the faith Phil. 1:6

Enemies Rom. 5:6-10

CONVERSION (Enemies to Friends) M atthew 18:3

Produce Good Works Gal. 5:22-23

Death John 3:16

H e a v e n

Part 10: What Does The Bible Say About The Church? St. Peter’s Ev. Lutheran Church Waterford, Wisconsin Small Catechism: Questions 169-179 (pages 157-165)

Characteristics of Christ’s Church: 1. One 2. All believers, but only believers 3. Invisible 4. Holy 5. Christian 6. Imperishable 7. Only saving Church 8. Found where the Gospel is taught in truth and purity Visible churches (congregations and denominations)

Is This Church Christian? 1

2

What does it teach?

Where is it taught?

How are you saved?

What is the source of what it teaches?

By works or human effort

By grace through faith alone

The Bible alone

Christian Church Non-Christian Church

The Bible and/or other books or teachings

Why are there so many Christian denominations?

The baggage you carry in determines the doctrines you carry out: 1. Reason or rationalism 2. Tradition 3. New revelation

Our responsibilities to Christ’s Church:

1. Remain in the faith and thus remain in Christ’s Church.

2. Join an orthodox church and ensure that it stays orthodox.

3. Maintain and promote the church (prayer, evangelism, service, financial support).

4. Avoid heterodox churches and organizations harmful to the true faith.

Part 11: What Does The Bible Say About The Forgiveness of Sins (Justification)? St. Peter’s Ev. Lutheran Church Waterford, Wisconsin Small Catechism: Questions 180-186 (pages 165-168)

Do we need the forgiveness of sins?

Does God forgive sins?

How does God forgive sins?

How can God, who is just and holy, and therefore must punish sin, forgive sin?

Where are we told that God forgives sins?

How do we receive this forgiveness of sins?

Can you be sure that all your sins are completely forgiven?

Why must we never give up this truth that we are saved by God’s grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone which is found in the Bible alone? 1. It is the most important doctrine 2. It separates Christianity from all other religions 3. It gives comfort to sinners 4. It gives all glory to God

Part 12: What Does The Bible Say About The Means Of Grace And Baptism? St. Peter’s Ev. Lutheran Church Waterford, Wisconsin Small Catechism: Questions 236-260 (pages 202-216)

What are the Means of Grace? G______________

The Means of Grace:

R______________

1.

A______________

2.

C______________

3.

E______________

BAPTISM Who instituted Baptism? What does the word “baptize” literally mean? What two essential “ingredients” are needed for a valid baptism? Who should do the baptizing? Who is to be baptized? Infant Baptism The “Baptist” Objections: 1. How can a child be sinful? 2. How can a child believe? Objections answered. The distinction between baptizing infants and baptizing adults.

God

Us

Sponsors or Godparents. Baptism is not a “divine insurance policy”.

Baptism For Our Daily Life Baptism Enter God's Family

The Family of God Loss of faith

The door is always open

Return to the Kingdom The world of unbelief and lostness

Repentance

The Law The Gospel

Can anyone be saved without being baptized? What does baptism do for our daily life?

Part 13: What Does The Bible Say About The Office Of The Keys? St. Peter’s Ev. Lutheran Church Waterford, Wisconsin Small Catechism: Questions 261-282 (pages 217-230)

The Office of the Keys is the command of God to … 1. Preach/Teach/Proclaim God’s Word. (Mark 16:15) 2. Administer the Sacraments (Baptism & Holy Communion). (Matthew 28:18-20) 3. Tell penitent sinners that they are forgiven and tell impenitent sinners that they are not forgiven. (Matthew 16:19 and John 20:22-23) The authority to exercise the Keys has been given … 1. By God. 2. To the Church (you). 3. Pastors are called to publicly exercise the keys on the congregation’s behalf.

The role of the pastor within the Church.

Forgiving the sins of the penitent: 1. The need to hear the words of absolution (forgiveness). 2. General Confession & Absolution. 3. Private Confession & Absolution (and the issue of confidentiality).

Retaining (not forgiving) the sins of the impenitent: 1. The need to hear these hard words of warning. 2. The motivation is love, not self-righteousness. 3. The purpose is to bring repentance and to reclaim, not to remove.

Possible outcomes of retaining sins: 1. Restoration of faith and discipleship. 2. Self-exclusion. 3. Excommunication.

Part 14: What Does The Bible Say About Holy Communion? St. Peter’s Ev. Lutheran Church Waterford, Wisconsin Small Catechism: Questions 285-305 (pages 231-244)

Other names for Holy Communion.

Who instituted Holy Communion?

Different understandings about Holy Communion:

Roman Catholic

Lutheran

Reformed

Key Word

Key Word

Key Word

Why we should go to Holy Communion frequently (benefits).

Preparing to receive Holy Communion (examining oneself): 1. 2. 3. 4.

Does everyone who communes receive Christ’s body and blood?

To whom must Holy Communion be denied?

Closed Communion

Part 15: What Does The Bible Say About Prayer? St. Peter’s Ev. Lutheran Church Waterford, Wisconsin Small Catechism: Questions 193-235 (pages 174-201)

What is prayer?

God

Us Qualities of prayer.

Does God answer prayers?

THE LORD’S PRAYER Our Father Who art in heaven Hallowed be Thy name Thy kingdom come Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven Give us this day our daily bread Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us Lead us not into temptation Deliver us from evil For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever Amen

Part 16: What Does The Bible Say About Death, Judgment, And Heaven? St. Peter’s Ev. Lutheran Church Waterford, Wisconsin Small Catechism: Questions 187-191 (pages 169-173)

Birth

Death

What takes place when someone dies?

What will we be like after we are raised from the dead?

What will Judgment Day be like?

On what basis will everyone be judged?

What will heaven be like?

What is our purpose on earth (vocation)?

Resurrection