Pastor Dave Wollan

A Simple Way: Treasuring Luther’s Small Catechism

THE APOSTLES’ CREED

Gospel Text: Mark 9:14-29

Sermon Title: A Simple Way: What Do You Believe?

What Does This Mean?

1. What is the “cure” described in the Apostles’ Creed and Luther’s explanation?
2. How do you resonate with the father’s cry, “I believe, help my unbelief”?
3. What does Luther mean when he says, “I believe that I cannot…believe”?

A Simple Way: The Apostles’ Creed

Week 3 Devotional Questions for Discussion at Home

Monday

Adults: Luther’s meaning of the First Article of the Apostles’ Creed ends, “Therefore I ought to thank, praise, serve, and obey Him.” Why does the basic fact that God created the world obligate us to follow His will? Isn’t that an act of faith?

Question for families with older children: Who is God?

Question for families with younger children: What does “praise” mean? What can we praise God for?

Tuesday

Adults: Read the meaning of the Second Article along with I Peter 1:18-21. What do these texts declare about the cost of our salvation? What does that, in turn, testify about God’s love for humanity?

Question for families with older children: How does the birth of Jesus point to Him being God?

Question for families with younger children: How was Jesus born? How did Jesus die?

Wednesday

Adults: The meaning of the Second Article declares that Christ “has done all this in order that I might be his own…” How does that “might” address the demand of the “ought” in the meaning of the First Article?

Question for families with older children: Why did Jesus have to die on the cross?

Question for families with younger children: Do you know why Jesus died for us?

Thursday

Adults: The meaning to the Third Article begins with a paradox. “I believe that I cannot  by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ my Lord or come to him.” Why would we confess belief in our unbelief? What does that confession reveal about our sinful condition?

Question for families with older children: What do you think the communion of saints means?

Question for families with younger children: What happened on Easter?

Friday

Adults: The meaning of the Third Article says, “The Holy Spirit has           called me through the Gospel…” How does “has” complete and resolve the sequence of “ought” in the First Article and “might” in the Second Article?

Question for families with older children: Who is the Holy Spirit?

Question for families with younger children: Have you heard of the Holy Spirit? Where have you heard it?