Title: Creator and Creature

OT Reading: Genesis 2:4-23

NT Reading: Romans 1:18-25

Memory: Romans 1:25

Focus: “I am” created man and woman as creatures. As humans, we have more in common with other creaturely things like trees, rocks, and animals, than we do with “I am”; in that we are creatures, and not the Creator. What does it mean to live as creatures that are of His creation? As creatures, we live our lives trusting in our Creator for all things, worshipping and magnifying the Creator, not themselves.

Next Step: Read Genesis 4-5

Title: Embracing Rest

OT Reading: Genesis 1:31-2:3

NT Reading: Hebrews 4:1-11

Memory: Hebrews 4:9-10

Focus: After “I am” created all things very good, He rested for a whole day! In our western context, Sabbath-ing can be difficult for many of us. Sabbath-ing requires trust in provision. Sabbath-ing is healthy for us and also honors “I am”.

Next Step: Read Genesis 3

Title: Everything God made was good

OT Reading: Genesis 1:1-5; 26-27, 31

NT Reading: Colossians 1:15-20

Memory: Colossians 1:19-20

Focus: In the beginning “I am” creates all things very good. It is foundational for us to recognize that what the “I am” created was very good and will one day be fully restored through Jesus Christ who makes a New Creation. Today the story is often told in a truncated way, beginning with the fall/rebellion of man and jumping to salvation in Jesus. Although we affirm that the story of salvation includes the rebellion and redemption, we must also emphasize that the story begins with a very good Creation. The story pattern is thus: Creation to Rebellion to Redemption to New Creation.

Next Step: Read Genesis 1-2

Title: I Believe in the Holy Spirit

OT Reading: Ezekiel 36: 25-27

NT Reading: Acts 2: 38-47

Memory: Ezekiel 36:26

Focus: “I Believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. AMEN.”

Martin Luther summarizes the truth of confessing trust in the Holy Spirit. “I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Ghost has called me through the Gospel, enlightened me by his gifts, and sanctified and preserved me in the true faith; in like manner as He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth, and preserves it in union with Jesus Christ in the true faith; in which Christian Church He daily forgives abundantly all my sins, and the sins of all believers, and will raise up me and all the dead at the last day, and will grant everlasting life to me and to all who believe in Christ. This is most certainly true.

Title: I Believe in Jesus Christ Part 2

OT Reading: Psalm 110: 1-2

NT Reading: 1 Peter 3: 18-22

Memory: 1 Peter 3:18

Focus: “He descended into Hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended in Heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.”

On this day of Confirmation, Prince of Peace gathers together to confirm the faith into which we have been Baptized. It is through Jesus that sin, death, and the Devil no longer have dominion over us. It is in that freedom that we eagerly await His return.

OT Reading: Isaiah 53:5

NT Reading: Philippians 2: 1-11

Memory: Isaiah 53:5

Focus: “And (I believe) in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried.”

To confess Jesus is to also confess Him to be “my” Lord. God the Father appointed our rescue before time, God the Son accomplishes our rescue in HIStory (AD), God the Holy Spirit applies our rescue in our time.

OT Reading: Genesis 1: 1-2

NT Reading: Romans 10: 9-17

Memory: Romans 10:10

Focus: “I believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth.”

In the beginning, God. These four simple words form the foundation for the good news of the Gospel. The Good News is that God is always the one who takes the initiative. From the beginning of Creation, God never responds to our achievements, our love, and our acknowledgment of Him. God sees emptiness, brokenness, and sin and responds by His creative Word of grace.

Matthew 16:13-23

Inspired by Luke 13: 22-30

Summary:

All over His Word God says that He desires all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. Then if God desires that and if He is all powerful then why doesn’t it happen?

Inspired by Romans 6: 5-14

It’s Easter morning and we gather today to celebrate the death of Jesus, that’s right, and his resurrection. However, did you know that Easter is also a day to celebrate YOUR death and resurrection? He is risen! He is risen indeed! And we are too, Hallelujah!