Thanks for taking part in this look at some of the basic questions of faith. Next week we begin a 3-week look at C.S. Lewis and his journey to faith.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Many Blessings!

Pastor Richard

Matthew 28.19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. (NRSV)

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Post Christian Cities

 

Week 7 Handout

In this lesson, we turn to the subject of worship. What is worship and why do we do it? When considering these questions, it's always important to remember that worship starts and ends with God. Worship is God calling, gathering, enlightening, forgiving, feeding, and sending. Worship most loses its meaning and significance when those who are worshiping imagine that the focus is on them instead of on God.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Many Blessings!

Pastor Richard

Psalm 46.1-3 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. (NRSV)

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Read Psalm 46

 

Week 6 Handout

Our topic this week is the Bible. It's easy to appreciate how unique the Bible is when one considers that it was written in three languages over a period of 1,500 years by more than 40 authors. What's even more amazing about the Bible is that it is the Word of God meant to grow us in faith and in the knowledge of God's great love for us through Jesus Christ.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Many Blessings!

Pastor Richard

John 6.67-69 So Jesus asked the twelve, “Do you also wish to go away?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.” (NRSV)

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Read John 6

 

Week 5 Handout

 

The Bible Project

This week our topic is salvation. Course material links can be found below. Take an extra moment to explore the additional information about the Holy Spirit.

Please contact me with any questions.

Many Blessings!

Pastor Richard

Romans 3.21-22a But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. (NIV)

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Read Romans 3

 

Week 4 Handout

 

More on the Holy Spirit

This week our topic is the Holy Spirit. In his Small Catechism, Martin Luther describes the work of the Holy Spirit in this way:

"I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith."

The Holy Spirit also calls you through the Gospel, blessing you with gifts, and keeping you in the true faith.

Course material links can be found below.

Let me know if you have any questions.

In Jesus,

Pastor Richard

Galatians 5.22-23 By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. (NRSV)

Saving the Dead Sea

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Read Galatians 5

 

Week 3 Handout

 

Article: Is Religion Declining?

This week we take up the question, What about Jesus? In answer to this question, John 1 reveals Jesus' origin, relationship to God, and identity as truly God and truly human. In other words, John 1 tells us who Jesus is. Jesus' identity matters to us because it is His identity that allowed Him to exchange His situation with ours through the cross.

I included a couple links to course materials below.

Let me know if you have any questions.

In Jesus,

Pastor Richard

John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. (NRSV)

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Read John 1

 

Week 2 Handout

 

'Lutheran Questions, Lutheran Answers' By Martin Marty

This week begin a new series, 'I Have Questions!'. During this series, we will be discussing some of the basic questions of faith. This week we talked about how God is revealed to us through Jesus.

Links to course materials can be found below.

Please contact me if you have any questions.

In Jesus,

Pastor Richard

John 14:9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? (NRSV)

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Read John 14

Week 1 Handout

'Lutheran Questions, Lutheran Answers' By Martin Marty

Email Pastor Richard

This week concludes our 8-week look at the New Testament. Our schedule for the next few weeks is as follows:

April 17 - No Class

April 24 - No Class

We will resume on May 1 with our next series, "I Have Questions!", which will focus on some of the basic questions of faith.

Links to course materials can be found below.

Please contact me with any questions you might have.

In Jesus,

Pastor Richard

2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness (NRSV)

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Read 2 Timothy 3

 

Week 8 Handout

 

Video Link

In this lesson we look at the mission of the church. As we do so, it becomes clear that God is the one doing the action. It is God who calls, gathers, promises, loves, and forgives. God graciously calls us to be part of this mission by sending us to proclaim the good news about Jesus.

Course materials links can be found below.

Feel free to contact me with any questions.

In Jesus,

Pastor Richard

Romans 1:7 To all God’s beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (NRSV)

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Read Romans 1

 

Week 7 Handout

 

Video Link

Acts 2 gives us a glimpse of the early church, and there's much that we can learn. Verse 42 contains what are considered the four marks of the church. These marks are: teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer. How are these marks of the church visible in the church today?

Links to course materials can be found below.

Please contact me if you have any questions.

In Jesus,

Pastor Richard

Acts 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. (NRSV)

 

 

Presentation

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Read Acts 2

Week 6 Handout

APEST Assessment

Video Link

Email Pastor Richard