Apr 12
17

Catechism Insight – Doctrinal Standard WSC #22

Doctrinal Standard #22 (2 of 2 weeks)

Q. How did Christ, the Son of God, become man?
A. Christ, the Son of God, became man by assuming a real body and a reasoning soul. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mary, who gave birth to Him; yet He was sinless.

Memory Verses

“For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens” (Hebrews 7:26, ESV).

Scripture

Study Passage: 1 Peter 2:11-25
- Support Passages: Isaiah 53:9-12; Matthew 26:59-68; John 18:33-40; Romans 8:3; II Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 4:4-5; Hebrews 7:26-28; I John 3:5
- Bible Story: John 5:1-18

Thoughts

It is difficult to fathom living a whole life without sin let alone a day, hour, or minute! But our Lord Jesus lived a sinless life and it was for our benefit.
Wayne Grudem explains this truth rather well in his chapter on the Atonement. “If Christ had only earned forgiveness of sins for us, then we would not merit heaven. Our guilt would have been removed, but we would simply be in the position of Adam and Eve before they had done anything good or bad and before they had passed a time of probation successfully. To be established in righteousness forever and to have their fellowship with God made sure forever, Adam and Eve had to obey God perfectly over a period of time. Then God would have looked on their faithful obedience with pleasure and delight, and they would have lived with him in fellowship forever.”
“For this reason, Christ had to live a life of perfect obedience to God in order to earn righteousness for us. He had to obey the law for his whole life on our behalf so that the positive merits of his perfect obedience would be counted for us.” Martin Luther refers to this as the “Great Exchange.” [1] Christ’s righteousness is placed upon the believer as the believers sins are placed upon Christ on the cross. Praise God for the perfect life and sacrifice of Jesus Christ!

Discussion Questions

Did Jesus every sin? Explain the various struggles and temptations He must have faced.
What is the significance or importance’s of Jesus living a sinless life?
What did Jesus’ sinless life do for those who believe in Him?
What did Martin Luther mean when he said Jesus’ life and death is the “Great Exchange?”

[1] Grudem, Wayne (1994). Systematic Theology. Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA; Zondervan Publishing House.

Apr 12
16

OIA for sermon on 04/15

This week Joe shared the story of Joseph. Genesis 37-50 will serve as the primary scripture text. The following is a list of OIA questions based on this message.
(See sermon page emmauscf.org/sermons/ for a complete list of scriptures used)

Observation
1. Are there any cultural or background issues that are important in understanding the listed passages?
2. What key word(s)/phrase(s) really stand(s) out to you in these passages of scripture? Why are/is they/it important?
3. Which scripture passage did you find most intriguing or interesting? Why?
4. What key word(s)/phrase(s) really stand(s) out to you in this passage of scripture? Why are/is they/it important?
5. If you had to sum up this large portion of scripture in a few sentences, what would they be?

Interpretation
1. Compare at least 3 of the used passages with at least 3 other Bible versions (NIV, ESV, NASB, NKJV, Ect.) What similarities/differences do you observe? Share with your group.
2. Are there any verbs, commands, prepositions, or conjunctions, that seemed to stand out (if any)? What? Why? Share.
3. Read through at least 2-3 commentaries on the listed passage and share what your learned with your group. Here are some free online resources. (http://net.bible.org) (http://www.blueletterbible.org/) (http://biblia.com)

Application
1.How does looking at the full story of Joseph (12 chapters) in one sermon give a different perspective and understanding than just looking at small portions of the story?
2.What specific portion of the story of Joseph was most power to you? Why? Share.
3.How does this story help one in fully understanding the sovereignty of God? How could this portion of scripture be useful in ministering to a “hurting” brother or sister?
4.Where are you at personally with your acceptance of God’s sovereignty? Do you still struggle with it? Why? Share AND encourage.

Posted in Study Guides, Gospel Community Groups, Russell Schmidt, Posted by Russell. No Comments

Apr 12
10

Catechism Insight – Doctrinal Standards WSC #22

Doctrinal Standards WSC #22 (1 of 2 weeks)

Q. How did Christ, the Son of God, become man?
A. Christ, the Son of God, became man by assuming a real body and a reasoning soul. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mary, who gave birth to Him; yet He was sinless.

Memory Verses

^“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14, ESV).

Scripture

Study Passage: Luke 1:26-38
Support Passages: John 1:1-18; Philippians 2:5-11; I Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 4:15; I John 1:1-4, 4:1-3
Bible Story: Luke 2:1-20

Thoughts

We can learn much about God’s love, grace and mercy when we understand what it meant for Jesus Christ to come to us in the form of a man. Philippians 2:4–8 provides us with a glimpse into the humility, sacrifice, and love of our God, “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. ⁵ Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
“When the Catechism speaks of a ‘true body,’ it means that Jesus took unto himself the same kind of body that we ourselves possess (expect for sin). This point is stressed because of a heresy known as ‘Docestim.’ In early Christian history there were some who held that Christ only seemed (or appeared) to have a physical body. They said that God could not really have a human body, that He could not really suffer and die.”^{^[1]}
“When the Catechism says that Jesus had a ‘reasonable soul,’ it means that just as we have a body and a soul, so Christ also had a human soul as well as a human body. In the early history of the Church there were those who admitted that Jesus had a ‘true body,’ but did not admit that He also had a ‘reasonable soul.’ They thought that the divine nature (Christ as God) took the place of a soul within His body. But this too is a denial of that which Scripture clearly teaches, and of that which is necessary to our salvation. Just as the Bible speaks of Christ’s hunger, thirst, pain, etc. (which prove that he had a human body), so it also speaks of his feeling sorrow, and grief, and of his increasing in wisdom etc. (which prove that He also had a reasonable soul). As the Bible says, ‘Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. ¹⁸ For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted (Hebrews 2:17–18, ESV).”^{^[2]}

Discussion Questions

What kind of suffering did Christ subject himself to by becoming a man?
What kind of temptations do you think Jesus experienced?
What do you think it was like to be a part of Jesus physical family?
Can Jesus sympathize or understand the temptations and hard times we face? Explain.
How is the love of God revealed by the fact that Jesus the Son of God came to this earth as a man?

^{^[1]} Williams, G.I (2003). The Westminster Shorter Catechism (2nd ed.). Phillipsburg, New Jersey: P&R Publishing Company

Tags: Westminster Shorter Catechism
Posted in Study Guides, Westminster Shorter Catechism, Family Devotional Guidelines, Phil Anady, John 1, Luke 1, Luke 2, Posted by Phil. No Comments

Apr 12
9

OIA for sermon on Easter 2012

This week Joe gave the Easter Sunday message. There was not a primary text used, so Luke 24 will serve as the primary text for this weeks questions. (Note: Luke 24 is also the chapter that disscusses the Road to Emmaus story, which our church is named after.) The following is a list of OIA questions based on this message.

(See sermon page emmauscf.org/sermons/ for a complete list of scriptures used)

Observation

1. Are there any cultural or background issues that are important in understanding the listed passages?
2. What key word(s)/phrase(s) really stand(s) out to you in these passage of scripture? Why are/is they/it important?
3. Which scripture passage did you find most intriguing or interesting? Why?
4. What key word(s)/phrase(s) really stand(s) out to you in this passage of scripture? Why are/is they/it important?
5. If you had to sum up all five of theses passages of scripture in one sentence, what would it be?

Interpretation

1. Compare at least 3 of the used passages with at least 3 other Bible versions (NIV, ESV, NASB, NKJV, Ect.) What similarities/differences do you observe? Share with your group.
2. Are there any verbs, commands, prepositions, or conjunctions, that seemed to stand out? What? Why? Share.
3. Read through at least 2-3 commentaries on the listed passage and share what your learned with your group. Here are some free online resources. (http://net.bible.org) (http://www.blueletterbible.org/) (http://biblia.com)

Application

1. What is the background and origin of Easter? Where did it come from and why do we call it Easter? Do some research.
2. Discuss the background and importance of the Road to Emmaus passage. How does this story impact/encourage/challenge you? Share with your group?
3. How can Luke 24 help in an evangelism setting? And what are some of the physical, tangible, and scientific evidences for the ressurection? (Biola has done some extensive work in this area.)

Posted in Study Guides, Gospel Community Groups, Russell Schmidt, Posted by Russell. No Comments

Apr 12
3

OIA for sermon on 04/01/12

This week Joe (Abraham) gave his second part of a two part narrative of Genesis 16-22. The following is a list of OIA questions based on this narrative.

(See sermon page emmauscf.org/sermons/ for a complete list of scriptures used)

Observation

Interpretation

Application

1. How did hearing this portion of scripture in the first person give you new insight? What? Share.
2. What are 3 characteristics that you observe about Abraham in this portion of scripture? How/why are they important?
3. What other characters (from Gen 11-22) did you find interesting or intriguing? Who? Why?
4. Spend time discussing in your group the overall theme of Gen chapters 11-22.

Posted in Study Guides, Gospel Community Groups, Russell Schmidt, Posted by Russell. No Comments

Apr 12
2

Catechism Insight – Review Doctrinal Standards #11-21

Review Doctrinal Standards #11-21

WSC #11

Q. What is God’s providence?
A. God’s providence is His completely holy, wise, and powerful preserving and governing every creature and every action.

WSC #12

Q. What did God’s providence specifically do for man whom He created?
A. After the creation God made a covenant with man to give him life, if he perfectly obeyed; God told him not to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil or he would die.

WSC #13

Q. Did our first parents remain as they were created?
A. Left to the freedom of their own wills, our first parents sinned against God and fell from their original condition.

WSC #14

Q. What is sin?
A. Sin is disobeying or not conforming to God’s law in any way.

WSC #15

Q. By what sin did our first parents fall from their original condition?
A. Our first parents’ sin was eating the forbidden fruit.

WSC #16

Q. Did all mankind fall in Adam’s first disobedience?
A. Since the covenant was made not only for Adam but also for his natural descendants, all mankind sinned in him and fell with him in his first disobedience.

WSC #17

Q. What happened to man in the fall?
A. Man fell into a condition of sin and misery.

WSC #18

Q. What is sinful about man’s fallen condition?
A. The sinfulness of that fallen condition is twofold. First, in what is commonly called original sin, there is the guilt of Adam’s first sin with its lack of original righteousness and the corruption of his whole nature. Second are all the specific acts of disobedience that come from original sin.

WSC #19

Q. What is the misery of man’s fallen condition?
A. By their fall all mankind lost fellowship with God and brought His anger and curse on themselves. They are therefore subject to all the miseries of this life, to death itself, and to the pains of hell forever.

WSC #20

Q. Did God leave all mankind to die in sin and misery?
A. From all eternity and merely because it pleased Him God chose some to have everlasting life. These He freed from sin and misery by a covenant of grace and brought them to salvation by a redeemer.

WSC #21

Q. Who is the redeemer of God’s chosen ones?
A. The only redeemer of God’s chosen is the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, who became man. He was and continues to be God and man in two distinct natures and one person forever.

Memory Verses

“Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men” (Romans 5:18, ESV).

Study Passage: Romans 5:12-21

Thoughts

This should be a time of reflection, assessment, and re-teaching.

There are a couple of different ways to approach this review lesson. First, the review questions and answers could be made into a game that forces the students to remember what they have learned while assessing their understanding. Another idea is to quiz each student on each of the 11 questions making sure to encourage and celebrate their accomplishments. Last, it would be beneficial to review each of the question and answers, drawing out their central truths and discussing how they are connected.

A common theme in the catechism questions (#11-21) is the doctrine of sin and the doctrine of salvation. Questions 12-19 explain original sin and the devastating affects sin had on Adam and Eve and has had on every individual since the Fall. Questions 20 and 21 explain how salvation which God provides through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, is a display of God’s many attributes. Through our salvation God’s glory is shown and is given all the praise.

Discussion Questions

Explain how sin first entered the world?
Who is affected by the sin of Adam and Eve?
What affects (spiritually and physically) does sin have on a person?
Does man have the ability to follow Jesus on their own? Explain
Why did Jesus have to die on the cross? Explain
Scripture says salvation is only by God’s grace, it’s a gift from God, and we receive it through faith. What is grace and faith?
Jesus is referred to as a redeemer, ransom, and mediator. What do these words tell us about Jesus and what He did on the cross?

Tags: Westminster Shorter Catechism
Posted in Study Guides, Westminster Shorter Catechism, Family Devotional Guidelines, Phil Anady, Romans 5, Posted by Phil. No Comments

Mar 12
27

OIA for Sermon on 03/25/12

This week Joe (Abraham) gave a narrative of Genesis 11:27-15:21. The following is a list of OIA questions based on this narrative.

(See sermon page emmauscf.org/sermons/ for a complete list of scriptures used)

Observation

Interpretation

Application

Posted in Study Guides, Gospel Community Groups, Russell Schmidt, Posted by Russell. No Comments

Mar 12
26

Catechism Insight – Doctrinal Standards WSC #21 (2 of 2 weeks)

Doctrinal Standard WSC #21

• Q. Who is the redeemer of God’s chosen ones?
• A. The only redeemer of God’s chosen is the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, who became man. He was and continues to be God and man in two distinct natures and one person forever.

Memory Verses

• “And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him” (Colossians 1:21–22, ESV).

Study Passage: Colossians 1:9-23

Support Passages: Luke 1:26-35, Colossians 2:8-12, Hebrews 2, Hebrews 7:23-28

Bible Story: John 9

Thoughts

• Jesus did not give up His human nature after His death and resurrection, for He appeared to His disciples as a man after the resurrection, even with the scars of the nail prints in His hands. He had ‘flesh and bones’ (Luke 24:39) and ate food (Luke 24:41-42). Later, when He was talking with His disciples, He was taken up into heaven, still in His resurrected human body, and two angels promised that He would return in the same way.” Scripture indicates that “Jesus did not temporarily become man, but that His divine nature was permanently united to His human nature, and He lives forever not just as the eternal Son of God, the second person of the Trinity, but also as Jesus, the man who was born of Mary, and as Christ, the Messiah and Savior of His people. Jesus will remain fully God and fully man, yet one person, forever (Pg. 542-543).
• Colossians provides interesting insight into some of the roles of Jesus Christ as the second person of the Trinity. He had an active part in creation. He is actively holding all of creation together. He is the head of the church. He is the first one to have a resurrected body. He is the one who has reconciled man with God.
• Jesus Christ through His death and resurrection has made it possible to be reconciled or reunited with God the Father. As a result of Christ’s death and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit man is able to reunite with God in a relationship that once was lost because of sin. Because of the imputed righteousness and the perfect mediation of Jesus Christ we have access to our God the Father.

Discussion Questions

• Explains the various roles are activities Jesus has or is actively participating in?
• Explain the two distinct natures of Jesus.
• What does reconciled mean?
• What are some examples of reconciliation?
• How has Jesus reconciled man with God?
• What part does man have in the reconciliation process?

Grudem, Wayne (1994). Systematic Theology. Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA; Zondervan Publishing House.

Tags: Catechism
Posted in Study Guides, Catechism, Family Devotional Guidelines, Phil Anady, Colossians 1, John 9, Luke, Posted by Phil. No Comments

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Catechism Insight – Doctrinal Standard WSC #22

OIA for sermon on 04/15

Catechism Insight – Doctrinal Standards WSC #22

OIA for sermon on Easter 2012

OIA for sermon on 04/01/12

Catechism Insight – Review Doctrinal Standards #11-21

OIA for Sermon on 03/25/12

Catechism Insight – Doctrinal Standards WSC #21 (2 of 2 weeks)