UPDATE: The series is now complete, and I have posted pdfs of a complete set of handouts below. Recently, Nicole and I have been running a discussion group<\/a> on the Apostles’ Creed at our Church. \u00a0The Apostles’ Creed is a traditional statement of faith, used during baptisms, that developed organically in the Western Church over the first few centuries.\u00a0 It wasn’t actually written by the apostles, although it is an accurate summary of their teachings.<\/p>\n Here are the handouts we wrote to use in the discussion:<\/p>\n APOSTLES’ CREED:<\/strong><\/p>\n I believe in God the Father Almighty *i.e. universal<\/p>\n Each handout discusses a different line in the Creed, and contains 1) a few quotes from the Bible, 2) a few quotes from Christian writers, always\u00a0 and 3) two very quick arguments for why Christians believe that part of the Creed.\u00a0 We always included at least one scripture from each Testament, and at least one quote from an ancient Christian saint as well as at least one from a modern Christian saint.<\/p>\n If you or your church wish to run a similar group, you are free to print out, use, and\/or modify these handouts with no restrictions.\u00a0 We begin with prayer, and take turns reading from the handout.\u00a0 Then I’ve been getting a different church member each Sunday (not necessarily a regular member of the group) to testify for 5-10 minutes what that line in the Creed means to them personally\u2014unfortunately this isn’t included in the handouts!\u2014and this opens up a general discussion.\u00a0 Then we end with prayer.\u00a0 The whole thing takes an hour.<\/p>\n Have a Merry Christmas everyone! UPDATE: The series is now complete, and I have posted pdfs of a complete set of handouts below. Recently, Nicole and I have been running a discussion group on the Apostles’ Creed at our Church. \u00a0The Apostles’ Creed is a … Continue reading
\n<\/em><\/p>\n
\n<\/a>Maker of Heaven and Earth<\/a>
\n<\/a>And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord<\/a>
\n<\/a>Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary<\/a> <-\u00a0 Christmas readings!
\n<\/a><\/strong>Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified<\/a>
\n<\/a>Dead, and buried<\/a>
\n<\/a>He descended into hell<\/a>
\n<\/a>The third day he rose again from the dead<\/a>
\n<\/a>He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty<\/a>
\n<\/a>From there he shall come to judge the living and the dead<\/a>
\n<\/a>I believe in the Holy Spirit<\/a>
\nI believe in the Holy Catholic* Church<\/a>
\nThe communion of saints<\/a>
\nThe forgiveness of sins<\/a>
\nThe resurrection of the body<\/a>
\nand the life everlasting<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\n<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"