The Apostles' Creed - Lesson 1: Introduction to the Apostles' Creed

The Apostles' Creed

Lesson 1: Introduction to the Apostles' Creed

I believe in God, the Father, Almighty, maker of heaven and earth;

And 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, dead and buried.

He descended into hell,

And on the third day he rose again;

He ascended into heaven,

Where he is now seated at the right hand of God, the Father, Almighty,

Whence he shall come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

The holy, catholic church,

The communion of saints,

The forgiveness of sins,

The resurrection of the body,

And the life, everlasting.

Amen.

2 Timothy 2:2 The things which you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit the same to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.

CREED

[This word seems to have been introduced by the use of the Latin credo, I believe, at the beginning of the Apostles creed, or brief system of Christian faith. See Creed.]

1. A brief summary of the articles of Christian faith; a symbol; as the Apostolic creed.

2. That which is believed; any system of principles which are believed or professed; as a political creed.

"creed." Noah Webster's 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language. 2014. http://1828.mshaffer.com/d/word/creed (5 October 2014).

The Main Points for This Lesson:

Essential Teaching (or Teachings). Just as many things have essential characteristics that make them what they are, so the Christian faith has essential teachings that are necessary to its being the Christian faith. Knowing the danger of straying from the teaching of the faith, the apostle John wrote in his first epistle that whoever denies the Son does not have the Father, but whoever confesses the Son has the Father also (1 John 2:23). Hymenaeus and Philetus overthrew the faith of some in their saying that the resurrection was already past, that their was no coming resurrection of the body (2 Timothy 2:17-18). The goal of this series of lessons is to teach the essential teachings of the Christian faith in a simple way to children.

The Apostles' Creed. The Apostles' Creed is a statement of the basic and essential beliefs of the Christian faith. We will use the Apostles' Creed as a simple outline with which to teach these important teachings of the faith. The Apostles' Creed is not the goal, but the worthy means to the goal. With that in mind, below is some information about the creed.

The Apostles' Creed is one of the most widely accepted creeds in the church through many centuries. It is considered to be an accurate summary of the teaching of the apostles (ie. an accurate summary of the important teachings of the New Testament) (Ephesians 2:20).

It has been used by the church for centuries as an outline for teaching the essentials of the Christian faith. As is it simple and brief, it is easy to memorize and learn. This can help in both learning the meaning of those essential teachings, as well as being helpful in retaining the lessons learned. Again, the purpose of the creed is not to replace the Bible, but to facilitate the teaching of the important teachings of scripture in a simple, concise, and memorable way.

Suggestions:

[*Option 1*]

Open each lesson with prayer for the teacher and the students and this class time.

Explain that we are going to begin teaching them the important (also, essential) teachings of the Christian faith using the Apostles' Creed.

Help them understand the idea of important and essential teachings. You can use a bicycle to help illustrate this. Ask them what are the essential things you need to have a bicycle. As they offer ideas, show them what things are essential (ie. wheels, pedals, etc.) and what things are not essential (ie. color, horn or bell, etc.). As they understand this illustration, explain to them that the Christian faith has essential things (ie. Jesus death and resurrection, etc.) and things that are not essential (ie. How the chairs are arranged, which hymnal we use, etc.).

You could ask them how we know what is essential? They should hit on the idea of the Bible.

You can read them the story from Matthew 16:13-24. In it we see the important teaching that Jesus is the Christ, and also that he must suffer, die and rise again.

This story teaches important things. We should know this story and what it teaches us. At the same time it is helpful to have this simplified so that it is easier to learn and remember the key points. The Apostles' Creed is a short and simple statement of the important Christian beliefs. So we will use the Apostles' Creed to teach the important and essential teachings from the Bible.

At this point it may be good to read to them (or better to read with them) the Apostles' Creed. They may be interested in talking about some of the things it says.

Close the lesson with prayer related to the subject and the students. Pray the Lord's Prayer together.

[*Option 2*]

Open each lesson with prayer for the teacher and the students and this class time.

If the above seems too much, especially for the time available, it may be easier, and just as effective to try this:

Explain that we are going to begin teaching them the important (also, essential) teachings of the Christian faith using the Apostles' Creed.

Read with the children the Apostles' Creed.

After reading it, ask them if they know any stories or verses from the Bible that talk about each section. Is there a story that talks about God making heaven and earth, and if so, can they tell it to you? Can they tell you a story about Jesus' birth? About his suffering and death? About his resurrection? Who saw him? etc.

Close the lesson with prayer related to the subject and the students. Pray the Lord's Prayer together.

Stories:

Matthew 16:13-24 [13] Now when Jesus came into the parts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” [14] They said, “Some say John the Baptizer, some, Elijah, and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.” [15] He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” [16] Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” [17] Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. [18] I also tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my assembly, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. [19] I will give to you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven; and whatever you release on earth will have been released in heaven.” [20] Then he commanded the disciples that they should tell no one that he was Jesus the Christ. [21] From that time, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up. [22] Peter took him aside, and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This will never be done to you.” [23] But he turned, and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me, for you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of men.” [24] Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

This is an interesting story from the Gospel of Matthew. In it we see some of the essential teachings of the faith. When asked, Peter confesses that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus confirms this confession, and then adds more. He teaches them that he must suffer, die and rise again. When Peter is at first unwilling to accept this as an essential part of the faith, Jesus rebukes him, and plainly states that the true faith must include not only his own (Jesus') suffering, death and resurrection, but also his disciples'.

Other Verses:

THE TEACHING PASSED ON TO OTHERS

Acts 2:41-42 [41] Then those who gladly received his word were baptized. There were added that day about three thousand souls. [42] They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and prayer.

Romans 6:17 But thanks be to God, that, whereas you were bondservants of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were delivered.

1 Timothy 1:3-7 [3] As I urged you when I was going into Macedonia, stay at Ephesus that you might command certain men not to teach a different doctrine, [4] neither to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which cause disputes, rather than God’s stewardship, which is in faith— [5] but the goal of this command is love, out of a pure heart and a good conscience and sincere faith; [6] from which things some, having missed the mark, have turned aside to vain talking; [7] desiring to be teachers of the law, though they understand neither what they say, nor about what they strongly affirm.

1 Timothy 6:3-5 [3] If anyone teaches a different doctrine, and doesn’t consent to sound words, the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness, [4] he is conceited, knowing nothing, but obsessed with arguments, disputes, and word battles, from which come envy, strife, insulting, evil suspicions, [5] constant friction of people of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. Withdraw yourself from such.

2 Timothy 2:2 The things which you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit the same to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.

2 Timothy 3:10-11 [10] But you did follow my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, steadfastness, [11] persecutions, and sufferings: those things that happened to me at Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. I endured those persecutions. The Lord delivered me out of them all.

Titus 1:5-11 [5] I left you in Crete for this reason, that you would set in order the things that were lacking, and appoint elders in every city, as I directed you; [6] if anyone is blameless, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, who are not accused of loose or unruly behavior. [7] For the overseer must be blameless, as God’s steward; not self-pleasing, not easily angered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for dishonest gain; [8] but given to hospitality, a lover of good, sober minded, fair, holy, self-controlled; [9] holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching, that he may be able to exhort in the sound doctrine, and to convict those who contradict him. [10] For there are also many unruly men, vain talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, [11] whose mouths must be stopped; men who overthrow whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for dishonest gain’s sake.

1 John 2:21-24 [21] I have not written to you because you don’t know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth. [22] Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the Antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. [23] Whoever denies the Son, the same doesn’t have the Father. He who confesses the Son has the Father also. [24] Therefore, as for you, let that remain in you which you heard from the beginning. If that which you heard from the beginning remains in you, you also will remain in the Son, and in the Father.

2 John 1:6-11 [6] This is love, that we should walk according to his commandments. This is the commandment, even as you heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it. [7] For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who don’t confess that Jesus Christ came in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the Antichrist. [8] Watch yourselves, that we don’t lose the things which we have accomplished, but that we receive a full reward. [9] Whoever transgresses and doesn’t remain in the teaching of Christ, doesn’t have God. He who remains in the teaching, the same has both the Father and the Son. [10] If anyone comes to you, and doesn’t bring this teaching, don’t receive him into your house, and don’t welcome him, [11] for he who welcomes him participates in his evil works.

CREEDS

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 [4] Hear, Israel: Yahweh is our God. Yahweh is one. [5] You shall love Yahweh your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might. [6] These words, which I command you this day, shall be on your heart; [7] and you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up. [8] You shall bind them for a sign on your hand, and they shall be for frontlets between your eyes. [9] You shall write them on the door posts of your house, and on your gates.

Matthew 16:15-16 [15] He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” [16] Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Matthew 28:18-20 [18] Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. [19] Go, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

1 Timothy 3:16 Without controversy, the mystery of godliness is great: God was revealed in the flesh, justified in the spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, and received up in glory.

2 Timothy 2:15-19 [15] Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn’t need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth. [16] But shun empty chatter, for it will go further in ungodliness, [17] and those words will consume like gangrene, of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; [18] men who have erred concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past, and overthrowing the faith of some. [19] However God’s firm foundation stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let every one who names the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness.”

FAITH AND CONFESSIONS OF FAITH

Romans 10:8-10 [8] But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth, and in your heart”; that is, the word of faith, which we preach: [9] that if you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. [10] For with the heart, one believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Mark 9:23-24 [23] Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” [24] Immediately the father of the child cried out with tears, “I believe. Help my unbelief!”