Study Questions for July 29, 2012 Sermon

Study Questions for July 29, 2012

Sermon: “We Believe in the Holy catholic church”

by: Bob Korljan

Series: What We Believe - Preaching through the Apostle's Creed

1. True Christian unity comes from each believer being in Christ - not from allegiance to some specific organizational structure. With this in mind, read John 17:11, 17, 21-23 and Galatians 3:28.
Think and speak of the ways you see this truth and these verses played out in these areas:
-Across the globe?
-In your city?
-In your own local church?
-In your own personal life?

2. Read the following excerpt (adapted from J.I. Packer):
            NOTE: We interpret “catholic” in accord with its literal meaning, “universal.”

The church is the one worldwide fellowship of believing people whose Head is Christ.
It is holy because it is consecrated to God.
It is catholic because it embraces all Christians everywhere.
It is apostolic because it seeks to maintain the apostles’ doctrine unmixed.                                                                                                                                                           

-Does this make sense to you?
-Is it helpful? Explain.
-Talk as a group about this paragraph and its implications.

3. Look over 2 John 7-11 and Galatians 1:18-19 and answer these questions from the texts:
-Should there be a limit to our unity?
-Why?
-If so, what are these limitations based on?
-If there are limits to unity, what are some things we as Christians should not do?

OPTIONAL QUESTION
In John 10:16
-Who is the one flock (Ephesians 2:14-16 may be helpful)?
-Who is the one shepherd (1 Peter 5:4 may be helpful)?
- What is the significance of this for: each individual Christian? each local body? the church worldwide?

DEVOTIONAL
-Tomorrow please read Ephesians 2:11-4:16.
-Write down some things to pray about from this passage.
-Pray!

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; the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven; and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick 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.