This series walks through the Apostles Creed as a basic summary of our faith but also as a way to live our faith out with God in the world. Each weekend of this series will explore the biblical and theological roots of the Apostles Creed, while also providing specific spiritual practices and approaches to living out what we know as we ‘proclaim and embody’ the Creed in our daily lives.
This week focuses on the phrase, “I Believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth.”
SERMON OUTLINE
“This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name…” (Matthew 6:9)
Introducing this series
- Why a series on the Apostles’ Creed?
- What is the Apostles’ Creed?
“I Believe in”: Belief and Faith as:
- An expression of trust: The creed is a cry of dependent trust in the Triune God.
- A description of truth: The creed is a doctrinal summary of our shared faith.
- A story to live: The creed is a family story that we prayerfully live within.
God the Father
- The relationship within the Triune Godhead (Matthew 28:19)
- The relationship between God and His people (Isaiah 63:16; Matthew 6:9)
God the Almighty
- The universal power of God (Ephesians 4:6)
- The personal power of God (Ephesians 1:19-20)
God the Creator of Heaven and Earth
- The creative work of God in the seen (Genesis 1-2)
- The creative work of God in the unseen (Jeremiah 51:15; Acts 14:15)
Living this part of the Apostles’ Creed
- Living by believing
- Knowing God as Father
- Letting go because God is Almighty
- Praising and thanking God through His Creation
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- When did you first hear the message about Jesus? When did you first believe in the message about Jesus?
- This week we begin a new series, “Living the Creed: Connecting Life and Faith in the Apostles’ Creed.” Begin your study in prayer by asking God to speak to you through His Word, and then continue with the study.
- When God called the Jewish people out from slavery in Egypt and into the Promised Land, he did so with mighty power in the plagues upon Egypt, but also with a decisive new identity. Read Deuteronomy 6:4-5. How does this basic statement of belief in the One God speak about who God is and how they should live?
- The writer of the brief New Testament letter, Jude, begins his epistle: “Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people” (Jude 1:3). Why do you think Jude felt it was important to “contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s people”? Why might that be important now?
- In Ephesians 4:4-6, the Apostle Paul writes a basic statement of belief. Read that passage aloud. What are some of the essential markers of our belief?
- Why do you think what we believe is important for the way we live our lives?
- The first clause of the Apostles’ Creed is “I believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.”Explore some of the following Bible passages related to this first clause of the creed: Genesis 1:1, 8; Isaiah 44:6, 45:5; 63:16; Acts 14:15; Job 4:17; Jeremiah 51:15; Romans 1:20; Psalm 104:5; Matthew 5:45; 6:9; Galatians 4:6; Isaiah 17:7; 54:5; John 1:1-3; 2 Peter 1:17.
- What is one thing you learned or sense God is speaking to you through this study? If you’re in a small group, share that with one another. If you are on your own, write it down and share it with someone this week. Conclude your study in prayer.
DIG DEEPER
- Memorize Deuteronomy 6:4-5 or Ephesians 4:4-6
- Read and/or pray through the entire Apostles’ Creed. Consider memorizing it.
- For further background on The Apostles’ Creed, consider reading: