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 final word, “Amen.”
SERMON OUTLINE
“Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Then all the people said ‘Amen’ and ‘Praise the Lord.’” (1 Chronicles 16:36)
What is “Amen”?
- The meaning of the word
- The use of the word in the Old Testament
- The use of the word by Jesus
- The use of the word in the rest of the New Testament
Speaking “Amen” with our mouths
- A return to the three aspects of the Creed:
- We trust this God: The creed is a cry of dependent trust in the Triune God.
- We believe in God’s truth: The creed is a doctrinal summary of our shared faith.
- We live in God’s way: The creed is a family story that we prayerfully live within.
Living “Amen” with our lives
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- This week we conclude our series, “Living the Creed” by focusing in on the final word of the Apostles’ Creed: “Amen.” Begin your study in prayer by asking God to speak to you through His Word.
- The word “amen” is an English transliteration of a Hebrew term coming from the verb that means to confirm, support, establish, or verify. Amen basically means “this is true” or “may it be as you say.” Explore some or all the following passages to get a sense of how “Amen” is used in the Hebrew Bible, our Old Testament: 1 Chronicles 16:36; Deuteronomy 27:14-26; 1 Kings 1:36; Nehemiah 5:13; 8:6; Psalm 41:13; 72:19; 89:52; 106:48; Jeremiah 11:5.
- Jesus uses “Amen” uniquely, beginning many of His declarative teachings with that word. Most scholars think this is Jesus’ distinctive way of standing in the line of the prophets while extending His authority as the one-of-a-kind Son of God. Look at the following passages to see how Jesus used the word “Amen,” which sometimes is translated as “Truly, truly” or “Very truly”: Matthew 6:2, 5, 16; 13:17; 18:3; Mark 3:28; 10:15; John 3:3-5; 5:24.
- In the New Testament epistles, “Amen” is used similarly to in the Old Testament. Read some or all the following passages to get a sense of how “Amen” is used in the New Testament other than in the Gospels: Romans 11:36; 15:33; 16:27; 2 Corinthians 1:20; Ephesians 3:20-21; 1 Timothy 1:17; 6:15-16; Hebrews 13:20-21; 2 Peter 3:18
- Based on what you have read so far, what do you think it means for us to say, “Amen,” whether in relation to the Apostles’ Creed or in other places of prayer or blessing?
- In the Book of Revelation, the resurrected and glorified Jesus is referred to as “the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation” (Revelation 3:14). Why do you think Jesus would be referred to as the “Amen”?
- What have been some of your greatest takeaways or faith lessons through this series? 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 one of the passages above from the study or the Apostles’ Creed itself
- Consider reading further on the Apostles’ Creed:
- Karl Barth, Dogmatics in Outline
- Ben Myers, The Apostles’ Creed: A Guide to the Ancient Catechism