1. Lesson 8: The Holy Christian Church… Confirmation Class Living Hope Lutheran Church

2. Review from last time… T/F. When I am born, by nature, I’m God’s enemy. T/F. The Holy Spirit blows wind through me in order to make me believe. T/F. The Holy Spirit works faith in me through God’s Word and Sacraments. T/F. Sanctify means to ‘set one apart’ from all the others. T/F. The Holy Spirit is more of a force than a person in the Trinity.

3. What is the Holy Christian Church? I Peter 1:22-2:11 1. The word ‘church’ means ‘called out.’ 2. The Holy Christian church is all the people who have been called out of darkness into God’s wonderful light (all believers everywhere). 3. We become a part of the Church when the Holy Spirit gives us a new birth through God’s Word and the Sacraments. 4. The Cornerstone of the Church is Jesus. All who believe in Him are living stones built on the Cornerstone.

4. What is a Christian Congregation? 1. It is a gathering, or assembly of people around God’s Word and sacraments. 2. The difference between the Holy Christian Church and a Christian congregation: In a Christian congregation there may also be hypocrites (pretend believers). I Peter 2: 1-2 One important purpose for Christian congregations: to keep us growing in our Christian faith and life through the Word of God Hebrews 10: 23-25 God’s will for Christians: That we assemble together in congregations to hear the Word, to strengthen each other, and to become equipped to spread the Word with others.

5. With Which Congregation or Other Religious Organization Should I Join in Fellowship? John 17: 21 1. Jesus wants Christians to be one as He and His Father are one, that is, perfectly agreed in all things. John 10: 27-28 John 8: 31 Matthew 28: 20 2. Jesus wants Christians to remain faithful to His word in all it’s parts. We should belong to an evangelical (Gospel-centered), orthodox (correct teaching) church. Matthew 7: 15 Romans 16: 17 3. We should not unite with, but keep away from, teachers, churches and religious organizations which go against the teachings of any part of God’s Word.

6. Agree or disagree… When I look at my church, St. John’s Lutheran, I see all the believers in Christ.

7. True or False. When I go to church, I go to learn how to be a better person.