From Discipleship Weekly
(a publication of the Presbyterian Church of Islip)A Word from Our Sponsor
"Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, 'All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things which I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.' Amen."
-- Matthew 28: 18-20
The Heidelberg Catechism
Week 1
1. Q. What is your only comfort, in life and death?
A. That I belong -- body and soul, in life and in death, not to myself but to my faithful Saviour, Jesus Christ, who at the cost of his own blood has fully paid for all my sins and has completely freed me free from all the dominion of the devil; that he protects me so well that without the will of my Father in heaven not a hair can fall from my head; indeed, that everything must fit his purpose for my salvation. Therefore, by His Holy Spirit, he also assures me of eternal life and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him.
[ Matt. 10:29-31; John 6:39-40; 8:34-36; Rom. 8:14, 28; 14:7-9; I Cor. 6:19-20; II Cor. 1:21-22; Titus 2:14; I Pet. 1:18-19]
2. Q. How many things must you know that you may live and die in the blessedness of this comfort?
A. Three. First, the greatness of my sin and wretchedness. Second, how I am freed from all my sins and their wretched consequences. Third, what gratitude I owe to God for such redemption.
[ Matt. 5:16; John 17:3; Acts 4:12; 10:43; Rom. 3:9-10; 6:13; Eph. 5:8-10; I John 1:10; I Pet. 2:9-10]
Suggestions for discussion and review:
In your own words, what is your only comfort?
Three things Christ does for me that comfort me are:
Three main concepts of the Catechism:
Questions the First two "Questions and Answers" raise in your mind.