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THE CHURCH: At the Crossroads of Faith and Life
A Brief Bible Study for Small Groups and Individuals
Olivet Lutheran Church
Fargo, North Dakota
Martin Luther’s Seven Marks of the Church
“ A seven year-old-child knows what the church is, namely,
holy believers and sheep
who hear the voice of their Shepherd.” Martin Luther
Seven Marks of the Church
Study number one: Confession and Absolution
Study number two: The Word of God
Study number three: Ministry
Study number four: Worship
Study number five: Suffering
Study number six: Baptism
Study number seven: The Lord’s Supper
This study was written by the staff
at Olivet Lutheran Church, Fargo and used during Lent. For more information
contact Olivet at 701-235-6603.
Confession and Absolution
Opening prayer:
Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and
from whom no secrets are hid; Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts
by the inspiration
of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify
your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Read the Scripture:
Psalms 51:1-13
Joel 2: 1-2, 12-17
Questions for Reflection or Discussion:
- Take another look at the scripture you’ve just read. What
important insights come immediately to mind? What questions do you
have about the
appointed lessons?
- What is guilt? Is it different from shame? Have
guilt or shame played a big part in your life? In your spirituality?
- With
whom can you be most honest? To who can you confess?
- Think/talk about
a time when you shared a confession with another person or when
someone confessed to you. (Keep in mind that confession
may take
may forms.) Describe the experience. How did it feel?
- How does confession
(telling the truth) and true repentance (willingness to change our
ways) affect our relationships?
- What does forgiveness mean for our
relationships with others?
- What happens if we withhold absolution/forgiveness
from others? What happens if it is not offered or given to us?
- Is
forgiving the same thing as forgetting?
- We regularly confess our
sins in worship, publicly and aloud. How is that experience for
you? Has it become routine in its regularity?
- Do you believe that
God knows about our sins before we confess them? If so, why is it
important to confess them at all?
- What does it mean to you that God
is willing and able to absolve you of your sins? What does such
a promise mean for today? For the future?
Closing Prayer: (Psalm 51:1, 11-13)
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your loving kindness; in your
great compassion blot out all my offenses. Create in me a clean
heart, O God,
and renew a right
spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your
Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold
me with
your free spirit. Amen.
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The Word of God
Opening Prayer:
Gracious and Almighty God, your Word comes to us in so many ways.
As we study and ponder your Word as revealed in the Scriptures, open
our
eyes
and ears
and hearts that we may experience your Living Word. By your Spirit, we
pray the Word may turn our entire lives to You, the source of our salvation.
Amen.
Scriptures:
Psalm 119:102-105
John 1:1-5, 10-14
Questions for discussion:
- Tell of a time you feel God was very close. Tell of a time you
felt God was far away.
- What is your favorite Bible verse? How does
it speak to you today?
- “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never
hurt me.” Do
you agree or disagree? Discuss your answer.
- Read Psalm 119:102-105.
How does God’s Word show us God’s intent
for our lives? How does God expect us to live, and what is God’s
purpose for us?
- Read John 1:1-5, 10-14. Name one time you’ve
experienced God’s
love “in the flesh.” What happened? What difference did
that make in your life?
- Have you ever experienced God’s Word-made-flesh
without verbalization? Describe what that meant to you.
- In the past,
issues such as slavery, the holocaust, and apartheid were encouraged
by selective readings of Scripture. Can you think of
ways God’s
Word is misused today? How can we combat such misuse?
- In what ways
does God’s Word make you uncomfortable today?
- What is God’s
work of challenge to you? Word of hope?
- Discuss the ways by which the
Church is called to speak and/or carry our God’s Living Word
today?
Closing Prayer:
Dear God, the Living Word for us, help us to see your gracious
movements among us today and each day. Give to us your Word
that shows us the
way to live and
drives us to your grace and mercy. Instill in our heart the faith
to believe your Word that forgives and transforms our lives.
May it strengthen
us
for living life today. Amen.
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Ministry
Opening prayer:
Loving God, as we move through Lent, help us to take time to reflect on your
love for us, and your presence among us. May you be at work among us as we
experience your grace through the ministries of your church. Amen.
Scriptures:
John 15:16-17
1 Peter 4:10-11
1 Corinthians 12:4-7, 13
Questions for discussion:
- What did you hear from the scripture passages? Did you hear anything new?
- What does “bearing fruit” mean?
- Talk about what it means to
you to be chosen by God.
- When you think “minister”, what or
who comes to mind?
- Who does ministry?
- What does it mean to be a steward?
- If one of your best friends were to
identify your greatest gifts, what would they be? Name two.
- How can you
use your gifts for ministry at the crossroads in your daily life?
Closing
Prayer:
As we close our study today, help us trust in your
presence in our lives and in your church.
Your Spirit activates
us to reach out in
ways that
may seem
foreign to us. Help us in all we do as
we are all ministers in this world. Amen.
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Worship
Opening Prayer:
Almighty God, you pour out on all who desire it the spirit of grace and supplication.
Deliver us, as we come in to your presence, from cold hearts and wandering
thoughts, that with steady minds and burning zeal we may worship you in
spirit and in truth; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Read the Scriptures:
Psalm 96:109
Luke 1:46-55
Revelation 5:11-13
Questions for Reflection or Discussion:
- When you hear the word “worship”, what comes to mind?
- Describe
a worship experience that was especially meaningful to you. What do you
remember most?
- In Psalm 96, we are called to sing songs of praise to God.
Do you have a favorite song or hymn?
- What “marvelous works” of
the Lord are evident to you?
- Psalm 96 also speaks of idols. What are some
of the false gods people worship? Are there some things that
distract you from worship?
- Why was Mary singing praises to God in the
reading from Luke’s Gospel?
- What are you particularly thankful for
or grateful about today?
- Name some ways that your gratitude might be expressed.
Do you see that expression in worship?
- In the book
of Revelation, John paints a picture of the heavenly host at worship. Who
is the “Lamb?” Why is the “Lamb” worthy
of worship?
- When you think of the sacrifice Jesus
made on the cross, what is your first response? What
does
Jesus’ action
indicate about your worth?
- Why is it important
to worship with others regularly? How about
individually or privately?
- What would help
deepen your worship life?
Closing Prayer:
Bless us, O God, with a reverent sense of
your presence, that we may be at
peace and may worship
you with
all our mind and spirit;
through
Jesus
Christ
our Lord. Amen.
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Suffering
Let us pray:
God there are times when we come to you with hearts that are heavy. There
is much we don’t understand in the world. There is injustice
and much suffering. In the vastness of the questions that can arise,
help
us to know
again that your love surrounds us and gives us courage and strength.
Amen.
Scriptures:
1 Corinthians 12:12-26
Romans 8:19-28
Questions for Reflection or Discussion:
- Read the scripture references. What do you hear? Do you hear anything
new?
- Why is suffering a mark of the church?
- What do you see as the sources of
suffering? In Terry Fretheim’s book
About the Bible he says “Suffering has generated
a variety of opinions. They include: 1) All suffering is
bad and to be
avoided at all costs. 2) All
suffering is due to sin. 3) All suffering is taking up the
cross. 4) All suffering is the will of God.” With which
of these do you agree?
- What are some pat answers you have
heard about suffering?
- Are there ways in which you have suffered?
Suffering can send out ripples. How has suffering touched your life?
- What
do you do with the suffering you see around you? What might God call you
to?
- Is there anything positive about suffering?
- One thing that distinguishes
us form other world religions is that, God suffers:
a. Because of us
b. With us
c. For us
Talk about what this means to you.
- Talk about a time when someone’s
presence made a difference, when someone entered into your suffering
with you.
- How do you find meaning in your suffering?
Let us pray:
We thank you God for this time to focus on a question as
big as suffering. Help us to be open to your
presence in our own
suffering and in the
suffering of others. Help us be compassionate
and grace filled in our interactions
with others, bringing your love and light.
Amen.
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Baptism
Opening Prayer:
Gracious and Almighty God, as you wash us in these waters, pour upon us a
living faith that we may believe your promises. Help us to see your gracious
movements
each day. By your Spirit, we pray we are opened and changed, so that we
may know the joy of a new life. Amen.
Scriptures:
Matthew 28:18-20
Romans 6:3-5
Titus 3:4-8
Questions for Reflection or Discussion:
- When were you baptized? Can you recall any stories about your baptism?…about
any baptism you have witnessed?
- What words, phrases or thoughts
come to your mind when you hear “baptism?”
- Read Matthew 28:18-20.
Why do we baptize? What is the connection between baptism and discipleship?
- Are
you a baptismal sponsor for anyone? How do you, or in what ways can you
maintain the connection and keep those
responsibilities?
- Our bodies and the earth are mostly water; it is absolutely
essential for Life. We say that water used with Gods’ Word
makes a baptism. Discuss the reasons why we use water,
and why God’s Word is essential
in baptism?
- Read Romans 6:3-5. Water can also be dangerous.
Paul says we are drowned, joined to Jesus’ death
and resurrection. What is put to death? What are the ways
you experience, or would
like to experience new life?
- Have you ever wondered about
your worth? In baptism, what does God say about your worth?
What are the benefits
we receive
in baptism?
- Luther said in baptism we daily receive life,
forgiveness and eternal salvation. Therefore, it is mysterious, not
magical. What’s the difference?
- Read Titus 3:4-8.
Who’s righteousness saves us? With this in mind,
what’s it like being an “heir according to
the hope eternal life?” How
does this change us?
- In the Lutheran church we baptize
infants, believing that God is the one who acts, whether
or not we understand
what
is going
on. What
does
this say
about God’s grace?
- What difference does your baptism
make to you? How can you take that message to the world?
Closing Prayer:
Dear God, in the Living Waters of baptism, help us to
see your gracious movements among us today and
each day. Give
us faith
to believe your
promises that
change and transforms our lives. Amen.
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The Lord’s Supper
Opening Prayer:
Lord, Jesus, you fill us with your grace in powerful
ways. Feed us with your Holy Spirit that
we may have strength
for life. Open
us
to your
forgiveness that, living in faith we may
know the joy of a new life. Amen.
Scriptures:
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Mark 14:12-26
Questions for Reflection or Discussion:
- Name the two sacraments in the Lutheran tradition.
What is the connection of baptism
and the Lord’s
Supper?
- What words, phrases or
thoughts come to your mind when you hear “The
Lord’s Supper,” or “Holy
Communion” or “Eucharist?”
- We
proclaim that the benefits
of Holy Communion are forgiveness,
eternal
life
and strength
for living. What
does it mean told
again and again
we are forgiven and loved?
- Talk
about a time when the Lord’s Supper
was particularly meaningful.
- Sometimes
people worry about their worthiness to
receive
this gift.
Talk about why that
might be, and
how Jesus’ promises
might address this.
- Tell
of a time you felt alone.
What would it mean
if you would
have known
someone
was with
you? How might
that relate
to the Sacrament?
- Jesus
said, “this is my body, this is my blood.” Therefore,
we say Jesus is really
present in, with and under the bread
and wine. What do you
think this means?
- Read 1 Corinthians 11:23-26.
Jesus says, “do
this in remembrance of
me,” and Paul writes
that we proclaim the
Lord’s
death when we partake
of this meal. Why do
you think this is?
- Read
Mark 14:12-26. Jesus
celebrated the
Last Supper
with his friends
on this night
one of
them betrayed
him. Further,
his closest
disciple
denied him
and the others deserted
him. How do we participate
in
this same
betrayal, denial
and desertion?
What does it
mean
that God gave
and continues
to give us this
gift in this midst of
these things?
- Why does
something as simple as eating and
drinking
have
such importance
in
our confession of faith?
- What
difference does it make to you
to partake
in this
meal?
How can
your
life be
changed and
strengthen for the
living of this
life?
Closing Prayer:
With praise and thanksgiving,
to God
ever living, the tasks of
our everyday
life
we will
face. Out of faith
ever sharing,
in
love ever
caring,
embracing God’s
children
of each tribe
and race.
With your feast
you feed
us, with your light
now lead
us; unite
us as one in this
life that
we share. Then
may all
the living with
praise
and thanksgiving
give
honor to
you, Christ, whose
name that
we bear. Amen.
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