November 13, 2022 | Question 46

Question 46: What is the Lord’s Supper?

Answer: Christ commanded all Christians to eat bread and to drink from the cup in thankful remembrance of Him and His death. The Lord’s Supper is a celebration of the presence of God in our midst; bringing us into communion with God and with one another; feeding and nourishing our souls. It also anticipates the day when we will eat and drink with Christ in his Father’s kingdom.

Kids Answer: Christ commanded all Christians to eat bread and to drink from the cup in thankful remembrance of Him.

Key Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Additional Scripture: Matthew 26:26-28; John. 6:53

“The Lord’s Supper is a covenant sign and seal. That means that it both represents and confirms to us the precious promise of God that, through Jesus Christ, He will be our God, and we are His people. In the Lord’s Supper we have a remembrance, a celebration of God’s presence, and an experience of communion. We also have something that nourishes us, and in the Lord’s Supper, we anticipate the glory to come.” -Ligon Duncan

Questions to ask: (To help process the truth we learned. Ask yourself, a friend, your group, or your family questions to talk through it together)

• What does the Lord’s Supper represent?

• What is the spiritual significance of the Lord’s Supper?

• What does the Lord’s Supper remind us of?

• Why do we call the Lord’s Supper “communion?”

October 23, 2022 | Question 43

Question 43: What are the sacraments or ordinances?

Answer: The sacraments or ordinances given by God and instituted by Christ, namely baptism and the Lord’s Supper, are visible signs and seals that we are bound together as a community of faith by His death and resurrection. By our use of them the Holy Spirit more fully declares and seals the promises of the gospel to us.

Kids Answer: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper

Key Scripture: Luke 22:19-20; Romans 6:4

Additional Scripture: Acts 2:38; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32

There are two sacraments or ordinances. There is baptism, which is once for all. And there is the Lord’s Supper, which is ongoing and regular. We call both of them ordinances because Jesus Christ commands us to do them. But we call them sacraments because through them God’s blessing and grace come to us in unique ways. They are not just personal, individual experiences. We are members of a community, and baptism and the Lord’s Supper show that we belong to that community, the covenant community, the people who belong to Jesus. And that’s the reason why these are actually like boundary markers...they put a visible difference between those that belong to the church and the rest of the world. - Pastor Timothy Keller

Questions to ask: (To help process the truth we learned. Ask yourself, a friend, your group, or your family questions to talk through it together)

• If you’ve been baptized in the past but have walked away from the faith must you be baptized again?

• What is a sacrament?

• Should you take communion on your own?

• Is there a context in which you can call yourself a Christian without belonging to a covenant community?

October 16, 2022 | Question 42

Question 42: How is the Word of God to be read and heard?

Answer: With diligence, preparation, and prayer; so that we may accept it with faith, store it in our hearts, and practice it in our lives.

Kids Answer: With diligence, preparation, and prayer; so that we may accept it with faith and practice it in our lives.

Key Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16–17

Additional Scripture:   Isaiah 55:11; 1 Peter 1:24

Scripture is meant to be treated as a savings account, not a debit account. What this means is that scripture’s life-changing power is realized more often over a long time of reading, rather than in a moment. We may leave our Bible after one morning feeling unchanged, but small deposits over a long period of time will result in a great store of treasure from which we may draw strength.

Questions to ask: (To help process the truth we learned. Ask yourself, a friend, your group, or your family questions to talk through it together)

• What does it mean to treat scripture as a savings account versus a debit account?

• Which way do you approach scripture?

• What is the key to sustained Christian practice?

October 9, 2022 | Question 41

Question 41: What is the Lord’s Prayer?

Answer: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Kids Answer: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Key Scripture: Matthew 6:9

Additional Scripture:   Luke 11:1-13

The disciples followed Jesus for over three years and in all that time they never asked to be taught how to perform miracles, how to evangelize, how to preach, or how to study scripture. Instead, they asked only to be taught how to pray. Could it be that they assumed that if they could only learn to pray like Jesus, they could then live like Jesus? May we have that same desire to grow in prayer.

Questions to ask: (To help process the truth we learned. Ask yourself, a friend, your group, or your family questions to talk through it together)

• What does it mean for God’s name to be “hallowed?”

• Is there a connection between my forgiveness and my forgiveness of others?

• What does it mean to address God as Father?

October 2, 2022 | Question 40

Question 40: What should we pray?

Answer: The whole Word of God directs and inspires us in what we should pray, including the prayer Jesus Himself taught us.

Kids Answer: The whole Word of God directs us in what we should pray.

Key Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-21

Additional Scripture: John 17; 2 Corinthians 1:3-7; Colossians 1:3-14 Luke 11:1-4

It’s so important to remember that prayer is not a magic formula. God is not waiting for you to get the words and phrases right before He will hear and answer. However, there are words and phrases that help us in prayer. There are a number of recorded prayers in scripture, all of which provide a model that guides us in our praying. If you are not sure how to pray, consult one of these prayers, study it, and use it in your own prayer. Pray the words of God back to God!

Questions to ask: (To help process the truth we learned. Ask yourself, a friend, your group, or your family questions to talk through it together)

• How can scripture help us in prayer?

• Why are we given so many prayers in the Bible?

• How can we use scripture in our own prayers?

September 25, 2022 | Question 39

Question 39: With what attitude should we pray?

Answer: With love, perseverance, and gratefulness; in humble submission to God’s will, knowing that, for the sake of Christ, He always hears our prayers.

Kids Answer: With love, perseverance, and gratefulness.

Key Scripture: Philippians 4:8

Additional Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Christ reminds us that prayer is not dependent on special words or formulas. Nor is it the result of the right stringing together of religious and holy phrases. Instead it is the result of a heart seeking to glorify God and know Him more. When we pray, we ought to remember that our Father is gracious and loving, delighting to give good gifts to His children but will also withhold others for He knows the result of all things.

Questions to ask: (To help process the truth we learned. Ask yourself, a friend, your group, or your family questions to talk through it together)

• Why must we persevere in prayer?

• If God is sovereign, why must we pray?

• How can we pray with gratitude?

September 18, 2022 | Question 38

Question 38: What is prayer?

Answer: Prayer is pouring out our hearts to God in praise, petition, confession of sin, and thanksgiving.

Kids Answer: Prayer is pouring out our hearts to God.

Key Scripture: Psalm 62:8

Additional Scripture:   Matthew 6:9-13; Luke 18:9-14

At its most basic, prayer is simply communion with God. Prayer actually has very little to do with the words spoken and the formulas used. It is about the Person being prayed to, not the person praying. In fact, you could say that true prayer begins in the heart of God! In John 17 Jesus gives us a wonderful promise for prayer. When we abide in Christ and His word, ask in accordance with His will and His character, and act in faith, we will receive whatever it is we request.

Questions to ask: (To help process the truth we learned. Ask yourself, a friend, your group, or your family questions to talk through it together)

• What does it mean that true prayer begins in the heart of God?

• What does it mean to pray in accordance with Christ’s will and character?

• Can we simply ask for whatever we want?

• Must we have a certain amount of faith to have our prayers answered?

September 4, 2022 | Question 36

Question 36: What do we believe about the Holy Spirit?

Answer: That He is God, coeternal with the Father and the Son, and that God grants Him irrevocably to all who believe.

Kids Answer: That He is God, coeternal with the Father and the Son.

Key Scripture: John 14:16-17

Additional Scripture:   Ephesians 1:13; Acts 19:2; Matthew 3:11

The Holy Spirit has been called the “forgotten God,” and sometimes rightly so. It is easy for us to think of and worship the Father and the Son, but how often do you pray to the Holy Spirit or worship Him specifically? These are good and right things to do. It’s helpful to remember that the Holy Spirit plays an indispensable role in our salvation, applying the blood of Jesus to our hearts, enabling us to believe in His death and resurrection, and sealing us with the guarantee of our salvation.

Questions to ask: (To help process the truth we learned. Ask yourself, a friend, your group, or your family questions to talk through it together) 

• Why does it seem so easy to forget the Spirit’s work?

• Is it possible to be saved and not have the Holy Spirit?

• Must we await further baptism in the Holy Spirit?

• Does God give us all we need to be saved when we are saved or must we wait for more?

August 28, 2022 | Question 35

Question 35: Since we are redeemed by grace alone, through Christ alone, where does this faith come from?

Answer: All the gifts we receive from Christ we receive through the Holy Spirit, including faith itself.

Kids Answer: From the Holy Spirit.

Key Scripture: Titus 3:4-6

Additional Scripture:   2 Peter 1:11; Philippians 1:29; Acts 3:16

In order to understand the amazing-ness of grace we must first understand the brokenness of our hearts. We are utterly unable to believe the Gospel except through the grace of God in the gift of faith. Until the Spirit opens our eyes to the beauty of Christ we are unable to do so ourselves. This is good news because it reminds us that our salvation is not dependent on us. We don’t have to try to believe really hard or keep up a good performance or memorize the entire catechism. Our salvation is all of grace!

Questions to ask: (To help process the truth we learned. Ask yourself, a friend, your group, or your family questions to talk through it together)

 • How do we receive faith?

• Is there a certain level of faith required to be saved?

• If we struggle to believe the Gospel, how ought we to respond?

August 21, 2022 | Question 34

Question 34: Since we are redeemed by grace alone, through Christ alone, must we still do good works and obey God’s Word?

Answer: Yes, because Christ, having redeemed us by His blood, also renews us by His Spirit; so that our lives may show love and gratitude to God; so that we may be assured of our faith by the fruits; and so that by our godly behavior others may be won to Christ.

Kids Answer: Yes, so that our lives may show love and gratitude to God; and so that by our godly behavior others may be won to Christ.

Key Scripture: 1 Peter 2:9–12

Additional Scripture:  John 14–34; Philippians 4:4–5; 1 John 2:3–6

So, then, dear friends, these good works must be in the Christian. They are not the root, but the fruit of his salvation. They are not the way of the believer’s salvation; they are his walk in the way of salvation. Where here is healthy life in a tree, the tree will bear fruit according to its kind; so, if God has made our nature good, the fruit will be good. But if the fruit be evil, it is because the tree is what it always was—an evil tree. The desire of men created anew in Christ is to be rid of every sin. We do sin, but we do not love sin. Sin gets power over us sometimes to our sorrow, but it is a kind of death to us to feel that we have gone into sin; yet it shall not have dominion over us, for we are not under the law, but under grace; and therefore we shall conquer it, and get the victory.

—Charles Spurgeon

Questions to ask: (To help process the truth we learned. Ask yourself, a friend, your group, or your family questions to talk through it together)

• How do you demonstrate love and gratitude to God?

• What role does obedience play in your life as a believer?

• How can you encourage others to do good works for the right reason (as opposed to trying to earn God’s favor)?

August 14, 2022 | Question 33

Question 33: Should those who have faith in Christ seek their salvation through their own works, or anywhere else?

Answer: No, they should not, as everything necessary to salvation is found in Christ. To seek salvation through good works is a denial that Christ is the only Redeemer and Savior.

Kids Answer: No, everything necessary to salvation is found in Christ.

Key Scripture: Galatians 2:16

Additional Scripture: John 6:29; Ephesians 2:8–9

If you mix faith and works, if you say, “Yes, I have to have faith in what Jesus has done for me, but I also have to add this or this or this, or I’m not saved,” then you’re saying that what actually saves you is not what Jesus has done, but what you add. It makes you your own savior. The Protestant Reformers made strong Biblical arguments that you cannot mix faith and works, that justification and righteousness and salvation must be through faith alone. I won’t make any more of those arguments; I’ll just say this: Personally, I couldn’t live if that wasn’t the case. I don’t have any hope unless I can get up every day and stand on the bedrock knowledge that my hope is found only in Jesus.

—Tim Keller

Questions to ask: (To help process the truth we learned. Ask yourself, a friend, your group, or your family questions to talk through it together)

• Is there any path to heaven outside of Christ?

• What if I’m really good and deserve salvation?

• What about those who have never heard of Christ?

August 7, 2022 | Question 32

Question 32: What do justification and sanctification mean?

Answer: Justification means our declared righteousness before God, made possible by Christ’s death and resurrection for us. Sanctification means our gradual, growing righteousness, made possible by the Spirit’s work in us.

Kids Answer: Justification means our declared righteousness before God. Sanctification means our gradual, growing righteousness.

Key Scripture: 1 Peter 1:1-2

Additional Scripture: Romans 8:29; Philippians 2:12

Some of the greatest disagreements and doctrinal departures in Christian history have resulted from confusing justification and sanctification. Both are absolutely important, both are a part of the process of salvation, and both are entirely a result of the work of Christ. You will not be justified or sanctified apart from the work of the Holy Spirit in your life. Our salvation is a result of Christ’s death on the cross and is in no way a reward for our good works.

Questions to ask: (To help process the truth we learned. Ask yourself, a friend, your group, or your family questions to talk through it together)

• In your own words, what is the difference between justification and sanctification?

• Will an unsanctified person find eternal life?

• Is it possible to be justified but not sanctified?

• What level of sanctification must one reach before being

worthy of eternal life?

July 24, 2022 | Question 30

Question 30: What is faith in Jesus Christ?

Answer: Faith in Jesus Christ is acknowledging the truth of everything that God has revealed in His Word, trusting in Him, and also receiving and resting on Him alone for salvation as He is offered to us in the gospel.

Kids Answer: Receiving and resting on Him alone for salvation as He is offered to us in the gospel.

Key Scripture: Galatians 2:20

Additional Scripture: Hebrews 11:1; Ephesians 2:8

“Upon the whole, the best, and clearest, and most perfect definition of justifying faith, and most according to the Scripture, that I can think of, is this, faith is the soul’s entirely embracing the revelation of Jesus Christ as our Savior. The word embrace is a metaphorical expression; but I think it is much clearer than any proper expression whatsoever; it is called believing, because believing is the first act of the soul in embracing a narration or revelation: and embracing, when conversant about a revelation or thing declared, is more properly called believing, than loving or choosing. ” —Jonathan Edwards

Questions to ask: (To help process the truth we learned. Ask yourself, a friend, your group, or your family questions to talk through it together)

• Does faith require any accompanying action?

• What does it mean to “rest” on Christ alone?

• How is it that Paul says we are crucified with Christ?

July 17, 2022 | Question 29

Question 29: How can we be saved?

Answer: Only by faith in Jesus Christ and in His substitutionary atoning death on the cross; so even though we are guilty of having disobeyed God and are still inclined to all evil, nevertheless, God, without any merit of our own but only by pure grace, imputes to us the perfect righteousness of Christ when we repent and believe in Him.

Kids Answer: Only by faith in Jesus Christ and in His substitutionary atoning death on the cross.

Key Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9

Additional Scripture: Revelation 21:8; Matthew 25:46; 2 Thessalonians 1:9

“Being justified by faith, we have peace with God. Conscience accuses no longer. Judgment now decides for the sinner instead of against him. Memory looks back upon past sins, with deep sorrow for the sin, but yet with no dread of any penalty to come; for Christ has paid the debt of His people to the last jot and tittle, and received the divine receipt; and unless God can be so unjust as to demand double payment for one debt, no soul for whom Jesus died as a substitute can ever be cast into hell.” -C.H. Spurgeon

Questions to ask: (To help process the truth we learned. Ask yourself, a friend, your group, or your family questions to talk through it together) 

• What does it mean that Christ died as a substitute?

• Was Jesus just a good example or did His life and death really do something for us spiritually?

• Did Christ die for all your sins?

• What saves you—your faith

July 10, 2022 | Question 28

Question 28: What happens after death to those not united to Christ by faith?

Answer: At the day of judgment they will receive the fearful but just sentence of condemnation pronounced against them. They will be cast out from the favorable presence of God, into hell, to be justly and grievously punished, forever.

Kids Answer: They will be cast out from the presence of God, into hell, to be justly punished, forever.

Key Scripture: John 3:16-18; 36

Additional Scripture: Revelation 21:8; Matthew 25:46; 2 Thessalonians 1:9

Before we can appreciate the really good news of Christ’s death and resurrection, we need to understand the really bad news of punishment that awaits those who do not repent. In our “Only God can judge me” culture, we can easily forget that there is a day coming when God really will bring judgment. Contrary to popular thought and teaching, that judgment is not in the form of “hell on earth” or some purgatory-like place where we get a second chance to follow Jesus. The Bible teaches that hell is the real, physical, and permanent destination of all those who do not believe in Christ. But, the emphasis of the Gospel is not on the punishment that awaits unbelievers. The Gospel is about the joy of following Christ into everlasting life and fulfillment. If you have not put your faith in Christ, today is the day for salvation! Come to Jesus before it is too late.

Questions to ask: (To help process the truth we learned. Ask yourself, a friend, your group, or your family questions to talk through it together)

• Is hell a real place?

• How long does punishment in hell last?

• Is hell discipline or punishment?

July 4, 2022 | Question 27

Question 27: Are all people, just as they were lost through Adam, saved through Christ?

No, only those who are elected by God and united to Christ by faith. Nevertheless God in His mercy demonstrates common grace even to those who are not elect, by restraining the effects of sin and enabling works of culture for human well-being.

Kids Answer: No, only those who are elected by God and united to Christ by faith.

Key Scripture: Romans 5:17

Additional Scripture: Romans 8:29-30; Romans 9:11-13; John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9; Acts 2:21

God’s word tells us that before the foundation of the world He chose a people for Himself and determined to save them from the penalty of sin. If you are in Christ you can find great joy knowing that God had you in mind, not just as part of a collective group, but you, individually. He loves you by name. He died for you by name. He had your sin in mind when He bore God’s wrath and He had your name in mind when He declared His people righteous. Christ came to make a way for you tobecomeapartofHisfamily. He loves you; Hediedforyou; Hebore your penalty for sin on the cross. How encouraging to know that God loves you so much that He was willing to send His Son into the world to be your Savior. Scripture promises us that whoever calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved. Salvation is embraced when we place our faith in Christ and rest in the saving work that He accomplished in our place.

Questions to ask: (To help process the truth we learned. Ask yourself, a friend, your group, or your family questions to talk through it together)

• Can someone become part of God’s family through good works?

• How did you become saved?

June 26, 2022 | Question 26

Question 26: What else does Christ’s death redeem?

Answer: Christ’s death is the beginning of the redemption and renewal of every part of fallen creation, as He powerfully directs all things for His own glory and creation’s good.

Kids Answer: Every part of fallen creation.

Key Scripture: Colossians 1:19-20

Additional Scripture: Romans 8:18-22; Hebrews 2:8; Job 38:8-11

Much ink has been spilled explaining how sin affects mankind. We understand our depraved and sinful nature. We recognize sin’s corrupting efforts against our will, mind, emotions, and bodies. We know that sin means death for us. In comparison, we talk relatively little about the impacts of The Fall on all of creation. Sin tainted not only humanity but also every molecule of creation. We see natural disasters, climate change, and ferocious beasts as part of the natural order, but these are all actually a result of sin. In His death on the cross, Christ began the process of restoring creation to its original state of perfect harmony. God’s people are tasked with continuing this work, caring for creation and working the earth until the lion shall lie down with the lamb and the earth shall be filled with the fullness of God.

Questions to ask: (To help process the truth we learned. Ask yourself, a friend, your group, or your family questions to talk through it together)

• What are some practical ways we can continue Christ’s work of

redemption in creation?

• Is our world as good as it could be?

• Will the earth be destroyed when Christ returns?

• What will we spend our time doing in eternity?

June 19, 2022 | Question 25

Question 25: Does Christ’s death mean all our sins can be forgiven?

Answer: Yes, because Christ’s death on the cross fully paid the penalty for our sin, God graciously imputes Christ’s righteousness to us as if it were our own and will remember our sins no more.

Kids Answer: Yes, because Christ’s death on the cross fully paid the penalty for our sin, God will remember our sins no more.

Key Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:21

Additional Scripture: Micah 7:19; Hebrews 8:12; Romans 3:25

You can’t talk too much about the death of Christ! It’s one of the most foundational doctrines of our faith. What Christ accomplished on His cross is impossible to overstate. The moment He died, all our sins, past, present, and future, were completely obliterated! But He didn’t just take away sins. The Bible teaches us that Christ also made us righteous with His own righteousness. There is no shortfall between our righteousness and Christ’s. We don’t need to “become” righteous. We are righteous and it’s based on Jesus, not us. This is good news!

Questions to ask: (To help process the truth we learned. Ask yourself, a friend, your group, or your family questions to talk through it together)

• How many of your sins were forgiven when Christ died?

• Are there any areas of your life where you’re relying on your own righteousness?

• If our righteousness comes from Christ then why should we try to live righteously?

June 12, 2022 | Question 24

Question 24: Why was it necessary for Christ, the Redeemer, to die?

Answer: Since death is the punishment for sin, Christ died willingly in our place to deliver us from the power and penalty of sin and bring us back to God. By His substitutionary atoning death, He alone redeems us from hell and gains for us forgiveness of sin, righteousness, and everlasting life.

Kids Answer: Christ died willingly in our place to deliver us from the power and penalty of sin and bring us back to God.

Key Scripture: Colossians 1:21-22

Additional Scripture: Colossians 2:16; Hebrews 4:16; 1 John 4:10

The death of Jesus is maybe the most theologically loaded concept in all of Christianity. When Christ died He bore the wrath of God for your sin upon Himself. When Christ died He paid the debt that you owed to God on account of your sins. When Christ died He gave to you His own righteousness. When Christ died He broke the power of the Law to condemn you. When Christ died He made it possible for you to approach the throne of God. In short, everything you owed was put on Christ and everything Christ owned was put on you. In the words of Charles Spurgeon, “You stand before God as if you were Christ because Christ stood before God as if He were you.”

Questions to ask: (To help process the truth we learned. Ask yourself, a friend, your group, or your family questions to talk through it together)

• What does it mean that Christ bore God’s wrath?

• Why does it matter that Christ gave you His righteousness?

• WhIs there anything else that Christ did on the cross?

June 5, 2022 | Question 23

Question 23: Why must the Redeemer be truly God?

Answer: That because of His divine nature His obedience and suffering would be perfect and effective; and also that He would be able to bear the righteous anger of God against sin and yet overcome death.

Kids Answer: That because of His divine nature His obedience and suffering would be perfect and effective.

Key Scripture: Acts 2:24

Additional Scripture: John 1:1, John 8:58, Colossians 2:9

Why is it so important that Jesus as our Redeemer be truly God? Our sin was committed against God. Only God can forgive a transgression against Himself. This is why some of the religious leaders in Jesus’s day were horrified when He said He forgave sins. They understood the implications of what He said. How could a mere man forgive the sin we have against God? A mere man can’t, but God can. Jesus needed to be fully human in order to be our Substitute, but He needed to be fully God in order for His obedience and suffering to be perfect and for God’s justice to be completely and eternally satisfied.

Questions to ask: (To help process the truth we learned. Ask yourself, a friend, your group, or your family questions to talk through it together)

• How does the incarnation of Jesus change the Godhead?

• What does it mean for Jesus to bear the anger of God?

• Why can only God forgive sin?