Created & Called – God’s Story and Our Identity
Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father, I thank You that I am not alone in this world. I was created by You, called by You, and claimed by You in Baptism. Help me to grow deeper into Your story and find my place within it. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Big Ideas
- Big Idea 1: We are part of a bigger story—God’s work of creation, redemption, and restoration.
- (Genesis 1:1)
- Big Idea 2: The Bible tells the unified story of God rescuing His people.
- (John 20:31)
- Big Idea 3: Scripture is God’s Word—alive, trustworthy, and powerful.
- (2 Timothy 3:16)
- Big Idea 4: God’s Law and Gospel show us our place in His story.
- (Ephesians 2:1–5)
- Big Idea 5: In Baptism, God gives you a new name and identity.
- (Galatians 3:27)
- Big Idea 6: Lutherans emphasize God’s grace—Scripture Alone, Faith Alone, Grace Alone.
- (Ephesians 2:8)
- Memory Phrase: I am a character in God's Story. Living Lutheran means trusting in God’s grace—Scripture Alone, Faith Alone, Grace Alone.
Guided Discussion
- What’s a story from the Bible that has always stuck with you? Why?
- If you had to describe the Bible in 3 words, what would they be?
- How would you explain the difference between Law and Gospel to someone new?
- How do you understand your own Baptism? (If not baptized, what questions do you have?)
- What comes to mind when you hear the word “Lutheran”?
Take-Home Reflection
This week, read Psalm 139 and reflect on what it means that you are “fearfully and wonderfully made.” Where do you see God’s creative love in your life?
Where is this discussed in the Confessions?
1. Sovereignty of the Creator God
- Large Catechism, First Commandment, paras. 1–4
- Large Catechism, Apostles’ Creed, First Article, paras. 1–20
- Smalcald Articles, Part I, paras. 1–3
2. Baptism as Entry into God's Story
- Small Catechism, Baptism (CPH 2017, Q295–Q305)
- Large Catechism, Baptism, paras. 1–43
- Apology of the Augsburg Confession, Article IX: Baptism, paras. 1–5
3. Creedal Confession
- Small Catechism, The Creed (CPH 2017, Q114–Q134)
- Large Catechism, Apostles’ Creed, paras. 1–66
- Formula of Concord, Solid Declaration, Article III: Righteousness of Faith, paras. 1–40
From the Confessions
Paraphrase: “God’s Word cannot err. It is the utterance of the Almighty God.”
Summary of Large Catechism, Preface, paras. 9–20 [Kolb/Wengert, approx. pp. 379–380]
“God does not want to deal with us in any other way than through the spoken Word and the Sacraments.”
Smalcald Articles, III.8, para. 10 [Kolb/Wengert, p. 312]*
“For where the Word is, there the Holy Spirit is at work.”
Large Catechism, Third Commandment, para. 92 [Kolb/Wengert, p. 398]*
“The Gospel brings it about that we come to God in the right way through Christ.”
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, IV.57 [Kolb/Wengert, p. 125]*
“God Himself is present in Baptism. It is performed by human hands, but it is truly God’s own act.”
Large Catechism, Baptism, para. 10 [Kolb/Wengert, p. 461]*
“To be baptized in God’s name is to be baptized not by human beings but by God himself.”
Large Catechism, Baptism, para. 11 [Kolb/Wengert, p. 461]*
“Faith is the righteousness through which we are counted righteous before God.”
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, IV.48 [Kolb/Wengert, p. 124]*
“Faith clings to the water and believes that in the water there is forgiveness of sins.”
Large Catechism, Baptism, para. 29 [Kolb/Wengert, p. 462]*
“Scripture teaches that we are not justified before God by our own works or merits but only by faith in Christ.”
Formula of Concord, Solid Declaration, III.9 [Kolb/Wengert, p. 552]*
“This is the Christian faith: to know and trust that God, who made all things, has redeemed and restored us through His Son.”
Explanation to the Creed (CPH 2017, Q109)
“I believe that God has made me and all creatures… and still takes care of them.”
Small Catechism, First Article of the Creed (CPH 2017)
“Jesus has redeemed me… not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood.”
Small Catechism, Second Article of the Creed (CPH 2017)
“I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ… but the Holy Spirit has called me.”
Small Catechism, Third Article of the Creed (CPH 2017)
“This is most certainly true.”
Small Catechism, conclusion to each article of the Creed (CPH 2017)
“To be baptized is not just plain water, but it is the water included in God’s command and combined with God’s Word.”
Small Catechism, Baptism (CPH 2017)
“The Word of God is the treasure that makes Baptism what it is.”
Small Catechism, Baptism (CPH 2017)
“Baptism indicates that the old Adam in us should by daily contrition and repentance be drowned and die.”
Small Catechism, Baptism (CPH 2017)
“It is not our doing or speaking, but God’s Word and command that makes Baptism a Sacrament.”
Large Catechism, Baptism, para. 35-37
“The power, work, profit, fruit, and purpose of Baptism is this: to save.”
Large Catechism, Baptism, para. 24-25
“For what God says and does is not insignificant but eternal.”
Large Catechism, Baptism, para. 37
