DiscipleshipCurriculum RaisingDisciples - Flipbook - Page 35
WEEK 5
Vocabulary of Faith
What does Martha believe about Jesus, according to verses 17-27?
How do Martha’s definition of resurrection and Jesus’s definition of resurrection conflict?
How do we know that they are different definitions?
Martha believes in Jesus, but how does this story demonstrate that her belief is
incomplete?
Search for an image of a first-century tomb to help understand this scene from John 11.
What emotions do you think Martha experienced during this story? Jesus? Lazarus?
How do you think this experience changed Martha’s understanding of her confession
that Jesus is the Messiah? (verse 27)
Say, “We are all like Martha. What we say we believe and how we act on those beliefs may
not always be consistent. The life of discipleship is one of continuing to grow in our
understanding of the vocabulary of our faith and acting in accordance with what we say we
believe.” (p. 89)
Consider and Discuss
DISCUSS CHAPTER 4
Say, “In Chapter 4, the author suggests that a church or denomination’s Statement of Faith
(or Core Beliefs) is a helpful document to identify a goal for developing a child’s vocabulary
of faith.” (Raising Disciples, 71-74)
ACTIVITY
Hand out a copy of your congregation’s Statement of Faith/Core Beliefs and a pen/pencil.
Divide the group into small groups of three or four people, and assign each of them a
different age group (ages 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12).
In each group, read through the statement and underline any of key vocabulary words
that a child in your age group would be able to understand/define.
Circle any words that would be too advanced for your age group’s understanding.
Discuss with the whole group what you identified as words that would be challenging to
children to understand.
As a group, choose one of the statements and practice simplifying the vocabulary so
that an eleven- or twelve-year-old could understand the words. (It may help to use a
whiteboard to work together on this activity.)
Discuss what you identified as the blessing of a statement of faith as a goal for building
a vocabulary of faith in your child.
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