Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Colossians 1:15–17

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From the Word: 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For in him all things were created, in the heavens and on the earth, the visible and the invisible, whether officials or authorities, or supernatural powers or rulers. All things have been created through him and for him, 17 and he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. (Colossians 1:15–17)

From the Confessions: The Small Catechism, Daily Prayers

Returning Thanks

After the meal, they should reverently and with folded hands pray:

O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy endures forever. He gives food to all flesh; He gives food to the beast and to the young ravens that cry. He does not delight in the strength of the horse; He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man. The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy.

Then pray the Lord’s Prayer and the following:

We thank Thee, Lord God, our Father, for all Thy benefits, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.

Pulling It Together: Once again this morning, I looked for Corona virus news in the local paper. Specifically, I was looking for news about social isolation and stay-at-home orders. I read that police departments in my county arrested people for violating our Governor’s executive order to stay at home during the pandemic. From another perspective, I was kept from a local hardware store twice over the weekend because there were so many people there. I had never seen the parking lot so full of cars. Topping off the news is the warning that starvation is coming next because the food chain is breaking down. Nonetheless, there is so much chicken and beef available, that you may buy it off trucks in various advertised locations. It all makes me scratch my head; I am almost bewildered. Who do I believe?

There is a supreme ruler who has always published good news during dark times. He urges me to obey the governing authorities (Rom 13:1–5), so long as it does not damage Christian conscience. So, I stay at home and place my trust in the Lord. He is good, and his mercy endures even during pandemics. Now, there is some glad news that revives my hope.

Governments, the CDC, the World Health Organization, and a host of other experts and authorities are not really in charge. In the end, though they issue a stream of often confusing, but nevertheless, authoritative press releases, they are not the ones who will make it all work out. All things in creation consist, or hold together, in Christ. My hope is in him—not in how much food I have, how sound my health is, or who is in office. Therefore, I give God thanks for all his benefits, including food and other necessities, as well as for health, shelter, family, friends, and the divinely instituted governing authorities.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for holding it all together. Amen.

This book and the one on The New Testament would be good individual studies for adults too. 

Sola offers a Bible Overview year to its Confirmation Series, with two ten-session booklets — one on The Old Testament and one on the New Testament. These books provide a step-by-step overview of the history and geography of the Scriptures, exploring the various time periods and sections of the Bible and how they connect to one another. The goal is to give students a sense for the over-arching story of Scripture, fulfilled in the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ.

OT Leader's Guide  • NT Leader's Guide


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