Understanding Faith and Community Life in the United Church of Christ

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This comprehensive guide explores affirming faith based on a congregation's guide to confirmation, delving into community life, history, heritage, the UCC statement of faith, and the United Church of Christ's beliefs. It covers topics such as God, creation stories, and Genesis, providing a deep understanding of the teachings and values of the UCC and its approach to discipleship and service.

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AFFIRMING FAITH BASED ON A CONGREGATION S GUIDE TO CONFIRMATION UNITED CHURCH PRESS, CLEVELAND, OHIO 44115 SECOND EDITION 2008 EDITED BY THOMAS E. DIPKO ISBN 978-0-8298-1781-2, AND ISBN 978-0-8298-1782-9

COMMUNITY LIFE CHAPTERS 1, 2, 3

OUR HISTORY AND HERITAGE CHAPTERS 4, 5, 6, 7

UCC STATEMENT OF FAITH

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST STATEMENT OF FAITH ADAPTED BY ROBERT V. MOSS We believe in God, the Eternal Spirit, who is made known to us in Jesus our brother, and to whose deeds we testify: God calls the worlds into being, creates humankind in the divine image, and sets before us the ways of life and death. God seeks in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin. God judges all humanity and all nations by that will of righteousness declared through prophets and apostles. In Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth, our crucified and risen Lord, God has come to us and shared our common lot, conquering sin and death and reconciling the whole creation to its Creator. God bestows upon us the Holy Spirit, creating and renewing the church of Jesus Christ, binding in covenant faithful people of all ages, tongues, and races. God calls us into the church to accept the cost and joy of discipleship, to be servants in the service of the whole human family, to proclaim the gospel to all the world and resist the powers of evil, to share in Christ's baptism and eat at his table, to join him in his passion and victory. God promises to all who trust in the gospel forgiveness of sins and fullness of grace, courage in the struggle for justice and peace, the presence of the Holy Spirit in trial and rejoicing, and eternal life in that kingdom which has no end. Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto God. Amen.

GOD CHAPTERS 8, 9, 10

GOD CREATES CHAPTER 8 God calls the worlds into being, creates humankind in the divine image, and sets before us the ways of life and death.

CREATION STORIES Genesis 1:1-2:4A At God s Word, the universe and humanity are created. Genesis 2:4B-25 God creates humankind from dust and gives the breath of life. Deuteronomy 30:11-20 God sets before humankind the way of life and death, and calls people to choose life.

GENESIS, CHAPTERS 1-11 https://thebibleproject.com/explore/genesis-1-11/

GOD SEEKS AND SAVES CHAPTER 9 God seeks in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin.

WHAT IS SIN? Sin is a state of human life in which we are separated from one another, from ourselves, and from God.

SCRIPTURES Romans 5:12-21 Righteousness and life come from God s saving grace. Mark 10:35-45 James and John seek honor. We separate from each other. Matthew 26:31-35, 69-75 Peter denies knowing Jesus. We separate from our own best intentions. Jeremiah 2:4-13 God, through the prophet Jeremiah, accuses the people of turning against God. We separate from God.

DISCUSSION Think of a promise you have made or that was made to you. Was it kept or broken? How does it feel to keep a promise? To break a promise? To get another chance? Can you think of ways God has been with you in the past? What is God calling or inviting you to do now in your life? In what ways do you think God offers us help to live in relationships that are whole and loving?

WHAT IS SALVATION? Salvation is the gift from God s grace that frees us from sin, guilt, and the powers of death.

RESPONDING TO GODS GIFT God calls us each to wholeness in our relationships with others, ourselves, and God. What is a call ? What is a covenant? How would you be the same or different if you took seriously the call to covenant with God?

GOD LOVES AND JUDGES CHAPTER 10 God judges all humanity and all nations by that will of righteousness declared through prophets and apostles.

THEMES God is a saving God who judges. God judges relationships with God, one another, ourselves, and the world by God s righteous will. There are times when we fail as individuals and as a church to be just and loving.

OBJECTIVES FOR THIS LESSON Hear what God requires. Explore the meaning of God s unconditional love. Discover God s offer of forgiveness.

SCRIPTURES Micah 6:6-8 (NRSV) 6 "With what shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? 7 Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?" 8 He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Faithfulness to God is shown in acts of justice, kindness, and humility

LIVING OUT A SCENARIO Two friends are shopping. One decides to buy a new pair of sunglasses. The other friend says that they are too expensive and suggests that instead of buying them he/she should hide them and walk out of the store. A store clerk overhears the conversation.

LIVING OUT A SCENARIO What differences were there in the two versions of this scenario? What do you think contributed to those differences. What would you have changed in either one? How did the words from Micah 6:6-8 affect the outcome of the role play? How could those words from scripture affect your own life and the relationships you have or the choices you make? Explain.

SCRIPTURES Psalm 130:1-8 (NRSV) 1 Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD. 2 Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications! 3 If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand? 4 But there is forgiveness with you, so that you may be revered. 5 I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; 6 my soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning, more than those who watch for the morning. 7 O Israel, hope in the LORD! For with the LORD there is steadfast love, and with him is great power to redeem. 8 It is he who will redeem Israel from all its iniquities. God s love redeems.

EXPLORE GODS UNCONDITIONAL LOVE If we are truly sorry (repentant), God forgives us. Sometimes we have more trouble forgiving ourselves than God does. What would it be like to have a friend who would never stop loving you no matter what? Have you ever been in a situation where someone hurt you and you were able to forgive him or her? What was that like?

SCRIPTURES Matthew 25:31-40 (NRSV) 31 "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, 33 and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. 34 Then the king will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; 35 for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.' 37 Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? 38 And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? 39 And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?' 40 And the king will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.' What we do for others we do for Christ.

RELATE SCRIPTURE TO OUR LIVES What do the words judgment and repentance mean to you? How are the meanings different now than they were before this session? How do you suppose one would live to show God s righteous will?

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER Where have you unexpectedly seen the face of Christ? Was it at a time when you were helping or not helping another person? Why would God care if we help the sick or feed the hungry or clothe the naked? How might God expect faithful people and nations to act?

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER What are some ways in which you make healthy and loving relationships with God, with yourself, with others, and with creation? Recall a time when you hurt someone else and that person forgave you. How did it feel? What have you learned about your relationship with God?

SEEKING HOPE IN GODS RIGHTEOUS WILL Is there a situation in your life or a situation in the world that needs God s healing or God s forgiveness? What is it? How might God s love and justice be known?

JESUS CHRIST CHAPTERS 11, 12, 13

JESUS CHRIST, HUMAN AND DIVINE CHAPTER 11 In Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth, our crucified and risen Lord, God has come to us and shared our common lot, conquering sin and death and reconciling the whole creation to its Creator.

THEMES Throughout history, God has sought to relate to human beings. God become one of us in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus life expressed God in the world.

OBJECTIVES FOR THIS SESSION Discover the joys of being human. Explore the meaning of the incarnation. Reflect on what Jesus Christ means to us.

LOOK AT THE HUMANITY AND DIVINITY OF JESUS Name what you like about being human

SCRIPTURES John 1:1-18 The Divine became human in Jesus Christ. Luke 22:63 23:46 Jesus was physically hurt Mark 4:35-38 Jesus slept. Matthew 21:18 Jesus was hungry. John 11:28-36 Jesus wept for a friend. Mark 6:30-32 Jesus spent time with his friends. John 2:1-11 Jesus celebrated. John 2:13-16 Jesus got angry Luke 2:41-51 Jesus upset his parents Matthew 15:30-38 Jesus felt sorry for someone else.

CONSIDER THE MEANING OF THE INCARNATION Concept Parable of the Birds p. 112 Is it important to you that Jesus is truly God? Is it important to you that Jesus was truly human?

NAME THE IMPORTANCE OF JESUS TO US When I think about God coming to us and sharing our common lot, I . When I think about Jesus Christ as a Savior I . What I like best about being a child of God What questions do you think many people have about Jesus being both fully human and fully divine?

JESUS CHRIST, CRUCIFIED AND RESURRECTED CHAPTER 12 In Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth, our crucified and risen Lord, God has come to us and shared our common lot, conquering sin and death and reconciling the whole creation to its Creator.

THEMES Jesus lived among us. Jesus was crucified and resurrected. Jesus life and resurrection are central to the Christian faith. Jesus Christ is present today in relationship.

OBJECTIVES FOR THIS SESSION Explore the meaning of the Passion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Assess beliefs about Jesus. Consider Christ s presence with believers.

THE PASSION & RESURRECTION OF JESUS John 18:1-27 Who? What? Where? When? Why?

THE PASSION & RESURRECTION OF JESUS John 18:28 - 19:16 Who? What? Where? When? Why?

THE PASSION & RESURRECTION OF JESUS John 19:17-42 Who? What? Where? When? Why?

THE PASSION & RESURRECTION OF JESUS John 20:1-31 Who? What? Where? When? Why?

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER Why do you think everyone abandoned Jesus during his trial and crucifixion? Why do you think Jesus was crucified? Do you feel any sympathy for Pontius Pilate, the chief priests, scribes, Pharisees, Judas, Peter, or Thomas? Why or Why not? What do you think Jesus meant when he said to Thomas, Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe? (John 20:29)

WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE? Jesus was a human person like me. Jesus was divine. Jesus was a great teacher. Jesus was the Son of God. Jesus was a Jew. Jesus knew that he was the Son of God. Jesus was a spirit in human disguise.

WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE? Jesus never did anything wrong. Jesus felt pain. Jesus always did what his parents expected. Jesus liked to party. Jesus was always meek and mild. Jesus was never sad or depressed. Jesus life expressed God in the world.

JESUS CHRIST, RISEN SAVIOR CHAPTER 13 In Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth, our crucified and risen Lord, God has come to us and shared our common lot, conquering sin and death and reconciling the whole creation to its Creator.

THEMES Jesus Chris is Sovereign and Savior. Jesus Christ delivers the world from sin, death, and oppression. Jesus Christ restores a right relationship between humanity and God, among persons, and with all creation.

OBJECTIVES FOR THIS SESSION Explore the meaning of reconciliation. Discover God s intentions for us in Christ. Consider the questions asked during the rite of confirmation.