In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did whatever seemed right to him.
Romans 1:1-6
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of the saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Anyone who believes in him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God.
John 3:16-18
Now without faith it is impossible to please God, since the one who draws near to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
Hebrews 11:6
You are sons of the LORD your God; do not cut yourselves or make a bald spot on your head on behalf of the dead, for you are a holy people belonging to the LORD your God. The LORD has chosen you to be his own possession out of all the peoples on the face of the earth.
Deuteronomy 14:1-2
This is why the Jews began trying all the more to kill him: Not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal to God.
John 5:18
And he said, “ Abba, Father! All things are possible for you. Take this cup away from me. Nevertheless, not what I will, but what you will.”
Mark 14:36
For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear. Instead, you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Abba , Father!”
Romans 8:15
When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him, saying, “I am God Almighty. Live in my presence and be blameless.
Genesis 17:1
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “the one who is, who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”
Revelation 1:8
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the expanse proclaims the work of his hands. Day after day they pour out speech; night after night they communicate knowledge. There is no speech; there are no words; their voice is not heard. Their message has gone out to the whole earth, and their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun.
Psalm 19:1-4
You made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in you. – St. Augustine
“Lord,” said Philip, “show us the Father, and that’s enough for us.”
John 14:8
Jesus said to him, “Have I been among you all this time and you do not know me, Philip? The one who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who lives in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Otherwise, believe because of the works themselves.
John 14:9-11
What is a creed? How familiar are you with the Apostles Creed? What are some popular “creeds” in our culture today?
The Apostles Creed begins with “I believe.” What are some core truths of Christianity that you strongly believe? Share some Bible passages that communicate these truths and support your belief.
Consider the reality that God is the “Father almighty.” What significance does God being “Father” have for you personally? How does the inclusion of the word “almighty” help complete the picture of who God is?
Consider the reality that God is the “Creator of heaven and earth.” What are some specific parts of creation that amaze you? What does the fact that God created everything tell us about the nature and character of God?
Take some time to reflect on the fact that the Father almighty who created the entire world loves you so deeply He sent His own Son Jesus to die on your behalf. What has this truth meant to you personally? What are some specific ways you can proclaim this truth to others during the coming week?
