Go Deeper

1. Start by reading Matthew 26:26-28.
2. Sacraments are signs and seals that point to something. What do you think the Lord’s Supper points us to?
3. Lookup and read Question and Answer 75. Why do you think that God created a sacrament that uses so many of our senses?
4. Read 1 Corinthians 11:27-32.
5. Who should participate in the Lord’s Supper? Why do you think this is important?
6. Take time to pray together. Thank God for the gift of the Lord’s Supper. Ask, as you participate in drinking the cup and eating the bread, that your heart would remember and receive the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Thank God also for the gift of community centered around the table.

Heidelberg Catechism Question & Answer Focus: 75-85.

1. Start by reading Matthew 28:19-20.
2. Share about the first time that you heard about the Gospel. What was said and how did it make you feel?
3. What is a ‘sacrament’?
4. A sacrament is a sign and a seal of God’s grace and love in our world. It’s a way to remember everything that God has done! What are the two sacraments that are practiced in your church community?
5. What is baptism? How is baptism a picture of something that Christ does internally?
6. Take time to pray together. Thank God for giving us the sacraments as a way of remembering his love for all those who follow Jesus Christ. Ask that your heart would be transformed as you witness and practice each of these signs and seals in your community.

Heidelberg Catechism Question & Answer Focus: 60-74.

1. Start by reading Matthew 6:9-13.
2. How is prayer a part of your life currently? Have you ever wished that you prayed more each day?
3. What is your experience with the Lord’s Prayer?
4. Read Question and Answer 117 in the Heidelberg Catechism. Listed in this reading are three characteristics of prayer that are pleasing to God. What are they?
5. Do your prayers engage God in this way? If not, where do you need to make changes so that they do?
6. Finish your time together by praying through the Lord’s Prayer. Leave space after each section to breathe and allow God’s Spirit to move in your heart as you serve Him in this world.

Heidelberg Catechism Question & Answer Focus: 116-129.

1. 1. Take a minute and read Exodus 20:1-17. Now read John 14:15 and 21.
2. Do you see the Ten Commandments as still relevant to your life as a Christian today? Why or why not?
3. The Ten Commandments are hard to follow, some of them more than others. But they are very important according to Jesus! Do you think we improve in all areas overnight? Or is it a lifelong process?
4. Do you feel like following the Ten Commandments is life-giving and leads to joy? Or does it feel more like a restrictive list to life?
5. Take time to pray together around the table that God would reveal these commandments to you in a new way. Pray that we would see them as the best way of life for each other and in honoring God with our lives!

Heidelberg Catechism Question & Answer Focus: 91-115.

1. Take a minute and read Ephesians 4:8-10 together.
2. If someone asked, “Why is it that you do good works as a Christian?” How would you answer?
3. Open up to John 15:5 and Luke 6:43-45 and read them out load together.
4. Jesus frequently teaches using agricultural images to help make a point. What point is Jesus trying to make with these two teachings?
5. Take time to pray together around the table. Ask that God would encourage you toward serving those around you as a reflection of His love through Jesus Christ.

Heidelberg Catechism Question & Answer Focus: 62-64, 86-90.

1. Have you ever struggled to understand the Trinity?
2. Take a minute to read the Apostles Creed together. If you need a copy, you can find it through Google. What stands out to you in these words?
3. What does this creed reveal to us about God the Father? The Son Jesus? God the Holy Spirit?
4. Imagine someone has come to you with questions about God. How would you explain the Trinity to someone new to the Christian faith?
5. Take time to pray together around the table. Ask that God would reveal all three persons of the Trinity to you this week in real and tangible ways.

Heidelberg Catechism Question & Answer Focus: 22-59.

1. Start by reading Romans 4:18-21 What stands out to you in these verses?
2. Abraham persevered in his faith despite many things in the world telling him he should give up on this dream and promise from God. What words would you use to describe Abraham’s character and faith?
3. What does it look like for you to trust in God with deep faith as Abraham did?
4. Read James 2:19. This is a strong statement on the difference between knowing God and truly having faith in Him. James’ point is that it is not enough just to know who God is. Real faith involves trust and obedience to the God. What is something you can do this week to strengthen your faith?

Heidelberg Catechism Question & Answer Focus: 20-21, 60-61.

1. Start out your discussion by reading out loud Romans 5:12 and 5:15.
2. Sin entered the world through one man (Adam) and sin was defeated by one man (Jesus). When you think about what happened with Jesus on the cross, what words come to your mind?
3. Sometimes, Christians are hesitant to say that Jesus is the only way to God. Why do you think that is?
4. Read Hebrews 2:11 out loud. Praise God that through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, our sins have been forgiven! Thank God in prayer together that, if we believe in Jesus and Lord and Savior, we become a part of the family of God. Jesus is not ashamed to call us his brothers and sisters. Amen!

Heidelberg Catechism Question & Answer Focus: 14-19.

1. This week’s focus is on sin. Sin isn’t a very popular thing to talk about. Why do you think people avoid talking about sin, judgement, and punishment?
2. Why do you think that God is angry with the sin in the world?
3. God must punish sin in order to still be a just God. Someone has to pay the price for sins. Could you pay the price? Do you think you could do enough good things to cover up the bad things you’ve done in your life? Why or why not?
4. Read Romans 6:23 out loud and pray together. “God, we confess that we are sinful. We are truly sorry for our sins. Thank you God for the gift of Jesus Christ! He is our Savior, dying in our place to pay the price for our sins.” 

Heidelberg Catechism Question & Answer 9-13.

1. Take a few minutes to read and repeat Romans 3:23. Try to memorize this verse..
2. Do you think that sin is something we can get rid of on our own? Why is it so hard to choose to do good? 
3. Read Ephesians 2:1-3. If you can, use the New Living Translation. Is there something in these verses that stood out to you? If yes, why?
4. Sin is some pretty nasty stuff. Sin Separates us from God, but Jesus saves us from the consequences of our sins and he loves us no matter when we mess up!! Take a some time to pray: say sorry for our sinful actions and thank Jesus for loving us even when we sin.

Heidelberg Catechism Question & Answer 3-8.

1. Read Q&A 1 of the Heidelberg Catechism out loud together. What is one word or idea that stood out to you when reading this?
2. What do you think it means to “belong to Christ?
3. Read Ephesians 1:13-14 out loud. The Holy Spirit is a gift to those who believe in Jesus as their Lord and Savior, guaranteeing eternal life with God in heaven! This gives us comfort that no matter what happens today or tomorrow, our future is set in Jesus Christ.
4. Describe a time in your life when you felt comforted by God.
5. Pick a verse from the answers and memorize it this week. To help the verse stay rooted in your heart: make up motions while reciting.

Heidelberg Catechism Question & Answer Focus: 1-2.

1. Answer this question together: who do you say Jesus is?