This is part of an ongoing series on the Cornerstone Confirmation Curriculum we are developing at First Trinity Lutheran Church. (Main Confirmation Page)
The second article of the Apostle’s Creed focuses on Jesus Christ, the Son of God. In this lesson, we focus on how Jesus is both True God and True Man, and why that matters. Also, despite our sinfulness, He loves us and wants a relationship with us, and will stop at nothing to win us back.
Two “Natures” of Jesus
Read John 1:1-2
- Circle: “the Word”
- Margin: Write “Jesus” in the margin, then draw arrows connecting “the Word” to Jesus.
Read Matthew 4:2, John 11:35, and John 19:28
- Underline the human needs and emotions that Jesus had.
Because God is holy (without sin), He needed a holy (sinless) sacrifice to pay for our sins. The Father knew we could never pay that debt, because we are sinful beings from birth. But the payment had to be made by someone under the Law (ie, a human). Therefore, God chose to send His Son, Jesus, who was truly God (John 1) to be born as a man, and therefore truly human in all respects (Matthew 4, John 11, John 19), only without sin. Jesus was therefore able to be the holy sacrifice the Father required to pay for our sins.
In addition, we know that Jesus is able to empathize with us and understand our needs and wants because He lived as one of us, experiencing the same emotions and feelings that we do. He is not a distant God, unable to understand our daily struggles, but rather one who walked through life with the same struggles we face.
How does Jesus relate to us?
Read John 10:25-30
- Underline: I know them.
- Margin: Jesus knows me.
Read Luke 15:1-7
- Underline: What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?
- Margin: Jesus pursues me.
Read John 7:53-8:11
- Underline: And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”
- Margin: Jesus forgives me.
Read 1 Peter 5:7
- Underline: Entire Verse
- Margin: Jesus helps me.
Jesus died not only to make the payment for our sin, but to have a relationship with us. He knows all of our joys and fears; all of our strengths and faults. He knows me better than I know myself, and yet He loves me. Like a shepherd who has lost just one sheep, Jesus pursues me, forgives me and helps me in my time of trouble. He doesn’t do this because we deserve it, but because He loves us. He relates to us as friend and brother, always concerned about what’s best for us.