Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Romans 15:1–6
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Romans 15:1–6
From the Confessions: The Defense of the Augsburg Confession
Concerning Love and the Fulfilling of the Law
For concord ends up being torn apart whenever the bishops impose heavy burdens upon the people or have no regard for their weakness. Dissensions also arise when the people judge the clergy’s conduct too severely or despise them because of a minor mistake, thereafter seeking different doctrine and clergy. On the other hand, perfection in Church fellowship is preserved when the strong bear with the weak—when the people have patience with their preachers, and when the bishops make some allowances for the weakness of the people.
Pulling It Together: During a committee meeting, a brother suddenly spoke strong words against his pastor. There was silence in the room. People did not know how to respond. The pastor knew what to say. Nothing. He understood that his brother was struggling with other issues, and that the outburst came at a moment of weakness. He vented because he had reached the moment when he could no longer hold it all in. Days later, the man stopped by the pastor’s office, just to chat. It was his way of showing that Christian fellowship was still important to him. Harmony often depends upon a quiet answer (Prov 15:1) instead of proving who is right. Sometimes, concord does not even depend upon a calm answer but rather, no answer at all. In that silence, a greater voice may be discovered: the voice that does not demand to name which one is right but instead, a united voice that glorifies the name of the Lord.
Prayer: Give me your peace, Lord, so that I may be gentle and quiet when necessary. Amen.
All God’s Critters is a fully reproducible Sunday School series designed with the particular needs of small churches, mission congregations, and house churches with students in Preschool and Kindergarten. Lessons are based on storytelling, rhyme, and pictures, and are suitable for participation by non-readers. The flexible lesson plans introduce the youngest believers to the importance and truth of God’s Word. Each lesson includes the story of the day written in a simplified manner so that young children may understand an important truth about God and what it means for us to be God’s children.
Author
Rev. Mark E. Ryman serves as Pastor for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Salisbury, NC. Previously, Pastor Ryman has served other congregations in North Carolina and Ohio, as well as a call to specialized ministry with Sola Publishing.
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