Christian Education
Every parent remembers the days when their child(ren) learned to ask “why”? Why is the sky blue? Why is my hair brown? Why is grandma’s skin wrinkly? Why do I have to go to bed? Why? Why? Why? The child asked and we answered, which often prompted the next question. In this give and take the child learned. Their minds began to open up to the vast expanse of life before them. His/her parents began the process of filling in some of the blanks.
The need to inquire about things of faith is no different. We have questions and we seek answers. Over the years the church has anticipated the questions we may ask and has provided answers to them. And as illustrated above the answers lead to more questions. The series of questions and answers is called a catechism which comes from the Greek term which means to teach with ones mouth.
The catechism chosen to look at this year is called the Heidelberg Catechism. It consists of 129 questions and answers arranged systematically this way: The first two questions and answers (Q&A) are introductory. Then follows three major sections.
The first (Q&A 3-11) deals with man’s sin and misery; the second part (Q&A 12-85) with how man is delivered from sin; the third part (Q&A 86-129) examines the life of gratitude shown by those who are saved.
The 129 Q&A are divided into 52 lessons or Lord’s Days.
This week our study will be taken from The Lord’s Day 19.
Question 50. Why is it added, "and sitteth at the right hand of God"?
Answer: Because Christ is ascended into heaven for this end, that he might appear as head of his church, (a) by whom the Father governs all things. (b)
(a) Eph.1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Eph.1:21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: Eph.1:23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. Col.1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. (b) Matt.28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. John 5:22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:
