Preparing for Sunday

As mentioned before, this Sunday we will begin exploring the Apostle’s Creed. This week we will concentrate on what it means to say we believe and the role of the Apostle’s Creed in shaping a community of faith. Here are the Scriptures we will explore:

1 Peter 3:15b Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you;

Mark 9:23-24 Jesus said to him, "If you are able!—All things can be done for the one who believes." Immediately the father of the child cried out, "I believe; help my unbelief!"

The scripture from Mark is part of a larger miracle story found in Mark 9:14-29 that you might want to read and reflect on.
Here are some questions as we prepare for Sunday:

What does it mean to believe in something? Is it intellectual assent? Can doubt be a part or is it the opposite of belief?

Not only church’s have creeds. One of the highlights of watching an Auburn football game on TV for me is the wonderful, heart stirring commercial with different people reciting the lines of the Auburn creed. What is the value of a creed in creating a community? If you recite the creed, must you personally believe each line unequivocally?

Church is not the only place in contemporary life that we stand and recite or sing things written by previous generations as if it makes a claim on us. We recite the pledge of allegiance at football games. We sing the National Anthem and school fight songs and alma maters as if they mean something. Church is also not the only place where symbols carry important meaning. We wave flags. We wear wedding rings. What is the value of reciting or singing an ancient creed or song of faith? What is the value of symbols expressing our beliefs?
Just some questions to ponder this week.