Sunday school lesson on the sacraments, 2005-01-30.
Q. 91. How do the sacraments become effectual means of salvation?
A. The sacraments become effectual means of salvation, not from any virtue in them, or in him that doth administer them; but only by the blessing of Christ, and the working of his Spirit in them that by faith receive them (1 Cor 3:7, 1:12-17).
Q. 92. What is a sacrament?
A. A sacrament is a holy ordinance instituted by Christ (Matt 28:19, 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:19-20; 1 Cor 1:22-26) wherein, by sensible signs, Christ, and the benefits of the new covenant, are represented, sealed, and applied to believers (Gal 3:27; 1 Cor 10:16-17).
Q. 93. Which are the sacraments of the New Testament?
A. The sacraments of the New Testament are, baptism (Matt 28:19), and the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor 11:23-26).
Agenda
Attendance, scripture memory (last week Colossians 3:16). This week’s memory: 1 Corinthians 3:7. Hand out Focus. Tally scripture memory and Bible-bringing if time permits.
Cover of Focus. Consider object lesson with plants. What does it take for a seed to grow (sunlight, nutrients, water)? How quickly do these have their effect (usually slowly, over time)?
“Three questions”
What is a sacrament? A sacrament is a holy ordinance instituted by Christ, in which physical signs represent spiritual realities.
sacrament has the same root as sacred, which means holy or set apart. When we receive the sacraments in faith, in some mysterious way the Holy Spirit ministers God’s grace, blessing, and sanctification (making holy) to us.
What sacraments are there? Baptism and the Lord’s Supper (communion).
Why do believers observe the sacraments (Matt. 28:19,20; 1 Cor 11:23-26)? Because Jesus commanded them to be observed.
Read “Spiritual good from physical signs.” Ask students to explain in their own words. Return to the plant and water/sun analogy — the water and sun don’t seem to have any external effects on the plant as they “hit” it, but God in His wisdom and providence has designed it so that they are taken in by the plant and cause it to grow.
Q91. Read, explain terms, then ask students to explain in their own words. Terms:
virtue — the sacraments don’t have any goodness or power in themselves.
him that doth administer them — the person doing baptism or giving the communion elements (in some churches the elements are given rather than taken).
blessing of Christ — it is only in Jesus’ purpose and providence that baptism and communion bring us good.
working of his Spirit — it is only by the power of the Holy Spirit that baptism and communion bring us good.
by faith receive them — we must practice baptism and communion trusting in faith that God will use them for our good.
effectual means of salvation — Fisher calls it things that “attain the end for which they were appointed,” and references 1 Thess 2:13. I think this is getting at the “not yet” aspect of our salvation. I.e., God uses the sacraments to “[build us] up in holiness and comfort” (Fisher), and to communicate the benefits of our “already” salvation (Q92).
The catechism says “effectual means of salvation”. Does baptism save us? No.
Who or what saves us? Only Jesus’ sacrifice, and our trusting in faith in that sacrifice.
Then what part does baptism play in our salvation? God uses it as an external sign or “seal” of our salvation, which should bring us encouragement and assurance as we trust in him; and he uses it to cause us to grow spiritually, to give us “benefits” of our salvation (Q92).
This points us back to the gospel: all of the spiritual benefits we receive from the sacraments are gifts of God that have their source in the cross of Jesus. Not only has God saved us, but he has planned for our continued growth and blessing.
Read 1 Cor. 3:7.
Read “Planting and watering.” Point out that this is just another way of saying what the catechism said. Trivia:
transubstantiation — Catholics believe that the elements of communion actually become (trans) Jesus’ body and blood when taken.
consubstantiation — Some Christians believe that the elements of communion remain bread and wine, but that Jesus’ body and blood are also present with (con) the elements.
spiritual presence — We would affirm that Jesus’ body and blood are not physically present at communion, but that His real spiritual presence and benefits are communicated to us when we receive communion in faith.
Read “Sacraments change us.” Discuss:
Why is this an encouragement? Communion and baptism aren’t simply things we do; they bless us in spiritual ways, even if we cannot see the effects right away.
How does this affect how you think about baptism and communion? Do you see them as serious and important things? When you take communion, have you done so in faith that Jesus is your savior, that his blood paid for all your sins, and that he is continuing to bless you and help you to grow?
Even though our growth is incremental, slow and steady, have there been any times that God has used communion to powerfully change you? Did God use your baptism to powerfully change you? We shouldn’t always expect powerful and instantaneous change, but we can certainly draw encouragement from it that God is always at work.