Welcome Home Part 1: “What We Believe”

For the month of January we will be reviewing who Grace Chapel is, what we believe, casting vision for 2018, and providing an opportunity for membership in the church. This sermon is part one, focused on our core beliefs and why we practice the sacraments of communion and water baptism. Life Group Questions: Have the sermon notes ready if needed to review each topic and the supporting scriptures while discussing the following questions: 1) Why is it important for a church to have unity in essential beliefs? Additionally, why is it ok to have liberty in non-essential beliefs? What are some essential and some non-essential beliefs of the Christian faith? How does all of this relate to the fact that we are called members of God’s family, and therefore impact our relationships with one another? 2) Why is it important for a church body to have a unified way of thinking about the trinity? What is the important idea that unifies us about the trinity? 3) What does the deity of Christ mean? Why is this an essential part of our faith and the gospel message? 4) What is the importance of the physical resurrection of Christ? What evidence do we see in the lives of the disciples to prove the true resurrection? 5) What is significant of the wording that we are saved "by grace through faith"? 6) 1 Corinthians 11:28 tells us to examine ourselves before taking communion; what does that mean to you? How do you live that out? 7) Why do we choose to perform baptism on older children and adults, but not babies? What does this signify about the sacrament of baptism? 8) Why is it important as a church and in our personal lives for the Bible to be our standard of truth? How does this work out in our lives when we disagree or dislike something the Bible says?