First Christian Voices: Practices of the Apostolic Fathers

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First Christian Voices

Discussion Questions

A recent survey about the religious beliefs of North Americans indicated that many believe God is not perfect and can make mistakes. As you think about the religious landscape of your community, what do you see as the predominate view of God?

The early church had not yet articulated the doctrine of the Trinity as we know it today, which came about two hundred years later.

Nevertheless, the Apostolic Fathers did have a clear notion that God is one in three persons. Look back at how the Apostolic Fathers equated God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit and consider how you might articulate the Trinity to people today. Discuss your ideas in your group.

Reading about God can often become an academic exercise. However, what seems clear in the Apostolic Fathers was their genuine

worship of God. How do you encourage people to take what is in their heads about God and move it to their hearts in worship?

The way of life, according to the Didache, is to love God as well as your neighbor. How does your study of God influence the manner

in which you practically love your neighbor?