The Kingdom of God, Student Workbook, SW02

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T H E K I N G D O M O F G O D

had been promised and longed for, had now arrived with the coming of Jesus of Nazareth into the world. As spectacular and great as this announcement, very few heard it for what it was–the inauguration of the reign of God, the end of the devil’s rebellion, the end of the curse, and the promise of new life in God’s Kingdom. Only a handful got the message that day. What about today? Do you hear the Son of God proclaim in our time today that “the Kingdom of God is at hand?” His advice is as life-giving and wonderful today as it was that most ordinary-looking day back in Galilee; if we hear him speak now, today, we can return to God, turn from sin, and embrace the truth of the Good News in Christ. We can come under God’s reign only if we respond to the announcement, to the voice of the Savior today. After reciting and/or singing the Nicene Creed (located in the Appendix), pray the following prayer: Almighty God, through the death of Thy Son Thou hast destroyed sin and death, and by his resurrection hast brought innocence and eternal life, in order that we, being redeemed from the power of the devil, may abide in Thy Kingdom. Grant that we may believe this with a whole heart and, steadfast in faith, praise and thank Thee; through Thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

Nicene Creed and Prayer

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~ Martin Luther in Andrew Kosten. Devotions and Prayers of Martin Luther . Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1965. p. 49.

Put away your notes, gather up your thoughts and reflections, and take the quiz for Lesson 1, God’s Reign Challenged .

Quiz

Scripture Memorization Review

Review with a partner, write out and/or recite the text for last class session’s assigned memory verses: Isaiah 14.12-17.

Turn in your summary of the reading assignment for last week, that is, your brief response and explanation of the main points that the authors were seeking to make in the assigned reading (Reading Completion Sheet).

Assignments Due