Session 9 - 24/09/25

                                                             Bible Study The Apostles’ Creed                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

Session 9                                                                                                  24/09/25

Opening prayer

The Work of the Spirit

I believe in…the forgiveness of sins

1.     We changed our opening prayer on Sunday, not to contain the word ‘sin’ and ‘evil’. What does the word sin and evil mean to the culture today and how do they think it applies to them?

Read Matthew 9 v 1-13 Jesus forgives and heals a paralysed man.

      Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. 2Some men brought to him a paralysed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son, your sins are forgiven.’    

    3At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, ‘This fellow is blaspheming!’

     4Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, ‘Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts?’ 5Which is easier to say, “Your sins are forgiven,” or to say, “Get up and walk”? 6But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.’  So, he said to the paralysed man, ‘Get up, take your mat, and go home.7Then the man got up and went home. 8 When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to man.

The calling of Matthew

     9As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. ‘Follow me,’ he told him, and Matthew got up. 

10While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. 11When the pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?’ 

12On hearing this, Jesus said, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but those who are ill.13But go and learn what this means: “I desire mercy not sacrifice;” a For, I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.’

2.     Imagine what the paralysed man and his friends expected from   

Jesus, and compare Jesus’ actions in verse 2. What does Jesus show us about God’s priorities?   

      3. Look at verses 9-13. What do the actions of Jesus show us about God’s forgiveness?

4.     How do the words of Jesus in this passage explain His actions?

Read Matthew 15 v 17- 20

     17Don’t you see whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach, and then out of the body.18But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. 19For out of the heart, come evil thoughts – murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. 20These are what defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them.

    5.What is the source of our sinful actions?

    6. What happens if we try to change our actions?

Read Titus 3 v 3-8

At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared, 5he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Saviour, 7so that, having been justified by grace, so we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

       7. What does Paul mean in verse 3 when he says we were “enslaved” by all kinds of passions”?

       8. What are some of the ways we are deceived by sin?

       9. In verse 3, Paul describes what we were “at one time”. What has   happened to change this?        

 Matthew 15 v 18 -20 (Washed) See above

We have been “justified” made right with God v7 Our past, present and future sins have all been forgiven by God. But God is also changing us. He gives us the Holy Spirit to help us to live a new life, free from sin

Read Romans 5v12 (Reborn)

     12Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned.

Read Ephesians 2 v 1 (Renewed)

Made alive in Christ

      As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sin.

10. Paul says we have been washed, reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit. How do these things overcome the problem of sin?

Closing silent prayer

Lord God,

We have sinned against you; …………

Closing prayer together.

We pray that we walk worthy of the calling in which we are called,  being humble and patient and gentle, endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace knowing that we are forgiven and have hope of eternal life.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ Amen

Armour of God

Belt of truth

Breastplate of righteousness

Gospel of peace

Shield of faith

Helmet of Salvation

Sword of the Spirit