L 5.1 - Introduction to the Creed
The word "creed" means a set of beliefs. True or false?
The Orthodox Creed, also called the "Nicene Creed," outlines the core beliefs of our faith without any contradiction with the Bible. True or false?
True.
True.
The history of the early Church is mostly contained in which book of the Bible?
The History of the early Church is mostly contained in the book of Acts.
St. Shenouda the Archimandrite is the same person as Pope Shenouda III - true or false?
False - they are two different people.
St. Shenouda the Archimandrite was born in 348.
Pope Shenouda the III was born in 1923.
What does it mean to be 'holy'?
To be holy means to be set apart for God - to be pure and clean in order to be filled by God (set apart from sin and worldly concerns).
What is a 'talent' (in the Biblical sense, like in Matthew 25:14-30)?
In the Biblical sense, a talent is a gift given to us by God. God has blessed each of us with a different talent and a different number of them.
This can be an ability (e.g. singing, drawing, good at a sport, etc.) or it can be a personality trait (e.g. being compassionate, kind, funny, generous, etc.) or something else that makes us special.
Define the following words:
- Heresy
- Heretic
Hint: one of the reasons the Creed was created was to correct the heresies from different heretics.
A heresy is a belief that is wrong and against the Church’s beliefs and/or teachings.
A heretic is a person who spreads a heresy (e.g. Arius).
How were the disciples united after Jesus' Ascension into Heaven (what are some examples of their unity)?
They received the Holy Spirit together.
They spread God's word to others together.
They ate together.
They prayed together.
They grew the church together.
As a child, what did St. Shenouda spend his days doing?
As a child, St. Shenouda spent his days shepherding his father's sheep while fasting and praying.
What makes us holy and when did we first receive what makes us holy?
The Holy Spirit makes us holy and we first received it through Baptism and Chrismation (anointing of the Holy Myron).
Why has God given us talents?
God has given each of us a talent so that we can use it to serve God. We can serve God with our talents by serving others.
The first part of the Creed was created at the First Ecumenical Council of Nicea in 325 AD and was led by St. ___________.
At this Council were also ______ bishops.
The first part of the Creed was created at the First Ecumenical Council of Nicea in 325 AD was led by St. Athanasius.
At the Council were also 318 bishops.
Which group of people were important for the start of early Church?
What happened early on to this group that gave them the ability to start the Church and when did this happen?
Jesus' disciples were important for the start of the early Church after being instructed by Jesus and blessed by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
Pentecost, the 50th day after Resurrection, is the day when the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples, giving them power to preach the Gospel and serve God boldly.
When St. Shenouda prayed outside when he was still a young boy, what did the nearby farmers notice?
The nearby farmers noticed that St. Shenouda's fingers were glowing like candles when he was praying.
How do we maintain our holiness? What can we do it maintain it?
We can maintain our holiness by keeping the purity of our body, mind and heart.
This can be done by prayer, fasting, partaking in Communion, Confession and Repentance, reading God's word and trying our hardest to follow it, and trying our best to avoid sin.
The Church is one body, with many different members. When we use our talents to serve each other, we complete each other as one body in Christ. True or false?
True. 1 Corinthians 12:12-27.
The Church is like a body, and Jesus is the head. Just as a body has many different parts (hands, feet, eyes, ears), the Church has many different people with different gifts and talents. It is most united when all members work together.
Every person is important and has a special role to play using each of our different talents. We should work together, help one another, and remember that we are all part of one body in Christ.
The Creed was completed during the Second Ecumenical Council of C________ in 3___ AD.
This Council had 150 bishops.
The Creed was completed during the Second Ecumenical Council of Constantinople in 381 AD.
This Council had 150 bishops.
On Holy Thursday, what did Jesus pray for regarding the church (in John 17:17-23)?
On Holy Thursday, Jesus prayed for the unity of the Church and her holiness.
When St. Shenouda was still a little boy, his father took him to his uncle, Anba _____, to get his blessing.
But instead of the Anba blessing the child, the Anba took St. Shenouda’s hand and placed it on his own head and said, “You bless me, my child, for you will be a ______ for many peoples.”
When St. Shenouda was still a little boy, his father took him to his uncle, Anba Bgoul (Pigal), to get his blessing.
But instead of the Anba blessing the child, the Anba took St. Shenouda’s hand and placed it on his own head and said, “You bless me, my child, for you will be a father for many peoples.”
“Or do you not know that your body is the ______ of the ______ ______ who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. ”
- 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. ”
- 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
What happens to our talent when we use it?
What happens to our talent when we do not use it?
When we use our talent, it will be improved and more will be given. When we do not use our talent, it will be lost and wasted.
“‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness.’”
- Matthew 25:29-30
During the Third Ecumenical Council of Ephesus in ____AD, the 200 bishops who were gathered there created which prayer?
During the Third Ecumenical Council of Ephesus in 431 AD, the 200 bishops who were gathered there created the Introduction to the Creed.
The Church is united as one body. What are some examples which show this unity?
[There are 7 answers here, you need to list at least 4 to get all the 500 points.]
One Body: The Eucharist
One Spirit: The Holy Spirit
One Hope: Hope of Eternal life
One Lord: Jesus Christ
One Faith: The Creed
One Baptism: The Holy Baptism
One God and One Father: The Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
What are some accomplishments or notable moments of St. Shenouda life?
[Name four to get all 500 points.]
1 - St. Shenouda wrote many important sermons and cannons (guidelines that help the Church function in an orderly and faithful way).
2 - St. Shenouda replaced his uncle, Anba Bgoul as the abbot of the monastery. That monastery grew in number so much that St. Shenouda built another monastery.
3 - St. Shenouda attended the third ecumenical Council of Ephesus and played an important role, refuting Nestorius, the heretic.
4 - St. Shenouda heard a voice from heaven saying, "Shenouda has become the Archimandrite." Archimandrite is a title of honour, one level lower than bishop.
In the Liturgy, before Abouna gives us communion, he says, “____________________."
What does this mean?
in the Liturgy, before Abouna gives us communion, he says, “The Holies for the Holy."
This means that we are provided communion, which is holy, to maintain and nourish our holiness.
God has given each person a different talent and a different number of talents. Why?
Does God expect the same outcome from everyone despite their different talents and different number of talents or what does God expect?
[Hint: remember the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30]
God gives each person differently based on their abilities. That does not mean God loves someone more or less, He loves us all the same, but He has a different purpose for each of us.
God does not expect the same outcome from everyone. God only expects each to use their talents to the best of their ability and not to waste them.