I BELIEVE - SMALL GROUP STUDY

This small group Bible study has been developed from sermons preached from the pulpit of West End Baptist Church. It is designed to serve as a guide to help you study, discuss, and grow in your understanding of God’s Word.
This study is not a substitute for the Bible, nor should it ever take the place of reading and studying Scripture for yourself. The ultimate authority is always the Word of God. If questions arise during this study, we encourage you to search the Scriptures, seek God’s guidance, and trust the truth found in His Word above all else.

Small Group Guide: I Believe the Scriptures
Based on 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Overview
This week's sermon opened a new series called "I Believe," focusing on the foundational doctrines of the Christian faith. Before exploring specific beliefs, the pastor established why those beliefs matter — by grounding everything in the authority, reliability, and sufficiency of Scripture. This guide will help your group dig deeper into what the Bible claims about itself and what that means for daily life.
Key Scripture References

• 2 Timothy 3:16-17 — Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness

Key Takeaways

1. Scripture is God-breathed, meaning it carries the very voice and authority of God, not merely the opinions or wisdom of men.
2. The Word of God is profitable in four specific ways: it teaches doctrine, reproves error, corrects our course, and trains us in righteousness.
3. The Bible is sufficient — it contains everything needed for salvation and godly living.
4. Without doctrine, a church and its members operate on opinion rather than truth.
5. The Holy Spirit will never contradict the Word of God. Any impression or leading that conflicts with Scripture should be tested against it.
6. God has preserved His Word reliably through the ages so that every person might have access to a clear presentation of the Gospel.

Discussion Questions
Opening Question
What is the earliest memory you have of the Bible — a verse, a story, or a moment when Scripture meant something to you? (Or: Did you grow up in a church or home where the Bible was regularly taught? How did that shape — or not shape — how you view Scripture today?)
Digging Into the Text

• The sermon described the Greek word for "inspired" as meaning "God-breathed." How does understanding Scripture as God-breathed rather than simply "inspiring" change the way you approach reading it?
• The pastor drew a parallel between God breathing life into man at creation and God breathing His Word into existence. What does that comparison suggest about how important Scripture is meant to be in a believer's life?
• Have you ever heard someone say, "The Bible was just written by men"? How would you respond to that after hearing this sermon?
• The sermon identified four ways Scripture is profitable: doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness. Which of these four do you find yourself most resistant to, and why?
• The pastor used the image of road lines and rumble strips as a picture of reproof — warning us when we have drifted too far. Can you think of a time when Scripture functioned that way in your own life?

Going Deeper

• The pastor said, "The book is enough." Do you find that easy or difficult to believe when you are in the middle of a hard season? What makes it difficult?
• The sermon mentioned that the Bible will not always give us specific answers to specific decisions — a home to buy, a medical choice to make — but it will provide wisdom, clarity, and peace. How have you experienced that in your own life?
• The pastor distinguished between doctrinal convictions and personal preferences, using examples like pew versus chair seating or wall colors as preferences, and the virgin birth or substitutionary death of Christ as doctrine. How do you personally tell the difference between the two? Where does that line sometimes get blurry?
• The pastor said the Holy Spirit will never contradict the Word of God. Why is that an important safeguard, and how does it help you evaluate what you hear from others or sense in your own spirit?
• The sermon introduced eight components of the doctrine of Scripture: Inspiration, Inerrancy, Infallibility, Authority, Sufficiency, Clarity, Preservation, and Canonicity. Which of these is most meaningful to you personally right now, and which one do you feel you understand the least?

Personal Reflection
The sermon made the point that we sometimes look for verses that confirm what we want to do rather than allowing Scripture to redirect us. Ask yourself: am I reading Scripture to hear from God, or am I reading it to find support for what I have already decided? What does it look like practically to make Scripture the authority in your life when the culture around you is constantly offering competing voices and perspectives?
Practical Applications

• Start a reading habit. Rather than committing to a full Bible-reading plan right away, open your Bible each morning, ask God for one truth, and spend time thinking about that truth throughout the day. Share what you discover with your group next week.
• Identify a doctrine. Look up your church's statement of faith or doctrinal statement online, mark any point where you have a question, and bring it to your group.
• Memorize a verse on Scripture. Commit one verse about the nature or value of Scripture to memory this week and recite it to a group member or family member before your next meeting.
• Protect your time in the Word. Identify one thing in your daily routine that consistently crowds out Bible reading, and make a specific plan to guard that time.

Closing Thought
Everything the church believes and everything a believer builds their life on has to rest on something solid — and that foundation is Scripture. It is God-breathed, not man-made; sufficient, not lacking; and reliable, having been preserved through the ages so that every person might hold the Gospel in their hands today. Before we can say "I believe" about any specific doctrine, we have to settle this first: is the book enough? This week, let your answer to that question show up in how you actually read it.

Small Group Guide: I Believe in Jesus Christ
Based on John 1:1-5
Overview
This week's message focused on the person of Jesus Christ as the foundation of Christian faith. Rather than simply saying "I believe in Jesus," we are called to know who He is — fully God, fully man, and the one who completely accomplished the work of our salvation. This guide will help your group move from general belief to deeper knowledge and personal relationship with Christ.
Key Scripture References

• John 1:1 — Jesus is described as the Word, who was with God and was God from the very beginning
• John 1:14 — The Word became flesh and dwelt among us
• Hebrews 4:15 — Jesus was tempted in every way we are, yet without sin
• Philippians 2:8 — Jesus humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even death on the cross
• Philippians 2:9-11 — One day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord

Key Takeaways

1. Jesus Christ is fully God. He was present at the beginning, and it took one who was fully God to accomplish what no ordinary person could — paying the debt for all of mankind's sin.
2. Jesus Christ is fully man. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. He lived, was tempted, wept, grew weary, and died just as we do — yet without sin. Because of this, He is able to sympathize with everything we face.
3. Jesus Christ fully completed His mission. He came to seek and to save the lost. In obedience to His own law, He went to the cross, and one day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that He is Lord.
4. Knowing Christ is not a one-time event. Just as relationships deepen over time through shared experiences, our relationship with Jesus is meant to grow richer and more personal throughout our lives.

Discussion Questions
Opening Question
When you were growing up, how would you have described who Jesus is? How has that understanding changed or grown over the years?
Digging Into the Text

• John 1:1 describes Jesus as the Word who was with God and was God from the very beginning. Why does it matter that Jesus is fully God and not simply a great teacher or moral example?
• The sermon made the point that a Savior who is anything less than fully God could never save mankind. How does understanding Jesus as fully God change the way you think about what happened on the cross?
• John 1:14 tells us the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. The sermon described this as God choosing to come to us rather than waiting for us to reach Him. What does that say about the character of God?
• Hebrews 4:15 tells us Jesus was tempted in every way we are, yet without sin. How does knowing that Jesus faced real temptation make a difference when you are personally struggling with sin or hardship?
• Philippians 2:8 says Jesus humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. The sermon pointed out that Jesus was obedient to a law He Himself had established. What does that kind of self-imposed obedience reveal about His character?

Going Deeper

• The sermon drew a distinction between preference and doctrine. What are some examples of preferences you have seen cause division in a church setting? Why is it important to anchor ourselves to what the Bible actually teaches rather than personal preference?
• The sermon mentioned that our love for Christ should cause us to want to know Him more, just as spouses and family members grow to know one another over time. What are some practical ways you have grown in your knowledge of Jesus through a difficult season of life?
• Philippians 2:9-11 tells us that one day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. How does that future reality shape the way you live and speak about your faith today?
• The sermon listed many names and titles of Jesus — the Word, the Lamb of God, the Bread of Life, the Good Shepherd, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Which of those names or titles is most meaningful to you personally right now, and why?

Personal Reflection
The pastor challenged the group to grow in knowledge of Christ every year, saying that coming out of a valley we should know more about Jesus than we knew going in. Think of a difficult season you have walked through. What did you learn about Jesus on the other side of it? The sermon closed with a reminder that Jesus is currently seated at the right hand of the Father making intercession for believers. How does that truth change the way you approach prayer or face discouragement this week?
Practical Applications

• Study one name or title of Jesus each day this week. Choose from the list mentioned in the sermon or find others in Scripture, and write down what that name reveals about His character and how it applies to something you're currently facing.
• Memorize Hebrews 4:15-16. Let the truth that Jesus faced real temptation without sinning shape how you pray this week.
• Have a conversation about Jesus with someone outside your group. Look for one natural opportunity this week to talk about who Jesus is, not just what Christians do or believe in general terms.
• Reflect on your own testimony. Write down or share with a partner what your life looked like before Christ, how you came to know Him, and how your understanding of who He is has grown since then.

Closing Thought
Jesus Christ is not merely a title we assign Him or a box we check on a list of beliefs — He is fully God, fully man, and the one who completed everything necessary for our salvation. He came to seek and to save the lost, He sympathizes with every struggle we face, and He now intercedes for us at the right hand of the Father. Knowing Him is not a one-time decision but a lifelong relationship meant to grow deeper with every season. The question this week is not whether you believe in Jesus, but how well you actually know Him.


Small Group Guide: I Believe in the God of the Bible
Based on Genesis 1:1
Overview
This week's sermon continued a series on the core doctrines of the church, shifting focus from the doctrine of Scripture to the doctrine of God. The pastor emphasized that God is our Creator, that He is the one true God of the Bible, and that He exists as a Trinity — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — each person playing a distinct role in our lives and in the plan of salvation. The central message: whatever you need, God has the answer.
Key Scripture References

• Genesis 1:1 — God establishes Himself as Creator before anything else is said
• Colossians 1:16 — All things were created by God and for God
• Exodus 3:14 — God reveals Himself to Moses as "I Am"
• Matthew 28:19 — The Great Commission, referencing all three persons of the Godhead
• Matthew 3:16-17 — Jesus' baptism, where Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all present

Key Takeaways

1. God is the Creator of all things, and recognizing that truth shapes our understanding of our own purpose — to bring honor and glory to Him, not to ourselves.
2. The God we worship is specifically the God revealed in Scripture. In a world that blurs religious lines, believers must be grounded in the truth of who God is as He has revealed Himself.
3. God exists as one God in three persons — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each person plays a unique role: the Father planned salvation, the Son accomplished it, and the Holy Spirit applies and seals it in believers.
4. God is actively at work in our lives, often in ways we cannot see or fully understand. He sees the end from the beginning and orchestrates events to bring about His purposes.
5. God is not a last resort. He is a faithful Father and Friend who desires to hear from us and be involved in every area of our lives.

Discussion Questions
Opening Question
Take a few minutes to introduce yourself to the group if needed. Then share: when you think about the word "God," what is the first thing that comes to mind? Where did that image come from?
Digging Into the Text

• The pastor said, "Scripture is the basis for what we believe, but God is the basis for who we are." What do you think he meant by that distinction? How does it change the way you see yourself?
• Genesis 1:1 establishes God as Creator before anything else is said. Why do you think it matters that we start our understanding of God there? How does seeing yourself as a created being — rather than a self-made one — affect your sense of purpose?
• Colossians 1:16 teaches that all things were created by God and for God. In practical terms, what does it look like to live as though your life belongs to Him and exists for His glory?
• God revealed Himself to Moses as "I Am" — meaning He is everything you need. What do you personally need from God right now? How does knowing He is the great "I Am" speak to that need?
• The Trinity can be a difficult concept to fully grasp. The pastor pointed to three moments in Scripture where all three persons of the Godhead are present or referenced — creation, the Great Commission, and Jesus' baptism. Which of those examples helps you understand the Trinity most clearly?

Going Deeper

• The pastor warned against the idea that all religions are simply different names for the same God. Why is that a dangerous belief? How would you respond to someone in your life who holds that view?
• The pastor listed many names and roles of God — Jehovah, Healer, Supplier, Peace, Comforter, Refuge. Which of those names means the most to you in this season of your life, and why?
• Consider the distinct roles in salvation: the Father planned it, the Son accomplished it, and the Holy Spirit applies and seals it. How does seeing salvation as the work of all three persons deepen your appreciation for what God has done for you?
• The pastor noted that God has never been lonely because the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have always existed in perfect fellowship, and connected that to the purpose of the church — to fill loneliness with genuine community. How well does your small group or church fulfill that role in your life?
• The pastor shared a story about Kevin, whose job change turned out to be the answer to his mother's prayers — even though Kevin may not have known it at the time. Can you think of a moment in your own life where you later realized God was orchestrating something you did not understand at the time?

Personal Reflection
The pastor said we often treat God like a spare tire — only calling on Him as a last resort. Be honest: in what areas of your life do you tend to rely on your own strength before turning to God? He challenged the group: "When is the last time you talked to God about it?" — referring to concerns about family, finances, health, and government. What is one specific area of your life where you need to move from venting or worrying to actually praying?
Practical Applications

• Daily Creator Awareness — Each morning this week, take sixty seconds before getting out of bed to acknowledge that you are a created being made for God's glory. Ask Him to help you live that day for His honor rather than your own.
• Pray Before You Post — Before you comment, complain, or vent about something this week, make it a rule to pray about it first.
• Learn a Name of God — Look up one of the names of God mentioned in the sermon, such as Jehovah Jireh, Jehovah Rapha, or Jehovah Shalom, and study what it means. Share what you find with the group next week.
• Trace God's Hand — Write down three to five events in your life that seemed random or difficult at the time but that you can now see God used for a purpose. Spend time thanking Him for His faithfulness in those moments.
• Pray Specifically — Identify one need in your life that you have been carrying on your own. Write it down, commit to praying over it every day this week, and share it with a trusted member of your group so they can pray with you.

Closing Thought
Whatever you need, God has the answer. He is not distant, not a last resort, and not one voice among many — He is the Creator who made you for His glory, the one true God revealed in Scripture, and a Trinity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit who has always been at work in your life, even in the moments you couldn't see it. The question this week is simple: will you actually talk to Him about it?


Small Group Guide: I Believe in the Church
Based on Matthew 16:13-19
Overview
This session explores the pastor's message on the church — what it is, why it matters, and what God intends for it to accomplish in our lives. Drawing from Matthew 16:13-19, we examine three key truths: the church is a place of testimony, a place of transformation, and a place of triumph. This guide is designed to help your group move from hearing these truths to living them out together.
Key Scripture References

• Matthew 16:13-19 — Peter's confession that Jesus is the Christ, and Jesus' declaration that He will build His church
• Matthew 16:18 — Jesus declares that the gates of hell will not prevail against His church
• Hebrews 10:25 — Believers are instructed not to neglect gathering together
• Proverbs 11:25 — The principle that generosity flows back to the giver

Key Takeaways

1. The Church Is a Place of Testimony. Our presence in the church is itself a declaration of faith. Peter's confession in Matthew 16 was not something he arrived at on his own — it was revealed to him by God. In the same way, the church is where our testimony begins, is shaped, and is sharpened over time.
2. The Church Is a Place of Transformation. Jesus did not call Peter a rock because Peter had always been steady, but because of what Christ had done in him. The church is the environment where that same transformation happens in us — through teaching, encouragement, accountability, and the use of our gifts.
3. The Church Is a Place of Triumph. Jesus declared that the gates of hell would not prevail against His church. We are not a defeated people dragging toward heaven — we are a triumphant people, equipped with authority and carrying heaven's endorsement in what we do.

Discussion Questions
Opening Question
Think of one person or one moment connected to a church that made a lasting difference in your life. Share it in just a few sentences.
Digging Into the Text

• The pastor said, "You do not have to be in church to be saved, but you need to be in church to have a strong testimony for God." Do you agree or disagree with that statement? Why?
• Peter's confession in Matthew 16 came after spending time with Jesus and witnessing what He said and did. How has being part of a church community helped clarify or strengthen your own understanding of who Jesus is?
• The pastor noted that Simon the unstable fisherman became Peter the rock — not overnight, but through time spent with Jesus and in community. Where do you see yourself in that process right now? Are you more in a "Simon" season or a "Peter" season?
• The pastor listed several ways the church facilitates transformation: teaching, training, prayer, encouragement, using gifts, and being loved. Which of these has had the greatest impact on your own growth? Which do you feel you are currently missing?

Going Deeper

• The pastor described faithfulness to the church the way you would describe faithfulness in a relationship — showing up consistently matters. What does a healthy, realistic pattern of faithfulness to the local church look like for someone in your current season of life?
• Hebrews 10:25 instructs believers not to neglect gathering together. What are the most common reasons people drift from consistent church involvement, and how can this group help one another stay connected?
• The pastor said that some weeks it feels like fighting "held by the acre" — that the enemy is constantly pressing in. How does being connected to the local church help you stand against that pressure in a way you could not on your own?
• The pastor described the church as God's answer to nearly every command He gives us — generosity, raising children, bearing burdens, reaching the world. Which of these commands feels hardest for you to obey on your own? How does the church make obedience to that command more possible?

Personal Reflection
The pastor talked about the tendency to speak defeat over our own lives — expecting bad luck, bracing for the worst — and challenged the group to speak in alignment with God's will instead. What is one area of your life right now where you need to shift from speaking defeat to speaking faith? What would it look like to believe that God is not just getting you to heaven, but making you a winner along the way?
Practical Applications

• Identify one habit or pattern that is pulling you away from consistent involvement in your church, and make a specific plan this week to address it.
• Write down three things you are grateful for about your local church, and share them with someone who needs encouragement about the church.
• If you have children, tell them a story this week about what the church has meant to your family, so they understand it is not just a building but a family with a history.
• As a group, identify one person in your church or community who is disconnected from the body of Christ. Pray for that person by name this week and consider one practical way your group could reach out.
• Make a commitment to attend one church service or event in the coming weeks that you would not normally attend, with the intention of encouraging someone else.
• Consider giving financially at a level that requires faith, trusting the principle in Proverbs 11:25 that generosity flows back to the giver.

Closing Thought
The church was never meant to be a building we visit or a box we check. It is the family Christ died for and continues to build — a place where our testimony is formed, where transformation happens through time and community, and where we walk not as a defeated people but as a triumphant one. Jesus said the gates of hell will not prevail against His church. The question for each of us is whether we will show up, get involved, and let that promise shape how we live this week.

Small Group Guide: I Believe in the Priesthood of the Believer
Based on Hebrews 10:19-22

Overview
This guide is based on a sermon exploring what the Bible calls the priesthood of the believer. The central question driving our discussion is this: as followers of Christ, how close can we actually get to God? Through the imagery of the temple veil, the sacrifice of Christ, and the open invitation to approach God directly, we will examine what this doctrine means for our daily lives.

Key Scripture References

• Hebrews 10:19-22 -- The author of Hebrews describes the bold access believers now have to enter the holiest place through the blood of Jesus by a new and living way
• Hebrews 4:14-16 -- Believers are invited to come boldly before the throne of grace because Jesus, as high priest, understands human weakness from personal experience
• Matthew 27:50-51 -- At the moment of Christ's death, the temple veil was torn from top to bottom
• Leviticus 16:2 -- God warned Aaron not to enter the holy place beyond the veil at just any time, or he would die
• Hebrews 9:7 -- Only the high priest could enter the second holy place, and only once a year, and never without blood
• 1 Peter 2:5, 9 -- Believers are described as a holy and royal priesthood, a chosen generation called out of darkness into God's marvelous light

Key Takeaways
1. The veil represented separation. Before Christ, access to God's presence was tightly restricted. Only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies, only once a year, and only with a blood sacrifice. The average person had no direct access to God. This was not a minor inconvenience -- it was a matter of life and death.
2. Christ tore the veil through His sacrifice. When Jesus died on the cross, the temple veil was torn from top to bottom -- not from the bottom up by human hands, but from the top down by God Himself. This was a deliberate, powerful, divine act signaling that the barrier between God and humanity had been permanently removed.
3. Jesus is a high priest who understands us personally. Unlike the Old Testament priests who were set apart from ordinary life, Jesus walked among people. He experienced hunger, thirst, grief, temptation, and suffering. He is not distant or unreachable. He knows exactly what we are going through.
4. Every believer is now a priest. The access once reserved for a select few has been extended to every person who belongs to Christ. We do not need another human being to mediate between us and God. We can go directly to the throne of grace -- boldly, personally, and at any time.
5. This access demands a personal response. With this open door comes personal responsibility. We must choose to walk through it. Living as though the veil is still in place -- waiting for Sundays, waiting for a pastor to pray, waiting for a special occasion -- means missing one of the greatest gifts the gospel provides.

Discussion Questions
Opening Question
Think of a time when you had access to something or someone that you previously could not reach. What did that access mean to you, and how did it change things?
Digging Into the Text

1. Read Hebrews 10:19-22 together. The passage uses the word "boldly" to describe how believers can approach God. What does it mean to come boldly before God? Does that word feel natural to you when you think about prayer, or does it feel presumptuous? Why?
2. The sermon described the Old Testament system in detail -- one man, one day a year, with a blood sacrifice, entering a place where death awaited the unauthorized. How does understanding that system change the way you think about the access you have to God right now?
3. Read Matthew 27:50-51. The veil was torn from top to bottom, not from the bottom up. What is the significance of that direction? What does it tell us about who initiated this open access?
4. Hebrews 4:15 says Jesus was tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin. The sermon pointed out that Old Testament priests were kept separate from the struggles of ordinary life. How does knowing that Jesus personally experienced hardship, temptation, and grief affect the way you approach Him in prayer?
5. Read 1 Peter 2:5 and 2:9. Peter -- a man who denied Christ and repeatedly stumbled -- wrote that believers are now a holy and royal priesthood. What does it say about God's grace that someone like Peter could write those words and include himself in them? What does it say about you?

Going Deeper

1. The sermon raised this question: if you could ask God anything when you get to heaven, why not ask Him now? What holds people back from praying with that kind of openness and expectation? What holds you back personally?
2. The sermon described how easy it is to live as though the veil is still closed -- only praying on Sundays, only praying in church, only bringing needs to God through another person. In what ways do you think the church as a whole, or you individually, sometimes behaves as if the veil is still up?
3. The sermon made a distinction between preferences and core doctrine. The priesthood of the believer is presented as a foundational biblical truth, not a preference. Why do you think this doctrine matters for how a church functions and how individual believers live day to day?
4. If someone in your group were to ask you right now, "What is the thing you most need God to do in your life?" how would you answer? What would it look like to actually bring that need before God this week in a deliberate and specific way?

Personal Reflection

1. On a scale of one to ten, how much does your daily prayer life reflect the reality that the veil has been torn and the throne room is open to you at any moment? What would need to change for that number to go up?

Practical Applications
This week, practice going through the veil. Set aside a specific time each day this week to pray, not as a religious routine, but as a deliberate act of walking through the open door that Christ purchased for you. Come boldly. Name your needs specifically. Come on behalf of others by name.
Pray for someone who cannot pray for themselves right now. Think of someone in your life who is overwhelmed, sick, grieving, or spiritually lost. As a priest under the new covenant, you have the ability to stand in the gap for that person. Commit to praying for them daily this week and, if appropriate, let them know you are doing so.
Identify one area where you have been waiting instead of praying. Is there a burden, a decision, a relationship, or a fear that you have been carrying without consistently bringing it to God? Write it down. Bring it to the throne room this week and leave it there.
Memorize Hebrews 4:16. Commit this verse to memory this week. Let the invitation to come boldly before the throne of grace become language that shapes how you think about prayer.
Discuss this with someone outside your group. The priesthood of the believer is not just a theological concept -- it is a practical reality that changes how people live. Share what you learned from this study with someone who may not know they have direct access to God.

Closing Thought
The veil that once kept humanity at a distance from God was not quietly folded up and set aside. It was torn -- violently, completely, and permanently -- by the hand of God Himself at the moment His Son gave His life. That torn veil is an invitation. It is also a declaration. The way is open. The throne room is accessible. You are part of a royal priesthood. The question is not whether you can go in. The question is whether you will.

Small Group Guide: I Believe in the Two Ordinances of the Church
Main Text: Acts 2:41–42
Key Verse: Acts 2:42
“And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”
Opening Thought
Over the past several weeks, we have been studying what we believe as a church through our series, “I Believe.” We have talked about the Scriptures, God, Jesus Christ, and the priesthood of the believer.
These are foundational truths of our faith.
Today, we turn our attention to two things Christ gave specifically to His church that are both visible and tangible: baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
We call these the two ordinances of the church.
Neither baptism nor the Lord’s Supper adds anything to the finished work of Christ. We are not saved by being baptized or by taking communion. We participate in these ordinances because we have already trusted Christ and because they give us a physical way to demonstrate and remember the gospel.

1. Baptism Pictures the Gospel
Read: Romans 6:3–4
“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
Baptism is more than simply getting into a pool and getting wet.
When a believer goes under the water, it pictures the death and burial of Christ. When they come back up, it pictures the resurrection of Christ and the believer’s new life in Him.
Baptism is a public testimony that says:
Christ died. Christ was buried. Christ rose again. And because He lives, I now live also.
It is a picture of the change that has already taken place inside the believer.
Discussion Questions

1. What does baptism picture according to Romans 6:3–4?
2. Why is baptism such a powerful picture of the gospel?
3. What does a believer communicate to others when they publicly identify with Christ through baptism?
4. Why is it important to understand that baptism pictures salvation rather than provides salvation?

Life Application
If you have trusted Christ but have never followed Him in believer’s baptism, consider what may be keeping you from taking that step of obedience.

2. Baptism Follows Faith in Christ
Read: Acts 2:41 and Acts 8:36–37
“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.”
And Acts 8:37 says:
“And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest.”
The pattern in Scripture is clear:
Faith in Christ comes first. Baptism follows.
The Ethiopian eunuch wanted to be baptized, but Philip first established whether he believed.
Baptism is therefore called believer’s baptism. It is for someone who has personally placed their faith and trust in Jesus Christ.
Baptism is not for infants who cannot personally make that decision. It is not something we do simply because someone wants a fresh start or wants to try something new.
Baptism is the response of someone who has already trusted Christ.
Discussion Questions

1. What order do we see in Acts 2:41—receiving the Word or being baptized?
2. Why is personal faith in Christ necessary before baptism?
3. What is the difference between wanting a “new start” in life and genuinely trusting Christ for salvation?
4. Why is it important for churches to clearly explain what baptism means?

Life Application
Think about your own testimony. Can you identify a time when you personally placed your faith in Jesus Christ?

3. The Lord’s Supper Helps Us Remember
Read: 1 Corinthians 11:23–25
“For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.”
Jesus specifically told His followers to remember Him.
The bread reminds us of His body given for us.
The cup reminds us of His blood shed for us.
The Lord’s Supper gives us something physical that helps us remember something spiritual.
When we take the bread and the cup, we are not receiving salvation. We are remembering the salvation Christ has already purchased for us.
Discussion Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus gave the church a physical way to remember His sacrifice?
2. What should come to our minds when we take the bread?
3. What should come to our minds when we take the cup?
4. How can the Lord’s Supper help strengthen our faith during difficult seasons?

Life Application
The next time you participate in the Lord’s Supper, intentionally slow down and remember what Christ did for you personally.

4. The Lord’s Supper Helps Us Proclaim
Read: 1 Corinthians 11:26
“For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.”
The Lord’s Supper doesn't only cause us to look backward.
It also causes us to look forward.
We remember His death, but we also look forward to His coming again.
The Lord’s Supper sits between two great truths:
Christ came and died.
Christ is coming again.
Every time the church gathers around the Lord’s table, we proclaim that message.
We are saying that Christ died for our sins, that He rose again, and that He is coming again.
Discussion Questions

1. What does the Lord’s Supper proclaim according to 1 Corinthians 11:26?
2. Why is it important that communion reminds us of Christ’s return as well as His death?
3. How does remembering Christ’s return give us hope?
4. How can our participation in the Lord’s Supper be a testimony to others?

Life Application
Let the Lord’s Supper remind you this week that you are not simply living for today. Christ is coming again.

5. We Must Take the Lord’s Supper Seriously
Read: 1 Corinthians 11:27–29
“Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.”
Paul gives a serious warning concerning the Lord’s Supper.
We should not treat it casually.
Before participating, believers should examine themselves and consider what Christ's sacrifice means.
This doesn't mean that we have to be perfect before coming to the table. None of us could ever meet that standard.
It means that we should understand what we are doing and approach the Lord's Supper with reverence, faith, and appreciation for the sacrifice of Christ.
Discussion Questions

1. What does it mean to “examine himself” before taking the Lord’s Supper?
2. Why should we never treat communion as simply another church tradition?
3. What can happen when we become so familiar with something holy that we stop appreciating its meaning?

Life Application
Before the next Lord’s Supper service, take time to thank God specifically for Christ’s broken body and shed blood.

Final Reflection
Baptism and the Lord’s Supper give us something tangible in a world where people often want something they can see and touch.
Through baptism, we picture the gospel.
Through the Lord’s Supper, we remember and proclaim the gospel.
But neither ordinance can save us.
Before we can rightly enter the baptistry or come to the Lord’s table, we must first come to the cross.
Jesus said:
“Ye must be born again.”
—John 3:7
The greatest question is not, “Have you been baptized?”
It is not, “Have you taken communion?”
The greatest question is:
Have you trusted Jesus Christ as your Savior?
If you have, then baptism gives you an opportunity to publicly identify with Him, and the Lord’s Supper gives you an opportunity to remember and proclaim what He has done.

Personal Reflection
Take a few moments to consider:

• Have I personally trusted Jesus Christ for salvation?
• Have I followed Christ in believer’s baptism?
• Do I understand what baptism represents?
• Do I approach the Lord’s Supper with the seriousness and gratitude it deserves?
• Am I living with the hope that Christ is coming again?