HC I WKB
HC I WKB
HC I WKB
1997 Edition
by
This workbook has been prepared at the request of the 1974 Synod of the
Protestant Reformed Churches in America. The two volumes provide sufficient
material for a two-year period of instruction for young people fourteen and fifteen
years of age. In our sequence of catechism books, this workbook belongs
between the New Testament for Seniors and Essentials of Reformed Doctrine
books. Although the workbook can be used with the existing Heidelberg
Catechism for Juniors book, its real purpose is that it be used with the Heidelberg
Catechism itself; following this method, the actual Lord’s Days are memorized by
the student. The workbook then serves the purpose of assisting the student in the
understanding of the Lord’s Days and provoking him into thinking through this
instruction.
Pastors: Fifty-two lessons are provided in the workbook. This will allow
for two thirty-lesson catechism seasons. Four weeks each year are available for
testing or for discussion periods. It is suggested that the booklet The Three Forms
of Unity be used as the textbook. This booklet is much handier than the Psalter,
and will encourage the student to follow instructions in looking up information in
the other confessions. It is presupposed that the student knows the books of the
Bible so he can find his way through the Scriptures easily.
The key to the use of the workbook is flexibility. There are three parts to
the total picture of instruction: the students’ memorizing of the Lord’s Days, the
students’ filling in of the workbook, and the pastor’s presentation in class. The
workbook ought to be used carefully and with flexibility so that the presentation
of the gospel in the classroom does not suffer. In other words, the workbook is
not meant to be the sole means of instruction. The pastor can decide if the
lessons are graded in class or handed in sometimes, if the material of the
workbook is gone over thoroughly or only a few key questions are discussed.
Each pastor can integrate the workbook into his system as he sees fit.
Parents: The young people are encouraged to discuss questions and issues
with their parents. In several instances this is the only way the correct answer can
be obtained.
May the Lord bless this effort in presenting the priceless heritage of
Reformed truth to our youth, that they may experience the comfort that belongs to
the covenant friends of the Most High God!
A. Introduction to the Catechism. (You may want to discuss this part with your parents.)
1. When was the Heidelberg Catechism written? _____________ Who were the authors of
the Catechism? ______________________ and _____________________________
Under what circumstances was the Catechism written? __________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
2. When did the Catechism become one of the official creeds of the Reformed Churches in
the Netherlands? __________________ What churches beside our own have the
Heidelberg Catechism as one of their creeds? __________________________________
3. What does Article 68 of the Church Order say about the Catechism? _______________
_______________________________________________________________________
B. The emphasis of the Catechism.
1. In addition to the Catechism, our churches have the _____________________ and the
___________________________ as our creeds or confessions.
2. Read the first article of each of the other creeds. Their subjects are
__________________ _________________________ and
__________________________________________.
3. Rather than taking the doctrinal approach, the Catechism takes the practical, personal
approach, stressing the idea of comfort.
a. Comfort is needed:
___ only by the aged.
___ only by the sick.
___ by all people at some time.
___ by everyone at all times.
b. In what wrong things might a young person try to find his comfort? _____________
____________________________________________________________________
c. True comfort allows a person to live happily as well as
________________________.
4. Give at least two reasons why the blood of Christ is called precious. ________________
_______________________________________________________________________
5. Job is an example of a man who stood in need of great comfort and who received it
abundantly.
a. Read Job 1:13-22 and tell why Job stood in need of comfort. ___________________
____________________________________________________________________
b. Read Job 19:25-27 and tell why he was able to be comforted in the midst of all his
woes. _______________________________________________________________
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Lord’s Day 2 Name: _________________________________
C. The division of the Catechism.
1. What three things must we know if we are to have true comfort? __________________,
___________________________, _____________________________
2. We can find this threefold division expressed in a single passage: Romans 7:24, 25.
Quote the proper phrases to show this.
a. Misery — “__________________________________________________________.”
b. Deliverance — “______________________________________________________.”
c. Gratitude — “________________________________________________________.”
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Lord’s Day 1 (cont.)
This Lord’s Day instructs us in the fact that the true nature and extent of our misery can only
be known out of the Law of God. The Law, here, refers to the Ten Commandments. Since we
cannot keep the Ten Commandments, we are taught that our misery arises out of our sin and our
guilt.
A. Answer these questions carefully in your own words:
1. What is sin? After reading I John 3:4, write a definition of sin. _________________
____________________________________________________________________
2. Did a sinless man ever live? According to I John 1:8-19 and Romans 3:12, the
answer is very plainly _________________.
3. Is it possible for a person to sin without knowing it? Read Luke 23:34 and I Timothy
1:13. _____________________
a. Is ignorance an excuse for sin? ___________________
b. Does ignorance make a sin a different kind of sin? ______________
4. Sin is a very terrible thing. Today most people do not even talk about sin anymore;
they are not concerned with what is right and wrong. After reading Isaiah 59:1, 2;
Psalm 51:14; and Galatians 3:10, give several reasons why sin is such a serious
matter.
a. Isaiah 59:1, 2 — ___________________________________________________
b. Psalm 51:14 — ____________________________________________________
c. Galatians 3:10 — __________________________________________________
5. It is commonly believed that sin is committed only when a person does some evil act.
But see Matthew 5:21, 22, 27, 28; and James 4:17. These verses make plain that sin
is also committed in our __________________ and with our ___________________.
6. Scripture uses many terms for sin. Give several other words or synonyms for sin.
a. __________________________
b. __________________________
c. __________________________
d. __________________________
7. Our sin is our misery due to the fact that the result of sin or the wages of sin is
_________________. (See Genesis 2:17 and Romans 6:23.)
B. Mark with T or F to indicate whether the statement is true or false.
___ 1. Christ teaches us that some of the Ten Commandments are more important than
others.
___ 2. It is possible to love God and hate the neighbor.
___ 3. It is impossible to love the neighbor and hate God.
___ 4. It is possible to keep some commandments and break others.
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Lord’s Day 2 Name: _________________________________
___ 5. Love is the keeping of the law.
___ 6. God Himself must tell us what is sinful if we are to know our sins.
___ 7. What is sinful in one age might be perfectly all right in another.
___ 8. All men by nature are haters of God and of one another.
___ 9. The Ten Commandments are still God’s rule for our life today.
___ 10. Our misery is rooted in what we are, rather than what we do.
___ 11. The better we know our sinful selves, the more we will take our refuge in the cross
of Christ.
___ 12. God’s way of working is that He first humbles us and then exalts us.
___ 13. God loves us because we love Him.
___ 14. Young people really do not have to concern themselves with the matter of sin.
___ 15. Christ did not come to destroy the law, but to fulfill it.
___ 16. We can find other ways of serving God than keeping the law.
___ 17. If everyone does a certain thing, this thing cannot be sinful.
___ 18. A slight understanding of our sin leads to a small cross and little reason for
gratitude.
___ 19. It is bad to talk about sin because it might make a person worry.
___ 20. God is satisfied if we keep part of the law at least part of the time.
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Lord’s Day 3 Name: __________________________________
This Lord’s Day includes instruction on the creation of man, his fall into sin, and the
depravity that followed for the human race. This is a very good method to follow. If man is
prone to hate God and the neighbor, it makes good sense to trace man back to his origins to
discover the reason for his sinful condition. Before answering the following questions, read
Article 14 of the Belgic Confession and Articles 1, 2, and 3 of the Third and Fourth Heads of the
Canons of Dordt.
A. Answer each question with a word or two.
1. Man was created in the image of God and after His likeness. From Colossians 3:10 and
Ephesians 4:24 we learn that the image of God in man consisted of _________________,
_______________________, and __________________________.
2. That man is a special creature is indicated by the unique way in which God created him.
Read Genesis 1:26 and 2:7. Give two details that show that man’s creation was different
from that of all the other creatures.
a. _____________________________________________________________________
b. _____________________________________________________________________
3. According to Lord’s Day III, man was originally created that he might
_______________ God his Creator, ________________ Him, and
____________________ in eternal happiness to glorify and praise Him.
4. The relation that Adam and Eve have toward us and all the human race is that of
_______________________________.
5. Did the fall of Adam and Eve into sin affect us? ____________ How? (In answering
this question, refer again to Canons, III/IV, Art. 2.) ____________________________.
6. Romans 5:12 is a very important text in respect to the doctrine of original sin. Look at
this text carefully and answer the following questions:
a. By what one man did sin enter the world? _________________________
b. What is the relationship between sin and death? ____________________________
c. In the phrase, “… and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned …,”
when did “all” sin, at the time of Adam or during men’s own lifetime? ___________
7. Depravity means wickedness and corruption. Total depravity emphasizes that depravity
or wickedness extends to every part of man’s nature and to every member of the human
race.
a. List the parts of the human nature that have come under the power of sin. (Hint —
see 4th answer of Lord’s Day 2.)
1) ____________________________ 3) ____________________________
2) ____________________________ 4) ____________________________
b. Quote a verse from Romans 3 that proves that every man is depraved. “___________
___________________________________________________________________.”
c. What does Psalm 51:5 teach about our depravity? ___________________________
8. Because of total depravity, we are so corrupt that we are wholly incapable of doing any
good and are inclined to all wickedness. State the 3rd point of common grace.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Is the theory of common grace contrary to the Heidelberg Catechism and the Canons of
Dordt? ________________
9. God’s grace in Christ is the only way that depraved man can be delivered from his
proneness to hate God and the neighbor.
a. What is grace? _______________________________________________________
b. What act of God’s grace, specifically, is necessary if a man is to perform any good?
____________________________________________________________________
B. True or False (T or F)
___ 1. Man can never blame God for what he is or does.
___ 2. The days of the creation week could not have been long periods of time.
___ 3. It makes little difference whether Genesis 1-3 are literally true or not.
___ 4. God created man wicked and perverse.
___ 5. Adam was capable of loving God perfectly according to his creation.
___ 6. A baby is worthy of death the moment he is born.
___ 7. There is a little bad in the best of us and a little good in the worst of us.
___ 8. Man by himself is absolutely incapable of performing any good before God.
___ 9. Every person is sinful because he imitates those around him.
___ 10. We have nothing to do with the deeds of Adam and Eve.
C. Match the term with its definition or description by placing a number in each blank.
1. Creation ___ a. An act of willful disobedience against the law of God.
2. Image of God ___ b. Man is born dead in trespasses and sin.
3. The Fall ___ c. An area created as a picture of heaven.
4. Total Depravity ___ d. A well-watered area near the Euphrates River.
5. Common Grace ___ e. Each one of us sinned when Adam sinned.
6. Original Sin ___ f. A birth by which the power of death is broken.
7. Grace ___ g. God spoke and it was done, He commanded and it stood fast.
8. Regeneration ___ h. The view that God’s grace is upon all men.
9. Eden ___ i. The creaturely reflection of God’s perfections in man.
10. Paradise ___ j. The shining forth of God’s beauty when He bestows undeserved
favor upon His people.
Lord’s Day 4 Name: __________________________________
Up to this point, we have seen that natural man is a hater of God and his neighbor, is
incapable of doing any good, and thus has come under the curse of God which is death. In this
Lord’s Day we are presented with many attributes or virtues of God: His justice, mercy, and
most high majesty. We can look at these three questions and answers as three attempts of sinful
man to escape the consequences of his sin without forsaking his sin. Knowing that we are
depraved and miserable, perhaps we begin to think along these lines:
1. God is not fair in requiring of me what I cannot do.
2. Maybe there is no such thing as punishment for sin.
3. God’s mercy will take care of everything, so why worry?
The answers of the Catechism set our thinking straight. If we are to find a way out of our
misery, it must be God’s way out, not ours.
A. Answer these questions, looking up the biblical passages where indicated.
1. For man to suggest that God is not just is a terrible thing. Read Deuteronomy 32:4 and
find six words that describe the perfect justice of God. ______________,
____________, _________________, _______________, _______________, and
_________________
2. Although the devil tempted and deceived our first parents, their fall was an act of willful
disobedience. This means that man wanted to sin.
a. What excellent gifts were lost through the fall? (Canons III/IV, Art. 1) __________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
b. What replaced these excellent gifts? (same article) ___________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
c. To what does Adam’s posterity refer? _____________________________________
d. Canons III/IV, Art. 2 states that corruption came upon the human race, not by
________________ but by the propagation of a _____________________________.
3. Answer 10 speaks of two different kinds of sin. List them and describe them.
______________ sin means ________________________________________________.
______________ sin means ________________________________________________.
4. God hates all sin and will punish all sin.
a. Is sin punished in this lifetime? ________ How? ___________________________
____________________________________________________________________
b. Is sin punished eternally in hell? _______ After reading Luke 16:24 and Revelation
20:15, tell what language the Bible uses to describe the punishment of hell.
_____________________________________________________________________
5. God is not only ___________, but also ________________________.
a. Can God, in His mercy, ignore the fact that we have sinned? ____________
b. Would God be God if He allowed sin to go unpunished? ____________
c. Which shows loving concern on the part of parents — if they let their children do
what they want, or if they correct, warn, and administer some punishment? Give a
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reason for your answer. _________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
6. Clearly, if man is to be delivered from his misery, the way of deliverance will have to
take into account both the justice and mercy of God.
a. Read Psalm 85:10. This verse actually speaks of mercy and justice using slightly
different terms. What words are similar to justice? ________________ and
__________________ What word belongs with mercy? __________________
b. Where did mercy and truth meet together? ______________________________
B. Underline the best ending to the beginning of the phrase.
1. That God is just means:
a. no one can ever be saved.
b. His justice will have to be satisfied.
c. He is cruel when He punishes.
2. According to his creation, man was:
a. able to choose to obey or disobey God.
b. already inclined to sin.
c. not able to love God perfectly.
3. The will of fallen man is:
a. still able to choose what is right.
b. finds it difficult to choose the good.
c. never desires what is good.
4. Adam’s sin was so serious because:
a. it was committed in the beautiful Garden.
b. it was against the covenant God.
c. it meant he had to leave Paradise.
5. The temptation and fall:
a. happened according to the eternal will of God.
b. was permitted to happen by God.
c. happened against the will of God.
6. Since the devil goes about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour:
a. we ought to give the devil no place in our lives.
b. we need not be concerned because Christ will protect us.
c. we can live as close to the world as possible.
7. The “most high majesty of God” impresses upon us that:
a. God is to be feared and obeyed.
b. that God is so high we can never know Him.
c. that God is not interested in the affairs of man.
Lord’s Day 5 Name: __________________________________
Question 12 gets right to the point of deliverance: “… is there no way by which we may
escape that punishment, and be again received into favor?” But these important matters are not
to be rushed. Very carefully the Catechism exhausts every human possibility to show the
hopelessness of man in himself. In the last Question and Answer we are given the requirements
of the Mediator, but He is not yet identified for us.
A. Throughout the Word of God it is emphasized that man can do nothing to satisfy God’s
justice, or to provide a way out of his misery. Salvation is entirely of the Lord. Here are a
few examples of this truth:
1. Read Genesis 3:7, 21.
a. Adam and Eve tried to hide their nakedness by covering themselves with _______
______________. However, this could not cover their sin and shame.
b. Therefore God provided them with ____________________ ____________.
c. In what way did this point them to Christ? _________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
d. Since we read of sacrifice in Genesis 4:3, 4, may we conclude that God had
instructed Adam and Eve concerning sacrifice when He gave them coats of skins?
_________
2. Read Genesis 16:1-4 and Hebrews 11:11, 12.
a. God had promised to send Abraham seed in whom all the world would be blessed,
and that seed was Christ. Yet, Abraham and Sarah had no children and they were
past the years of childbearing. What did Abraham and Sarah decide to do?
___________
____________________________________________________________________
Was this pleasing to God? __________
b. When it was unmistakable that Abraham and Sarah could not have children, God sent
Isaac. By what power was Isaac conceived? __________________ (Heb. 11:11, 12)
c. Hence it is clear that ________________ can never bring forth Christ.
3. Read Luke 1:30-35.
a. God had promised David that his son would sit on the throne forever. But at this
time there was no proper descendant of David for _______________ to have as a
husband. The line of David came down to a lone virgin.
b. When all is hopeless and dark, God reveals His salvation by causing the __________
_________________ to come upon Mary so that that which is born of her is called
________________________.
4. Luke 18:27 sums this up very well. Quote this text. “____________________________
________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________.”
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B. Fill in the blanks.
1. This Lord’s Day stresses that God’s justice must be satisfied and His mercy can never be
in conflict with His justice.
a. What is the idea of satisfaction? __________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
b. Why cannot we make this satisfaction? ____________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
c. What are the two reasons why another creature cannot satisfy for us? ____________
_____________________________________________________________________
2. Read Hebrews 9:11, 12.
a. Did the blood of animals satisfy for sin during the Old Testament times? _________
b. What was the significance of animal blood? ________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
3. What are the requirements of a mediator and deliverer?
a. ___________________________
b. ___________________________
c. ___________________________
4. In the Lord’s Prayer (Matt. 6:12) our sins are called debts.
a. What is the idea of a debt? _____________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
b. If we stopped sinning at this moment, would God be satisfied with us? __________
Explain. ____________________________________________________________
5. At the end of this Lord’s Day it looks almost impossible that we should ever be
delivered. But God is faithful! What name of Christ describes best the idea of Answer
15? __________________________ (See Isaiah 7:14.)
Lord’s Day 6 Name: __________________________________
In this lesson the Mediator is set forth as to His requirements. We learn of our Mediator in
the holy gospel, which comes to us in the Scriptures. Hence, we can very profitably study the
doctrine of Scripture here.
A. Fill in the blanks.
1. Why cannot a sinner satisfy for the sins of another person?
________________________
________________________________________________________________________
2. That God requires that “the same nature which sinned shall make satisfaction,” means
that the Mediator will have to have a ______________ ____________________.
3. Answer 17 contains these elements:
a. The human nature of the Mediator must be sustained by the ____________________
____________________________.
b. The human nature must obtain ______________________ and _________________.
c. The Mediator must then give these things He has obtained to ______________.
4. Our Lord Jesus Christ is in one _________________ both very God and a ___________
_____________________.
5. I Corinthians 1:30, 31 reads, “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto
us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it
is written, he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.”
a. Skim through the last part of I Corinthians 1. With what is wisdom contrasted?
_____________________________________________________________________
b. If man could save himself, or if salvation were of works, would verse 31 be true?
_________ Explain. ___________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
c. Hence it is clear that God has arranged all things so that the salvation of His people
would result in His ___________________________.
6. Where do we learn who and what the Mediator is? ______________________________
Romans 10:14, 15 makes clear that we do not learn this by reading the Bible, but through
________________________________.
a. Answer 19 really states that the holy gospel from beginning to end is Christ. The
Bible on every page gives us God’s revelation of Himself in His Son, who is the
Word.
1) Quote the first announcement of the gospel in Paradise and circle the word that
refers to Christ. “__________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________.”
2) Quote Genesis 22:18, which was spoken to the patriarch Abraham. “__________
_________________________________________________________________
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_________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________.”
3) Quote a verse from Isaiah 53 that shows how the prophet spoke of the coming
Messiah. “________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________.”
4) Quote Hebrews 7:27, which shows that Christ is the fulfillment of all Old
Testament sacrifice.
“________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________.”
5) Quote Romans 10:4, which shows that the fulfillment of the law is in Christ:
“_________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________.”
b. The holy gospel is trustworthy only if it is true! In II Timothy 3:16 and II Peter 1:21
the Bible sets forth its own teaching on the inspiration of the Word of God. Read
these verses, consult your parents if necessary, and answer these questions:
1) What is meant by inspiration?
_________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
2) What do we mean by verbal inspiration? ________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
3) What is meant by infallible inspiration? _________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
4) What is the idea of a clear or perspicuous Bible?
__________________________
__________________________________________________________________
5) What is meant by organic inspiration? __________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Lord’s Day 7 Name: __________________________________
Lord’s Day 7 presents faith both as a bond (an engrafting into Christ) and as an activity in
the life of every child of God. We are saved by grace through faith. Only when we conceive of
faith as an engrafting into Christ can we understand that it is not of ourselves, but is the gift of
God. This important, Reformed, biblical doctrine must be thoroughly understood and
appreciated.
A. Faith as a bond.
1. The Bible speaks of faith as a living bond or engrafting in John 15:5 and Romans 11:17-
20. Read these passages. As you know, branches can be grafted from one tree into
another. However, these branches must be alive, and they must have the same kind of
life in them as the tree into which they are to be grafted.
a. The entire human race belongs to one tree, the tree of Adam. This tree is
________________________ and produces no fruit unto God.
b. Branches from this dead tree can be made living branches only through _________
______________________________________. (See Question and Answer 8.)
c. When God regenerates a person, He places that person in union with Christ. Thus the
life of Christ flows to us through the living bond of faith, and the result is that we
produce ____________________________________________________________.
d. The new tree, or vine, of Christ, receives all His benefits by ____________________
____________________________________________________________________.
e. Do all men belong to the new tree of Christ? ______________
f. According to John 15:1, 2, God is the _____________________ who cares for the
vine in two ways:
1) _________________________________________________________________.
2) _________________________________________________________________.
2. The Belgic Confession has a beautiful article on faith, Article 22. Read it carefully.
Concentrate on the last few sentences of this article. We do not find the word “bond”
here, but we do find a similar word, “instrument.”
a. Quote the words from the last sentence that show that the bond of faith can never be
broken. “_____________________________________________________.”
b. The article also states that faith itself does not justify for it is “__________________
____________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________.”
B. Faith as the believer’s activity.
1. When the regenerated, engrafted child of God hears the preaching of the gospel, he is
called, comes to faith, and is converted.
a. The Catechism describes this true faith as __________________________________
and ______________________________________.
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b. What is the difference between knowing God and knowing about God? __________
____________________________________________________________________
c. Is it possible to have confidence without knowledge? _________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
2. It is very important to notice the relationship between election and faith.
a. A person must certainly believe if he is to inherit the kingdom of heaven. Read John
3:16 and 36.
b. But the question is, who will believe? Read John 10:26.
1) Which is first, being a sheep or believing? ______________________________
2) When or how does a person become a sheep? ____________________________
_________________________________________________________________
c. Which is first, having eternal life or believing? ______________________________
____________________________________________________________________
d. The Canons have much to say about saving faith. Read the Canons I, Articles 6 and
9.
1) Quote the first line of Article 6: “______________________________________
________________________________________________________________.”
2) Read Article 9 again. Election is called the _________________ out of which
flows forth ______________________, __________________, ______________
________________________, and ____________________ as fruits and effects.
3) We are not chosen because of faith but
__________________________________.
Lord’s Day 8 Name: __________________________________
This lesson presents us with one of the most difficult truths to be found in the Bible, namely,
the doctrine of the Trinity. The reason why the Trinity is so difficult for us to understand is that
in this study we say something about the very Being of God, and God is incomprehensible.
Briefly stated, that God is Triune means that there are three Persons in the one Essence of God.
The word Triune, although not found in the Bible, gets this truth across very nicely.
A. In the Bible, God has revealed in a progressively clearer way that He is Triune. The Old
Testament suggests the Trinity; the New Testament teaches it clearly. Copy the texts that are
indicated, underlining those words which show that God is more than one Person.
1. Genesis 1:26 — “_________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________.”
2. Psalm 33:6 — “___________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________.”
3. Matthew 28:19 — “_______________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________.”
4. II Corinthians 13:14 — “___________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________.”
5. I John 5:7 — “____________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________.”
B. Question and Answer 24 of the Catechism may not be interpreted as if each Person of the
Trinity did separate work. The following exercise will make this clear. Fill in the blanks.
1. God reveals Himself as Father in the act of creation. But John 1:1-3 and Colossians 1:16
teach that _______________________ also created.
2. God reveals Himself as our Redeemer in the work of Christ. In Titus 2:10, God is called
our _______________________________.
3. God reveals Himself as Sanctifier in the Holy Spirit. Quote I Peter 1:22 here:
“_______________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________.”
4. The point is that all three Persons are engaged in all the thoughts and works of God. We
may not imagine that God is composed of three parts; a pie cut into thirds is not an
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adequate example or picture of this great mystery. The Bible teaches that the three
Persons are co-equal, co-eternal, and co-essential.
5. The Belgic Confession, Article 8, states this concerning the three Persons of the Trinity:
a. The Father is the _____________, _______________, and ________________ of all
things visible and invisible.
b. The Son is the ________________, _________________, and _________________.
c. The Holy Ghost is the __________________________ and ____________________,
proceeding from the Father and the Son.
C. Thought questions; use your Bibles, our creeds, or ask your parents.
1. When Jesus prayed, using the word Father, did He refer to the first Person of the Trinity
or to the Triune God? _____________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
2. When we pray to our Father, do we pray to the first Person or to the Triune God?
_______________________________________________________________________
3. The Belgic Confession, Article 9, lists those in the history of the church who do not
believe in the Trinity. Mention these groups or persons. _________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________
4. Who, today, do not believe in a Triune God? ___________________________________
Lord’s Day 9 Name: __________________________________
Although this Lord’s Day speaks of God as the Maker of heaven and earth, the main point is
not creation. Creation is introduced here to show the great power of God over all things; and
hence He is the almighty Father. The key point, then, is the Fatherhood of God over us!
A. Fill in the blanks carefully.
1. The language of this answer is filled with trust and assurance. Find the words which
express this: __________________________, _________________________________,
_________________________________________
1. This trust is based on the knowledge that God is the Father of our _________________
_______________________________, and is for His sake _______________________.
1. The answer speaks of God being willing and able to do many things for His people.
a. List the various ways in which Answer 26 speaks of God’s power. ______________
_____________________________________________________________________
a. The willingness of God to do all things for us is based on the ___________________
of our Father.
4. During this lifetime we need many things supplied by our Father.
a. For the body we need __________________________________________________.
a. For the soul we need ___________________________________________________.
5. To what does “this valley of tears” refer? _____________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
1. Give an example of an evil that God sends us that He is able to turn to our advantage.
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
B. Mark with a T or F.
___ 1. After the first day of creation, there was a chaotic or mixed state of earth and water.
___ 2. There was no light until the sun, moon, and stars were created.
___ 3. The order in which each creature was created shows that all things are related and
dependent.
___ 4. God’s purpose in creation was that it should remain perfect always.
___ 5. Before the Fall, Adam knew God as Father.
___ 6. A good father never punishes his children.
___ 7. Man was created as the highest of the earthly creatures.
___ 8. Not all men are children of God.
___ 9. We are children of God because we have been adopted in Christ.
___ 10. After God created all things, He has nothing more to do with them.
C. In each blank place the number of the day on which that creature was made.
___ Fowl ___ Seas ___ Fish
___ Animals ___ Light ___ Man
___ Stars ___ Dry land ___ Plants
16
D. Thought questions.
1. Does the expression “to make something out of nothing” refer to all of God’s creative
work, or to God’s work on the first day only? __________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
1. Quote the words from Genesis 1 that make clear that the days of creation were not long
periods of time. “_________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________.”
1. Quote the words from Genesis 1 that make clear that there could be no evolution in the
plant or animal kingdom. “_________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________.”
1. Keeping in mind Colossians 1:16 (that all things were made by Christ and for Christ),
state in your own words what you consider to be God’s purpose in creating all things.
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Lord’s Day 10 Name: __________________________________
The doctrine of creation (Lord’s Day 9) demands the doctrine of providence, for those things
which God has made cannot continue to exist unless He upholds them. Also, since God has a
will or counsel, there must be government and control by God in this world so that the purpose
of His will is always accomplished. Although the doctrine of providence is of great comfort to
children of God of all ages, it is of special benefit to young people. Teenagers face many
complicated problems and decisions: what to do for one’s life work; whom to court and marry;
what educational plans ought to be made? God, in His providence, brings these things to pass in
your lives!
A. Underline the answer that best completes each sentence.
1. God is our Father because:
a. He has adopted us in Jesus Christ.
a. we have chosen Him as our Father.
a. He has created us.
2. We know God is our Father because:
a. He is in heaven.
a. the Holy Spirit testifies of this in our hearts.
a. the Bible tells us so.
3. Everything that happens to us:
a. happens because of what we have done first.
a. cannot be avoided because of fate.
a. comes about because of the providence of God.
4. The evil things that come to us in this life:
a. come to us in God’s love for us.
a. come to us against the wishes of God.
a. have nothing to do with God or His will.
5. God’s providence includes the actions of men in such a way that:
a. man is not responsible for what he does.
a. man is still responsible for his actions.
a. God does not know what man will do in a certain situation.
B. God’s providence touches absolutely every creature and event. Look up these passages, and
place the corresponding number in the blank.
1. Angels ___ a. Acts 2:23
1. Devils ___ b. Ephesians 2:10
1. Forces of “nature” ___ c. Matthew 10:29, 30
1. Ordinary things ___ d. Luke 22:22
1. Extraordinary things ___ e. Job 1:12
1. Good deeds of men ___ f. Matthew 24:7
1. Evil deeds of men ___ g. Psalm 147:16-18
1. Death of Christ ___ h. Matthew 28:2
18
C. Thought questions:
1. By way of an example, show how a believing young person demonstrates trust in God.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
1. In the light of the truth of providence, is it wrong to gamble or enter lotteries?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
1. Is it possible that a proper understanding of God’s counsel and providence will cause a
person to be lazy or fatalistic? ______ Explain. ________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Lord’s Day 11 Name: __________________________________
20
1. ____________________ Christ conquered death and the grave.
1. ____________________ Jesus’ mind and thoughts become our mind and thoughts.
1. ____________________ We are conformed to the image of God’s Son.
1. ____________________ We will and do of God’s good pleasure.
1. ____________________ More and more we hate sin and flee from it.
Lord’s Day 12 Name: __________________________________
22
1. The most important point of this lesson is that we are called Christians because we are
members of Christ by faith and thus share in His anointing.
a. Faith is the living bond of engrafting (Lord’s Day 7). We are one plant with Christ.
He is the Head, we are His body. The Spirit that came upon Christ personally also
came upon His body.
a. When did the Spirit come to dwell in the church as the body of Christ? ________
___________________________ Personally, the Spirit comes upon the believer at
the moment of his __________________________ (see John 3:3, 5).
Lord’s Day 13 Name: __________________________________
A. Christ is the only begotten Son of God. This is the cardinal truth of the Christian religion,
yea, of all true religion. See Matthew 16:13-16.
1. Proof of Christ’s Sonship:
a. Quote John 1:18. “_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________.”
a. Quote John 3:16. “_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________.”
2. These texts, and the Catechism, distinguish sharply between the Sonship of Christ and
the sonship of believers. The Sonship of Christ is unique.
a. Christ is the only begotten Son of God, we are _____________________ sons.
a. Christ is the eternal Son of God, we are sons in _________________________.
a. Christ is the natural Son of God, we are sons by ________________________.
3. We are children of God through the process called the adoption of grace.
a. On what basis are we adopted by God? ____________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
a. How does God decide who should be adopted in Christ?
_______________________
_____________________________________________________________________
a. Can we know whether or not we are children of God? ___________ How? (See
Romans 8:16.) ________________________________________________________
a. When earthly parents adopt a child, what can they do for that child? _____________
_____________________________________________________________________
What can they not do for that child? _______________________________________
a. After reading Romans 8:29 and I John 3:2, explain how our adoption by God through
Christ does something that earthly adoption cannot do. ________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
a. The result of adoption is that there is a covenant family formed.
1) The Father is ___________.
1) The elder brother is _____________.
1) The other members of the family are the ______________.
B. Christ is also Lord! Lordship implies both ownership and exaltation.
24
1. How are we the possession of Jesus Christ? (Quote I Cor. 6:20.) “_________________
_______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________.”
a. What phrase from Lord’s Day 1 teaches that we are Christ’s possession? “________
____________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________.”
a. We were not purchased by ______________________ but by __________________
____________________________________________.
2. The name Lord also implies exaltation and rulership!
a. When did Jesus attain unto this great honor? _______________________________
a. What does Philippians 2:9-11 say about the exaltation of Jesus? Quote three
significant phrases from this passage. “____________________________________
________________________,” “________________________________________,”
“___________________________________________________________________”
Lord’s Day 14 Name: __________________________________
The incarnation of Jesus means His coming into the flesh. We believe, according to Holy
Scripture, that the incarnation took place when Jesus was born of the virgin Mary. Before you
do this lesson, read Isaiah 7:14; Luke 1:28-35; Hebrews 2:14; and the Belgic Confession, Article
18.
A. Answer each question carefully.
1. In your own words, tell what the virgin birth means. ____________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
1. Why was such a miraculous birth necessary? __________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
1. What does this birth show, as far as the work of salvation is concerned? _____________
_______________________________________________________________________
1. Why was it important that Christ be born to Mary of the seed of David? _____________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
1. What is the profit of the incarnation of Christ for the church? _____________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
1. Did Jesus have brothers and sisters? That is, did Joseph and Mary have sons and
daughters? ___________ If so, what are their names? __________________________
1. Through the many years of church history, there have been various controversies
(doctrinal disputes) concerning the natures of Christ. Some denied that Christ had a real
human nature. Others denied that He had a complete human nature. The result of these
controversies is that the church has defined the human nature of Jesus with the following
terms. Learn these terms, and try to give an explanation for each one. (You might have
to fill in a few when you come to class.)
a. Real — _____________________________________________________________
a. Complete — _________________________________________________________
a. Sinless — ___________________________________________________________
a. Weakened — _________________________________________________________
a. Central — ___________________________________________________________
8. Christ was made as much like us as it is possible to be, with the one important exception
of sin. He was even tempted as we are (Heb. 4:15).
a. List the temptations of Jesus (Matt. 4:1-11). _______________________________,
_________________________________, __________________________________
a. Why was He tempted? (See Heb. 2:18.) ___________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
26
B. True of False:
___ 1. There were times when Jesus was tired, and hungry and thirsty.
___ 2. The temptations of Jesus were not really difficult for Him.
___ 3. Jesus had a human body, but a divine soul.
___ 4. There were many times when Mary could not understand her Son.
___ 5. God is the Father of Jesus also according to the human nature.
___ 6. Jesus understands everything that we will ever have to experience.
___ 7. When Jesus was born of Mary, He stopped being God.
___ 8. If Jesus had had one sin, He could never cover our sins in the sight of God.
___ 9. We can understand the word “virgin” to mean “young lady.”
___ 10. Jesus had a human father.
Lord’s Day 15 Name: __________________________________
The suffering or passion of our Lord Jesus Christ was prophesied throughout the Old
Testament. Read Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53. There is a beautiful description of Jesus’ suffering in
the Belgic Confession, Article 21. Read this article carefully.
A. Fill in the blanks.
1. When did Jesus suffer? _________________________ but especially _______________
_______________________________________________________________________.
1. Name the chief events of Christ’s suffering by reading these passages and then giving the
event a short title or description.
a. Matthew 26:36-46 — __________________________________________________
a. Matthew 26:47-56 — __________________________________________________
a. Mark 14:52-65 — _____________________________________________________
a. Mark 14:66-72 — _____________________________________________________
a. John 18:28 - 19:16 — __________________________________________________
a. Luke 23:26-32 — ______________________________________________________
a. Matthew 27:33-50 — __________________________________________________
3. What did the cross sign say? ________________________________________________
______________________________________ In what languages was this sign written?
_________________, _____________________, and ____________________________
1. List the seven cross words, or short sayings of Jesus from the cross. You can refer to
Matthew 23, Mark 15, Luke 23, and John 19.
a. ____________________________________________________________________
a. ____________________________________________________________________
a. ____________________________________________________________________
a. ____________________________________________________________________
a. ____________________________________________________________________
a. ____________________________________________________________________
a. ____________________________________________________________________
5. Who was Pilate? ___________________________ What was Herod? _____________
__________________________________ Luke 23:12 tells us they were enemies before
the trial of Jesus, but after this they were friends. Quote the verse from Psalm 2 that is
the prophecy of this friendship.
“_____________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________.”
1. How did it become plain that Jesus was perfectly innocent? _______________________
_______________________________________________________________________
How could God punish if Jesus were innocent? (See II Cor. 5:21.) _________________
_______________________________________________________________________
28
Lord’s Day 16 Name: _________________________________
1. The death of the cross was the ______________________ death. That is, God had
declared that the death on the cross (or tree) was cursed by Him. See Deuteronomy
21:23 and Galatians 3:13. The picture of a man on the cross is a terrible one: the earth
would not have him, neither would heaven receive him. That man was utterly alone.
a. Jesus had to die on the cross; hence, He was sent to ________________ because the
death of the cross was a Roman death.
a. The curse that was due _____________ has been laid upon ________________.
a. Answer 37 uses the words, “the wrath of God against the sins of all mankind.” In
John 1:29 we read, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the
world.”
1) Can these statements mean that Jesus paid for the sins of every single person in
the world or in the human race? ___________ Explain. ___________________
_________________________________________________________________
1) How are such statements to be explained? _______________________________
_________________________________________________________________
B. Matching: There were many persons associated with the death of Jesus on the cross. Match
the name with the identifying statement.
___ 1. Pilate a. Was compelled to carry the cross of Jesus.
___ 2. Herod b. Was the father-in-law of the high priest.
___ 3. Peter c. Was chosen to be freed instead of Christ.
___ 4. Judas d. Was given to John to be cared for by him.
___ 5. Annas e. Went to Paradise with Jesus that very day.
___ 6. Caiaphas f. Thought he was strong in himself.
___ 7. Joseph g. Presided at Jesus’ trial before the Sanhedrin.
___ 8. Simon h. Reviled Jesus even though he was in the same
condemnation.
___ 9. Barabbas i. Declared Jesus’ innocence three different times.
___ 10. Mary j. Thought more of money than of Christ.
___ 11. Elect malefactor k. Gave Jesus a gorgeous robe and mocked Him.
___ 12. Reprobate malefactor l. Buried Jesus in his own tomb.
Lord’s Day 16 Name: __________________________________
This Lord’s Day deals with the death of Christ, His burial, and descension into hell. It also
treats the subject of the death of believers. It is because of the truths contained in this Lord’s
Day that we can live and die happily.
1. The heart of the gospel is that the Good Shepherd laid down His life for His sheep, or
that the Son of God in our flesh actually died.
a. Why was the death of the Mediator necessary? (See Gen. 2:17.) ________________
_____________________________________________________________________
a. How could this sentence of death upon us be laid upon Christ?
__________________
_____________________________________________________________________
a. Why was it necessary that the Son of God die? ______________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
2. Question and Answer 41 is not simply teaching us that Christ had to be buried to prove
that He was physically dead; everyone around the cross was convinced of that! That is
not the point.
a. Burial in a grave belonged to the whole experience of death. Christ was buried to
show that His death was a real, complete death. Really dead in the sense that His
death involved everything that belonged to death.
a. Quote I Corinthians 15:55 to show the close relationship between death and the
grave.
“____________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________.”
3. Explain how our death differs from the death of Christ. __________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
1. What happened to our sinful natures (our old man of sin) when Christ died on the cross?
(Study Romans 6:6 carefully.) ______________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
1. What two results follow from the death of our old, sinful natures?
a. ____________________________________________________________________
a. ____________________________________________________________________
6. The fact that the death of the believer is the passage into eternal life allows the child of
God to face death without fear, but with confidence. There are many children of God
who have died with a smile on their faces!
a. There are several views of death that deny that death is the immediate passage way
into glory. Try to learn what the following views teach.
1) Purgatory: ________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
30
Lord’s Day 16 Name: _________________________________
1) Soul sleep: ________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
b. The Bible, however, is very clear on this point: the moment a child of God dies, he is
immediately with Jesus in heaven! Look up the following passages, and, in your own
words, explain how the text proves this point.
1) Luke 23:43 — _____________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
1) Philippians 1:21 — _________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
1) Psalm 73:24 — ____________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
1) Can you think of another text or two that proves this? _____________________
_________________________________________________________________
7. The descension into hell was the most intense suffering that Christ had to endure.
This is why the Apostolic Creed places it last in Article 4.
a. Did Christ descend into hell before or after He died? ______________________
Offer some proof for your answer. ____________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
a. What is hell according to the fourth cross word? (See Matthew 27:46.)
_________________________________________________________________
a. What are some of the terms or phrases Scripture uses to describe hell?
_____________________, ___________________, and ____________________
a. Why was it necessary for Christ to go to hell? ____________________________
_________________________________________________________________
a. What is the result, for the church, that Christ has descended into hell?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
a. How can we be assured in this life that Christ has gone to hell for us? _________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Lord’s Day 17 Name: __________________________________
The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is the most wonderful event recorded in the
Scriptures! On the cross Jesus said, “It is finished,” in reference to His sacrifice for our sins. In
the resurrection God agrees with these words of Jesus; the resurrection is God’s seal of approval
on the atonement.
A. Fill in the blanks.
1. The fact of the resurrection (see John 20).
a. When did the resurrection occur? _________________________________________
a. Who explained the empty tomb to the women? ______________________________
a. What did John see in the tomb that led him to believe that Jesus had risen? ________
_____________________________________________________________________
a. What did the Jewish leaders say about the events of that morning?
_______________
_____________________________________________________________________
a. In the book of Acts, the apostles are recorded as going about preaching that Christ
was crucified and raised. Record several references from the book of Acts that show
this. ________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
a. What proof does Paul give in I Corinthians 15 (first part) concerning the resurrection
of Jesus? ____________________________________________________________
2. Name other persons who were raised from the dead (Old Testament and New
Testament). _____________________, ____________________,
______________________, and _________________________
1. How were the resurrections of these persons related to the resurrection of Jesus?
_______________________________________________________________________
1. How was the experience of Jonah in the fish’s belly related to the resurrection of Jesus?
(See Matthew 12:40.) _____________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
1. According to I Corinthians 15:42-44, the body undergoes a change through the process of
death and resurrection. List the characteristics of the body as it is laid in the grave:
_______________________, _______________________, _______________________,
_______________________; and its characteristics when it is raised: ______________,
_________________________, ______________________, ______________________.
1. I John 3:2 and Philippians 3:21 both teach the same truth. It is that _________________
_______________________________________________________________________.
B. The Catechism looks at the resurrection from the point of view of its benefit for the church.
It mentions three important benefits.
32
Lord’s Day 16 Name: _________________________________
1. The first is that the living Lord makes us partakers of the righteousness that He has
purchased for us by His death. In other words, the resurrection is the proof of our
righteousness, proof of the fact that we are justified before the judgment seat of God.
a. Christ offered Himself on the altar of the cross as a sacrifice for our sins. If one sin
of one child of God still remained, would God have raised Jesus from the dead?
_____ Explain your answer.
__________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
a. Quote Romans 4:25 here. “______________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________.”
a. Romans 5:1 states that the result of justification is ____________________________
____________________________________________________________________.
2. The second benefit is that the living Lord, by His power, raises us up to a new life. We
are given His resurrection life.
a. When is this life given to an elect child of God? ____________________________
a. John 10:28 calls this _________________ life. This life can never come under the
power or influence of death, nor will it ever.
a. In Colossians 3:1 we are told that since we are risen with Christ, we must “_______
__________________________________________________________________.”
3. The third benefit is that the living Lord is the sure pledge of our blessed resurrection.
a. I Corinthians 15:20 calls Christ the firstfruits of them that slept. Christ the firstfruits,
afterward they that are Christ’s at His coming (v. 23).
a. The fact that Christ was raised from the dead as the firstfruits means _____________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________.
a. Christ is not only an example of one who died but now lives, but He (see John 11:25)
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________.
a. Will everyone be raised up in the last day? _________ Will everyone be raised up
into the same thing? ___________________________________________________
a. Read I Thessalonians 4:16, 17. What is the order of the resurrection of the saints?
First ____________________ and then ____________________________________.
Lord’s Day 18 Name: __________________________________
34
Lord’s Day 16 Name: _________________________________
a. How is the Holy Spirit an earnest? ________________________________________
Lord’s Day 18 (cont.)
C. True or False:
___ 1. According to His human nature, Christ is now on earth.
___ 2. In the Spirit, Christ is with us in a closer, more intimate, way than ever before.
___ 3. It took Christ a long time to reach heaven after leaving Olivet.
___ 4. The ascension of Christ belongs to His exaltation and glory.
___ 5. Acts 1:9-11 is the only passage in Scripture that speaks of the ascension.
___ 6. The fact that Christ ascended into heaven means that the two natures of Christ are
now separated.
___ 7. Christ will never leave heaven and come to earth again.
___ 8. Christ constantly prays to the Triune God in our behalf.
___ 9. By the power of the Holy Spirit, we are able to seek heavenly things.
___ 10. It makes little difference if we walk in a new and holy way, since we have Christ’s
pledge that we will be with Him in heaven.
D. Thought question. Read Revelation 5. What does this chapter have to do with the ascension
of Christ? (Use commentaries or speak with your parents.) __________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Lord’s Day 19 Name: __________________________________
This Lord’s Day instructs us in the truth of Christ’s exalted position at God’s right hand and
His return to judge the living and the dead. Before you answer the following questions, read
Article 37 of the Belgic Confession.
A. The right hand of God is a figurative expression for the position of power and authority
Christ occupies at the present time.
1. Quote these texts to establish the idea of the right hand of God.
a. Mark 16:19 — “_______________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________.”
a. Last part of Hebrews 1:3 — “_____________________________________________
_______________________________________________.”
2. That Christ rules from heaven over all things certainly means that all history is church
history — or, that all things come about for the benefit of the church. Mention two
events from the history of this world that very clearly have benefit for the church.
a. ____________________________________________________________________
a. ____________________________________________________________________
3. Not only does the Bible state that Christ sits at God’s right hand, but it also states that He
stands at God’s right hand (see Acts 7:56). What does this standing indicate? ________
_______________________________________________________________________
1. We can distinguish the rule of Christ over the wicked world and over His church. He
rules His church by His __________________ and the world by His _______________.
1. What phrase in Revelation 1:5 shows that Christ has supreme power over all earthly
rulers? “_______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________.”
1. List the power of Jesus according to the following texts:
a. Matthew 9:6 ______________________ d. John 10:18 ________________
a. Matthew 28:18 ____________________ e. John 17:2 _________________
a. Luke 8:25 ________________________ f. Acts 10:38 ________________
B. Christ’s position as Judge also belongs to His exaltation and our salvation.
1. Read John 5:22. Who judges, God or Christ? ____________________________
1. Why can the believer await the judgment day with head uplifted? _________________
______________________________________________________________________
1. What will Christ do to His and our enemies? __________________________________
______________________________________ Do the words “His and our” refer to one
group or two? ________________
1. All the elect shall be translated into heavenly glory.
a. What is implied by heavenly joy and glory? ________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
37
Lord’s Day 19 (cont.)
39
Lord’s Day 20 (cont.)
B. The Holy Spirit was given to Christ as part of His Mediator’s reward when He ascended into
heaven. This Spirit Christ poured out upon His body, the church. We may read of this in
Acts 2:1-13 (see Acts 2:33).
1. Upon whom was the Holy Spirit poured? (See Acts 1:15.) ________________________
__________________________________________
1. What were the signs that accompanied the outpouring of the Spirit?
a. ____________________________________________________________________
a. ____________________________________________________________________
a. ____________________________________________________________________
3. Was the miracle in the speaking of foreign languages, or in the hearing of them? ______
_______________________________________________________________________
1. Read Acts 2:12, 13. What were the two reactions among those who heard this strange
speaking? _____________________________________ and _____________________
__________________________________________________
a. In verse 23, Peter accuses the men of Israel of ______________________________
________________________________. But he also said that this came about by the
______________________________________________________________. Does
this fact excuse the Israelites in any way? __________________________________
a. Read verses 37-47:
1) What was this being “pricked in their hearts”? ___________________________
_________________________________________________________________
1) What was Peter’s answer to their question? ______________________________
__________________________________________
1) How many were added to the church that day? ___________________________
1) Who were added to the church? (See v. 47.) _____________________________
____________________________ What does this imply? _________________
_________________________________________________________________
5. Quote Acts 2:39. “________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________.”
a. Why is this verse included in our baptism form? _____________________________
____________________________________________________________________
a. This verse, taken in connection with the speaking in tongues, clearly teaches _______
____________________________________________________________________.
Lord’s Day 21 Name: __________________________________
41
Lord’s Day 21 (cont.)
2. Because of this basic oneness, believers can have fellowship and communion together.
But in order for this communion to flourish, God has made each saint different in several
respects. There are hands, feet, eyes, noses, etc., in the body.
a. What must each believer do with his gifts? _________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
a. How are we to view other members of the church? (See Phil. 2:3, 4.)
_____________
_____________________________________________________________________
a. Read I John 1:6, 7. Fellowship is possible only in the _________________________
___________________________. Explain. ________________________________
a. Is it possible for young people to have fellowship? ____________ How? ________
____________________________________________________________________
C. Question and Answer 56 — The Forgiveness of Sins.
1. The most wonderful result of belonging to Christ is that our sins are covered by His
blood, so that God remembers them no more!
a. What is sin? _________________________________________________________
a. Why does the Catechism mention “my corrupt nature”? ______________________
____________________________________________________________________
a. God does not impute iniquity to us, but He imputes to us the ___________________
____________________________________________________________________.
a. This peace is ours now, but it will also be ours when we appear before the tribunal of
God. What is the tribunal of God? _______________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
2. Psalm 32, a psalm of David, instructs us in the blessedness of forgiveness (see vv. 1, 2).
a. David did not always have this peace and blessedness. Verses 3, 4 tell us that for a
long time he refused to _____________________.
a. When God made him miserable and unhappy (v. 5), David _____________________
and God ______________________________________________.
a. This simply means that the assurance of __________________________ is ours in
the way of ___________________________________________________________.
1) Quote I John 1:9. “__________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________.”
1) See Proverbs 28:13. True confession also includes the _____________________
___________________________ of our sins.
d. If we experience God’s forgiveness of our sins, how will we act toward those who sin
against us? __________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
a. Which is harder for you, to forgive someone who asks you to, or to ask forgiveness
of someone you have sinned against? __________________________________
Why?
Lord’s Day 16 Name: _________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Lord’s Day 22 Name: __________________________________
Before you answer the questions of this lesson, read the 37th Article of the Belgic
Confession.
A. The resurrection of the body (Question and Answer 57).
1. According to Lord’s Day I, our only comfort in life and death is that we belong to our
Savior Jesus Christ with _________________________________________.
1. Immediately at death our souls are taken up to Christ in heaven.
a. There are many theories as to the state of the soul after death.
1) The Roman Catholic Church teaches that there is a purgatory.
1) Some speak of reincarnation (that a person comes back in some other earthly
form).
1) Some speak of soul sleep, that the soul knows nothing until the final resurrection.
b. However, the Bible teaches clearly that the soul is conscious and active immediately
after death.
1) Read Luke 23:43. What is the key word here? ______________________
1) Read Philippians 1:21. How does this prove our point? ___________________
_________________________________________________________________
1) Read Revelation 20:4. What words here show that souls in heaven are active?
________________________, ___________________, ___________________,
and ___________________________
3. What three things does the power of Christ accomplish in respect to our bodies?
a. _____________________________ c. __________________________
a. _____________________________
4. How is this truth of comfort to the believer who knows he must die? ________________
________________________________________________________________________
B. The life everlasting (Question and Answer 58).
1. Do we have everlasting life only in heaven? (See John 10:28.) _____________
Explain.
________________________________________________________________________
1. Although this present life is a continual death, the Bible teaches that the elect believer
experiences eternal life in three stages. These three stages are:
a. John 3:3 — __________________________________________________________
a. Philippians 1:21 — ____________________________________________________
a. Revelation 21:1, 2 — __________________________________________________
3. Why is it that, although we have the beginning of eternal joy now, we cannot adequately
describe heavenly glory?
___________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
44
Lord’s Day 16 Name: _________________________________
1. What persons in the Bible had visions of heavenly glory? What did they see?
a. Acts 7:55 — _________________ saw ____________________________________
_________________________________.
a. Matthew 3:13-17 — _________________________ saw ______________________
_________________________________.
a. Genesis 28:10-15 — _____________________ saw___________________________
_____________________________________.
a. Revelation 4 — ______________________ saw _____________________________
____________________________________________________________________.
5. What shall the church do in heavenly perfection? _______________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Lord’s Day 23 Name: __________________________________
In the past several Lord’s Days, we have been studying those things necessary for the
Christian to believe (the articles of the Apostolic Creed). This Lord’s Day presents us with the
tremendous profit or benefit we have because we believe all this.
A. Answer these questions.
1. What are the two chief benefits of believing all the truths contained in the Apostolic
Creed? ___________________________________________________________ and
____________________________________________________
a. What is it to be righteous? ______________________________________________
a. What is an heir? ______________________________________________________
a. Does an heir inherit something because he has earned it, or does he receive the
inheritance as a free gift? _______________________________________________
2. What is the conscience? (Discuss this with your parents, if you are not sure.)
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
a. Is the conscience a trustworthy guide? _____________________________________
a. Try to give examples of saints in Scripture whose conscience bothered them.
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
a. According to this Lord’s Day, of what three things may the conscience accuse us?
_________________________________, _________________________________,
and _________________________________
a. In addition to the testimony of our conscience, what other testimony or speech does
the child of God have within him? ________________________________________
3. Despite the accusation of the conscience, what does God impute to His children?
_________________________________, ___________________________________,
and __________________________________
a. On what basis does God impute or grant these things? ________________________
____________________________________________________________________
a. Is faith the work of man, or is faith the free gift of God? ______________________
Quote a text to prove this. “_____________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________.”
4. Let us look carefully at the phrase, “Righteous by faith alone.”
a. “By faith alone” certainly eliminates any idea of ____________________________
__________________________________________.
a. Does faith itself justify or make righteous? ____________________________ How
then does faith justify? (Read Article 22 of the Belgic Confession.) _____________
____________________________________________________________________
46
Lord’s Day 16 Name: _________________________________
a. Once again, therefore, we see that faith is not only believing but it is the living
____________________________ that unites us to Christ.
B. Thought questions.
1. Read the three answers of this Lord’s Day again. Upon whom or what is all the emphasis
placed in each answer? ___________________________________________ Is this the
same emphasis that the Bible itself has? _______________________________________
________________________________________
1. A poet has written:
“My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand.”
a. Hope looks to the future. To what future event especially does the Christian’s hope
look with confidence? ________________________________________________
a. “Sweetest frame” and “sinking sand” are really the same thing. In your own words
tell what these phrases refer to. ___________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
a. The Bible calls Christ a Rock and a Stone. In what respect is Christ a solid rock?
_____________________________________________________________________
3. We must agree with this Lord’s Day when it tells us that we have grossly transgressed all
the commandments of God, and kept none of them. In what way is this true of us?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Lord’s Day 24 Name: __________________________________
This Lord’s Day takes a careful look at the relationship between righteousness and works,
and also between grace and works. There may be misunderstanding on these vital doctrines!
A. The justice of God demands a perfect righteousness.
1. By virtue of the fact that God is the only true God, the God of all authority, He is the one
who constantly judges all things.
a. Quote these passages that speak of God’s perfect righteousness.
1) Deuteronomy 32:4 — “_______________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________.”
1) I John 1:5, 6 — “____________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________.”
b. The very best works which the child of God can do in this life are far from perfect;
they are stained or defiled with sin.
1) Mention several works or activities of the child of God that are or should be the
best that he ever performs. _____________________, _____________________,
__________________________, and _________________________
1) Show how even these works are defiled with sin. _________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
1) All this is taught in Isaiah 64:6, which states, “___________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________.”
2. Let us consider for a moment the possibility that our works were perfect (which they
surely are not). Could our works then merit with God? _____________
a. In military life there is something called “above and beyond the call of duty.” A
soldier can perform acts of bravery and heroism that no commander can expect of his
soldiers. Such deeds are rewarded and recognized with medals: the medal of honor,
the legion of merit, etc.
1) Is it possible for man to do anything that is above and beyond the call of duty that
comes from God? ___________ Explain. ______________________________
_________________________________________________________________
1) Quote Luke 17:10 to prove your answer. “______________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________.”
b. Read Romans 11:6 carefully. In this passage, _______________ and
_____________ are put in contrast. Either we are saved by ____________________
48
Lord’s Day 16 Name: _________________________________
and then we have cause to boast, or we are saved by _____________________ and
we can never, never boast.
a. It is true that God rewards us according to our works. (See Rev. 22:12.) But this
reward is always of grace, because the works which we perform are God’s gift to us,
and not ours to Him (see Eph. 2:8-10). In other words, God chose us in grace, sent
Christ in His grace, prepared good works for us to walk in by His grace, and rewards
us by His grace. It is all grace, and grace is undeserved favor!
a. Circle the words in the following list that belong together, being consistent with the
above discussion: works, merit, reward, earn, grace, inheritance, wages, gift.
B. The last part of our Lord’s Day deals with the question of what the doctrine of pure grace
does to the spiritual life of a person. Does this doctrine make men careless and profane?
___
1. Let us understand how the argument goes. If our works cannot add to our righteousness
before God, and the sins which we commit cannot subtract from it, will man not come to
the conclusion that it doesn’t make any difference what he does or how he lives? Will
not man become careless and profane (wicked), since he is saved alone by grace in
Christ? We ought to notice that this charge was brought against the teaching of the
apostle Paul as we find it in Romans 5. The apostle senses that some might think that
this is an excuse for sinful living.
a. Quote his answer, found in Romans 6:2. “__________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________.”
a. From verses 4 and 7, quote the phrases that prove that the doctrine of salvation by
grace alone does not lead to a careless and profane life. “______________________
_______________________________________________,” “__________________
__________________________________________________________________.”
2. Positively, the Catechism tells us that it is impossible for those who are engrafted into
Christ not to bring forth fruits of thankfulness or good works.
a. Being engrafted into Christ means that as branches we live out of the vine which is
Christ. Quote John 15:5. “______________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________.”
a. According to John 15:2 and 6, what happens to those people (branches) who do not
bring forth fruit? ______________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
a. Mention some good works which are the fruit of salvation. ____________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
Lord’s Day 25 Name: __________________________________
This Lord’s Day begins the treatment of the means of grace, and of the sacraments
especially. Read Article 33 of the Belgic Confession at this time, and notice how similar the
language is to Lord’s Day 25.
A. The means of grace.
1. All the benefits of salvation are in Christ our Savior. We partake of, and enjoy, those
blessings by faith. The question now is, how is this faith worked, or where does it come
from?
a. The answer is, through the means of grace. Means of grace are those means which
God has chosen to use to bring to the child of God all the riches of salvation that are
in Christ.
a. According to the first answer of the Lord’s Day, which are the means of grace?
______________________________________ and _______________________
__________________________________
a. Who works through these means? _______________________________________
a. ___________________________ is the chief or more important means, because faith
is ___________________________ through the preaching, and _________________
____________________ by use of the sacraments.
2. Because this is the only place in the Catechism where preaching is mentioned as a means
of grace, we ought to understand clearly the scriptural idea of preaching here.
a. Read Romans 10:10-17. Read the passage again; then answer these questions:
1) In order for a person to be saved he must ______________________________
____________________________________________________.
1) In order to call on the Lord a man must _________________________________.
1) In order for a man to believe he must ___________________________________.
1) In order to hear, there must be a _______________________________________.
1) In order for a man to preach he must be _________________________________.
1) In your own words, present the teaching of this passage, keeping in mind also
verse 17. _________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
b. Read Ephesians 4:8-12 carefully.
1) When Christ ascended into heaven He gave __________________ unto men.
One of the gifts He gave to His people is the gift of preaching.
1) Of this we read in verse 11. Mention these gifts that were provided for the
church: __________________, __________________, ___________________,
and _______________________________
1) The purposes for which Christ gave the gift of the preaching of the Word of God
are given us in verse 12. List these purposes.
a) ______________________________________________________________
50
Lord’s Day 16 Name: _________________________________
a) ______________________________________________________________
a) ______________________________________________________________
3. Today it is very common to try to replace the official preaching of the Word of God with
various other things.
a. Mention some of the things that are being substituted. _______________________
____________________________________________________________________
a. Why is this so evil? ___________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
B. The sacraments in general.
1. Sacraments are signs and seals of the righteousness that is by faith.
a. What is the idea of a sign? ______________________________________________
a. What is the idea of a seal? ______________________________________________
2. Both the preaching of the Word and the sacraments point us to the same thing, namely,
_______________________________________________________________________.
1. There are various views as to the number of the sacraments:
a. The Roman Catholic Church teaches that there are seven. From some source, list
these seven. _________________, ___________________, ___________________,
_________________, _________________, __________________, _____________
a. From the Bible, however, we learn that there are but two sacraments,
_____________________________ and ___________________________________.
4. The Belgic Confession, Article 33, teaches us that God instituted these sacraments in the
church on account of our ___________________________________________________
_____________________________________.
1. Were there sacraments during Old Testament times? _________ Were there institutions
similar to sacraments? __________ What were they? ___________________________
________________________________________________________________________
C. True or False.
___ 1. We do not need to hear the preaching of the gospel to be saved.
___ 2. A man must be called and sent by Christ, through the church, if he is truly to be a
preacher of the gospel.
___ 3. It doesn’t make any difference what a minister says from the pulpit as long as it is
true.
___ 4. Preaching is the more important means of grace in the church.
___ 5. Both sacraments present us with Christ crucified, as the only ground of our salvation.
___ 6. It would be proper to have a sacrament administered in the church without a sermon.
___ 7. Marriage is a sacrament because Christ is the Bridegroom of the church.
___ 8. A child of God need not go to church as long as he lives faithfully.
___ 9. A person must hear the voice of Christ in order to be saved.
___ 10. The true preaching of the gospel is one way we may distinguish the true church
from
Lord’s Day 25 (cont.)
the false.
Lord’s Day 26 Name: __________________________________
Before answering the following questions, read the Belgic Confession, Article 34, and part of
the Baptism Form (the first prayer and the three questions and answers).
A. The idea of baptism.
1. Water is a sign of external _____________________. Just as the body is washed by
water in baptism, so certainly are we __________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________.
a. By this sacrament Christ ______________________ us that His sacrifice upon the
cross is of real advantage to us.
a. Baptism is the sign and seal of our being united to Christ in His death and
resurrection. Romans 6:12 is very important here. Read it.
1) Those that are baptized into Christ are baptized into
________________________
_________________________________________.
1) But if we are with Christ in His death, we are also with Him in His ___________.
c. Water baptism is only the sign. The reality towards which the sign points is the real
baptism with the blood and Spirit of Christ.
1) To be washed by the blood of Christ implies _____________________________
_________________________________________________________________.
1) To be washed by His Spirit implies _____________________________________
_________________________________________________________________.
1) Thus, as Romans 6 and Article 34 of the Belgic Confession also teach, baptism
speaks not only of the forgiveness of sins, but also of being alive unto God in
Christ, so that we are dead to sin, and yield ourselves unto God as those who are
alive from the dead.
2. About midway through the 34th Article of the Belgic Confession, Christ is called “our
Red Sea.” The prayer that you read in the Baptism Form also speaks of the Red Sea.
a. The Red Sea was a type of ________________________. Pharaoh was a picture of
the _______________________, and Canaan was a picture of heaven.
a. The child of God, therefore, must pass through ______________________ in order
to escape the guilt of his sin and gain the promise of eternal life.
a. Another Old Testament picture or type of baptism is ______________________.
(See I Peter 3.)
B. Practical considerations regarding baptism.
1. The sacrament of baptism is administered differently in various churches; some sprinkle
with water and some have total immersion under water.
a. Give examples from the Bible where individuals were immersed in water.
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
53
Lord’s Day 26 (cont.)
a. Give examples from the Bible where it is clear that sprinkling with water was used.
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
a. Why is sprinkling sufficient? ____________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
2. Baptism is sometimes called the Sacrament of Incorporation into Christ, or the
Sacrament of Entering into the Covenant.
a. According to the Belgic Confession, Article 34, what group of people believed it was
necessary to be baptized over and over again? ______________________________
a. Being baptized once is sufficient because ___________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
3. When parents present their children for baptism, they are asked three questions in the
presence of God and of the church. In your own words, state what it is that these
questions are asking.
a. ____________________________________________________________________
a. ____________________________________________________________________
a. ____________________________________________________________________
4. Is baptism necessary? ________ In what way is it necessary? ____________________
_____________________________ Can a person be saved who is not baptized? _____
a. What does the Roman Catholic Church believe on this point? __________________
____________________________________________________________________
a. We believe that elect children of God can be saved without being baptized, yet we
believe that baptism is necessary because ___________________________________
____________________________________________________________________.
5. Baptism certainly implies a calling. There are always obligations in connection with the
blessed privileges of the covenant. Since by baptism we are separated from all other
people and strange religions, and since we wear baptism as a sign or ensign, our calling
is: _____________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________.
(Use your own words or see Question and Answer 70.)