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Discussion Questions
- What do you think when you hear about a star like Russell Crowe talking
so openly about his plans to get baptized?
- Should he get baptized in his private chapel at home as opposed to a
congregation or community setting? What’s the difference?
- What do you think non-Christian fans will think about his decision?
- Do you ever wonder who among your favorite famous personalities is a
baptized Christian? Can you name any?
- When have you taken “a leap of faith”? How did it turn out?
- What is the most interesting, beautiful, or impressive place of worship
you have ever been in?
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Scripture Texts (NRSV) for Sunday, January 13, 2008.
(Text links are to
oremus Bible
Browser. Oremus Bible Browser is not affiliated with or supported by the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. You can find the calendar of readings
for Year A at
Lectionary Readings.)
Isaiah 42:1-9
Psalm 29 (3)
Acts 10:34-43
Matthew 3:13-17
For lectionary humor and insight, check
the weekly comic
Agnus
Day.
Gospel Reflection
John the Baptizer is preparing the way for Jesus. He is encouraging
repentance and is offering the people a ritual way of repenting. This ritual way
of repenting is not just with words like, “I’m sorry,” but with a physical
action, a ritual action that looks like what it is doing—cleansing.
John knows who Jesus is and is shocked that Jesus would come to him to be
baptized. As if Jesus needs to repent. Jesus emphasizes that it is necessary “to
fulfill all righteousness”. This way, Jesus fully participates in the life of
all the average, normal people of the world. He is not arrogant or standing
above them. He does what they do. He shows how important it is to go through the
motions together as a community even if he doesn’t need it like they do, or like
we do. Jesus is not one to simply tell us what to do. He comes to us and joins
us where we are and then leads us out and beyond.
In Jesus’ baptism, we hear God proclaiming, “This is my Son, the Beloved,
with whom I am well pleased.” We trust that God says that with each and every
one of us as we are lifted out of the waters of baptism. We proclaim that the
Holy Spirit of God comes and settles on us. And with the Holy Spirit comes the
gift of faith.
It is sometimes difficult for us to understand how baptism works. Often we
find ourselves wanting to focus on our decision to get baptized. And, if we
didn’t make that decision ourselves (if our parents or grandparents brought us
to the waters of baptism), we fall into the trap of thinking that that baptism
isn’t as good somehow. Some of us remember our baptism; some of us don’t. That
is not what’s really important, however. What is most important is that God
remembers our baptism. God remembers when the water touched our head and those
words were spoken, “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and the Son, and
the Holy Spirit.” God witnessed that, named us, and claimed us as his beloved
child in that moment. As God’s children, we have the chance to rejoice in all of
God’s promises, particularly his never-ending love for us.
The reformer, Martin Luther, experienced many difficult moments throughout
his life. Whenever times got tough, he returned again and again to the comfort
he had in the fact that he was baptized (and he didn’t remember it either!). He
told himself over and over again “ich bin getauft,” that’s German for “I am
baptized.” It takes work on our part to see the joy in our baptism when we get
bogged down with every day life. We have to remind ourselves and one another
repeatedly, “Hey, I’m baptized! Hey, you’re baptized!” That is a way to say,
“Hey, God named you his child and loves you!”
God certainly loves all of us, whether we are baptized or not. But in baptism
we have one more physical, tangible symbol of that love. God wants us to know he
loves us and tells us in his Word and through the actions and words of others in
our lives. It’s like God’s big, sloppy, wet kiss on our head—mwuuahh!
(That’s a big, sloppy, wet kiss sound!)
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Discussion Questions
- What do you remember about your baptism?
- What stories do you have of your baptism?
- What do you remember about the baptisms of friends and family?
- What are other ways God tells us he loves us?
- Have you ever seen different ways for people to be baptized? What do you
think are the pros and cons of the different forms or practices:
- Immersion: Totally dunked either as an infant or an adult
- Effusion: Water being poured over your head/body with you
standing
in it or near it.
- Sprinkling: With a shell, with a hand.
(It is important for the leader not stress that one is better. All of
the listed
forms are valid. See “Frequently Asked Questions about Baptism” at
www.elca.org/worship/faq/baptism)
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Activity Suggestions
- At www.olacathedral.org
you can find a wonderful depiction of
the baptism of
Jesus.
It hangs on the wall where the baptismal font is located. It is a very large
and impressive image of John baptizing Jesus. Note that we don’t see Jesus’
face, only Jesus from behind, kneeling.
- Service of Baptismal Remembrance
Page 97 (Setting One) of Evangelical Lutheran Worship has a brief
service of “Thanksgiving for Baptism”.
Many congregations also use an adaptation of the service “Affirmation
of Baptism” (page 234, ELW) at certain times of the year like
this Sunday “Baptism of Our Lord”. Maybe your congregation is already
planning such a service.
- 2008 is the 525th anniversary of Martin Luther’s birth and, of
course,
his baptism.
Luther was born on November 10th, 1483 and baptized one day later on
November 11th in the church of Saints Peter and Paul in Eisleben, Germany.
The congregation there is planning a big celebration in November 2008 to
commemorate Luther’s baptismal birthday. The event is called
Luther525.
They are hoping to get congregations all over the world to either schedule a
baptism or a service of baptismal remembrance on that day or on the Sunday
before or after. Keep an eye open in the coming months in Seeds for the
Parish, and maybe in Lutheran Partners and The Lutheran
for more information about how you and your congregation can get involved in
this special year. You can also go to the
Web site for Luther525
www.luther525.de (English
language:
www.luther525.de/index.php?language=gb&key=1611762687).
- Design your own church
Russell Crowe designed his own chapel. If you had a chance to design your
ideal chapel or church, what would it look like?
Give participants newsprint and markers, and encourage them to design
their ideal church. Plan for where it would be located or built. Draw floor
plans showing the shape of the church and where everything should be. Take
the time for participants to describe and explain their thinking, concepts,
and design choices. You can even display them somewhere for the congregation
to see. This can be a fun activity that can spread over a few weeks, and can
even be the inspiration for all kinds of conversation about why and how we
worship. Perhaps there are even ideas that emerge that can be shared with
the congregation’s worship leaders, task group,
or committee.
Closing Prayer
Loving God, you want us to know how much you love us. We thank you
that you have given us your Holy Word and the sacraments of Holy Baptism and
Holy Communion as ways of hearing, feeling, sensing, and knowing your love for
us. Open our eyes and ears of faith so that we can hear and see you working in
our lives. Help us to share your love with others. We praise you as your beloved
children. Amen
Contributed by Pastor Scott A. Moore
Eisleben, Germany
Permission
to reproduce for local use. Copyright © 2008 Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America. ELCA Youth
Ministry. 1-800-638-3522, ext. 2447. To offer your comments or responses to Faith Lens,
e-mail: rod.boriack@elca.org.
Program Resources
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