Memory Work for February 18

Middle School Memory Work:

Q1. How does the Holy Spirit strengthen our faith?

A. He strengthens our faith by preaching and by the two sacraments: baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

Q2. What are sacraments?

A. Sacraments are visible signs and seals of God’s grace to us.

Q3. What does baptism signify and seal to us?

A. It promises that Christ will wash away the sins of all who truly believe in Him.

Q4. What duty do baptized people have?

A. As God’s people they must be willing to learn more about Him and to walk in His ways.

Q5. Who should receive baptism?

A. Baptism is to be given to believers and to their children.

High School Memory Work:

1. May they come to the Lord’s Supper who are unbelieving and ungodly?

Indeed not, lest God’s wrath be kindled against the whole church.

2. How must the church deal with such members?

The church must warn and exclude them from its fellowship by the keys of the kingdom, instituted by Christ himself. (Matt. 18:17,18)

3. Which are the keys of the kingdom?

These are the preaching of the gospel and church discipline. By these Christ’s kingdom is opened to believers and shut against unbelievers. (Matt. 16:19)

4. To whom has Christ entrusted these keys?

To the congregation of believers who exercise these through the office-bearers ordained by Christ. (Titus 3:10,11)

5. What do these keys require of us as members of the church?

First, that we exercise careful watch over our own lives in obedience to Christ; secondly, that we warn and seek to win those who go astray; and finally, that we cooperate with the office-bearers to preserve the congregation in the unity of the true faith.

Memory Work for February 11

Middle School Memory Work:

Q1. Who works saving faith in us?

A. The Holy Spirit alone can work that faith in us.

Q2. How does He work this faith?

A. He works that faith by opening our hearts to Gospel preaching.

Q3. What is true faith?

A. It is the faith that knows Christ and trusts Him.

Q4. How was Lydia’s faith strengthened?

A. Her faith was strengthened by receiving baptism for herself and her household.

Q5. How did Lydia show thankfulness to God for salvation?

A. She opened her home to Paul and his helpers.

High School Memory Work:

1. Why has Christ instituted the Lord’s Supper?

He has given this sacrament, so that in true repentance and faith we may remember him by it and show forth his death until he comes again. (I Cor. 11:26)

2. What benefit does the believer receive from the Supper?

By this Supper Christ feeds and nourishes us in a true faith and so unites us to himself by his Holy Spirit, that we as members of his body become bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh. (John 6:51,56)

3. Why must believers faithfully come to this Supper?

Because this is plainly commanded in Scripture, and God grants his blessing only to those who trust and obey. (Luke 22:19)

4. But is this Supper, then, instituted for everybody?

Indeed not, it is only for those who have truly examined themselves. (I Cor. 11:28)

5. How can we rightly examine ourselves?

We must find in our hearts and lives: first, a holy displeasure with ourselves because of our sins; second, a sincere trust in Christ as our only Savior and Lord; and third, an earnest desire to live a godly life.



Memory Work for February 4

Middle School Memory Work:

Q1. Can we take away our sin?

A. We cannot take away our sin because we are guilty before God.

Q2. Who alone can take our guilt away?

A. Only Jesus Christ, who died on the cross to earn our righteousness before God.

Q3. How can you receive the righteousness of Jesus?

A. Jesus’ righteousness is imputed to me by faith alone.

Q4. Which blessings do you receive by such a faith?

A. Because of Jesus, God accepts me as His child and forgives all my sins.

Q5. What prayer should you pray, when your sins trouble you?

A. Lord, cover all my sins with the righteousness of Jesus, my only Savior.

High School Memory Work:

1. What does Baptism signify and seal to you?

It signifies and seals to me that as water washes my body, so Christ by his blood and Spirit washes me from all my sins. (Acts 22:16)

2. Is the outward washing with water the same as the washing away of sins?

Indeed not. Only Christ can cleanse me from my sins, which forgiveness I must receive by a true faith. (I Cor. 6:11)

3. Should children of believing parents receive baptism?

Yes, since God himself gives them his promises and places them in his covenant and his church. (Acts 2:39; I Cor. 7:14)

4. Which benefits do we receive in baptism?

In baptism God assures us that he will be our Father, thus cleansing us from sin, separating us from the world, and providing us with all things needful in this life and in the world to come.

5. To what does baptism obligate us?

All who receive baptism must repent of their sins, seek their salvation only in Christ, pray daily for the Holy Spirit to work in their lives, and walk in the ways of the Lord. (Acts 3:19)

Memory Work for January 28

Middle School Memory Work:

Q1. What is the church of Christ?

A. It is the gathering of all true believers and their children.

Q2. How is the church gathered together?

A. Christ gathers His church by His Spirit and Word.

Q3. Where does Christ gather His church?

A. He gathers His people out of all nations and different kinds of people.

Q4. Where do we find the true church?

A. The true church is found wherever the Gospel is purely preached and sincerely believed.

Q5. Which blessings does Christ give the church?

A. He gives the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting.

Q6. What is the duty of all believers?

A. Believers are called to speak out for God and to live for His service.

High School Memory Work:

1. Whence comes such a true faith?

From the Holy Spirit, who works it in our hearts by the preaching of the gospel. (Eph. 2:8)

2. How does he strengthen and preserve that faith?

By the same preaching of the word and by the sacraments. (Hebr. 10:15).

3. What are the sacraments?

They are holy signs and seals, instituted by Christ, to teach and seal to us the gospel, so that we may be assured that we belong to him. (Rom. 4:11)

4. To what, then, do the sacraments point?

Both baptism and the Lord’s Supper point to our Lord Jesus Christ, whose sacrifice on the cross is the only foundation of our salvation. (Rom. 6:3)

Memory Work for January 21

Middle School Memory:

Q1. Show that the Holy Spirit is a person.

A. The Bible tells us that He speaks and searches and prays and can be grieved.

Q2. Why is He called the life-giving Spirit?

A. Because He gives life both in creation and in salvation.

Q3. What work does the Spirit do in our hearts?

A. He regenerates us, teaches us God’s truth, and abides with us forever.

High School Memory:

1. What does it profit you, that you believe all this?

That by faith I am righteous in Christ before God. (Rom. 3:28)

2. What is this justification by faith?

It is that, although I have grievously sinned against God and have kept none of his commandments, God without any merit of mine freely grants and imputes to me the perfect righteousness of Christ my Savior. (2 Cor. 5:18,19)

3. But can’t your good works be your righteousness before God?

Indeed not, for even my best works are imperfect and stained with sin. (Isa. 64:6)

4. But doesn’t the Bible teach that God rewards good works?

Yes, but this reward is not of merit but of grace. (Luke 17:10)

5. Will not such a doctrine make me careless and profane?

No, for all who truly receive Christ by faith desire to show thankfulness to God. (Matthew 7:18)

Memory Work for January 14

Middle School Memory:

Review Week; see previous week’s questions.

High School Memory:

Q1. How does Christ gather and defend his church?

By the preaching of his gospel, which the Spirit applies savingly to the hearts and lives of his people. (Acts 9:31)

Q2. What is the true church?

It is the congregation of true believers, chosen to eternal life, and endowed with saving faith. (1 Peter 1:2)

Q3. Where can we find this church?

It is found wherever God’s Word is purely preached, the sacraments are rightly administered, and church discipline is faithfully exercised.

Q4. How does the church show itself as communion of the saints?

By receiving in faith the gifts of Christ and using them for the welfare and salvation of others. (1 Corinthians 12:8, 25)

Q5. Which benefits do you receive as a living member of the church?

In the gospel the Holy Spirit assures me of the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and eternal life. (Romans 8:11)