New City Catechism, Week 31 (Question 31)

Q: What do we believe by true faith?

Children’s answer

A: We believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.

Adult/older children’s answer

A: Everything taught to us in the gospel. The Apostles’ Creed expresses what we believe in these words: We believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.

Video explanation:

Song to assist with memorization:

Relevant Scripture to read:

Jude 3

I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.

Children’s Activity (printable pdfs)

Younger Kids (pages 22 and 23)

There are no resources for older kids currently available for this lesson.

Special thanks to Del Rey Church for sharing their New City Catechism kid resources with us!

Devotional questions for individual/family/group discussion:

  1. Why are creeds important? Isn’t the Bible enough? (For a good article on the importance of creeds, check out Carl Trueman on The Value and Role of Creeds and Confessions.

  2. Out of everything listed in the Apostles’ Creed, which do you think is the most countercultural? Why?

  3. Out of everything listed in the Apostles’ Creed, which do you find hardest to believe? Why?

  4. Out of everything listed in the Apostles’ Creed, which do you find most encouraging in this present season? Why?

For an additional “deeper” dive into this question and answer, check out this video from Dr. Michael Allen (which a few of the above questions are based on):