Suggestions: You may want write the abbreviated Creed, as listed in the second paragraph below, on a white board, or provide smaller individual copies of the entire Apostles Creed for each child.

You need to know what you believe! In church you may have heard the congregation recite the Apostles Creed. The Apostles Creed sums up what we, as Christians, believe.

We say: I believe in God, the Father. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord. I believe in the Holy Spirit. We also believe in forgiveness and life everlasting. There is more to the Creed, but these are a few of its main parts.

Take time to figure out what you really believe concerning God. Think about what you hear in church, study the Bible, pray, and ask lots of questions.

Today’s lesson reminds us that others may ask what we believe – what gives us hope and makes us happy. When we talk to others about our belief in God we are instructed to be gentle and show respect.

We all have many different ways to look at the truth – even among Christians there will be disagreements and you may hear adults arguing about such things.

Be ready to share what you believe with anyone who asks you, but do it with gentleness, love, and respect. Don’t argue. Use only kind, quiet words.

Knowing you are loved, and that God’s love is forever, is a happy thing. That is our hope.

Note: Today’s lesson is taken from the following portion of text: “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; and always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, with humility and fear” (3:15).

Scripture quotations from the World English Bible

Copyright 2012, Richard Niell Donovan