FAQs Mondays: "What Happens to People When They Die?"

Last week, we answered the question," Where is Jesus?". You can read that post here. This week, we answer the question, "What happens to people when they die?".

What happens to people when they die?

They body returns to the dust, and the soul awaits the final judgment.

Will the bodies of the dead be raised to life again?

Yes; there will be a resurrection of the righteous and the wicked.

What will happen to the wicked in the day of judgement?

They will be cast into hell.

What is hell?

Hell is a place of dreadful and endless punishment.

What will happen to the righteous in the day of judgement?

They will live with Christ for ever, in a new heaven and a new earth.

In light of these truths, what should you do?

I should strive with all my energy to repent of sin and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Through these questions and answers, we learn that eternity awaits all people. The righteous, that is, those who trust in Jesus Christ, will live in eternal reward. The wicked, those who reject Christ, will live in eternal punishment. Each person is called to repent of their sin and place faith in Christ.

This concludes our look at A Catechism for Boys and Girls. I'm considering devoting some of the future FAQs Mondays to answering ethical and apologetic questions. If you have a question you would like to ask, leave a comment.

FAQs Mondays: "Where Is Jesus?"

Last week, we looked at the Lord's Supper and how it demonstrates the gospel. You can read that post here. We are moving toward the conclusion of this catechism which closes on the doctrine of final things. This week, we are answering the question, "Where is Jesus?".

Did Christ remain in the tomb after his crucifixion?

No; he rose from the tomb on the third day after his death.

Where is Christ now?

Christ is in heaven, seated at the right hand God the Father.

Will Christ come again?

Yes; at the last day he will come and judge the world.

We learn, from the question and answers, that Jesus is alive. We need to help our children understand these basic truths. Jesus isn't just "in their hearts." He is King of kings and Lord of lords. He is returning to judge the living and the dead. Next week, we will explore the question, "What happens to people when they die?".

FAQs Mondays: "What Is the Lord's Supper?"

Last week, we answered the question, "What is Baptism?". You can read that article here. This week, we will be answering the question, "What is the Lord's Supper?".

What is the Lord's Supper?

The eating of bread and the drinking of wine to remember the sufferings and death of our Lord Jesus Christ. Note: You may want to substitute the expression "fruit of the vine" for wine.

What does the bread represent?

The bread represents the body of Christ, broken for our sins.

What does the wine represent?

The wine represents the blood of Christ shed for our salvation. Note: If you choose to change wine for fruit of the vine, remember to ask and answer the question with that change in mind.

Who should partake of the Lord's Supper?

Baptized believers who repent of their sins and love one another.

The Lord's Supper displays salvation as it reminds us of the means of our salvation, the sacrifice of Christ. We are reminded each time we take it of the great price required to purchase our pardon. Next week, we begin looking at question, "How will it all end?". Please feel free to leave a comment.

FAQs Mondays: "What is Baptism?"

Last week, we looked at the question, "How do we learn about salvation?" You can read that post here. This week, we look at Baptism.

What is Baptism?

The immersion of believers in water.

What does Baptism represent?

Baptism represents the union of a believer with Christ in his death, burial and resurrection, and the washing away of sins.

Who are to be baptized?

Only those who repent of their sins and believe in Christ for salvation.

Should babies be baptized?

No; because the Bible neither commands it nor gives any example of it.

Does Christ welcome children?

Yes; he invites children to come to him.

We learn the baptism symbolizes the believer's union with Christ. It is the symbolic washing away of sin. It is for those repent and believe. Next week, we will answer the question, "What is the Lord's Supper?". Feel free to leave a comment.

FAQs Mondays: "How Do We Learn About Salvation?"

Last week, we answered the question, "What are the last three requests of the Lord's Prayer?" You can read that post here. This week, we are moving into part five of the catechism which deals with how we learn about salvation.

How does the Holy Spirit bring us to salvation?

He used the Bible, which is the Word of God.

How can we know the Word of God?

We are commanded to hear, read, and search the Scriptures.

What is a church?

A church is an assembly of believers who meet together under the preaching of the Word of God.

What two ordinances did Christ give to his church?

Baptism and the Lord's Supper.

Why did Christ give these ordinances?

To show that his disciples belong to him, and to remind them of what he has done for them.

From these questions and answers, we learn that there are several ways through which we learn about salvation. The primary way is through the Word of God, the Bible. The church exists to proclaim the gospel and to train those who believe it. The ordinance, Baptism and the Lord's Supper, visibly remind God's people (and the world) of the gospel story.  Next week, we will answer the question, "What is Baptism?". Feel free to leave a comment. I would love to hear from you.

FAQs Mondays: "What Are the Last Three Requests of the Lord's Prayer?"

Last week, we answered the question, "What are the first requests of the Lord's Prayer?" You can read that post here. This week, we are going to look at the last three requests.

What is the fourth request?

Give us today our daily bread.

What do we pray for in the fourth request?

That God will give us everything we need for our bodies.

What is the fifth request?

Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.

What do we pray for in the fifth request?

That God will pardon our sins and enable us to forgive us those who have sinned against us.

What is the sixth request?

Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

What do we pray for in the sixth request?

That God will keep us from sin.

What does prayer teach us?

Our complete dependence upon God.

The Lord's Prayer, like all prayer, teaches us that we need God. Prayer is the expression of the dependence. When we pray we are asking for the help that we need. Our heavenly Father is willing to help us. Next week, we turn our attention to part five of the catechism.

FAQs Mondays: What are the first three requests of the Lord's Prayer?

Last week, we began answering the question, "What is Prayer?". You can read that post here. Today we are going to answer the question, "What are the first three requests of the Lord's Prayer?"

How many requests are there in the Lord's Prayer?

Six.

What is the first request?

Hallowed by your name.

What do we pray for in the first request?

That God's name may be honored by us and all people.

What is the second request?

Your kingdom come.

What do we pray for in the second request?

That the gospel may be preached in all the world, and believed and obeyed by us and all people.

What is the third request?

Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

What do we pray for in the third request?

That people on earth may serve God as the angels do in heaven.

We learn, through these questions, that the first three request revolve around the will of God. In this model prayer, Jesus is teaching his followers to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. We are to learn to pray for God's will to become our will. Genuine prayer helps to conform the person praying to the will of God. Next week, we will answer the question, "What are the last three requests of the Lord's Prayer?". Feel free to leave a comment.

FAQs Mondays: What is Prayer

Last week, we finished our look at part three of A Catechism for Boy and Girls. You can read that article here. Part four deals with prayer, and we will spend a few weeks looking at that subject. We will start with the basic question, "What is Prayer?".

What is prayer?

Prayer is talking to God.

In whose name should we pray?

Only in the name of the Lord Jesus.

What has Christ given to teach us how to pray?

The Lord's Prayer.

Can you repeat the Lord's Prayer?

Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory for ever and ever. Amen. Note: Most modern translations read differently than this one. You may want to use the translation with which you feel most comfortable.

Prayer is is the act of talking to God. We need to pray in the name of Jesus which means we pray by his authority and in accordance to his character. We learn how to pray as we pray through the Lord's Prayer. This prayer is a model for us to follow as we develop the skill of prayer. Next week, we'll ask, "What are the first three requests of the Lord's Prayer?".

FAQs Mondays: What Does Christ Do for His People

Last week, we answered the question, "How did God's people get saved before Jesus came?" You can read that post here. Now we turn our attention to answering the question, "What does Christ do for his people?"

What does Christ do for his people?

He does the work of a prophet, a priest, and a king.

How is Christ our Prophet?

He teaches us the will of God.

Why do you need Christ as a Prophet?

Because I am ignorant.

How is Christ our Priest?

He died for our sins and prays to God for us.

Why do you need Christ as a Priest?

Because I am guilty.

How is Christ our King?

He rules over us and defends us.

Why do you need Christ as a King?

Because I am weak and helpless.

From this set of questions, we learn the Jesus functions as our Prophet, Priest, and King. He is our Prophet because he teaches us about the God we were ignorant of. He is our Priest because he sacrificed himself to remove our guilt. He is our King because he rules over us. There are so many things that Christ does for his people, but they are summed up well under these headings.

Next week, we will move on to part four of the catechism which deals with prayer.