The Nicene Creed &

The christian church


watch the worship SERVICE

In the letter to the Romans, Paul teaches that we are one body with many members, a reality lived out by the earliest Christians.  This discussion focuses on the nature and purpose of the Christian Church, particularly through the lens of the Nicene Creed. Here we talk about how the church functions as a single, united, global body with Christ as its foundation.  As you begin your look think about ways both internal and external callings illustrate how God works through both direct communication and through others to call people into ministry. 


Intro Prayer

Heavenly Father, as we gather to discuss Your church and our role within it, we ask that You open our hearts and minds to hear Your voice. Guide our conversation and help us understand how we can better serve You and Your people. Help us to recognize both the internal and external ways You may be calling us to serve. In Jesus' name, Amen.


Ice Breaker

What was your earliest memory of being involved in a church activity or program?


Key Verses

1 Samuel 3:3-10

Matthew 28:19-20

1 Corinthians 12:12-14

Ephesians 4:4-6


Questions

  • How have you experienced God's calling in your life, either internally or externally?
  • What role do you think the church plays in modern society?
  • How do you see the Holy Spirit working through our church community?
  • What gifts or talents do you have that you could use to serve in the church?
  • How can we better support those who are answering God's call to ministry?
  • What does it mean to you to be part of a 'single, united, global church'?
  • How has being part of a church community transformed your life?
  • What barriers might prevent people from answering God's call, and how can we help overcome them?


Life Application

This week, take time to reflect on how God might be calling you to serve in the church. Pay attention to both internal promptings and external encouragement from others. Choose one specific way to get more involved in a ministry or service opportunity within the church.


Key Takeaways

  • The church is both unified in Christ and diverse in expression.
  • God calls people both internally through direct communication and externally through others.
  • The Holy Spirit empowers and guides the church's ministry.
  • Every member has gifts and talents to contribute to the church's mission.
  • The church exists to transform lives and communities for God's glory.


Ending Prayer

Lord, thank You for Your church and the way You use it to transform lives. Help us to be attentive to Your calling, whether it comes through internal promptings or through others. Give us courage to step out of our comfort zones and serve where You lead us. Unite us in purpose and strengthen us for Your mission. In Jesus' name, Amen.



5-Day devotional

being the church

Day 1: Hearing God's Voice


Devotional

Have you ever wondered if God is speaking to you? Throughout history, God has communicated with His people in various ways. Sometimes His voice comes as a gentle whisper in our hearts, and other times He speaks through the people around us.


In the story of Samuel, we see a young boy who heard God's voice but didn't recognize it at first. It took the wisdom of his mentor Eli to help him understand that God was calling him. This beautiful interaction shows us that discerning God's voice often requires both personal attentiveness and community guidance.


Many of us struggle to recognize God's voice amid the noise of our busy lives. We might hear a persistent thought, feel a tug on our hearts toward a certain action, or notice repeated themes in our conversations and devotional time. These could be ways God is trying to get our attention.


The challenge is learning to distinguish God's voice from our own thoughts or external influences. This is where the church community becomes invaluable. Fellow believers can often see gifts in us that we don't recognize, confirm internal promptings we're experiencing, or guide us toward opportunities that align with how God has shaped us.


Today, consider creating space to listen for God's voice. Start with a few minutes of silence, asking God to speak. Then pay attention to the thoughts, feelings, and desires that arise. Share these with trusted spiritual friends who can help you discern if and how God might be calling you.


Bible Verse

"Then Eli realized that the LORD was calling the boy. So Eli told Samuel, 'Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, "Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening."' So Samuel went and lay down in his place." - 1 Samuel 3:8-9


Reflection Question

When was the last time you felt God might be speaking to you, and how did you respond to that prompting?


Quote

God calls us in various ways throughout our faith journey, much like Samuel in the Bible who experienced both an internal calling (God speaking directly to him) and external confirmation (through Eli's guidance).


Prayer

Lord, open my ears to hear Your voice clearly. Help me to recognize when You are speaking to me, whether directly to my heart or through others in my community. Give me the courage to respond like Samuel, saying, "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening." Amen.


                                                                                                                                           


Day 2: The Power of Community Confirmation


Devotional

God rarely calls us to walk alone. When He places a vision or purpose on our hearts, He often confirms it through the community of believers around us.

Think about Samuel's experience. His internal calling—hearing God's voice directly—was powerful, but it was Eli's external confirmation and guidance that helped him understand and respond appropriately. This pattern continues throughout Scripture and in our lives today.


Sometimes we can be stubborn, wanting to figure everything out on our own. We might hear God's call but dismiss it as our imagination, or we might forge ahead with our plans without seeking wisdom from others. Both approaches can lead us astray.


The beauty of being part of the church is having access to the collective wisdom, experience, and discernment of fellow believers. When God is truly calling us toward something, He often confirms it through multiple sources—through Scripture, through circumstances, and through the affirmation of our spiritual community.


This doesn't mean we need unanimous approval for every decision, but it does suggest that we should be humble enough to listen to the voices God has placed around us. Sometimes the Holy Spirit uses others to affirm our calling, redirect our path, or refine our understanding of what God is asking of us.


Today, consider who the "Elis" are in your life—those spiritual mentors and friends who help you discern God's voice and confirm His calling. If you don't have such people, pray that God would bring them into your life.


Bible Verse

"And the LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, 'Samuel! Samuel!' Then Samuel said, 'Speak, for your servant is listening.'" - 1 Samuel 3:10


Reflection Question

Who has God used in yo


Quote

I am one of those people that try to do things myself and figure things out myself, and I don't always get the right answer. So in recent years, part of trying to mature is listening to the voices around me and what they're telling me and understanding that maybe it's the Holy Spirit that's prompting them to give me a word of affirmation or confirmation.


Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of community. Help me to be humble enough to listen when You speak through others. Bring wise mentors into my life who can help me discern Your voice, and make me attentive to their guidance. May I never miss Your calling because of pride or isolation. Amen.


                                                                                                                                           


Day 3: United in Diversity


Devotional

The church is a beautiful paradox—we are one body with many parts, united in Christ yet diverse in our expressions of faith. The Nicene Creed describes the church as "one holy, catholic, and apostolic," reminding us that despite our differences, we share a common foundation in Jesus Christ.


Like a room full of different animals, each denomination brings unique strengths, perspectives, and approaches to ministry. Some churches excel at contemplative worship, others at community outreach, and still others at biblical teaching or creative expression. Rather than seeing these differences as divisions, we can celebrate how they enable the gospel to reach more people in ways that resonate with their needs and backgrounds.


God's calling on our lives often aligns with the particular expression of faith we're drawn to. Some feel called to liturgical traditions that connect them to ancient practices, while others thrive in contemporary settings that speak to current cultural contexts. Neither is wrong—they're simply different ways of living out our faith in the one global church of Jesus Christ.


The key is remembering that our primary identity isn't found in our denominational label but in our relationship with Christ and our membership in His universal church. When we maintain this perspective, we can appreciate the richness of our diversity while remaining united in our essential mission to love God and love others.


Today, consider how your particular church tradition shapes your understanding of God's calling, and give thanks for the broader body of Christ that reaches people your tradition might not.


Bible Verse

"The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, 'Samuel! Samuel!' Then Samuel said, 'Speak, for your servant is listening.'" - 1 Samuel 3:10


Reflection Question

How has your experience with different church traditions or denominations enriched your understanding of God's calling on your life?


Quote

We believe in one holy, catholic and apostolic church. We are a single, united, global church with a basis in Christ Jesus.


Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for the beautiful diversity of Your church. Help me to appreciate different expressions of faith while remaining firmly rooted in You. Use my particular gifts and calling within my church community to reach those who might not be reached otherwise. May we be united in our essential mission even as we celebrate our diversity. Amen.


                                                                                                                                           


Day 4: Responding to Community Needs


Devotional

At the heart of God's calling is His desire to work through us to meet the needs of those around us. When we look at Jesus' ministry, we see Him constantly responding to the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the people He encountered. As His followers, we're invited to do the same.


The essence of the church isn't found in beautiful buildings or polished programs but in having our eyes open to our community, identifying needs, and listening to God's guidance on how to address them. This outward focus keeps us from becoming self-absorbed and reminds us that we exist to be Christ's hands and feet in a hurting world.


Successful ministries often begin when someone notices a need, feels God's prompting to respond, and takes a step of faith with the support of their church community. Whether it's providing meals for the hungry, companionship for the lonely, or hope for the discouraged, these ministries become powerful expressions of God's love.


Discerning which needs God is calling you to address requires attentiveness to what breaks your heart, what energizes you, and where your gifts and passions align with opportunities to serve. Not everyone is called to address every need, but everyone is called to be attentive to some need.


Today, take a prayer walk through your neighborhood or spend time reflecting on the needs you see in your community. Ask God to show you where He might be calling you to respond, either by joining an existing ministry or by pioneering a new initiative with others who share your vision.


Bible Verse

"The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, 'Samuel! Samuel!' Then Samuel said, 'Speak, for your servant is listening.'" - 1 Samuel 3:10


Reflection Question

What need in your community consistently catches your attention or breaks your heart, and how might God be calling you to respond?


Quote

The essence of the church is having our eyes on our community, identifying the needs in our community, listening to God, calling us to those needs and how to address them.


Prayer

God of compassion, open my eyes to see the needs around me as You see them. Break my heart for what breaks Yours. Give me courage to respond when You call me to address a need, and connect me with others who can join me in this work. May my life be a channel of Your love and transformation in my community. Amen.


                                                                                                                                           


Day 5: Transformed for God's Glory


Devotional

The ultimate purpose of God's calling on our lives isn't just about what we do—it's about who we become and how our transformation impacts others for His glory.


When we respond to God's voice, whether through internal promptings or external confirmation, we embark on a journey of growth. The Holy Spirit works within us, empowering, guiding, and sometimes even gently pushing us beyond our comfort zones. This process isn't always comfortable, but it's always purposeful.


As we follow God's calling, we find ourselves being shaped more into the image of Christ. Our priorities shift, our character develops, and our capacity to love expands. We become more patient, more compassionate, more courageous—not by our own strength, but by the transforming work of the Spirit within us.


And here's the beautiful part: our personal transformation becomes a catalyst for community transformation. As we love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously, we participate in God's work of renewing all things. The church becomes not just a gathering of individuals but a powerful force for positive change in the world.


None of us perfectly reflects Christ's message or fully lives out our calling. We're all somewhere on the journey, taking steps of faith and sometimes stumbling along the way. But as we encourage one another and work together, we move forward in fulfilling God's purposes for our lives and our communities.


Today, reflect on how responding to God's calling has transformed you so far, and recommit yourself to the ongoing journey of growth for His glory.


Bible Verse

"The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, 'Samuel! Samuel!' Then Samuel said, 'Speak, for your servant is listening.'" - 1 Samuel 3:10


Reflection Question

In what ways has responding to God's calling already begun to transform your character, and what area of further growth do you sense He's inviting you into now?


Quote

All for the purpose, for transforming us and our community for the glory of God.


Prayer

Transforming God, thank You for the privilege of being called by You. Continue Your work in me, shaping me to be more like Jesus each day. Help me to respond with Samuel's openness, saying, "Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening." Use my life and the collective witness of our church to bring transformation to our community for Your glory. Amen.

understanding jesus

fully human & fully divine

The Nicene Creed, created in 325 AD, remains one of Christianity's most important statements of faith. For 1700 years, it has helped believers understand the complex nature of Jesus as both fully divine and fully human.


What Makes Jesus Both Divine and Human?

 

Jesus exists in two important ways:

 

As God the Son (divine nature)

As the Son of God (human nature)

 

The Nicene Creed explains that Jesus came down from heaven, was born of the Virgin Mary, and became truly human while remaining fully divine. This unique dual nature allows Jesus to deeply understand all human experiences and emotions.


How Does Jesus Relate to Human Emotions?

 

Jesus experienced the full range of human emotions and feelings:

 

  • Anger
  • Sadness
  • Joy
  • Hunger
  • Thirst
  • Abandonment
  • Pain
  • Suffering

 

Because Jesus was both human and divine, these experiences weren't just human feelings - they were also God experiencing these emotions through Jesus.


Why Does Jesus's Humanity Matter to Us?

 

Jesus's humanity creates a profound connection between God and people:

 

God understands our struggles because He experienced them through Jesus

We can turn to God knowing He truly comprehends our pain and joy

God isn't distant but has walked in our shoes

Through Jesus, God knows firsthand what human life feels like

 

Life Application

 

This week, consider how Jesus's dual nature impacts your relationship with God. 


Questions to reflect on 

  • When you're struggling, do you remember that God understands your pain personally?
  • How might viewing God as someone who has experienced human emotions change how you pray?
  • In what ways can you draw comfort from knowing Jesus has felt what you're feeling?

 

Challenge: 

Next time you experience a strong emotion - whether positive or negative - take a moment to pray, remembering that God knows exactly how you feel through Jesus's human experience. Share your feelings openly with God, knowing He truly understands.

picture of stained glass and cross from 1st United Methodist Church in Maryville with "The Nicene Cree" title overlaying the picture

5 day devotional: 

the living christ

sermon from may 11, 2025

Day 1: The God Who Became Like Us

 

Devotional

Have you ever felt that no one truly understands what you're going through? In those moments of loneliness, there's an incredible truth that can change everything: God chose to become one of us. Through Jesus Christ, God didn't remain distant but stepped into our world, experiencing life just as we do. This wasn't a partial experience or a divine being merely observing humanity from the outside. Instead, Jesus lived a complete human life while remaining fully God. This truth transforms how we view our relationship with God - He's not unreachable or disconnected from our reality, but intimately familiar with every aspect of human existence.

 

Bible  Bible Verse

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us." - John 1:1,14

 

Question Circle  Reflection Question

How does knowing that God chose to experience human life change the way you view your personal relationship with Him?


quote-left  Quote

We do not have a God who is far off in the heavens somewhere. We have a God who walks on this earth.

 

Praying Hands  Prayer

Loving Father, thank you for choosing to understand us by becoming one of us. Help me grasp the depth of your love shown through Jesus's willingness to live as we live. Draw me closer to you today. Amen. 


                                                                                                                                            


Day 2: Understanding Our Struggles

 

Devotional

When life becomes overwhelming, it's natural to wonder if anyone truly understands our pain. Yet there's profound comfort in knowing that through Jesus, God has experienced the full spectrum of human emotions. He knows what it feels like to be tired, frustrated, or overwhelmed. He's felt physical pain, emotional hurt, and even abandonment. This wasn't just a surface-level experience - it was God fully immersing Himself in the human experience, feeling every sensation and emotion just as we do. When we struggle, we can find solace in knowing that our God understands not just theoretically, but through personal experience.

 

Bible  Bible Verse

"The angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.'" - Luke 1:31-33

 

Question Circle  Reflection Question

In what specific situations do you need to remember that God understands exactly what you're going through?


quote-left  Quote

When I feel abandoned, God knows what that's like. Because God has felt abandoned through Jesus. And when I hurt and when I suffer, God knows how I feel, because God has suffered.

 

Praying Hands  Prayer

Dear God, thank you for understanding my struggles firsthand. Help me find comfort in knowing that you've experienced what I'm going through. Guide me through my challenges today. Amen.

 

 

                                                                                                                                            


Day 3: The Divine Connection

 

Devotional

Imagine having a friend who not only listens to your struggles but has experienced them personally. That's exactly what we have in Jesus - the perfect bridge between humanity and divinity. His unique nature as both fully God and fully human means that when we pray, we're speaking to someone who truly understands our experiences from both a divine and human perspective. This isn't just theological theory; it's a practical reality that can transform how we approach God in every situation. Whether we're celebrating or grieving, succeeding or failing, we can trust that God comprehends our experience completely.

 

Bible  Bible Verse

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." - Genesis 1:1

 

Question Circle  Reflection Question

How does knowing that Jesus bridges the gap between humanity and divinity affect your approach to prayer and worship?


quote-left  Quote

Jesus, who is God, the Son, but also the Son of God, connects humanity to God. Jesus, who is God made flesh, embodies God's willingness to experience what we experience, to experience everything that humanity experiences so that God can know.

 

Praying Hands  Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for bridging the gap between heaven and earth through Jesus. Help me to approach you with confidence, knowing you understand everything I face. Amen.

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                            


Day 4: Never Alone in Our Emotions

 

Devotional

Joy, sorrow, anger, excitement, exhaustion - these aren't just human emotions that God observes from a distance. Through Jesus, God has experienced every emotion we face. When we celebrate, we can know that God understands our joy. When we grieve, we can trust that God comprehends our pain. This intimate understanding of our emotional life means we never have to hide our feelings from God or pretend to be something we're not. We can come to Him exactly as we are, knowing He understands perfectly what we're experiencing.

 

Bible  Bible Verse

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." - John 1:1

 

Question Circle  Reflection Question

What emotions do you find difficult to share with God, and how might knowing He understands them personally change your approach?


quote-left  Quote

And when we are angry or upset or hurt or feel left out and abandoned, God knows.

 

Praying Hands  Prayer

Lord, thank you for understanding every emotion I experience. Help me to be honest with you about my feelings, knowing you comprehend them completely. Amen.


                                                                                                                                            


Day 5: Finding Comfort in God's Understanding

 

Devotional

Life's journey includes moments of triumph and tragedy, joy and sorrow, confidence and doubt. In every single one of these experiences, we have a God who understands. Not just as an observer, but as one who has lived through similar experiences through Jesus Christ. This truth offers incredible comfort - we never walk alone through any situation. Whether we're facing our greatest victories or our deepest valleys, God knows exactly what we're experiencing. This understanding isn't superficial; it's deeply personal and complete, allowing us to find true comfort and strength in our relationship with Him.

 

Bible  Bible Verse

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." - Genesis 1:1

 

Question Circle  Reflection Question

How can you apply the truth of God's personal understanding to a challenging situation you're facing right now?


quote-left  Quote

No matter what is happening, God knows. And we can turn to God in every moment, mad or sad, hungry or hurt, excited or exhausted, because God knows.

 

Praying Hands  Prayer

Gracious God, thank you for understanding every aspect of my life. Help me find comfort and strength in knowing you've experienced what I face. Guide me through every situation, knowing you understand. Amen.