What will you teach my child about God?
Good Shepherd is part of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. Our teachers affirm the teachings found in the Book of Concord, which are the confessions of the Lutheran Church. These are found in a simple form in Martin Luther's Small Catechism. You may request a copy of this from the pastor.
The following is a brief summary of our Biblical beliefs:
The whole Bible is God's inspired and true word, and is the ultimate source of true teaching.
The Triune God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, is the only true God and the personal creator, redeemer and preserver of all things.
By His word, God made the whole universe in six days. He is the source and owner of all life and dearly loves all his people.
All people are born sinners and are eternally condemned unless saved by Jesus Christ alone, by God's grace alone and through faith alone.
Jesus Christ, by his perfect life, innocent death and victorious resurrection, provides forgiveness and eternal life for all people. This is the true Gospel.
Faith is caused by the Holy Spirit, using God's living Word in the Gospel and in the Sacrament of Holy Baptism.
True believers in Jesus leave this world when they die, to be with God forever. Jesus will return once more to end this creation and to separate all he has rescued from those who still sin.
The Christian church is all who believe in Jesus Christ alone, using his true Gospel and sacraments. The Church, as God's agent, gives forgiveness to all who repent and believe.
The Ten Commandments show us our sinfulness, our need for a Savior, and show God's will for our lives today. In them, God tells us to trust Him exclusively, use his name carefully, reserve time for worship, honor his representatives, value all human life, reserve sexual intimacy for marriage, protect other's property, speak the truth and reject lust, greed and envy.
The Lord's Prayer expresses the believer's highest desire, to live a holy life by faith in God.
The Holy Spirit causes saving faith in those who are baptized, including infants.
In Holy Communion, Jesus gives his true body and blood, with the bread and wine, to all who eat and drink; which gives forgiveness to those who believe in Jesus.
