There is a beginning and an end

When we think of “new beginnings” in relation to the calendar, we typically think of January 1st and the start of a new calendar year. The start of a new year seems like a great time to try something new, commit to New Year's resolutions, and overall have a “fresh start” or a “new beginning.” Another time you may think of “new beginnings” is when you notice the church paraments are changed to the color blue, showing we are at the start of the Season of Advent, the beginning of the church year.

 

Another such time of year when it seems we have a “new beginning” is at the start of the school year. Granted, some of that feeling of newness may come from having school-age children, but it also comes from the change in activities at the church. Along with the beginning of the school year comes the start of a new year of Confirmation and Sunday School, including Adult Sunday School. Don’t get me wrong, it can be helpful to have fewer activities at the church during the summer, but by the time July comes, I’m more than ready to get back at it. Perhaps part of the sense of “new beginnings” at the church that always comes with the start of the school year is not only from various teaching programs that start up again, but also from the fact that each year is the start of material to be taught. We have a few things we’re getting back into the swing of at First Lutheran, as I’m sure the same is true for your church as well.

 

This year in Confirmation, we’re going to be discussing Christian apologetics. No, not apologizing for being Christians, but rather making a defense for our Christian faith. The gospel is not simply an argument that needs to be won, and as Christians it isn’t isn’t our responsibility to defend God as if somehow He needs us. But we are to, as Peter said in I Peter 3:15, “...in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.” In a culture that has become less Christian, it's becoming even more important not only to know what we believe, but why we believe it. And while this one year of Christian apologetics can only cover so much, it’ll be a fantastic foundation for years to come.

 

As far as Adult Sunday School is concerned, we are going to study the fruit of the Spirit, as found in Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Yes, there are only nine things listed as fruit of the Spirit, but it may take us all school year to get through them. Truth be told, we could spend the rest of our lives considering the fruit of the Spirit and how the fruit manifests in our lives! That being said, we can also break down the fruit of the Spirit into manageable chunks, do a fairly in-depth study, and finish before the school year is over.

 

Perhaps you notice a pattern in these activities; there is a beginning and an end. And what makes the beginning so exciting? Are we excited at the beginning because we are beginning something, or are we excited at the beginning because we’re looking forward to the process of working our way toward the end? I would say the latter is true. What makes Christian apologetics such an exciting subject with Confirmation students is because, once the year is complete, they will better be able to defend their faith. It is ultimately not the beginning of the study that is exciting, but rather the outcome. What makes this upcoming Adult Sunday School year studying the fruit of the Spirit exciting is because, once the year is over, we will all have a better understanding and grasp on seeing the Holy Spirit working in our lives in ways that too often go unnoticed.

 

Once again, it is not so much the beginning of the study that’s exciting, but the outcome. It seems in most cases, if not all of them, that when we are excited about having a new beginning, it isn’t so much the beginning that’s exciting, but that we’re looking forward to the process and the outcome more than anything else.

 

This is true of our lives as Christians. Many people came to faith in Jesus through the waters of Holy Baptism, but others came to faith in Jesus later in life. Whenever anyone comes to faith in Jesus at any age, it’s most certainly an exciting event! Receiving faith in Jesus and having the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit applied to us individually truly is reason to celebrate, but let’s not forget that it isn’t only the beginning that’s exciting, but also the end. Let us keep in mind that one day sin will be no more; there will be no more mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for they will pass away (Rev. 21:4), for Jesus is making all things new. I hope you are as excited for the new year at your church as I am at my church!