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Sermons in Song

Christian Worship: Supplement Hymn 711 – Jesus Has Come and Brings Pleasure Eternal

1. List some of the truths about the person and

work of Christ expressed in stanza one.

2. Summarize the points of stanzas 2-4.

3. Identify and explain the progression of thought

that you see unfold in this hymn.

4. Describe how stanza 4 calls us to respond to message of the first three stanzas.

5. Listen to the hymn and describe the mood or the

feeling that the tune evokes for you. How well

does the tune reflect the text?

6. In what season(s) of the church year would you sing this hymn?

1. Jesus has come and brings pleasure eternal,

Alpha, Omega, Beginning and End;

Godhead, humanity, union supernal,

O great Redeemer, you come as our friend! Heaven and earth, now proclaim this great wonder:

Jesus has come and brings pleasure eternal!

2. Jesus has come! Now see bonds rent asunder!

Fetters of death now dissolve, disappear.

See him burst through with a voice as of thunder!

He sets us free from our guilt and our fear,

Lifts us from shame to the place of his honor.

Jesus has come! Hear the roll of God’s thunder!

3. Jesus has come as the mighty Redeemer.

See now the threatening strong one disarmed!

Jesus breaks down all the walls of death’s fortress,

Brings forth the pris’ners triumphant, unharmed.

Satan, you wicked one, own now your master.

Jesus has come! He, the Mighty Redeemer.

4. Jesus has come as the King of all glory!

Heaven and earth, oh, declare his great pow’r,

Capturing hearts with the heavenly story;

Welcome him now in this fast-fleeting hour!

Ponder his love! Take the crown he has for you!

Jesus has come! He, the King of all glory!

Johann Ludwig Conrad Allendorf, 1693-1773; tr. Oliver C. Rupprecht,

1903-2000, alt. © 1982 CPH

Sermons in Song

Christian Worship: Supplement Hymn 714 – The Lamb

1. Read Revelation 5:12,13. How does the hymn

make use of this passage? How is it a fitting

response to what the rest of the hymn says?

2. To what story in Scripture does stanza one

refer?

3. Read Hebrews 7:27 and 10:18. What is “final”

about the offering of the Lamb, Jesus, as stated

in stanza two?

4. Which of the following passages is restated in

stanza four? Explain your answer.

Isaiah 53:7 _____

John 3:16 _____

2 Corinthians 5:21 _____

5. The images of sheep, shepherd and lamb are popular pictures in Scripture. Use a concordance

or your own memory to find at least six

passages that contain one or more of these

words. Read them in context and share the

message God has for you.

6. Listen to the hymn and describe the mood or the feeling that the tune evokes for you. How well does the

tune reflect the text?

7. How might a congregation use this hymn innovatively on both Good Friday and Easter Sunday?

1. The Lamb, the Lamb,

O Father, where’s the sacrifice?

Faith sees, believes

God will provide the Lamb of price!

Refrain

Worthy is the Lamb whose death makes me his own!

The Lamb is reigning on his throne.


One perfect final offering.

The Lamb, the Lamb,

Let earth join heav’n his praise to sing. Refrain


As wayward sheep their shepherd kill

So still, his will,

On our behalf the law to fill. Refrain

4. He sighs, he dies,

He takes my sin and wretchedness.

He lives, forgives,

He gives me his own righteousness. Refrain

5. He rose, he rose,

My heart with thanks now overflows.

His song prolong

‘Til ev’ry heart to him belong. Refrain

Gerald P. Coleman, b. 1953 © MorningStar Music, 1987

Sermons in Song

Christian Worship: Supplement Hymn 723 – Holy Spirit, the Dove Sent From Heaven

1. Each stanza begins with a predominant image used for the work of the Holy Spirit. What are

they?

2. At your table, discuss the properties and uses of fire and wind.

3. At your table, read the following passages aloud. Then discuss why fire and wind are

appropriate pictures for the Holy Spirit. Write

down your thoughts.

• Acts 2:1-4

• Matthew 3:11-12

• John 3:3-8

4. In Martin Luther’s explanation of the 3rd

article of the Apostles’ Creed, we confess that the work of the Holy

Spirit is to “call, gather, enlighten, sanctify, and keep” the Church. Find specific words or phrases in this

hymn that describe any of these five facets of the work of the Spirit.

1. Holy Spirit, the dove sent from heaven,

Ever one with the One who is Three,

From the Father you came, words of peace to proclaim,

Come and comfort us, speak tenderly.

You, the fragrance of life we are seeking;

Fill your temple, your altar make clean.

Joyous shelter of love, Gracious friend from above,

In your care we are resting, serene.

2. Holy Spirit, the fire celestial,

Who on Pentecost came as foretold,

To descend from on high, And the Church occupy

As the cloud filled the temple of old;

All the baptized you seal with your promise,

All believers your gift there receive,

So that all the elect— All in Christ— may expect

To enjoy what by grace they believe.

3. Holy Spirit, the unction of blessing,

Sacred oil of the green olive tree,

Giving heat, giving light, As the tent lamps ignite

And as Aaron praised God joyfully.

Blessed living and life-giving water,

Now preserve us from evil within;

For in Jesus, God’s Son, All believers are one

In this washing that cleanses from sin.

4. Holy Spirit, the wind of great power,

Source of strength and of peace and of love,

Truest Comforter, plead, As you bring all our need

To the throne of God’s glory above.

Be the light that enlightens the Scriptures;

Keep our feet from each devilish snare;

Only you can make whole All that troubles our soul;

By your chrism, Christ’s triumph we share.

Philip W. Blycker, b. 1939; tr. © 2004 Stephen P. Starke, b. 1955

5. This hymn uses a couple of words not commonly used in our language today, unction (stanza 3) and chrism

(stanza 4). Unction is defined as the act of anointing with oil as part of a ritual; an ointment or oil;

something that serves to soothe. Chrism is defined as a consecrated mixture of oil and balsam used for

anointing in religious sacraments such as baptism and confirmation, also called holy oil; a sacramental

anointing.

Our congregation—and our church body as a whole—do not practice anointing with oil. Then how do we

define these words in the context of this hymn and our beliefs?

6. Stanza 4 calls the Holy Spirit “Truest Comforter.” Read through stanza 4 again. Then read John 14:15-27.

As you discover the tasks of the Holy Spirit, think about how they are a comfort to you personally, whether

they apply to your life in general or fit specific times or things in your life. Write down your thoughts. Share

with the group as you feel comfortable.

7. Listen to the hymn. The hymnal supplement committee had as one of its stated goals “to prepare a

supplement… that will assist worshipers and worship planners by providing them a resource that…

represents the best of a variety of musical genres appropriate for worship.” How does this hymn help to

fulfill that goal?

8. If time allows, compare this hymn with other Pentecost hymns in Christian Worship.

Sermons in Song

Christian Worship: Supplement Hymn 754 – The Tree of Life

1. Look up the following Bible passages and discuss God’s

use of the “tree.”

� Genesis 2:9,16,17

� Genesis 3

� Deuteronomy 21:22,23

� Matthew 27:32

� Acts 5:30; 10:39

� Galatians 3:13

� 1 Peter 2:24

� Revelation 2:7; 22:2,14,19

2. Verse one tells us about the two trees mentioned in Genesis

2:8-9, 2:15-17 and 3:1-6? Why would the author speak of

them both in glowing terms (“pure and sweet” and “lovely

limbs”)?

3. Discuss the unique ways in which verse two describes the

fall into sin?

4. In verse three, underline the ways in which salvation is spoken of in “Eden” terms.

5. Verse one and verse four serve as bookends…almost. List how these verses are the same and how they are

different.

1. The tree of life with ev’ry good

In Eden’s holy orchard stood,

And of its fruit so pure and sweet

God let the man and woman eat.

Yet in this garden also grew

Another tree, of which they knew;

Its lovely limbs with fruit adorned

Against whose eating God had warned.

2. The stillness of that sacred grove

Was broken, as the serpent strove

With tempting voice Eve to beguile

And Adam to by sin defile.

O day of sadness when the breath

Of fear and darkness, doubt and death,

Its awful poison first displayed

Within the world so newly made.

3. What mercy God showed to our race,

A plan of rescue by his grace:

In sending One from woman’s seed,

The One to fill our greatest need—

For on a tree uplifted high

His only Son for sin would die,

Would drink the cup of scorn and dread

To crush the ancient serpent’s head!

4. Now from that tree of Jesus’ shame

Flows life eternal in his name;

For all who trust and will believe,

Salvation’s living fruit receive.

And of this fruit so pure and sweet

The Lord invites the world to eat,

To find within this cross of wood

The tree of life with ev’ry good.

© 1993 Stephen P. Starke, b. 1955

6. What other similarities or differences can you think of between the tree(s) in Eden and the tree of the cross?

7. We don’t often think of the cross as a fruit-bearing tree. But it is, isn’t it? What “pure and sweet” fruit does

the Lord invite the world to eat from the tree of the cross?


tune reflect the text?

9. List occasions during the church year when this hymn would carry an appropriate message.

10. Inspiration for this hymn came from the proper preface (seasonal sentence) for Lent, “[We give thanks to

Jesus Christ] who brought the gift of salvation to all people by his death on the tree of the cross, so that the

devil, who overcame us by a tree would in turn by a tree be overcome.”

Read, reflect, and meditate on the message contained in the proper prefaces in Christian Worship: A

Lutheran Hymnal (p. 21, 33) and in Christian Worship Supplement ( p. 23, 34).

Sermons in Song

Christian Worship: Supplement Hymn 740 – Draw Near

1. Read Matthew 26:26-28 and 1 Corinthians 11:23-

29. What do we receive in the Lord’s Supper?

___ bread, wine, Jesus’ body, Jesus’ blood

___ just bread & wine as a picture of Jesus’ body

and blood

___ just Jesus’ body and blood

In your opinion, how well does this hymn

communicate that truth?

2. On the basis of 1 Corinthians 11:23-29, discuss

what it means to be properly prepared to receive the

sacrament. Where is this mentioned in the hymn?

3. How does stanza two teach us that God shows no

favorites? Use a concordance and/or a catechism to

find at least three passages that teach this truth.

Why is it good to know that God shows no favorites

when we come to the altar to receive the sacrament?

Why is it good to know that God shows no favorites

when we share our faith with others?

4. Read Hebrews 7:23-27 and Hebrews 10:26-27. What makes Jesus unique as a high priest? Where is this

mentioned in the hymn?

Refrain

Draw near, draw near! Take the body of your Lord.

Draw near, draw near! Drink the blood for you

outpoured!

1. Draw near and take the body of your Lord,

And drink the holy blood for you outpoured.

Saved by his body and his holy blood,

With souls refreshed we give our thanks to God.

Refrain

2. Christ our Redeemer, God’s eternal Son,

Has by his cross and blood the vict’ry won.

He gave his life for greatest and for least,

Himself the off’ring and himself the Priest.

Refrain

3. Let us approach with faithful hearts sincere,

And take the pledges of salvation here.

Christ, who in this life all the saints defends,

Gives all believers life that never ends.

Refrain

4. With heav’nly bread makes the hungry whole,

Gives living waters to the thirsting soul.

Lord of the nations, to whom all must bow,

In this great feast of love be with us now.

Refrain

7th century hymn, tr. by John M. Neale, 1818-1866, alt.

5. According to stanza four, God feeds the hungry and satisfies the thirsty in the sacrament. On the basis of the

following passages, discuss the questions below:

Psalm 32:3-5 Isaiah 55:1-3 Matthew 5:6 John 4:5-25

John 6:32-35 John 7:37-39 Revelation 7:15-17

• For what do we hunger and thirst spiritually?

• What does God use to make us hunger and thirst for these things?

• How does God satisfy our hunger and thirst in the sacrament?

• How is the sacrament a foretaste of heaven?


tune reflect the text? Does the text of this hymn strike you as ancient or contemporary? Give reasons for

your answers.

Sermons in Song

Christian Worship: Supplement Hymn 729 – There is a Blessed Home

1. For each of the passages below, write

the phrase from stanza one that best

matches the passage’s description of

heaven.

A. Revelation 22:5

B. 1 Corinthians 13:12

C. Isaiah 60:19,20

D. Hebrews 11:9-10

E. Revelation 2:10

F. Romans 8:25

G. Revelation 7:16

H. 2 Corinthians 5:7

I. James 1:12

J. Revelation 21:4

2. Describe the activity of heaven as outlined in stanza two. What excites you or concerns you, as you think

about that activity?

3. If verse two spoke of our heavenly singing, stanza three speaks of the content of our songs. What is that

content?

4. Read Philippians 3:20-21, and describe the Christian’s attitude toward heaven. Then read 1 Peter 1:3-10,

James 5:10-11, and Romans 8:17, and describe the Christian’s attitude toward suffering life on earth. How

does the hymn-writer express these thoughts in stanza four?

1. There is a blessed home beyond this land of woe,

Where trials never come, nor tears of sorrow flow;

Where faith is fully lost in sight, and patient hope is crowned,

And everlasting light its glory casts around.

2. There is a land of peace, good angels know it well;

Glad songs that never cease within its portals swell;

Around the glorious throne of God the countless saints adore

Christ, with the Father one, and Spirit evermore.

3. O joy all joys beyond, to see the Lamb who died,

And count each sacred wound in hands, and feet, and side;

To give to him eternal praise for ev’ry triumph won,

And sing through endless days the great things he has done!

4. Look up, you saints of God, nor fear to tread below

The path your Savior trod of daily toil and woe:

Wait only for a little while in uncomplaining love,

His own most gracious smile will welcome you above.

Henry W. Baker, 1821-77, alt.

5. C.T. Aufdemberge writes that Henry W. Baker’s “hymns were marked by simplicity of expression;

tenderness, sometimes to the point of sadness; and a smoothness of rhythm” (Christian Worship: Handbook,

640). How well do you think this hymn fits that evaluation?

6. The tune of this hymn (ARIC) was originally written for the baptism of Aric Reim and was initially paired

with a text that paraphrases the account of the Ethiopian’s baptism (Acts 8). How is a tune for a baptism

hymn an appropriate tune for this hymn?

7. Listen to the hymn on the CD. How does the rhythm or pace fit the mood of the hymn?

8. Some other hymns by Henry W. Baker are “Oh, Perfect Life of Love” (CW 138), “The King of Love My

Shepherd Is” (CW 375), “Redeemed, Restored, Forgiven” (CW 388), and “O God of Love, O King of

Peace” (CW 519). Consider taking time to read and study these hymns during your personal devotional time

this week.

Sermons in Song

Christian Worship: Supplement Hymn 769 – Lord of All Hopefulness

1. In light of Luke 18:16-17, Matthew 14:28-31, Luke 22:40-42, Luke 23:46, and 2 Corinthians 5:21, what is

so comforting about the phrase “Whose trust, ever child-like, no cares could destroy”? (Read all of the

passages before answering the question.)

2. Examine the hymn, and complete the following chart: Stanza (a)

Characteristics/Activities of God

(1st two lines of each stanza)

(b)

Blessing for

which we pray

(c)

Time of Day

(d)

How are (a) & (b) appropriate for that time of

day?

1

2

3

4

1. Lord of all hopefulness, Lord of all joy, 3. Lord of all kindliness, Lord of all grace,

Whose trust, ever child-like, no cares could destroy, Your hands swift to welcome, your arms to embrace,

Be there at our waking, and give us, we pray, Be there at our homing, and give us, we pray,

Your bliss in our hearts, Lord, at the break of the day. Your love in our hearts, Lord, at the eve of the day.

2. Lord of all eagerness, Lord of all faith, 4. Lord, of all gentleness, Lord of all calm,

Whose strong hands were skilled at the plane and the lathe, Whose voice is contentment, whose presence is balm,

Be there at our labors, and give us, we pray, Be there at our sleeping, and give us, we pray,

Your strength in our hearts, Lord, at the noon of the day. Your peace in our hearts, Lord, at the end of the day.

Jan Struther, 1901-1953 © 1931 Oxford University Press

3. This hymn was written as a prayer for the different periods of a 24-hour day. How does it also fit the

different periods of a person’s life?

4. Brainstorm some creative ways that this hymn could be sung or accompanied to emphasize the content of

the verses.

5. Listen to the hymn on the CD. If you wish to follow along, it is hymn 769 in Christian Worship:

Supplement. Take note of the pleasing symmetry of these verses. What are the benefits of writing a hymn

with this kind of poetic balance?

6. Other than Sunday morning, on what other occasions in the life of the Christian might this hymn be sung?

7. Morning, evening, noon and night are logical times for daily prayer and meditation. During the week look

through any of the hymnals you may have on your shelf and find (and use in your devotions) those hymns

that specifically speak about these times of the day.

Sermons in Song

Christian Worship: Supplement Hymn 737 – God’s Own Child, I Gladly Say It

1. Listen to Romans 6, as it is read (follow along, if you wish). As you do, note how St. Paul describes the power of Baptism and what it means for our daily lives.

2. “When the devil assailed [Luther], he would answer ‘I am baptized’” (Bainton, Here I Stand, 367). Examine stanzas 2-4 of the hymn, and complete the following table: (Cf. also Colossians 2:9-15 and 1 Peter 3:18-22)

Stanza Enemy How the Enemy Attacks How Baptism Comforts or Counter-attacks

2

3

4

1. God’s own child, I gladly say it: 2. Sin, disturb my soul no longer:

I am baptized into Christ! I am baptized into Christ!

He, because I could not pay it, I have comfort even stronger:

Gave my full redemption price. Jesus’ cleansing sacrifice.

Do I need earth’s treasures many? Should a guilty conscience seize me

I have one worth more than any Since my baptism did release me

That brought me salvation free In a dear forgiving flood,

Lasting to eternity! Sprinkling me with Jesus’ blood?

3. Satan, hear this proclamation: 4. Death, you cannot end my gladness:

I am baptized into Christ! I am baptized into Christ!

Drop your ugly accusation, When I die, I leave all sadness

I am not so soon enticed. To inherit paradise!

Now that to the font I’ve traveled, Though I lie in dust and ashes

All your might has come unraveled, Faith’s assurance brightly flashes:

And, against your tyranny, Baptism has the strength divine

God, my Lord, unites with me! To make life immortal mine.

5. There is nothing worth comparing

To this lifelong comfort sure!

Open-eyed my grave is staring:

Even there I’ll sleep secure.

Though my flesh awaits its raising,

Still my soul continues praising: Erdmann Neumeister, 1671-1756;

I am baptized into Christ; tr. Robert E. Voelker, b. 1957

I’m a child of paradise! © 1991 Robert E. Voelker

3. How does stanza one highlight the inestimable value of baptism? (Cf. also Galatians 3:26-29 and Titus 3:4-6)

4. Read stanza four. How is it true that the full effects of baptism aren’t realized by us until we die?

5. How does stanza five comfort us, as we face our own death (or the death of a loved one)? (Cf. also Romans 6:1-8)

6. Compare this hymn to other baptism hymns from Christian Worship (Hymns 294-301) or to other baptism hymns that you know. In what ways is this hymn similar to those hymns? In what ways is it unique?

7. This hymn stresses the continuing significance of our baptism. Brainstorm some ways that we can remind ourselves and each other of our baptism everyday.

8. Baptism, though it looks serene, fills us with energy to face our bitterest enemies because it unites us with Christ. Listen to the hymn (sing along, if you wish). How does the music reflect that energy?

9. If time allows, choose two or three phrases from the hymn that are especially meaningful to you, and describe why they are meaningful. After about 3 minutes, share your thoughts with one person seated next

to you, and listen to their thoughts.

Take It Home

This week, read through all of Martin Luther’s “Explanation of the Sacrament of Holy Baptism” everyday. Take

extra time to focus on each part in this way:

• Monday – The Institution of Baptism • Tuesday – The Blessings of Baptism • Wednesday – The Power of Baptism • Thursday – The Meaning of Baptism for Our Daily Life • Friday – The Blessings of Baptism • Saturday – The Meaning of Baptism for Our Daily Life

Martin Luther’s Explanation of the Sacrament of Holy Baptism from his Small Catechism

THE INSTITUTION OF BAPTISM

First: What is Baptism?

Baptism is not just plain water, but it is water used by God’s command and connected with God’s Word.

Which is that Word of God?

Christ our Lord says in the last chapter of Matthew, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the

name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit!”

THE BLESSINGS OF BAPTISM

Second: What does Baptism do for us?

Baptism works forgiveness of sin, delivers from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who

believe this, as the words and promises of God declare.

What are these words and promises of God?

Christ our Lord says in the last chapter of Mark, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever

does not believe will be condemned.”

THE POWER OF BAPTISM

Third: How can water do such great things?

It is certainly not the water that does such things, but God’s Word which is in and with the water and faith

which trusts this Word used with the water.

For without God’s Word the water is just plain water and not Baptism. But with this Word it is Baptism, that is,

a gracious water of life and a washing of rebirth by the Holy Spirit.

Where is this written?

St. Paul says in Titus, chapter 3, “[God] saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,

whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his

grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying.”

THE MEANING OF BAPTISM FOR OUR DAILY LIFE

Fourth: What does baptizing with water mean?

Baptism means that the Old Adam in us should be drowned by daily contrition and repentance, and that all its

evil deeds and desires be put to death. It also means that a new person should daily arise to live before God in

righteousness and purity forever.

Where is this written?

St. Paul says in Romans, chapter 6, “We were… buried with [Christ] through baptism into death in order that,

just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”

Sermons in Song

Christian Worship: Supplement Hymn 730 – Blessed Are They

1. The refrain and stanzas of this hymn are a paraphrase of

verses from the book of Revelation. Read Revelation

5:6-14, Revelation 7:9-17, Revelation 14:1-5 and

Revelation 19:6-9.

a. Identify specific Bible verses that match with each stanza of the hymn.

b. Then note and comment on any words or phrases that differ from the NIV translation

• Refrain –

• Stanza 1 –

• Stanza 2 –

• Stanza 3 –

• Stanza 4 –

• Stanza 5 –

2. How is the “marriage feast of the Lamb” similar to earthly weddings? How is it different? (Cf. Revelation

19:7-8 and Ephesians 5:25-27)

3. Read through Matthew 5:1-12 (the “Beatitudes”) and note whom Jesus calls blessed and how they are or will be blessed. What strikes you about those whom he calls blessed?

How does this relate to those who are called blessed in this hymn?

Refrain: Blessed are they which are called,

Blessed are they which are called,

Blessed are they which are called

To the marriage feast of the Lamb.

1. Multitudes, clothed in white robes, From ev’ry nation and tongue,

Stood before God and the Lamb

At the marriage feast of the Lamb.

2. They’ll neither hunger nor thirst, Death, sorrow, pain vanquished now,

God wipes all tears from their eyes

By the marriage feast of the Lamb.

3. Blessing and honor, they cry, Unto the Lamb that was slain,

Redeeming us with his blood

In the marriage feast of the Lamb.

4. Servant, saint, martyr at rest, Sanctified, ransomed, restored,

Thund’rously sing a new song

Of the marriage feast of the Lamb.

5. Worthy are you, Lamb of God, To receive glory and praise.

Alleluia and amen!

For the marriage feast of the Lamb.

Texts from Revelation

adapted Larry L. Fleming, 1936-2003, alt.;

©1996 Birnamwood Publications (ASCAP), a division of

MorningStar Music Publishers, Inc.

4. Study the other “blessed” passages from Revelation listed below. According to each, what characteristics make them/us blessed?

a. Revelation 1:3

b. Revelation 14:13

c. Revelation 16:15

d. Revelation 20:6

e. Revelation 22:7

f. Revelation 22:14

5. The words of Luke 23:42 ( “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom”) may be used as a descant during the singing of the refrain. How is this passage fitting for this hymn?

6. Listen to the hymn (sing along, if you wish). What emotions does the tune evoke? How does this fit the text of the hymn?

7. Look in the front of Christian Worship (pp. 163-166) and Christian Worship: Supplement (pp. 80-82) to find when these texts from Revelation are used in the church year. What makes these texts and this hymn

appropriate for those times?

For what other occasion(s) might this hymn be appropriate?

8. If time allows, choose two or three phrases from the hymn that are especially meaningful to you, and describe why they are meaningful. After about 3 minutes, share your thoughts with one person seated next

to you, and listen to their thoughts.

Sermons in Song

Christian Worship: Supplement Hymn 761 – Christ Is With Me

1. Read only the refrain of the hymn, and list

passages from the Bible that come to mind.

Without looking at the rest of the hymn, describe

what you expect the rest of the song to be about.

2. Read Romans 6:1-10. a. According to these verses (especially v. 4), in

what special way is “Christ…with me

everywhere I go”?

b. Describe the difference that makes in your life.

3. Read John 15:1-17 a. According to these verses, in what way is “Christ…with me everywhere I go”?


4. Read Galatians 2:19-21. a. According to these verses, in what way is “Christ…with me everywhere I go”?


5. How is the content of the hymn different than what you expected (see question 1)? How is it the same?

6. Explain how the verses fit with the refrain.

1. We were buried with him into death, That as he was raised by God’s glory,

We might walk in life made new by grace.

Having died with Christ, we shall life with him.

Refrain: Christ is with me ev’rywhere I go.

Never to leave me, this I know.

2. I have now been grafted to the vine, Drawing life from roots rich in mercy,

Bearing fruit as I abide in him:

Fruit forever fresh, glorifying God.

3. I have now been crucified with Christ. I no longer life; Christ lives in me.

Now I live by faith in God’s own Son,

One who loved me so—gave himself for me.

Gerald Patrick Coleman, b. 1953, alt. © 1992 Concordia Publishing

House

7. Coleman describes “Christ Is With Me” as a pastoral response to a telephone call from dear friends, sharing the news that their seven-month-old son, Andrew, had died after a long illness. He writes:

Standing in solidarity with dear friends in the profound grief of losing their (then) only child, I wanted to reach

out in comfort. My thoughts turned to Andrew’s baptism into the communion of saints. I tried to envision a song

which these Christian parents could sing, all the while imagining the same song in the voice of their late son. The

refrain, music and text, came quickly. Then came the struggle of developing a poetic rendering of three significant

scriptural passages which seemed to be equally resonant in the voice of a parent in mourning and a child in

glory—passages from Romans 6, John 15, and Galatians 2. The result seems to have the effect of creating a sense

of oneness between the parents and child, inferring the communion of saints and baptism.

How does knowing this affect your appreciation for and understanding of this hymn? How well, in your

opinion, did Coleman create a song which “Christian parents could sing, all the while imagining the same

song in the voice of their late son”?


9. This week, read and meditate on Romans 6, John 15, and Galatians 2, giving special attention to how these chapters affect your perspective for your daily life.

Sermons in Song








everywhere I go”?




















House

Sermons in Song








everywhere I go”?




4. Read Galatians 2:19-2

sermons in song - abiding peace in … · as wayward sheep their shepherd kill so still, his will,...

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