The Christian Sacraments

This 9-week video series focuses on developing a better understanding of the Christian sacraments, using a classic writing about the sacraments, Martin Luther’s The Babylonian Captivity of the Church. This writing by Martin Luther came three years after the beginning of the Protestant Reformation and became the essential treatise on the sacraments for the Protestant movement. Even today, Luther’s insights are profound and useful. In addition, this treatise displays his brilliance, courage, and wit. This short and accessible writing turns out to be a perfect vehicle for a study of the Christian sacraments. In the process of this study, we will learn a great deal about Christian theology, about the Protestant Reformation, about the pivotal person in the Reformation, Martin Luther, and of course, about the sacraments.

Each lesson contains a video made up of two segments. The first runs about 8-10 minutes with the second segment running about 5-6. The Group Handout contains suggested study questions and resources for group discussion after each video segment. These lessons are easily tailored to 45 to 60 minutes classes or group meetings. In addition to Group Handouts, there is a Leader’s Guide with additional resources for leaders.

Below watch two sample video lessons with accompanying group handouts.

Series Outline

Lesson 1 - Introduction to the Sacraments and Martin Luther

Lesson 2 - The Lord’s Supper

Lesson 3 - The Lord’s Supper - Part 2

Lesson 4 - The Sacrament of Baptism

Lesson 5 - The Sacrament of Baptism - Part 2

Lesson 6 - Ceremonies That Are Not Sacraments - Penance and Confirmation

Lesson 7 - Ceremonies That Are Not Sacraments - Marriage

Lesson 8 - Ceremonies That Are Not Sacraments - Ordination and Last Rites

Lesson 9 - What Have We Learned?

Course Samples

The Christian Sacraments - Lesson 1 - Introduction to Martin Luther

Below is the video for lesson 1 (2 video segments). Below it is the class or group handout for lesson 1.