Explain, in practical terms, how a Christians baptism can give genuine help in living each day.

What, if any, is the difference between infant and adult baptism, either in terms of theology or of pastoral practice?
Is Baptism Law or Gospel? Explain.
Explain, in practical terms, how a Christians baptism can give genuine help in living each day.
Make a biblical case for the teaching of infant baptism. How will these texts govern your pastoral practice of baptism?
You learn that one of the members of the congregation you are serving is pregnant. Would you try to visit with her before the birth of the baby? What would you especially like to talk about during your visit?

2. Scripture
Some say Scripture was written by so many different people at so many different times that it should not surprise us to find contradictions and other errors in it. What do you think about such statements?
What is your position on the authority of Holy Scripture, and how will you make use of it in your ministry?
Someone asks you, I learned that the Jehovahs Witnesses believe that the Bible is divinely inspired and inerrant. Does that mean that you Lutherans have the same view of the Bible as they do? Please respond.
What view of Scripture do your people have? How do you help them enrich that?
How is a Lutheran view of Scripture different from an Islamic view of the Koran?

3. Law and Gospel
In a pastors preaching and teaching, why should the Gospel be the major emphasis and theme? Please explain.
What is the use and function of the law and the gospel in Christian preaching?
Tell us clearly what the Gospel is. Tell us clearly what the Law is.
What does God want to accomplish through his Law?
Why do you think it is easier to apply/preach law than gospel?
Can the Law ever be seen in a positive light? If so, how?
Where do we encounter or experience the laws working?

4. Holy Communion
Who should not be admitted to the Lords Supper? Why not?
In what ways is Holy Communion the gifts of God for the people of God?

Do all communicants, even those without saving faith, receive the Lords body and blood with their mouths? Why is this question important?
What does God want to accomplish through the Lords Supper?
When do you think children should be admitted to the Lords Supper? Why?

5. Trinity
God alone can save us. How does the Christian doctrine of the Trinity support this important statement?
Briefly describe the relationship of the persons to the Godhead and to one another in the Holy Trinity, both (1) within the economic Trinity and (2) within the immanent Trinity.
How is the true God different in his Being (not his works such as creation, redemption, and sanctification) from all other persons and things that are falsely called God?
Why do you think that Muslims accuse Christians of worshiping three gods? How can that perception be changed?

6. Two Kinds of Righteousness
What is righteousness?
Are you familiar with the phrases passive righteousness and active righteousness. Teach us a little bit about what those phrases mean and how their meanings differ from each other. What are some other terms or phrases that describe the two kinds of righteousness?
All sins are alike. All sins are not alike. How does the doctrine of the Two Kinds of Righteousness enable us to believe that both of these statements are true?
How does the righteousness we receive from Christ empower the Christian to do good works? Relate this to the teaching of Two Kinds of Righteousness.
What are the differences and similarities between the active righteousness of a Christian and the active righteousness of a non-Christian?

7. Basic definitions
Please define the following: grace, faith, justice of God, Christ, our alien righteousness, forensic justification, sanctification, glorification, at the same time sinner and saint, original sin, good works, means of grace, work-righteousness.

8. Vocation
What are the various walks of life in which a Christian lives out his or her calling?
How can the Lutheran doctrine of vocation bring real joy and satisfaction to the lives of Christians, whether they are pastors or lay people?

9. Doctrine of the Ministry

How is the pastor different from a lay person?
What is the importance of your upcoming ordination and call into the holy ministry?
Respond to these two statements: Pastors are just like everyone else; Pastors a different from everyone else.
What would you consider to be three of the chief responsibilities or duties of a pastor? [Please answer this from the point of view of a missionary pastor.]

10. Mission of the Church
What should the church do above all else? What are some other things that the church may do? [Please respond to this from the perspective of a missionary pastor in addition to your role as a shepherding pastor.]
In your ministry and mission context, what are the greatest barriers to the spread of the Gospel and the growth of the church?
Describe and defend from the scriptures the mission of the Church.

11. Marriage and Sexuality
What is the biblical definition of marriage?
What is your position on same-sex attraction? Homosexual behavior? Same-sex marriage?
As the pastor, how would you relate to someone in your congregation who experiences same-sex attraction? How would you relate to someone in your congregation who is living in a sexually active same-sex relationship?

12. Eschatology and/or Millenialism
On what misunderstanding of Scripture is millenialism based?
When do you think the Lord will come again? Is there anything we can do to make that come quicker?
How does the promise of Jesus return on the Last Day help Christians in their everyday lives?
What is your position on the End Times (eschatology) and what is your view of the millennial reign of Christ?

13. Work of the Holy Spirit
What is the relationship of the Holy Spirit to Christ? To the means of grace? To the conversion of a person? To the Church? To Christian living?
What does the Holy Spirit want to do in the life of every Christian? How does he promise to do this?
What is the role of the Holy Spirit in the Trinity, in the life of the church, in the life of the unbeliever and the life of the believer?
What are the strengths and weaknesses in Pentecostalisms teaching about the work of the Holy Spirit?

14. Demons, Ancestors, Spirits, Angels
Who are our invisible spiritual enemies?
What effects can the spirits (ghosts) of our ancestors have on us and our lives?
Describe the ministry issues in your context that surround matters such as ancestral spirits, demons, spirits and angels. Relate these issues to problems of outreach and mission.

15. Catechesis/Teaching
How do catechesis and teaching fit into the mission of the church?

What is your plan for teaching the Christian faith to new adult converts? What materials do you use? How long (on average) do you teach before a person is baptized and/or joins the church?
Which teachings should your catechesis of new members cover and which teachings can it leave for a later time? Reflect on this in light of what Luther included or did not include in his Small Catechism.
How will you help people continue to grow once they have joined the church?

16. Importance/Use of the Lutheran Confessions
What differences are there between the doctrine of the Book of Concord and the doctrine of the Scripture?
Have you used Luthers Small Catechism in teaching young people and adults? If not, why not?
How are the Lutheran Confessions important to you, and how do you plan to use them in your ministry (to the extent that you have learned to know them)?
How are the Lutheran Confessions inherently missionary documents? How might you use them in your missionary context?

17. Central Theological Themes of the Lutheran Reformation
With what question did Luther struggle during his early adult life? Did he find an answer to it? If so, how did he and what was the answer?
A common way to speak of central themes of the Lutheran Reformation is this: Grace alone, Faith alone, Scripture alone. Explain what Lutherans mean by these three phrases, and compare our understanding with Roman Catholic teaching.
In what ways was Luthers Reformation something new and in what ways did it honor the traditions, practices, and doctrines of the Early Church? How might your ministry today be helped by thinking about these kinds of issues?

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