Family Overview
Behold, I make all things new.
(Revelation 21:5)
When the Lord came on earth, He gave people a new understanding of how to live a good life that would bring them eternal happiness. And in providence, people were inspired by the Lord God Jesus Christ to write Gospels that would make it possible for future generations to have access to what He taught here on earth. The New Church declares that the Lord has now given another revelation that explains the inner, spiritual meaning of the Old and New Testaments and gives new teachings about the life after death, the spiritual foundation of marriage, and much more. The words "Behold, I make all things new" (Rev. 21:5) are a prophecy of the new doctrine or teachings that came to the world through the teachings given to the New Church.
READ: "All Things New" by the Rev. Cairns Henderson
What is new about the New Church? The author identifies several themes for which the Heavenly Doctrine for the New Church provides new ideas: the nature of God, the Word of God, true faith, eternal life, loving the neighbor, etc. These concepts have the potential to produce a new kind of life or religion in those who live according to them.
SING: I Saw a New Heaven and a New Earth by Lori S. Odhner
JOURNAL PAGE: Making All Things New (teens and adults)
As we develop a clearer understanding of the Lord's Word, we will be able to make better use of His wondrous truths to renew our lives. Is there a teaching about the Lord, eternal life, marriage, the spiritual meaning of the Word, or true love of the neighbor that could help you reinvigorate some aspect of your life?
SING: New Hope of Every Nation
THE BIRTH OF THE NEW CHURCH
The Lord's second coming, is not in person,
but in the Word, which is from Him and which He is.
(True Christian Religion 776)
The revelation for the New Church was given through Emanuel Swedenborg, a Swedish scientist who lived from 1688-1772 AD. When Swedenborg finished writing a book called The True Christian Religion, the Lord sent out His twelve disciples to spread the good news throughout the spiritual world that the "Lord God Jesus Christ is King and His kingdom shall be for ever and ever." This took place on the nineteenth day of June in 1770 AD, and it is this day which is celebrated as the birthday of the New Church.
READ: "The Birthday of the New Church" by the Rev. Patrick A. Rose (for young children)
When we celebrate the birthday of the New Church on the nineteenth of June, it is good to thank the Lord for sending out His twelve disciples once again and for giving people the New Church.
READ: "The New Church" by the Rev. Walter E. Orthwein
The revelation of the internal sense of the Word makes all things of religion new. It gives a new vision of the Lord Jesus Christ as the one God of heaven and earth. This new vision of the Lord is seen in the internal sense of the Word. And it is this new vision which is meant by the second coming of the Lord. It is not a second physical coming, or a coming in person, but is a spiritual coming.
READ: "The Lord God Jesus Christ Reigns" (author unknown)
A talk for children about the gospel preached by the Lord's disciples when He sent them throughout the spiritual world.
PROJECT: Emanuel Swedenborg, Servant of the Lord (ages 5-10)
A picture of Emanuel Swedenborg to color and display to recognize the role he played in publishing the new teachings that the Lord wanted to give the world.
PROJECT: The Lord Sends Out the Twelve Disciples (ages 5-12)
A picture to color and assemble to show the Lord sending out the disciples who had known Him in the world.
COLORING PAGES:
Coming with Power and Great Glory by Robert Glenn
Sending Out the Twelve Disciples into the Spiritual World by Mary S. Cooper
With the Sound of a Trumpet
NUNC LICET TEMPLE
I saw this inscription above the door, Nunc Licet - it is now permitted -
which meant that it is now permitted to enter with understanding into the mysteries of faith.
(True Christian Religion 508:1-3)
One of the amazing things that the Lord showed Swedenborg was a beautiful temple in heaven. We sometimes refer to it as the Nunc Licet Temple, because of the inscription that Swedenborg saw above the entrance.
READ: "A Temple in Heaven" by the Rev. Kurt Asplundh
A family talk for children about the beautiful Nunc Licet temple.
POSTER: Nunc Licet Temple (all ages)
A beautiful color poster to print and display.
READ: "Nunc Licet: Now It Is Permitted" by the Rt. Rev. Brian W. Keith
A family talk about the meaning of the words "Nunc Licet" and the importance of being able to explore the truths of the Word in freedom.
PROJECT: Nunc Licet Temple Collage (ages 4-9)
Make a beautiful collage of Swedenborg seeing this beautiful temple in heaven.
ACTIVITY: Nunc Licet Word Search Puzzle (ages 10 and up)
Find words that relate to the birth of the New Church then check the answer sheet.
PROJECT: Nunc Licet Temple Project (ages 8-14)
Color, cut out and assemble the pieces to make a model of the temple that the Lord showed Swedenborg in heaven.
COLORING PAGES:
Entering the Nunc Licet Temple by Bernice Sandstrom
A Temple in Heaven by Donald Moorhead
Nunc Licet Temple by Marguerite Acton
ENTER WITH UNDERSTANDING
In the New Church it is permitted to enter with the understanding
and penetrate into all her secrets, and to confirm them by the Word,
because her doctrines are laid open by the Lord by means of the Word.
(True Christian Religion 508:5)
When people discover the teachings of the New Church, they find that many of their questions about the nature of God, life after death, the purpose of life, etc., are answered. This is partly because the revelation given to the New Church provides rational truths that people can understand. People are encouraged to seek answers to their questions and confirm truths by means of the Lord's Word.
READ: "Spiritual Freedom" by the Rt. Rev. Peter M. Buss
With this new revelation, the Lord offers us the freedom to look at truth and see it for ourselves, and the freedom to find joy in discovering that what He has said is true. Only an explanation of truth that comes directly from the Lord Himself can open the mind. This is the quality of the truth in the Word of the Lord. It is couched in the language of humankind, coming apparently through the prophets, through the apostles, and through Emanuel Swedenborg. But the truth itself is from the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life.
FOR REFLECTION: Give Me Understanding (for adults)
What can we do to increase our understanding of the Word - revealing the precious gems hidden within?
PROJECT: The Word Revealed (ages 8-14)
Color and cut out the project pieces to show light coming from the Word and a seven branched lampstand with the words(in Greek and English): "Behold, I make all things new."
PROJECT: The Open Word Snowflake (ages 9-14)
Fold and cut out this snowflake pattern to show the open Word. This is a beautiful symbol for the New Church because the Lord has given us a new revelation to help people understand the inner spiritual meaning of His Word.
PROJECT: Enter into the Mysteries of the Word - Make a Border for the Quotation
Make a beautiful border for these words: "Enter, from now on, into the mysteries of the Word... (True Christian Religion 508).
UNIQUE TEACHINGS OF THE NEW CHURCH
The New Christian Church is being established through revelation
of the spiritual sense of the Word and teachings about life after death.
(see Summary to the Coronis)
In the Heavenly Doctrine, the Lord revealed many new teachings which people were not ready for when He first came into the world. For example, we now have the beautiful teaching about life after death, that people choose whether to live in heaven or hell. And this choice is according to whether what they love most is to do what is good or to do what is evil.
READ: "What Is New About the New Church?" by the Rev. Dan Goodenough
This article explores some of the unique teachings of the New Church.
READ: "The Balance of Constancy and Change in the New Church" by the Rev. Ray Silverman
In this fascinating article, Silverman discusses some of his journey as he joined the New Church.
Books Relating to Unique Teachings about Eternal Life:
Heaven and Hell - A book of the Heavenly Doctrine for the New Church that discusses heaven,
hell, and the world of spirits.
Window to Eternity by Bruce Henderson - An excellent introduction to New Church teachings
about the life after death.
The Arrivals by Naomi G. Smith - A novel for adults about people entering the spiritual world.
The Life to Come by Gretchen L. Keith - Stories for children about the spiritual world.
CELEBRATING NEW CHURCH DAY
This New Church, truly Christian...will endure to eternity.
In this New Church there will be spiritual peace, glory, and internal blessedness of life.
(Summary to the Coronis)
The beginning of the New Church is often celebrated on the nineteenth of June - the day that the Lord sent out the twelve disciples in the spiritual world to spread the good news that the Lord God Jesus Christ reigns. Here are some ideas for celebrating the birthday of this New Church.
FAMILY ACTIVITIES: Cherishing the New Church
- What is one of your favorite teachings of the New Church?
- What are some ways to help the New Church grow?
- Talk about how your family (or someone in your family) came into the New Church.
- Make a New Church flag to display.
- Bake a cake and decorate it with white frosting and strawberries or raspberries.
PROJECT: Nunc Licet Temple Decoration (ages 8-12)
Use as a table centerpiece, display above or beside the Word in your home or set it on top of a "birthday cake" to celebrate New Church Day.
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