Dr. Luther’s Small Catechism lesson for the week of July 23, 2017:
[I] THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
IN THE PLAIN FORM IN WHICH THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY
SHALL TEACH THEM TO HIS HOUSEHOLD
[CONCLUSION]
What does God declare concerning all these commandments?
Answer: He says, “I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.”
What does this mean?
Answer: God threatens to punish all who transgress these commandments. We should therefore fear his wrath and not disobey these commandments. On the other hand, he promises grace and every blessing to all who keep them. We should therefore love him, trust in him, and cheerfully do what he has commanded.[1]
[1]Tappert, T. G. 2000, c1959. The Book of Concord : The confessions of the evangelical Lutheran church. Fortress Press: Philadelphia