Category: Catechism Lesson

Dr. Luther’s Small Catechism lesson for the week of September 19, 2021:

[II] THE CREED

IN THE PLAIN FORM IN WHICH THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY
SHALL TEACH IT TO HIS HOUSEHOLD

THE SECOND ARTICLE: REDEMPTION

“And in Jesus Christ, his only son, our Lord: who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried: he descended into hell, the third day he rose from the dead, he ascended into heaven, and is seated on the right hand of God, the Father almighty, whence he shall come to judge the living and the dead.”

What does this mean?

Answer:  I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the virgin Mary, is my Lord, who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned creature, delivered me and freed me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil, not with silver and gold but with his holy and precious blood and with his innocent sufferings and death, in order that I may be his, live under him in his kingdom, and serve him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, even as he is risen from the dead and lives and reigns to all eternity. This is most certainly true.^[1]

^[1]Tappert, T. G. 2000, c1959. The book of concord : The confessions of the evangelical Lutheran church. Fortress Press: Philadelphia

Dr. Luther’s Small Catechism lesson for the week of September 12, 2021:

[III] THE LORD’S PRAYER

IN THE PLAIN FORM IN WHICH THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY
SHALL TEACH IT TO HIS HOUSEHOLD

THE FOURTH PETITION

“Give us this day our daily bread.”

What does this mean?

Answer: To be sure, God provides daily bread, even to the wicked, without our prayer, but we pray in this petition that God may make us aware of his gifts and enable us to receive our daily bread with thanksgiving.

What is meant by daily bread?

Answer: Everything required to satisfy our bodily needs, such as food and clothing, house and home, fields and flocks, money and property; a pious spouse and good children, trustworthy servants, godly and faithful rulers, good government; seasonable weather, peace and health, order and honor; true friends, faithful neighbors, and the like.^[1]

^[1]Tappert, T. G. 2000, c1959. The book of concord : The confessions of the evangelical Lutheran church. Fortress Press: Philadelphia

Dr. Luther’s Small Catechism lesson for the week of September 5, 2021:

[III] THE LORD’S PRAYER

IN THE PLAIN FORM IN WHICH THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY
SHALL TEACH IT TO HIS HOUSEHOLD

THE SIXTH PETITION

“And lead us not into temptation.”

What does this mean?

Answer:  God tempts no one to sin, but we pray in this petition that God may guard and preserve us that the devil, the world, and our flesh may not deceive us or mislead us into unbelief, despair, and other great and shameful sins, but that, although we may be so tempted, we may finally prevail and gain the victory.^[1]

^[1]Tappert, T. G. 2000, c1959. The book of concord : The confessions of the evangelical Lutheran church. Fortress Press: Philadelphia

[I] THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

IN THE PLAIN FORM IN WHICH THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY
SHALL TEACH THEM TO HIS HOUSEHOLD

THE FIFTH

“You shall not kill.”

What does this mean?

Answer: We should fear and love God, and so we should not endanger our neighbor’s life, nor cause him any harm, but help and befriend him in every necessity of life.^[1]

Dr. Luther’s Small Catechism lesson for the week of August 22, 2021:

[II] THE CREED

IN THE PLAIN FORM IN WHICH THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY
SHALL TEACH IT TO HIS HOUSEHOLD

THE FIRST ARTICLE: CREATION

“I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth.”

What does this mean?

Answer:  I believe that God has created me and all that exists; that he has given me and still sustains my body and soul, all my limbs and senses, my reason and all the faculties of my mind, together with food and clothing, house and home, family and property; that he provides me daily and abundantly with all the necessities of life, protects me from all danger, and preserves me from all evil.  All this he does out of his pure, fatherly, and divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness on my part.  For all of this I am bound to thank, praise, serve, and obey him. This is most certainly true.^[1]

^[1]Tappert, T. G. 2000, c1959. The book of concord : The confessions of the evangelical Lutheran church. Fortress Press: Philadelphia

Dr. Luther’s Small Catechism lesson for the week of August 15, 2021:

[III] THE LORD’S PRAYER

IN THE PLAIN FORM IN WHICH THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY
SHALL TEACH IT TO HIS HOUSEHOLD

THE FIFTH PETITION

“And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”

What does this mean?

Answer: We pray in this petition that our heavenly Father may not look upon our sins, and on their account deny our prayers, for we neither merit nor deserve those things for which we pray. Although we sin daily and deserve nothing but punishment, we nevertheless pray that God may grant us all things by his grace. And assuredly we on our part will heartily forgive and cheerfully do good to those who may sin against us.^[1]

^[1]Tappert, T. G. 2000, c1959. The book of concord: The confessions of the evangelical Lutheran church. Fortress Press: Philadelphia