The Small Catechism – part 52
Scripture Text: 1 Kings 2:10
We are to honor our parents. One of the ways that is done is by respecting, obeying, serving, and otherwise loving them throughout our shared days.
The Small Catechism – part 51
Scripture Text: Matthew 22:37–40
The commandment to love our neighbor begins at home. We are to love others as we love ourselves—not just loving those closest to us.
The Small Catechism – part 50
Scripture Text: 1 Timothy 5:8
The principal way one honors their parents is to care for them in their old age, when they cannot take care of themselves anymore.
The Small Catechism – part 49
Scripture Text: Romans 6:3–5
The Sabbath of the old covenant observed God’s completion of creation. The Sabbath of the new covenant celebrates recreation—that people are recreated, or born again, through faith in Christ.
The Small Catechism – part 48
Scripture Text: 2 Timothy 3:16–17
What do you depend upon for religious education, for correction or downright reprimand, and for training in virtue? What is it that governs your maturity in the Christian faith? Your opinions? TV shows? Newspapers? Social media?
The Small Catechism – part 47
Scripture Text: 1 Timothy 4:13
The reading of Scripture to the congregation is vital. Indeed, the use of Scripture throughout the liturgy is central to our worship. But why is this the case?
The Small Catechism – part 46
Scripture Text: Romans 10:14–17
Faith comes through the proclaimed word of Christ Jesus, the message of the gospel. It is the good news because salvation comes by no other name.
The Small Catechism – part 45
Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 1:21
It is the Word of God received in faith that makes one holy. The preaching of that Word is vital, whether it is a lector reading the Word aloud, a pastor proclaiming it from a pulpit, or the Holy Spirit speaking through a printed Bible or app.
The Small Catechism – part 44
Scripture Text: John 17:17
When we gather around the Word of God, we are separated from the world for a while. For the moment, we are devoted only to God. This is one major way that we keep the Third Commandment.
The Small Catechism – part 43
Scripture Text: Matthew 15:10–11, 18–20
But the Sabbath is a Saturday, not a Sunday, you may argue. Yes, the Jewish Sabbath was Saturday; actually, it was Friday evening until Saturday evening.
The Small Catechism – part 42
Scripture Text: Genesis 2:1–3
The Sabbath is a day of rest, a miniature holiday or holyday. This day of rest is to be kept because God not only commanded it, he observed it.
The Small Catechism – part 40
Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 1:2–3
Let us be clear. God will not hold guiltless the one who takes his name in vain. Yet, the one who calls upon his name in sorrow over that sin will be forgiven.
The Small Catechism – part 39
Scripture Text: Psalm 139:19–24
It is easy to notice the faults of others. For example, you will hear God’s name used wrongly—whether as an outright expletive or by swearing by it to gain another’s trust.
The Small Catechism – part 38
Scripture Text: Acts 17:29–30
“God told me.” When people say this, they are taking the Lord’s name in vain. They say, “God told me to do this,” so that no one will be able to disagree with them.
The Small Catechism – part 37
Scripture Text: Luke 10:27
So, we see that taking the Lord’s name vainly does not only break the Second Commandment; it also breaks the First Commandment. For taking the Lord’s name in vain demonstrates a lack of fear, love, and trust in God above all things.
The Small Catechism – part 36
Scripture Text: Matthew 6:31–33
Why does one need to lie or otherwise deceive in order to receive some necessary thing? God knows what you need, so ask your heavenly Father, and he will provide the needs of the day.
The Small Catechism – part 35
Scripture Text: Romans 12:14
The Second Commandment deals with far more than using a specific word or words. If you are a Christian, then all you say and do is said and done in the name of God.
The Small Catechism – part 34
Scripture Text: Matthew 5:33–37
Too much talk can lead to grand statements, to bragging backed up with oaths. Be content with silence, for the whisper of God may be heard there.
The Small Catechism – part 33
Scripture Text: Matthew 6:9
The best way to use God’s name properly is in prayer, and the best prayer is the one Jesus taught us. In the Lord’s Prayer, we pray that the Father’s name will be hallowed, or “holied.”
The Small Catechism – part 32
Scripture Text: Matthew 6:31–33
We are to use God’s name properly. Because we trust God, we may believe that he will take care of us. Therefore, we do not need to resort to deceitful practices of any sort in order to have our needs met by the Father.
The Small Catechism – part 31
Scripture Text: Exodus 20:3
There are things that people fear, love, and trust above God. People may fear illness, suffering, and death above God. The result can be slavish devotion to fitness or to doctors and medicine.
The Small Catechism – part 30
Scripture Text: Exodus 20:1–6
Keeping the Ten Commandments is not something that we must do in order to be saved. God does not forgive us because we keep the rules.
The Small Catechism – part 29
Scripture Text: Exodus 20:5–6
While the effects of sin may linger a while, the steadfast love of God endures forever. That is the idea in the idiom: “a thousand generations.” It is like saying, “a million years.”
The Small Catechism – part 28
Scripture Text: Exodus 20:5–6
The Scripture teaches us that children do not pay for the sins of their parents (Ezek 18:20). Nevertheless, they often suffer the consequences. The bad choices we make affect others.
The Small Catechism – part 27
Scripture Text: Exodus 20:5–6
The effects of sin linger. I look at my own parents’ sins every day, as so many are alive in me. I learned those sins from them but they are my sins.
Click Here For Archives