Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Acts 17:10–11

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From the Word: 10 But the brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. Upon arriving, they went into the Jewish synagogue. 11 Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica. They received the word with interest, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. (Acts 17:10–11)

From the ConfessionsThe Large Catechism, The Ten Commandments

The Third Commandment

This is the straightforward meaning of the commandment: since we observe holidays, or holy days, these observances should be devoted to hearing God’s Word. The special function of this day should be the ministry of the Word for the young and the poor. However, the observance should not be so strictly interpreted as to forbid incidental, unavoidable work.

Pulling It Together: Would you be ignoble? Ignore the Scriptures. Would you be honorable? Attend to the weekly service to hear the word of God read and expounded. Would you be nobler still? Be so interested in the word that you read it every day. Every day becomes a holiday when it is lived in God’s Word. But you say that you are not that interested, yet on the other hand you wish you were. Ah, then, I have a cure. Begin to read each day in an orderly fashion. Read a chapter from the Gospel of John each day, for example. Soon enough, the Holy Spirit will kindle in you a hunger for Scripture, and a greater nobility.

Prayer: Increase in me, Lord, a hunger and thirst for the pure milk of your word. Amen.

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A Prophet Foretold the Messiah is a downloadable PDF Christmas Pageant that focuses on the biblical story of the nativity, told in poetic verse. Using this approach not only helps young people to read the text itself, but the rhyme and meter help to aid in memory and recall.


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