Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Ephesians 6:1–3

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Ephesians 6:1–3

From the Confessions: The Small Catechism 

The Fourth Commandment

Honor your father and your mother, (that your days may be long in the land which the Lord your God is giving you).

What does this mean?

Answer: We should fear and love God so that we do not show contempt for our parents and others in authority, nor provoke them to anger, but respect, obey, serve, love, and honor them.

Pulling It Together: Seems right; if I did not respect my dad, he might have killed me! When he got out that paddle, I had cause to wonder. However, this is hardly what the Fourth Commandment means.

It is curious, even begging our attention, that this is the first commandment that contains a promise. Indeed, it is the only commandment that contains a promise. In order to more fully appreciate that promise, we should look back to the promise that prefaces all of the commandments. It is very precious, and will help us appreciate the value of the Fourth Commandment.

In Exodus, in the verse before the First Commandment, God promises: I am the Lord your God (Exod 20:2). In the statement of fact is the promise as well. What a promise! God promises to be your God. God is God, no matter what. And God is our God, no matter what—you may believe his promise. Bondage, sin, adversity, war, and even death cannot and will not alter the promise. He is our God. 

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for being, not just God but, my God. Amen.

Click here for resources to learn the Ten Commandments.

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The biblical focus in this five session VBS series, Rebekah & Her Family, comes from the Book of Genesis. God's hand is seen at work throughout the story — from Rebekah’s being chosen as a bride for Isaac, through the birth and lives of their twin sons, Esau and Jacob.  The story illustrates how God remains faithful to his promise, despite our sin, and that God's power can actually change our lives!

Sola’s Versatile Budget Series is a simple and flexible educational Vacation Bible School curriculum designed especially for small churches, house churches, and mission congregations. The flexible format works well for groups with limited budgets, or in situations where the ages and number of students may vary from session to session. Unlike more elaborate and expensive VBS kits, this book is meant to serve as an “all-in-one” teacher’s resource. The worksheets and handouts it contains can be reproduced according to local needs. Each book in the Versatile Budget Series focuses on a particular character from the Bible, bringing together several stories on a common theme. Resources and ideas are provided for gathering time, music, activities, games, and refreshments — allowing just a few adult leaders to host a week of Vacation Bible School.

More from the Versatile Budget Series


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