The Holy Bible is the inspired and inerrant Word of God. It is living and active! God’s Word is the believer’s source for faith and life. With this knowledge, it becomes the consistent task for believers in the local congregation and within families to pass on its content to the next generation. Luther’s Small Catechism offers a valuable tool for biblical instruction, but where does someone start if that person is not familiar with Luther’s Small Catechism?

Ambassador Publications offers a valuable 32-page resource that both summarizes catechism content and explains the catechism posters available from the Sunday School series. Luther’s Small Catechism in Illustration Study Guide offers first a brief history of the conditions in Luther’s day that led to the formation of the catechism. It is helpful to recognize that Luther’s Small Catechism began as a parent aid for the home to teach children the essentials of the faith.

The Study Guide addresses the four major sections of the catechism, namely, the Ten Commandments, the Apostles’ Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, and the Means of Grace. Within each section, the biblical basis is noted with scriptural support. After considering the concept from God’s Word, the catechism posters are defined piece by piece to give the reader the full insight of the illustrations. The final pages provide review questions and answers for each section.

Having taught confirmation for two decades, this resource has many practical uses. In addition to the obvious application within Confirmation, the Study Guide could be utilized by a local congregation as a supplement to an elementary Sunday school class or an after-school kids’ program. Since the Study Guide includes the full catechism posters as visuals with detailed explanations of the meaning behind each one, it may also be useful for adult classes, including membership sessions.

Beyond the local congregation, the Study Guide could be given to families with children, especially those younger than confirmation age. This step could introduce the structure of Luther’s Small Catechism in advance of those years of training. When a parent and younger child interact on the content of God’s Word in the home, then Luther’s original vision comes to fruition as another generation grasps the truth and grace of God in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Pr. Jason Holt
AFLC Director of Youth Ministries
Plymouth, MN

Order your copy here: Ambassador Publications Online Store 

Classroom sized and personal sized catechism posters available:

Order The Lord’s Prayer here.

Order The Apostles’ Creed here.

Order The Means of Grace here.

Order The Ten Commandments here.