Luther’s Small Catechism in Illustration Study Guide

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?

Praying Luther’s Small Catechism

Too many people see the Small Catechism as “that book” from confirmation class. Now, the Catechism sits gathering dust on a shelf or tucked away in a box—somewhere. In his preface to the Large Catechism, Luther wrote:

Echo: Unbroken Truth. Worth Repeating. Again.

​Certain words can create strong reactions in people. Something about the verb “blanch” makes me not hungry anymore. Maybe there’s a new diet idea.

Sadly, this also happens when talking about the most basic teachings of Christianity. Notice, I didn’t say “doctrines.” I don’t want to lose your attention.

Sing the Faith: The Small Catechism Set to Music CD

Luther put his Small Catechism together during a time of biblical illiteracy among the common people, as well as the clergy. He wanted to develop a tool to teach the basics of the Christian faith. Luther’s Catechism starts with God’s Law—how God calls us to live, with the Ten Commandments.