As we focus on the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation and Martin Luther’s enormous impact, we should not overlook the importance of his Small Catechism. Luther is reported to have once commented that if he were to be remembered after his death for anything he had written it would be for his Small Catechism and The Bondage of the Will.
A Boy Meets Luther
A Boy Meets Luther takes you back in time much like an imaginary time machine. The Pine Hill family is your guide as they graphically take you through their daily lives and circumstances, all the time correlating with Luther’s Small Catechism.
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:
Why Am I Joy:fully Lutheran? Instruction, Meditation, and Prayers on Luther’s Small Catechism
Most of us would agree that the Small Catechism is an invaluable resource. Our churches subscribe to it as a faithful expression of Scripture. Yet, that being said, it doesn’t seem to be used for much outside of confirmation instruction. As much as we value it, I think that most of us have a difficult time teaching it in our home.
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.