And [I believe] in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day H rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
What Does This Mean?
I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary, is my Lord,
who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned person, purchased and won me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil; not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood and with His innocent suffering and death,
that I may be His own and live under Him in His kingdom and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, just as He is risen from the dead, lives and reigns to all eternity.
This is most certainly true.
The Central Thought
Human History has been constantly characterized by selfishness, hatred, and violence resulting from a failure to fear, love, and trust in God above all things.
Despite all our scientific and technological progress, why have we not overcome these deep-seated problems that plague our human race?
- What does it say about Jesus that He willingly gave his lifer me?
- What does it say about me?
THE APOSTLES’ CREED
I Believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into Hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty. From thence Hew will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Page 176, Luther’s Small Catechism with Explanation
Concordia Publishing House 2017
And [I believe] in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day H rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
What Does This Mean?
I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary, is my Lord,
who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned person, purchased and won me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil; not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood and with His innocent suffering and death,
that I may be His own and live under Him in His kingdom and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, just as He is risen from the dead, lives and reigns to all eternity.
This is most certainly true.
The Central Thought
Jesus once asked, “Who do people say that I am?” He received many different answers.
- What do people today think of Jesus Who or what do they say that He is?
- How can I acknowledge in my words and actions that Jesus is my Lord?
THE APOSTLES’ CREED
I Believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into Hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty. From thence Hew will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Page 164, Luther’s Small Catechism with Explanation
Concordia Publishing House 2017
I Believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.
What Does This Mean?
I believe that God has made me and all creatures; that He has given me my body and soul, yes, ears, and all my members, my reason and all my senses, and still takes care of them.
He also gives me clothing and shoes, food and drink, house and home, wife and children, land, animals, and all that I need to support this body and life.
He defends me against all danger and guards and protects me from all evil.
All this He does only out of fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me. For all this it is my duty to thank and praise, serve and obey Him.
This is most certainly true.
The Central Thought
No one is self-sufficient. Each one of us receives life and support as a gift from outside of ourselves.
- Is the gratitude of Christians different from that of those who do not know God as their gracious Father?
- What are some examples of God’s generosity in my life?
THE APOSTLES’ CREED
I Believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into Hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Page 156, Luther’s Small Catechism with Explanation
Concordia Publishing House 2017
I Believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.
What Does This Mean?
I believe that God has made me and all creatures; that He has given me my body and soul, yes, ears, and all my members, my reason and all my senses, and still takes care of them.
He also gives me clothing and shoes, food and drink, house and home, wife and children, land, animals, and all that I need to support this body and life.
He defends me against all danger and guards and protects me from all evil.
All this He does only out of fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me. For all this it is my duty to thank and praise, serve and obey Him.
This is most certainly true.
The Central Thought
As creatures, we need certain basic necessities to nourish and support our life on earth. God Himself provides these necessities for me, as He does for all His creatures.
- Where would most people say that the basic necessities of their life come from?
- Who or what are the “hands, channels, and means” through which God provides for my daily needs?
THE APOSTLES’ CREED
I Believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into Hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Page 146, Luther’s Small Catechism with Explanation
Concordia Publishing House 2017
I Believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.
What Does This Mean?
I believe that God has made me and all creatures; that He has given me my body and soul, yes, ears, and all my members, my reason and all my senses, and still takes care of them.
He also gives me clothing and shoes, food and drink, house and home, wife and children, land, animals, and all that I need to support this body and life.
He defends me against all danger and guards and protects me from all evil.
All this He does only out of fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me. For all this it is my duty to thank and praise, serve and obey Him.
This is most certainly true.
The Central Thought
No one but God “could create heaven and earth” (LC II 11)—this truth determines how I understand myself and how I relate to God and His world.
- How might people answer the question “What is a human being?”
- How does seeing myself as God’s creature shape my relationship to Him and to His world?
THE APOSTLES’ CREED
I Believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into Hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Page 133, Luther’s Small Catechism with Explanation
Concordia Publishing House 2017
Pastor Jeff and Jill reflect on Christmas with The Chosen: Holy Night, a beautiful retelling of the Nativity story inspired by Gospel of Luke 2:1-20.
Creator Dallas Jenkins blends the vision of his first film, The Shepherd: A Story of the First Christmas with The Chosen’s The Messengers: Special Christmas episode to create Christmas with The Chosen: Holy Night, a beautifully interwoven story of a Mary and Joseph as they travel to Bethlehem, the story seen from the view of a shepherd, and in 48 A.D., Jesus’s mother, Mary sharing the stories that she has treasured in her heart with Mary Magdelene.
These movies are free to watch on the Chosen app on any of your devices.
What Does God Say About All These Commandments?
He says: “I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments.” (Exodus 20:5-6)
What Does This Mean?
God threatens to punish all who break these commandments. Therefore, we should fear His wrath and not do anything against them. But He promises grace and every blessing to all who keep these commandments. Therefore, we should also love and trust in Him and gladly do what He commands.
The Central Thought
God here shows how intensely He wants us to cling to Him alone.
- Do people think that God cares about the way they live? Why or why not?
- How do God’s threats and promises shape the way I view Him and His actions?
1 – You Shall Have No Other Gods
2 – You Shall Not Misuse the Name of the Lord Your God.
3 – Remember The Sabbath Day by Keeping It Holy
4 – Honor Your Father and Your Mother
5 – You Shall Not Murder
6 – You Shall Not Commit Adultery
7 – You Shall Not Steal.
8 –You Shall Not Give False Testimony Against Your Neighbor.
9 – You Shall Not Covet Your Neighbor’s House
10 – You Shall Not Covet Your Neighbor’s Wife, or His Manservant or Maidservant, His Ox or Donkey, or Anything That Belongs to Your Neighbor.
Page 120, Luther’s Small Catechism with Explanation
Concordia Publishing House 2017
The Ninth Commandment
YOU SHALL NOT COVET YOUR NEIGHBOR’S HOUSE
The Tenth Commandment
YOU SHALL NOT COVET YOUR NEIGHBOR’S WIFE, OR HIS MANSERVANT OR MAIDSERVANT, HIS OX OR DONKEY, OR ANYTHING THAT BELONGS TO YOUR NEIGHBOR.
What Does This Mean?
We should fear and love God so that we do not scheme to get our neighbor’s inheritance or house, or get it in a way which only appears right, but help and be of service to him in keeping it.
We should fear and love God so that we do not entice or force away our neighbor’s wife, workers, or animals, or turn them against him, but urge them to stay and do their duty.
The Central Thought
God created us to be content with the gifts by which He sustains our life.
- What are some of the reasons that people are not content with what God has given them?
- Name ten things for which you are grateful. Then offer a prayer of thanks to God.
DEFINITION: What is coveting?
Coveting is the sinful desire in our hearts to acquire for ourselves anything that belongs to our neighbor. It is also the desire to draw away from our neighbor for our own benefit anyone who is important to our neighbor (a spouse, friend, and so on).
Page 115, Luther’s Small Catechism with Explanation
Concordia Publishing House 2017
What Does This Mean?
We should fear and love God so that we do not tell lies about our neighbor, betray him, slander him, or hurt his reputation, but defend him, speak well of him, and explain everything in the kindest way.
The Central Thought
God commands us to speak truthfully and charitably about our neighbors so that others view them in the best possible light.
- What are some ways in which a person’s reputation is damaged in our society?
- Who in my life or community needs me to speak well of them?
Page 110, Luther’s Small Catechism with Explanation
Concordia Publishing House 2017
YOU SHALL NOT STEAL.
What Does This Mean?
We should fear and love God so that we do not take our neighbor’s money or possessions, or get them in any dishonest way, but help him to improve and protect his possessions and income.
The Central Thought
God created us to look after the earthly gifts that He has given to our neighbors for their life and well-being.
- What kinds of things do all people on earth need for their well-being?
- What are some ways that I can help to protect and care for the earthly goods of my neighbor?
Page 105, Luther’s Small Catechism with Explanation
Concordia Publishing House 2017
