Catechism lesson 47: Deliverance from evil (LD 52a)

There is a spiritual battle going on. The Evil One tries to attack believers and pull them away from the Lord. We need God's protection and power to survive this! LD 52 q&a 127. What is the sixth petition? "And lead us not into temptation,but deliver us from the evil one." That is: In ourselves … Continue reading Catechism lesson 47: Deliverance from evil (LD 52a) →

Catechism lesson 46: Forgiveness (LD 51)

We need forgiveness of our sins. This means that God does not hold our sin against us, and gives us life and love in spite of all that we have done wrong against him. LD 51 q&a 126. What is the fifth petition? "And forgive our our debts,as we also have forgiven our debtors." That … Continue reading Catechism lesson 46: Forgiveness (LD 51) →

Catechism lesson 45: Every-day blessing (LD 50)

After asking the Lord to grow his Kingdom, we are now encouraged to pray for what we need for our everyday living. LD 50 q&a 125. What is the fourth petition? "Give us this day our daily bread." That is: Provide us with all our bodily needsso that we may acknowledgethat you are the only … Continue reading Catechism lesson 45: Every-day blessing (LD 50) →

Catechism lesson 44: God’s will (LD 49)

Jesus teaches us to pray that things on earth and in our lives may happen according to God's will. His way of doing things is always right! LD 49 q&a 124. What is the third petition? "Your will be done,on earth as it is in heaven." That is: Grant that we and all menmay deny … Continue reading Catechism lesson 44: God’s will (LD 49) →

Catechism lesson 43: The coming kingdom (LD 48)

An important thing to pray for is that God will bring his kingdom—now already, in our lives, and completely in the future when Jesus returns. LD 48 q&a 123. What is the second petition? "Your kingdom come." That is: So rule us by your Word and Spiritthat more and more we submit to you. Preserve … Continue reading Catechism lesson 43: The coming kingdom (LD 48) →

Catechism lesson 42: Hallowing the Name (LD 47)

At the beginning of our prayer, we ask for true knowledge of God, so that we can praise and serve him with our words and deeds. LD 47 q&a 122. What is the first petition? "Hallowed be your name." That is: Grant us first of allthat we may rightly know you,and sanctify, glorify, and praise … Continue reading Catechism lesson 42: Hallowing the Name (LD 47) →

PreCon 14: Sacraments

Sacraments are holy, visible signs and seals. They were instituted by God so that by their use he might the more fully declare and seal to us the promise of the gospel. Jesus gave us two sacraments: baptism and the Lord's Supper. The sacraments show us the gospel message, and so underscore the preaching of … Continue reading PreCon 14: Sacraments →

Catechism lesson 41: Prayer (LD 45, 46)

Prayer is the way in which we have fellowship with our Father in heaven, who will give us all that we need. LD 45 q&a 116. Why is prayer necessary for Christians? Because prayer is the most important partof the thankfulnesswhich God requires of us. Moreover, God will givehis grace and the Holy Spiritonly to … Continue reading Catechism lesson 41: Prayer (LD 45, 46) →

PreCon 13: Preaching and Bible study

Acts 2:42 describes four key activities of the early Christian church. The first that is mentioned is: "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching ..." From this, we draw two simple conclusions: first, that teaching is an important activity in the church; and second, that it is focused on the message of Jesus' apostles, that … Continue reading PreCon 13: Preaching and Bible study →

Catechism lesson 40: A matter of the heart (LD 44)

The law of God is not just about our outward behaviour. It is about our motives, thoughts, and desires. This makes it all the more obvious that we can only keep the law if we are renewed by the Holy Spirit. LD 44 q&a 113. What does the tenth commandment require of us? That not … Continue reading Catechism lesson 40: A matter of the heart (LD 44) →