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Small Catechism
Christian Questions with Their Answers Prepared by Dr. Martin Luther for those who intend to go to the Sacrament [The “Christian Questions with Their Answers,” designating Luther as the author, first appeared in an edition of the Small Catechism in 1551, five years after Luther’s death]. After confession and instructio
Open source textSmall Catechism | paragraph 1
In the morning, when you rise, you shall bless yourself with the holy cross and say: In the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Open source textSmall Catechism | paragraph 2
Then, kneeling or standing, repeat the Creed and the Lord’s Prayer. If you choose, you may, in addition, say this little prayer: I thank Thee, my Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Thy dear Son, that Thou hast kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray Thee to keep me this day also from sin and all evi
Open source textSmall Catechism | paragraph 3
Then go to your work with joy, singing a hymn, as the Ten Commandments, or what your devotion may suggest. Evening Prayer.
Open source textSmall Catechism | paragraph 4
In the evening, when you go to bed, you shall bless yourself with the holy cross and say: In the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Open source textSmall Catechism | paragraph 5
Then, kneeling or standing, repeat the Creed and the Lord’s Prayer. If you choose, you may, in addition, say this little prayer: I thank Thee, my Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Thy dear Son, that Thou hast graciously kept me this day, and I pray Thee to forgive me all my sins, where I have done wrong, and graci
Open source textSmall Catechism | paragraph 6
HOW THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY Should Teach His Household to Ask a Blessing and Return Thanks. Asking a Blessing The children and servants shall go to the table with folded hands and reverently, and say: The eyes of all wait upon Thee, O Lord; and Thou givest them their meat in due season; Thou openest Thine hand, and sati
Open source textSmall Catechism
I. The Ten Commandments As the head of the family should teach them in a simple way to his household. The First Commandment. Thou shalt have no other gods. What does this mean?—Answer. We should fear, love, and trust in God above all things. The Second Commandment. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord, thy God, in
Open source textSmall Catechism
II. The Creed As the head of the family should teach it in a simple way to his household. The First Article. Of Creation. I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. What does this mean?—Answer. I believe that God has made me and all creatures; that He has given me my body and soul, eyes, ears, and
Open source textSmall Catechism
III. The Lord’s Prayer As the head of the family should teach it in a simple way to his household. Our Father who art in heaven. What does this mean?—Answer. God would thereby [with this little introduction] tenderly urge us to believe that He is our true Father, and that we are His true children, so that we may ask Hi
Open source textSmall Catechism
IV. The Sacrament of Holy Baptism As the head of the family should teach it in a simple way to his household. First. What is Baptism?—Answer. Baptism is not simple water only, but it is the water comprehended in God’s command and connected with God’s Word. Which is that word of God?—Answer. Christ, our Lord, says in th
Open source textSmall Catechism
The Small Catechism Luther’s Preface to the Small Catechism Martin Luther to All Faithful and Godly Pastors and Preachers: Grace, Mercy, and Peace in Jesus Christ, our Lord. The deplorable, miserable condition which I discovered lately when I, too, was a visitor, has forced and urged me to prepare [publish] this Catech
Open source textSmall Catechism
Table of Duties Certain passages of scripture for various holy orders and positions, admonishing them about their duties and responsibilities For Bishops, Pastors, and Preachers. A bishop must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach; not given to wine
Open source textSmall Catechism
V. Confession How Christians should be taught to confess. What is Confession?* Confession embraces two parts: the one is, that we confess our sins; the other, that we receive absolution, or forgiveness, from the confessor, as from God Himself, and in no wise doubt, but firmly believe, that our sins are thereby forgiven
Open source textSmall Catechism
VI. The Sacrament of the Altar As the head of the family should teach it in a simple way to his household. What is the Sacrament of the Altar? It is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, under the bread and wine, for us Christians to eat and to drink, instituted by Christ Himself. Where is this written? The
Open source textThis searchable reader is built from a public-domain / publicly licensed PDF of the Book of Concord. It is provided as a reading and research aid for readers studying the 2026 LCMS convention. The Book of Concord text is source/library material, not AI commentary and not official LCMS convention material. For formal quotation, publication, or academic citation, readers should still verify wording against a trusted edition.
At 3:07 each day, remember John 15:7 and pray for Christ's Church, the convention, our leaders, and the work of the Gospel among us.
