Luther’s Small Catechism revised

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

THE FIRST COMMANDMENT

There is only one God.

What does this mean for us?
God should be first and foremost in our lives, more important than anything else. (Exodus 32)

THE SECOND COMMANDMENT

Do not swear or misuse God’s name.

What does this mean for us?
We are to respect and love God and not to use the name of God to pump ourselves up, bring others down or practice deceit. We should however call upon God in all aspects of our lives and thank God always for all we have. (Leviticus 24:10-16)

THE THIRD COMMANDMENT

Keep Sabbath Time.

What does this mean for us?
We are to live in connection with God and set aside time to be with God. Even when busy lives tear us away from Sunday worship, it is important for your spiritual health to find other ways and times to stay connected to God’s love, God’s word and God’s people. (Luke 10:38-42)

THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT

Show Honor and Respect for parents and those in authority.

What does this mean for us?
We are called to live our lives in such a way that our lives show honor and respect for our parents and those in authority. Even when you disagree be the best God has called you to be in your family and authority relationships and do not let negativity rule the day. (Luke 2:41-2)

THE FIFTH COMMANDMENT

Do not take another’s life from them.

What does this mean for us?
We are called to love all of creation and out of self-giving love, care for others and the environment in which they live. We are called to honor all of life and to offer dignity and respect for all life’s stages. Be creative and loving as you find ways to support all of life’s needs. (Genesis 4:1-16)

THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT

Show respect for your relationships.

What does this mean for us?
We are to love one another in our prayers, words and deeds, especially those special relationships in our lives in ways that honor those relationships. We are also to work for health, and to help legitimize the relationships of others God has created and called good. (2 Samuel 11)

THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT

Do not take what does not belong to you.

What does this mean for us?
We are to respect our Brothers and Sisters in Christ so that we do not take things from them or find ways to rip them off, sell them false junk, deceive or entice them to purchase those things they don’t need. We are also called to help others maintain and protect their jobs and property. (Joshua 7:1)

THE EIGHTH COMMANDMENT

Do not lie about your friends and neighbors ether in the court or on the street.

What does this mean for us?
We are to show respect for one another so we do not spread false information about them, but rather do our best to put the most positive construction on all we say about one another. If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all. (Luke 22:54-62)

THE NINTH COMMANDMENT

You should not crave your neighbor’s house.

What does this mean for us?
We are to respect our God and our Neighbor such that we do not try to swindle others out of their house or property, but help them keep it up and in good shape.

THE TENTH COMMANDMENT

You should not lust after your neighbors spouse or family members or any of your neighbors things.

What does this mean for us?
We are to be respectful around our neighbors family and belongings and conduct ourselves in such a way that help them maintain long term loving and healthy relationships and lifestyles.

II. THE CREED

The First Article

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

What does this mean?
I believe that God has created me and all that exists. God has given me and still preserves my body and soul with all their powers. God provides me with food and clothing, home and family, daily work, and all I need from day to day. God also walks with me in times of danger and guards me from every evil path. God does out of loving and divine goodness and mercy, though I do not always deserve it. Therefore I am called to continually offer thanks and praise and service to God and God’s creation. This is most certainly true.

The Second Article

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

What does this mean?
I believe that Jesus Christ—true Son of God from all eternity, and true man, born of the Virgin Mary—is my Lord. At great cost he has saved and redeemed me, a lost and doomed person. Jesus has freed me from the power of sin, death, and the devil—not with the riches of this world, but with his precious blood and with his innocent suffering and death. All this Christ has done that I may have the honor to be called a child of God, live with Christ in the Kingdom here and in the Kingdom to come, and live a life of service and everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness. I know that for me and for all humanity Christ is risen from the dead and lives and rules eternally. This is most certainly true.

The Third Article

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

What does this mean?
I believe that I all I have is a gift from God and that I cannot even by my own understanding or effort believe in Jesus Christ my Lord or come to him. But through the grace of God the Holy Spirit has called, and continues to call me through the Gospel, enlighten me with grace gifts, and sanctifies me daily and keeps me in a life of faith. In the same way, the Holy Spirit calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies all creation and the whole Christian church on earth, and keeps it united with Jesus Christ in faith. In this Christian church day after day the Holy Spirit fully forgives my sins and the sins of all. On the last day the Holy Spirit will raise me and all the dead and give us the grace gift of eternal life in Christ. This is most certainly true.

III. THE LORD'S PRAYER

God of Heaven, Holy is your name. Let your Kingdom come and your will be done here on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us what we need for today and forgive our sins as we go forth and forgive the sins of others. Help us avoid temptation and keep us out of the clutches of evil. For the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory belong to you alone, and to you forever. Amen!!

God of Heaven,

What does this mean?
Here God encourages us to believe that God is truly rules over all of heaven and all of earth and we truly are God's children. We therefore are to live in a loving relationship and pray to God with all of our life in complete confidence just as children speak to and live in a loving relationship with their family.

THE FIRST PETITION

Holy is Your Name.

What does this mean?
God's name certainly holy in and of itself, but we ask in this prayer that we may keep it holy in our lives.

When does this happen?
God's name is hallowed whenever God's Word is taught without deceit and we as the children of God live in harmony with God’s word and God’s kingdom. Help us to do this heavenly Lord! But we dishonor God when we live lives contrary to the Word of God. Help us avoid this heavenly Lord!

THE SECOND PETITION

Let Your Kingdom Come.

What does this mean?
God's kingdom comes and surrounds us even without our praying for it, but we ask in this prayer that we may live in total awareness that the Kingdom is near.

When does this happen?
God's kingdom comes through the gift of the Holy Spirit and that same Spirit calls us to live life here on earth fully aware that the Kingdom is near and to live longing for the fulfillment of the Kingdome to come in its eternal fullness.

THE THIRD PETITION

and your will be done here on earth as it is in Heaven.

What does this mean?
The good and gracious will of God is a reality even without our prayer, but we ask in this prayer that it we may live fully aware that God’s will is done among and also through us.

When does this happen?
God's will is done when evil in the world, and in our hearts, is overcome with the love and grace of God. God’s will is done when the Kingdom is announced in word and deed and people hear and live in presence of the Good news. And God’s will is done when God strengthens our faith and keeps us firm in God's Word as long as we live. And God’s will is done when we live as a child of God in loving harmony with all of God’s creation. This is God's gracious good will.

THE FOURTH PETITION

Give us what we need for today.

What does this mean?
God provides for this world all that is needed every day even without prayer, but we ask in this prayer that God will help us to realize this and to receive that which we need with thanksgiving and work toward a just distribution of God’s gifts in this world.

What is meant by "what we need for today"?
This includes everything needed for this life, such as food and clothing, home and property, work and income, a devoted family, an orderly community, good government, favorable weather, peace and health, a good name, and true friends and neighbors and a healthy earth.

THE FIFTH PETITION

and forgive our sins as we go forth and forgive the sins of others.

What does this mean?
We ask in this prayer that God would not hold our sins, those we are aware of and those we are not, those we commit by doing and those we commit by not doing enough, against us. And we thank God for the gift of grace by which we receive our much needed forgiveness. We also commit to do our part and heartily forgive and gladly do good to those who sin against us.

THE SIXTH PETITION

Help us avoid temptation.

What does this mean?
We ask in this prayer that God would watch over us and help keep us from sliding into the temptation to live self centered and sinful lives. We ask God to help us keep our focus on God and God’s calling in our lives to live as a child of God. And we pray that even though we are often tempted and often fall that God would continue to guide us and help us to live as we are called to live in this world and will be with God forever in the world to come.

THE SEVENTH PETITION

and keep us out of the clutches of evil

What does this mean?
We ask in this inclusive prayer that God would keep us from all that would bring harm to our selves or to others in this wonderful creation and in our last hour would take us in the glorious kingdom to be with God forever.

THE DOXOLOGY

For the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory belong to you alone, and to you forever. Amen!!

What does "Amen" mean?
Amen means Yes, Yes, Yes!!! And we say Amen because we live in the certainty of God’s loving grace and know that God is with us, and hears us always.