Note: This version of the Small Catechism is under continuous revision. Please check your source for this file from time to time to obtain updated versions of this text.

            Fort Wayne, Indiana: Project Wittenberg, 2004

            I. The Ten Commandments
 The Simple Way a Father Should Present Them to His Household

            The First Commandment

            You must not have other gods. (Exodus 20:3)

            What does this mean?

            We must fear, love, and trust God more than anything else.

            The Second Commandment

            You must not misuse your God's name. (Exodus 20:7)

            What does this mean?

            We must fear and love God, so that we will not use His name to curse, swear, cast a spell, lie or deceive, but will use it to call upon Him, pray to Him, praise Him and thank Him in all times of trouble.

            The Third Commandment

            You must keep the Sabbath holy. (Exodus 20:8)

            What does this mean?

            We must fear and love God, so that we will not look down on preaching or God's Word, but consider it holy, listen to it willingly, and learn it.

            The Fourth Commandment

            You must honor your father and mother. [So that things will go well for you and you will live long on earth]. (Exodus 20:12)

            What does this mean?

            We must fear and love God, so that we will neither look down on our parents or superiors nor irritate them, but will honor them, serve them, obey them, love them and value them.

            The Fifth Commandment

            You must not kill. (Exodus 20:13)

            What does this mean?

            We must fear and love God, so that we will neither harm nor hurt our neighbor's body, but help him and care for him when he is ill.

            The Sixth Commandment

            You must not commit adultery. (Exodus 20:14)

            What does this mean?

            We must fear and love God, so that our words and actions will be clean and decent and so that everyone will love and honor their spouses.

            The Seventh Commandment

            You must not steal. (Exodus 20:15)

            What does this mean?

            We must fear and love God, so that we will neither take our neighbor's money or property, nor acquire it by fraud or by selling him poorly made products, but will help him improve and protect his property and career.

            The Eighth Commandment

            You must not tell lies about your neighbor. (Exodus 20:16 )

            What does this mean?

            We must fear and love God, so that we will not deceive by lying, betraying, slandering or ruining our neighbor's reputation, but will defend him, say good things about him, and see the best side of everything he does.

            The Ninth Commandment

            You must not desire your neighbor's house. (Exodus 20:17)

            What does this mean?

            We must fear and love God, so that we will not attempt to trick our neighbor out of his inheritance or house, take it by pretending to have a right to it, etc. but help him to keep & improve it.

            The Tenth Commandment

            You must not desire your neighbor's wife, servant, maid, animals or anything that belongs to him. (Exodus 20:17)

            What does this mean?

            We must fear and love God, so that we will not release our neighbor's cattle, take his employees from him or seduce his wife, but urge them to stay and do what they ought to do.

            The Conclusion to the Commandments

            What does God say to us about all these commandments?

            This is what He says: "I am the Lord Your God. I am a jealous God. I plague the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of those who hate me with their ancestor's sin. But I make whole those who love me for a thousand generations." (Exodus 20:5)

            What does it mean?

            God threatens to punish everyone who breaks these commandments. We should be afraid of His anger because of this and not violate such commandments. But He promises grace and all good things to those who keep such commandments. Because of this, we, too, should love Him, trust Him, and willingly do what His commandments require.

            II. The Creed
 The Simple Way a Father Should Present it to His Household

            The First Article
 On Creation

            I believe in God the Almighty Father, Creator of Heaven and Earth.

            What does this mean?

            I believe that God created me, along with all creatures. He gave to me: my body and soul, my eyes, ears and all the other parts of my body, my mind and all my senses. He preserves them as well. He gives me clothing and shoes, food and drink, house and land, wife and children, fields, animals and all I own. Every day He abundantly provides everything I need to nourish this body and life. He protects me against all danger. he shields and defends me from all evil. He does all this because of His pure, fatherly and divine goodness and His mercy, not because I've earned it or deserved it. For all of this, I must thank Him, praise Him, serve Him and obey Him. Yes, this is true!

            The Second Article
 On Redemption

            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, descended to Hell, on the third day rose again from the dead, ascended to Heaven and sat down at the right hand of God the Almighty Father. From there He will come to judge the living and the dead.

            What does this mean?

            I believe that Jesus Christ is truly God, born of the Father in eternity and also truly man, born of the Virgin Mary. He is my Lord! He redeemed me, a lost and condemned person, bought and won me from all sins, death and the authority of the Devil. It did not cost Him gold or silver, but His holy, precious blood, His innocent body—His death! Because of this, I am His very own, will live under Him in His kingdom and serve Him righteously, innocently and blessedly forever, just as He is risen from death, lives and reigns forever. Yes, this is true.

            The Third Article
 On Becoming Holy

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

            What does this mean?

            I believe that I cannot come to my Lord Jesus Christ by my own intelligence or power. But the Holy Spirit called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, made me holy and kept me in the true faith, just as He calls, gathers together, enlightens and makes holy the whole Church on earth and keeps it with Jesus in the one, true faith. In this Church, He generously forgives each day every sin committed by me and by every believer. On the last day, He will raise me and all the dead from the grave. He will give eternal life to me and to all who believe in Christ. Yes, this is true!

            III. The Our Father
 The Simple Way a Father Should Present it to His Household