Devotionals Posted in November 2025

The Small Catechism – part 66

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 1 John 3:13–16

Be careful that you do not imagine yourself exempt from bothering with the Fifth Commandment. You may say that you have never murdered anyone. Think again.

The Small Catechism – part 65

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Genesis 9:6

Human life is precious to the Lord. It does not matter whether that life is another’s life or one’s own, whether that life is nascent or full-formed. It is life; and it is life in God’s image.

The Small Catechism – part 64

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Genesis 4:5–8

It is an instinct that goes all the way back to Cain: we imagine that we may solve our personal problems with violence, and if necessary, the final violence of death.

The Small Catechism – part 63

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Romans 13:1–7

Of all people, Jesus might have insisted on being right when confronted with his parents’ demands upon him. Yet, he was obedient and submissive to them.

The Small Catechism – part 62

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Luke 2:51–52

Of all people, Jesus might have insisted on being right when confronted with his parents’ demands upon him. Yet, he was obedient and submissive to them.

The Small Catechism – part 61

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Leviticus 19:32

They took a photograph of the men at church yesterday, in honor of Fathers’ Day. It was a collection of hoary-headed fellows.

The Athanasian Creed - Contents

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

This is an index or table of contents of the none lessons based on The Athanasian Creed — an Overview and "Whole and Inviolable,” "Trinity in Unity," "Compulsion" "Addressing Heresies," "Equal and Subordinate," "One Christ," "Likewise," and "Standing on Your Own Feet."

The Small Catechism – part 60

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Hebrews 13:17

God has set others over you, besides your parents. They too, are in their positions for your benefit. Before we move on to civil authorities, let us consider a few others.

The Small Catechism – part 59

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Luke 18:20

Honoring parents is not the privilege of young children alone. Children who still live at home with their parents are of course, expected to love them, be obedient, and esteem them as blessed gifts of God.

The Small Catechism – part 58

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Philippians 2:14–15

God expects us to behave for our parents the way we would act in his presence. Therefore, we are to obey our parents as we would obey God: without complaining or asking why.

The Small Catechism – part 57

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Proverbs 23:20

Our parents are God’s agents to and for us. They are meant to be his blessed envoys, graciously given to us by God so that we may begin our education in the catechism.

The Small Catechism – part 56

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Colossians 3:20

Even Jesus honored his parents with submissive behavior. This pleased his mother, and it pleases the Father when we follow the Lord’s example by being obedient to our parents.

The Small Catechism – part 55

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 4:15–16

They say that imitation is the sincerest or best form of flattery. That must be very true for parents. It is satisfying and rewarding when children reproduce their parents’ good character and conduct.

The Small Catechism – part 54

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Leviticus 19:3

God’s promise to be a Father to us demonstrates the importance he places on the role of parenting. It is the first commandment on the second tablet...

The Small Catechism – part 53

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Ephesians 6:1–3

Seems right; if I did not respect my dad, he might have killed me! When he got out that paddle, I had cause to wonder. However, this is hardly what the Fourth Commandment means.

The Small Catechism – part 52

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 1 Kings 2:10

We are to honor our parents. One of the ways that is done is by respecting, obeying, serving, and otherwise loving them throughout our shared days.

The Small Catechism – part 51

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Matthew 22:37–40

The commandment to love our neighbor begins at home. We are to love others as we love ourselves—not just loving those closest to us.

The Small Catechism – part 50

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 1 Timothy 5:8

The principal way one honors their parents is to care for them in their old age, when they cannot take care of themselves anymore.

The Small Catechism – part 49

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Romans 6:3–5

The Sabbath of the old covenant observed God’s completion of creation. The Sabbath of the new covenant celebrates recreation—that people are recreated, or born again, through faith in Christ.

The Small Catechism – part 48

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 2 Timothy 3:16–17

What do you depend upon for religious education, for correction or downright reprimand, and for training in virtue? What is it that governs your maturity in the Christian faith? Your opinions? TV shows? Newspapers? Social media?

The Small Catechism – part 47

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 1 Timothy 4:13

The reading of Scripture to the congregation is vital. Indeed, the use of Scripture throughout the liturgy is central to our worship. But why is this the case?

The Small Catechism – part 46

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Romans 10:14–17

Faith comes through the proclaimed word of Christ Jesus, the message of the gospel. It is the good news because salvation comes by no other name.

The Small Catechism – part 45

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 1:21

It is the Word of God received in faith that makes one holy. The preaching of that Word is vital, whether it is a lector reading the Word aloud, a pastor proclaiming it from a pulpit, or the Holy Spirit speaking through a printed Bible or app.

The Small Catechism – part 44

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: John 17:17

When we gather around the Word of God, we are separated from the world for a while. For the moment, we are devoted only to God. This is one major way that we keep the Third Commandment.

The Small Catechism – part 43

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Matthew 15:10–11, 18–20

But the Sabbath is a Saturday, not a Sunday, you may argue. Yes, the Jewish Sabbath was Saturday; actually, it was Friday evening until Saturday evening.

The Small Catechism – part 42

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Genesis 2:1–3

The Sabbath is a day of rest, a miniature holiday or holyday. This day of rest is to be kept because God not only commanded it, he observed it.

The Small Catechism – part 41

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: John 4:23

Worship is always the correct attitude. If your conscience, the law, or the devil accuse you of sin, the right response is worship. Do not hide from God, as if you could.

The Small Catechism – part 40

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 1:2–3

Let us be clear. God will not hold guiltless the one who takes his name in vain. Yet, the one who calls upon his name in sorrow over that sin will be forgiven.

The Small Catechism – part 39

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Psalm 139:19–24

It is easy to notice the faults of others. For example, you will hear God’s name used wrongly—whether as an outright expletive or by swearing by it to gain another’s trust.

The Small Catechism – part 38

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Acts 17:29–30

“God told me.” When people say this, they are taking the Lord’s name in vain. They say, “God told me to do this,” so that no one will be able to disagree with them.