your word I meditate day and night…”. The reason for memorization of the Scriptures and the catechism is that it would become a part of the very fabric of our being, as much, and as easily, as we breathe.
7. Read Acts 2:42. What were the Christians of the early church doing? How is this similar to what the church does today? What was the apostles’ teaching? In what ways does Luther’s Small Catechism function the same way for us today? How is the catechism a complement, not a substitute for Scripture? In Acts 2 we see the Christian church reading of the Scriptures, focus on the apostles’ teaching, which came directly from Jesus and was handed down, the fellowship, the breaking of the bread (i.e. the Lord’s Supper) and the prayers (i.e. an ordered liturgy). This is in direct parallel to what happens in the Divine Service today, Scripture, liturgy, Lord’s Supper, Christian fellowship and the like. This is the heart of the Church because this is where Christ himself is present and promises to dwell with his people. Luther’s Catechism continues to hand down to us the apostles’ teaching which are the words and promises of Christ, the very substance of the catechism itself. In this way, the catechism is that road map that shows us the clear light and path of Scripture’s teaching. Another useful analogy is that of the key/legend on the map showing you what is important and central to the life of the Christian Church. 8. In his final question, “What should we do with the catechism?” Pastor Cwirla says that the catechism is a book we don’t grow out of, but rather one we grow into. How does this way of looking at the catechism reflect the wisdom of Proverbs 22:1-6 and Paul’s words to Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:1-5? Proverbs reminds us to train a child up in the way they should go. How similar this is to David’s words in Psalm 119, “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” The catechism is like that too, a lamp on the road of the Christian life. Our children learn every day by everything they say and do and by everything they see others say and do. The question is what will our children be learning? And what are we teaching them? The catechism, hymnal and Scriptures form the primary way that we train up our children. Similarly, in 2 Timothy, Paul gives thanks to God for Timothy’s family, Lois and Eunice, who had catechized Timothy and as a result, he was well trained and given a good foundation for his future vocation as pastor. And the same is true for us, no matter what vocation God calls us to, the foundation given in the catechism and Scriptures will serve us as we continue to grow into the catechism and never grow out of it.
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