The Small Catechism – part 60
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Hebrews 13:17
Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
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From the Confessions: The Small Catechism, The Fourth Commandment
Honor your father and your mother, (that your days may be long in the land which the Lord your God is giving you).
What does this mean?
Answer: We should fear and love God so that we do not show contempt for our parents and others in authority, nor provoke them to anger, but respect, obey, serve, love, and honor them.
Pulling It Together: 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. Growing up, we are expected by our own parents to respect the adults in our neighborhood. They look out for us and keep watch over us, protecting us as we walk to school or play. At church, we are to respect and learn from our Sunday School teachers, Catechism instructors, pastors, and all of the adults there. We ought to allow them to raise us in the faith joyfully. Exasperating them brings us no advantage. This attitude should not change when we have ourselves become adults. There remain those in congregational leadership whom we should value so that they are able to watch over our souls with gladness.
Prayer: Lord, bless and prosper the work of those you have given leadership in your church. Amen.
Click here for resources to learn the Ten Commandments.
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Author
Rev. Dr. Mark E. Ryman has served as Pastor for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Salisbury, NC, since 2021. Previously, Pastor Ryman served congregations in North Carolina and Ohio, as well as a call to specialized ministry with Sola Publishing.
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