The Small Catechism – part 63
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Romans 13:1–7
Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Click for a recording of today's lesson.
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 placed additional people in authority over us. We are to honor our parents above all others, second only to God, but the Scripture and the Catechism teach us to honor other authorities too. It may be a school teacher or principal, or later in life, an employer, a police officer, a government official — not to mention many other such examples of authority in our lives. It is of no advantage for us to disobey or make their lives difficult. God has established these forms of authority so that life will not devolve into anarchy. It is our responsibility to support and honor them, for in doing so we obey and honor God.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for all of your servants. 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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