Luther's Little Instruction Book:
The Small Catechism of Martin Luther
Translation by
Robert E. Smith From the German text, printed in:
Triglot
Concordia: The Symbolical Books of the Ev. Lutheran Church.
St.
Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, pp. 538-559.
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
Appendix I. How a Father Should Teach His Household to Conduct Morning and Evening Devotions.
Appendix II. How a Father Should Teach His Household to say Grace and Return Thanks at Meals.
Martin Luther to All Faithful and Godly Pastors and Preachers:
Grace, Mercy, and Peace in Jesus Christ, our Lord.
The deplorable, miserable condition which I discovered lately when I, too, was a visitor, has forced and urged me to prepare [publish] this Catechism, or Christian doctrine, in this small, plain, simple form. Mercy! Good God! what manifold misery I beheld! The common people, especially in the villages, have no knowledge whatever of Christian doctrine, and, alas! many pastors are altogether incapable and incompetent to teach [so much so, that one is ashamed to speak of it]. Nevertheless, all maintain that they are Christians, have been baptized and receive the [common] holy Sacraments. Yet they [do not understand and] cannot [even] recite either the Lord's Prayer, or the Creed, or the Ten Commandments; they live like dumb brutes and irrational hogs; and yet, now that the Gospel has come, they have nicely learned to abuse all liberty like experts.
O ye bishops! [to whom this charge has been committed by God,] what will ye ever answer to Christ for having so shamefully neglected the people and never for a moment discharged your office? [You are the persons to whom alone this ruin of the Christian religion is due. You have permitted men to err so shamefully; yours is the guilt; for you have ever done anything rather than what your office required you to do.] May all misfortune flee you! [I do not wish at this place to invoke evil on your heads.] You command the Sacrament in one form [but is not this the highest ungodliness coupled with the greatest impudence that you are insisting on the administration of the Sacrament in one form only, and on your traditions] and insist on your human laws, and yet at the same time you do not care in the least [while you are utterly without scruple and concern] whether the people know the Lord's Prayer, the Creed, the Ten Commandments, or any part of the Word of God. Woe, woe, unto you forever!
Therefore I entreat [and adjure] you all for God's sake, my dear sirs and brethren, who are pastors or preachers, to devote yourselves heartily to your office, to have pity on the people who are entrusted to you, and to help us inculcate the Catechism upon the people, and especially upon the young. And let those of you who cannot do better [If any of you are so unskilled that you have absolutely no knowledge of these matters, let them not be ashamed to] take these tables and forms and impress them, word for word, on the people, as follows:--
In the first place, let the preacher above all be careful to avoid many kinds of or various texts and forms of the Ten Commandments, the Lord's Prayer, the Creed, the Sacraments, etc., but choose one form to which he adheres, and which he inculcates all the time, year after year. For [I give this advice, however, because I know that] young and simple people must be taught by uniform, settled texts and forms, otherwise they easily become confused when the teacher to-day teaches them thus, and in a year some other way, as if he wished to make improvements, and thus all effort and labor [which has been expended in teaching] is lost.
Also our blessed fathers understood this well; for they all used the same form of the Lord's Prayer, the Creed, and the Ten Commandments. Therefore we, too, should [imitate their diligence and be at pains to] teach the young and simple people these parts in such a way as not to change a syllable, or set them forth and repeat them one year differently than in another [no matter how often we teach the Catechism].
Hence, choose whatever form you please, and adhere to it forever. But when you preach in the presence of learned and intelligent men, you may exhibit your skill, and may present these parts in as varied and intricate ways and give them as masterly turns as you are able. But with the young people stick to one fixed, permanent form and manner, and teach them, first of all, these parts, namely, the Ten Commandments, the Creed, the Lord's Prayer, etc., according to the text, word for word, so that they, too, can repeat it in the same manner after you and commit it to memory.
But those who are unwilling to learn it should be told that they deny Christ and are no Christians, neither should they be admitted to the Sacrament, accepted as sponsors at baptism, nor exercise any part of Christian liberty, but should simply be turned back to the Pope and his officials, yea, to the devil himself. Moreover, their parents and employers should refuse them food and drink, and [they would also do well if they were to] notify them that the prince will drive such rude people from the country, etc.
For although we cannot and should not force any one to believe, yet we should insist and urge the people that they know what is right and wrong with those among whom they dwell and wish to make their living. For whoever desires to reside in a town must know and observe the town laws, the protection of which he wishes to enjoy, no matter whether he is a believer or at heart and in private a rogue or knave.
In the second place, after they have well learned the text, then teach them the sense also, so that they know what it means, and again choose the form of these tables, or some other brief uniform method, whichever you like, and adhere to it, and do not change a single syllable, as was just said regarding the text; and take your time to it. For it is not necessary that you take up all the parts at once, but one after the other. After they understand the First Commandment well, then take up the Second, and so on, otherwise they will be overwhelmed, so as not to be able to retain any well.
In the third place, after you have thus taught them this Short Catechism, then take up the Large Catechism, and give them also a richer and fuller knowledge. Here explain at large every commandment, [article,] petition, and part with its various works, uses, benefits, dangers, and injuries, as you find these abundantly stated in many books written about these matters. And particularly, urge that commandment or part most which suffers the greatest neglect among your people. For instance, the Seventh Commandment, concerning stealing, must be strenuously urged among mechanics and merchants, and even farmers and servants, for among these people many kinds of dishonesty and thieving prevail. So, too, you must urge well the Fourth Commandment among the children and the common people, that they may be quiet and faithful, obedient and peaceable, and you must always adduce many examples from the Scriptures to show how God has punished or blessed such persons.
Especially should you here urge magistrates and parents to rule well and to send their children to school, showing them why it is their duty to do this, and what a damnable sin they are committing if they do not do it. For by such neglect they overthrow and destroy both the kingdom of God and that of the world, acting as the worst enemies both of God and of men. And make it very plain to them what an awful harm they are doing if they will not help to train children to be pastors, preachers, clerks [also for other offices, with which we cannot dispense in this life], etc., and that God will punish them terribly for it. For such preaching is needed. [Verily, I do not know of any other topic that deserves to be treated as much as this.] Parents and magistrates are now sinning unspeakably in this respect. The devil, too, aims at something cruel because of these things [that he may hurl Germany into the greatest distress].
Lastly, since the tyranny of the Pope has been abolished, people are no longer willing to go to the Sacrament and despise it [as something useless and unnecessary]. Here again urging is necessary, however, with this understanding: We are to force no one to believe, or to receive the Sacrament, nor fix any law, nor time, nor place for it, but are to preach in such a manner that of their own accord, without our law, they will urge themselves and, as it were, compel us pastors to administer the Sacrament. This is done by telling them: Whoever does not seek or desire the Sacrament at least some four times a year, it is to be feared that he despises the Sacrament and is no Christian, just as he is no Christian who does not believe or hear the Gospel; for Christ did not say, This omit, or, This despise, but, This do ye, as oft as ye drink it, etc. Verily, He wants it done, and not entirely neglected and despised. This do ye, He says.
Now, whoever does not highly value the Sacrament thereby shows that he has no sin, no flesh, no devil, no world, no death, no danger, no hell; that is, he does not believe any such things, although he is in them over head and ears and is doubly the devil's own. On the other hand, he needs no grace, life, Paradise, heaven, Christ, God, nor anything good. For if he believed that he had so much that is evil, and needed so much that is good, he would not thus neglect the Sacrament, by which such evil is remedied and so much good is bestowed. Neither will it be necessary to force him to the Sacrament by any law, but he will come running and racing of his own accord, will force himself and urge you that you must give him the Sacrament.
Hence, you must not make any law in this matter, as the Pope does. Only set forth clearly the benefit and harm, the need and use, the danger and the blessing, connected with this Sacrament, and the people will come of themselves without your compulsion. But if they do not come, let them go and tell them that such belong to the devil as do not regard nor feel their great need and the gracious help of God. But if you do not urge this, or make a law or a bane of it, it is your fault if they despise the Sacrament. How could they be otherwise than slothful if you sleep and are silent? Therefore look to it, ye pastors and preachers. Our office is now become a different thing from what it was under the Pope; it is now become serious and salutary. Accordingly, it now involves much more trouble and labor, danger and trials, and, in addition thereto, little reward and gratitude in the world. But Christ Himself will be our reward if we labor faithfully. To this end may the Father of all grace help us, to whom be praise and thanks forever through Christ, our Lord! Amen.
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.
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!
The Simple Way a Father Should Present it to His Household
Introduction
Our Father, Who is in Heaven. (Matthew 6:9)
What does this mean?
In this
introduction, God invites us to believe that He is our real Father
and we are His real children, so that we will pray with trust and
complete confidence, in the same way beloved children approach their
beloved Father with their requests.
The First Request
May Your name be holy. (Matthew 6:9)
What does this mean?
Of
course, God's name is holy in and of itself, but by this request, we
pray that He will make it holy among us, too.
How does this take place?
It
happens when God's Word is taught clearly and purely, and when we
live holy lives as God's children based upon it. Help us, Heavenly
Father, to do this! But anyone who teaches and lives by something
other than God's Word defiles God's name among us. Protect us from
this, Heavenly Father!
The Second Request
Your Kingdom come. (Matthew 6:10)
What does this mean?
Truly
God's Kingdom comes by itself, without our prayer. But we pray in
this request that it come to us as well.
How does this happen?
It
happens when the Heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit, so that we
believe His holy Word by His grace and live godly lives here in this
age and there in eternal life.
The Third Request
May Your will be accomplished. As it is Heaven, so may it be on Earth. (Matthew 6:10)
What does this mean?
Truly,
God's good and gracious will is accomplished without our prayer. But
we pray in this request that is accomplished among us as well.
How does this happen?
It
happens when God destroys and interferes with every evil will and all
evil advice, which will not allow God's Kingdom to come, such as the
Devil's will, the world's will and will of our bodily desires. It
also happens when God strengthens us by faith and by His Word and
keeps us living by them faithfully until the end of our lives. This
is His will, good and full of grace.
The Fourth Request
Give us today our daily bread. (Matthew 6:11)
What does this mean?
Truly,
God gives daily bread to evil people, even without our prayer. But we
pray in this request that He will help us realize this and receive
our daily bread with thanksgiving.
What does "Daily bread"
mean?
Everything that nourishes our body and meets its needs, such
as: Food, drink, clothing, shoes, house, yard, fields, cattle, money,
possessions, a devout spouse, devout children, devout employees,
devout and faithful rulers, good government, good weather, peace,
health, discipline, honor, good friends, faithful neighbors and other
things like these.
The Fifth Request
And forgive our guilt, as we forgive those guilty of sinning against us. (Matthew 6:12)
What does this mean?
We pray
in this request that our Heavenly Father will neither pay attention
to our sins nor refuse requests such as these because of our sins and
because we are neither worthy nor deserve the things for which we
pray. Yet He wants to give them all to us by His grace, because many
times each day we sin and truly deserve only punishment. Because God
does this, we will, of course, want to forgive from our hearts and
willingly do good to those who sin against us.
The Sixth Request
And lead us not into temptation. (Matthew 6:12)
What does this mean?
God
tempts no one, of course, but we pray in this request that God will
protect us and save us, so that the Devil, the world and our bodily
desires will neither deceive us nor seduce us into heresy, despair or
other serious shame or vice, and so that we will win and be
victorious in the end, even if they attack us.
The Seventh Request
But set us free from the Evil One. ( Matthew 6:12)
What does this mean?
We pray
in this request, as a summary, that our Father in Heaven will save us
from every kind of evil that threatens body, soul, property and
honor. We pray that when at last our final hour has come, He will
grant us a blessed death, and, in His grace, bring us to Himself from
this valley of tears.
Amen
What does this mean?
That I
should be certain that such prayers are acceptable to the Father in
Heaven and will be granted, that He Himself has commanded us to pray
in this way and that He promises to answer us. Amen. Amen. This
means: Yes, yes it will happen this way.
IV. The Sacrament of Holy Baptism
The Simple Way a Father Should Present it to His Household
What is Baptism?
Baptism is
not just plain water, but it is water contained within God's command
and united with God's Word.
Where in the Word of God is
this?
Where our Lord Christ spoke in the last chapter of Matthew
(Matthew 28:19): "Go into all the world, teaching all heathen
nations, and baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and of
the Holy Spirit."
What does Baptism give? What good
is it?
It gives us the forgiveness of sins, redeems us from death
and the Devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this,
just as God's words and promises declare.
What are these words and promises
of God?
Our Lord Christ spoke one of them in the last chapter of
Mark (Mark 16:16): "Whoever believes and is baptized will be
saved; but whoever does not believe will be damned."
How can water do such great
things?
Water doesn't make these things happen, of course. It is
God's Word, which is with and in the water. Because, without God's
Word, the water is plain water and not baptism. But with God's Word
it is a Baptism, a grace-filled water of life, a bath of new birth in
the Holy Spirit, as St. Paul said to Titus in the third chapter
(Titus 3:5-8): "Through this bath of rebirth and renewal of the
Holy Spirit, which He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus
Christ, our Savior, that we, justified by the same grace are made
heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful
saying."
What is the meaning of such a
water Baptism?
It means that the old Adam in us should be drowned
by daily sorrow and repentance, and die with all sins and evil lusts,
and, in turn, a new person daily come forth and rise from death
again. He will live forever before God in righteousness and purity.
Where is this written?
St.
Paul says to the Romans in Chapter Six (Romans 6:4): "We are
buried with Christ through Baptism into death, so that, in the same
way Christ is risen from the dead by the glory of the Father, thus
also must we walk in a new life."
V. How You Should Teach the Uneducated to Confess
What is confession?
Confession
has two parts: First, a person admits his sin Second, a person
receives absolution or forgiveness from the confessor, as if from God
Himself, without doubting it, but believing firmly that his sins are
forgiven by God in Heaven through it.
Which sins should people
confess?
When speaking to God, we should plead guilty to all sins,
even those we don't know about, just as we do in the "Our
Father," but when speaking to the confessor, only the sins we
know about, which we know about and feel in our hearts.
Which are these?
Consider here
your place in life according to the Ten Commandments. Are you a
father? A mother? A son? A daughter? A husband? A wife? A servant?
Are you disobedient, unfaithful or lazy? Have you hurt anyone with
your words or actions? Have you stolen, neglected your duty, let
things go or injured someone?
Please suggest to me a simple way
to confess.
You should speak to your confessor this way:
Honorable, dear Sir: Would you please hear my confession and
pronounce forgiveness according to God's will.
He will respond: Yes. Please go ahead.
Then say: I confess in the presence of God that I am a poor sinner and guilty of every kind of sin. I specifically admit to you that I am a servant, maid, etc., but I'm afraid that I have served my master unfaithfully. From time to time, I have not done what I was told to do. I have angered them and caused them to swear at me. I have neglected my duty and allowed damage to be done. My words and actions have been shameful. I have been angry with my peers. I have complained about my master's wife and sworn at her, etc. I am sorry for all of this and ask for grace. I want to do better.
A master or a lady of the house
should speak this way:
I specifically confess to you that I have
not faithfully led my children, servants or wife to God's glory. I
have cursed. I have set a bad example with my obscene words and
actions. I have hurt my neighbor and spoken evil things about him. I
have charged him too much, cheated him and sold him badly made goods.
Let him also confess any other sins against God's commandments and
his place in life, etc.
If a person is not burdened with sins such as these or greater sins, he should not look for other sins or invent them, because that would turn confession into torture. Instead, he should mention one or two that he knows about. For example: specifically I confess that I once cursed. Once I used inappropriate language. Once I neglected to do this or that thing, etc. Let that be enough.
If you do not know of anything you have done wrong (which does not seem possible), do not say anything in specific, but receive forgiveness based upon the general confession you make to God in the presence of your confessor.
After this, the Confessor will
say:
May God be merciful to you and strengthen your faith!
Then he will ask:
Do you also
believe that the forgiveness I give is God's forgiveness?
Then you will answer:
Yes,
dear sir.
After this, he will say:
May
what you believe happen to you. And by the command of my Lord Jesus,
I forgive your sins in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Amen. Go in peace! The confessor will know how to use additional
passages to comfort and to encourage the faith of those who sorrow,
are troubled or whose conscience is greatly burdened. This is only
meant to be a general confession for the uneducated.
VI. The Sacrament of the Altar
The Simple Way a Father Should Present it to his Household
What is the Sacrament of the
Altar?
It is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ
under bread and wine for us Christians to eat and to drink,
established by Christ Himself.
Where is that written?
The
holy apostles Matthew, Mark and Luke and St. Paul write this: "Our
Lord Jesus Christ, in the night on which He was betrayed, took bread,
gave thanks, broke it, gave it to His disciples and said: 'Take! Eat!
This is My body, which is given for you. Do this to remember Me!' In
the same way He also took the cup after supper, gave thanks, gave it
to them, and said: 'Take and drink from it, all of you! This cup is
the New Testament in my blood, which is shed for you to forgive sins.
This do, as often as you drink it, to remember Me!'"
What good does this eating and
drinking do?
These words tell us: "Given for you" and
"Shed for you to forgive sins." Namely, that the
forgiveness of sins, life and salvation are given to us through these
words in the sacrament. Because, where sins are forgiven, there is
life and salvation as well.
How can physical eating and
drinking do such great things?
Of course, eating and drinking do
not do these things. These words, written here, do them: "given
for you" and "shed for you to forgive sins." These
words, along with physical eating and drinking are the important part
of the sacrament. Anyone who believes these words has what they say
and what they record, namely, the forgiveness of sins.
Who, then, receives such a
sacrament in a worthy way?
Of course, fasting and other physical
preparations are excellent disciplines for the body. But anyone who
believes these words, "Given for you," and "Shed for
you to forgive sins," is really worthy and well prepared. But
whoever doubts or does not believe these words is not worthy and is
unprepared, because the words, "for you" demand a heart
that fully believes.
Appendix I. How a Father Should Teach His Household to Conduct Morning and Evening Devotions.
Morning Devotions
As soon as you get out of bed in the morning, you should bless yourself with the sign of the Holy Cross and say: May the will of God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit be done! Amen.
Then, kneeling or standing, say the creed and pray the Lord's Prayer.
If you wish, you may then pray this little prayer as well: My Heavenly Father, I thank You, through Jesus Christ, Your beloved Son, that You kept me safe from all evil and danger last night. Save me, I pray, that you will keep me safe today from every evil and sin as well,, so that all I do and the way that I live will please you. I put myself in your care, body and soul and all that I have. Let Your holy Angels be with me, so that the evil enemy will not gain power over me. Amen.
After that, with joy go about your work and perhaps sing a song inspired by the Ten Commandments or your own thoughts.
Evening Devotions
When you go to bed in the evening, you should bless yourself with the sign of the Holy Cross and say: May the will of God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit be done! Amen.
Then, kneeling or standing, say the creed and pray the Lord's Prayer.
If you wish, then you may pray this little prayer as well: My Heavenly Father, I thank You, through Jesus Christ, Your beloved Son, that You have protected me, by Your grace. Forgive, I pray, all my sins and the evil I have done. Protect me, by Your grace, tonight. I put myself in your care, body and soul and all that I have. Let Your holy angels be with me, so that the evil enemy will not gain power over me. Amen.
After this, go to sleep immediately with joy.
Appendix II. How a Father Should Teach His Household to say Grace and Return Thanks at Meals:
The Blessing
The children and servants should come to the table modestly and with folded hands and say:
All eyes look to you, O Lord, and You give everyone food at the right time. You open Your generous hands and satisfy the hunger of all living things with what they desire. (Psalm 145:15-16)
Note: "What they desire" means that all animals get so much to eat, that they are happy and cheerful. Because, worry and greed interferes with such desires.
After this, pray the Lord's Prayer and the following prayer:
Lord God, Heavenly Father, bless us and these gifts, which we receive from Your generous hand, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Thanking God
After eating, too, they should modestly fold their hands and say:
Thank the Lord, because He is kind and His goodness lasts forever! He gives all creatures food. He gives livestock their food and feeds the young ravens that call out to Him. A horse's strength does not give Him pleasure. A man's legs do not give Him joy. People who fear the Lord and who wait for His goodness please Him.
After this, pray the Lord's Prayer and the following prayer:
We thank You, Lord God, Father, through Jesus Christ our Lord, for all Your blessings. You live and rule forever! Amen!
A number of passages to use to teach and admonish people in all holy orders and statuses in life about their duties.
For Bishops, Pastors and
Preachers:
1 Tim. 3:2-4
Titus 1: 6
What Hearers owe their Pastors:
1
Cor. 9:14
Gal. 6: 6
1 Tim. 5:17-18
Heb. 13:17
For Earthly Authorities
Rom.
13:1-4
For those Under Authority
Matt.
22:21
Rom. 13:5-7
1 Tim. 2:1-3
Titus 3:1
1 Peter 2:13-14
For Husbands
1 Peter 3:7
Col.
3:19
For Wives
Eph. 5:22
1 Peter
3:5-6
For Parents
Eph. 6:4
For Children
Eph. 6:1-3
For Servants, Maids, Hired Hands
and Workers
Eph. 6: 5-7
Col. 3:22
For the Man and Woman of the
House
Eph. 6:9
Col. 4:1
For Young People in General
1
Pet. 5:5-6
For Widows
1 Tim. 5:5-6
For Everyone in General
Rom.
13:8-10
1 Tim. 2:1-2
If everyone will learn his
part,
The whole household will fare well.