Martin Luther Minor Catechism

The Ten Commandments
AS THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY SHOULD TEACH
THEM IN A SIMPLE WAY TO HIS HOUSEHOLD

The First Commandment
You shall have no other gods. What does this mean? We should fear, love, and trust in God above all things.
The Second Commandment
You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not curse, swear,usesatanic arts, lie, or deceive by His name, but call upon it in every trouble, pray, praise, and give thanks.
The Third Commandment
You shall sanctify the holy day. [Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.]What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not despise preachingand His Word, but hold it sacred and gladly hear and learn it.
The Fourth Commandment
Honour your fatherand your mother. What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not despise or anger our parents and other authorities, but honor them, serve and obey them, love and cherish them.
The Fifth Commandment
You shall not murder.
What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not hurt or harm our neighbor in his body, but help and support him in every physical need.The Sixth Commandment
You shall not commit adultery. What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we lead a sexually pure and decent life in what we say and do, and husband and wife love and honor each other.
The Seventh Commandment
You shall not steal.
What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not take our neighbor’s money or possessions, or get them in anydishonest way, but help him to improve and protect his possessions and income.
The Eighth Commandment
You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not tell lies about our neighbor, betray him, slander him, or hurt his reputation, but defend him, speak well of him, and explain everything in the kindest way.

The NinthCommandment
You shall not covet your neighbor’s house.
What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not scheme to get our neighbor’s inheritance or house, or get it in a way which only appears right, but help and be
of service to him in keeping it.

The Tenth Commandment
You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anythingthat belongs to your neighbor.
What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not entice or force away our neighbor’s wife, workers, or animals, or turn them against him, but urge them to stay and do their duty.

The Close of the Commandments
What does God say about all these commandments? He says: “I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God,punishing the children for the sin ofthe fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments.” [Ex. 20:5–6]What does this mean? God threatens to punish all who break these commandments. Therefore, we should fear His wrath and not do anything against them. But He promises grace and every blessing to all who keep these commandments.Therefore, we should also love and trust in Him and gladly do what He commands.

The Creed

The First Article
CREATION
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. What does this mean? I believe that God has made me and all creatures; that He has given me my body and soul, eyes, ears, and all my members, my reason and all my senses, and still takes care of them. He alsogives me clothing and shoes, food and drink, house and home, wife and children, land, animals, and all I have. He richly and daily provides me with all that I need to support this body and life.He defends me against all danger and guards and protects me from all evil.All this He does only out of fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me. For all this it is my duty...