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Question |
| INTRODUCTION |
| 1 | What is the Christian faith? |
| 2 | Who is Jesus Christ? |
| 3 | What has this one God done? |
| 4 | What is a Christian? |
| 5 | What does it mean to confess Jesus Christ as my Lord? |
| 6 | Where do we learn about Jesus? |
| 7 | What is the Bible? |
| 8 | Why can we be confident that the Bible is the authoritative and inerrant Word of God? |
| 9 | Do we use human reason to understand the Bible? |
| 10 | What are the two great doctrines of the Bible? |
| 11 | What is the difference between Law and Gospel? |
| 12 | What is the Small Catechism? |
| 13 | What are the central, or chief, parts of Christian teaching and life? |
| 14 | What is confirmation? |
| TEN COMMANDMENTS |
| 15 | What are the Ten Commandments? |
| 16 | What is God's will for our lives? |
| 17 | How did God give His Law to us? |
| 18 | How does God use the Ten Commandments in our lives and the lives of others in this world? |
| 19 | Why is the second use of the Law so important? |
| 20 | What is sin? |
| 21 | How did sin enter God's good creation? |
| 22 | How did Adam and Eve's disobedience affect us? |
| 23 | How does original sin affect every human creature? |
| FIRST COMMANDMENT |
| 24 | What does it mean to have a god? |
| 25 | Why does God not want us to have any other gods besides Him? |
| 26 | What does God require of us in the First Commandment? |
| 27 | Should all people fear, love, and trust in God? |
| 28 | What does it mean to fear God above all things? |
| 29 | What does it mean to love God above all things? |
| 30 | What does it mean to trust in God above all things? |
| 31 | What does it mean to fear, love, and trust in God above all things? |
| 32 | What happens when we trust in these things rather than our Creator? |
| 33 | What is the relationship between the First and the other commandments? |
| 34 | Can anyone keep this commandment to fear, love, and trust in God above all things? |
| 35 | How do we know there is a God? |
| 36 | Who is the only true God? |
| 37 | What are some of God's attributes? |
| 38 | Read Exodus 20:1-3. Why do the Commandments begin with the words "I am teh LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt"? |
| 39 | Read Exodus 20:4. What are carved (or graven) images? |
| 40 | Read Exodus 20:5. Why does God make these threats and promises? |
| 41 | Do all religions worship the same god? |
| SECOND COMMANDMENT |
| 42 | What is God's name? |
| 43 | For what purpose did God reveal His name to us? |
| 44 | How do we fear and love God in keeping the Second Commandment? |
| 45 | What "names" does God have in the Bible? |
| 46 | What does God say about vulgar or coarse language? |
| 47 | Does God forbid us to swear oaths in His name? |
| THIRD COMMANDMENT |
| 48 | What is the Sabbath day? |
| 49 | What were some features of the Sabbath in the Old Testament? |
| 50 | How do we fear and love God in keeping the Third Commandment? |
| 51 | What is the significance of the Sabbath for the Church today? |
| 52 | Why is it vital for us to gather together with fellow Christians in public worship? |
| 53 | What is valuable about liturgical worship? |
| FOURTH COMMANDMENT |
| 54 | Why does this commandment focus on parents and other authorities? |
| 55 | How do we fear and love God in keeping the Fourth Commandment? |
| 56 | What if my parents or other authorities poorly carry out their vocations from God? |
| 57 | Am I always to obey my parents and other authorities without question? |
| 58 | What promise does God give us with this commandment, and why does He give it? |
| FIFTH COMMANDMENT |
| 59 | Who is our neighbor? |
| 60 | How do we fear and love God in keeping the Fifth Commandment? |
| 61 | What do we need to remember about our neighbor when dealing with issues in society? |
| 62 | How does this commandment apply to some specific issues today? |
| 63 | If someone is thinking about having an abortion, what should I do? What is someone has already had an abortion? |
| 64 | Does anyone have authority to take another person's life? |
| SIXTH COMMANDMENT |
| 65 | What is marriage? |
| 66 | What is adultery? |
| 67 | Does this commandment apply only to husbands and wives? |
| 68 | How do we fear and love God in keeping the Sixth Commandment? |
| 69 | Why are we (single or married) to respect the fact that God established marriage and created us as male and female? |
| 70 | What does our created nature (natural law) teach us about marriage? |
| 71 | What does the Bible affirm about people who are not married? |
| 72 | What is the Christian view of living together apart form marriage (cohabitation)? |
| 73 | What should husbands and wives do when they struggle in marriage? |
| 74 | What does the Bible say about divorce and remarriage? |
| 75 | What are some dangers or temptations that pornography poses today? |
| 76 | What does the Bible say about same-sex marriage? |
| 77 | What is the Christian perspective on persons who are confused about their sexual identity? |
| SEVENTH COMMANDMENT |
| 78 | Why are earthly goods such as money and possessions important? |
| 79 | How do we fear and love God in keeping the Seventh Commandment? |
| 80 | What else is considered to be our neighbor's possessions or property today? |
| 81 | How does God provide us and others with our earthly goods? |
| 82 | How shall we use our own earthly goods? |
| EIGHTH COMMANDMENT |
| 83 | Why is a good reputation important? |
| 84 | How do we fear and love God in keeping the Eighth Commandment? |
| 85 | What are some ways in which people's reputations are damaged or destroyed in our society? |
| 86 | The Bible tells us to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). What does this mean? |
| 87 | Are there times when not speaking the truth may be necessary? |
| NINTH & TENTH COMMANDMENTS |
| 88 | What is coveting? |
| 89 | How do we fear and love God in keeping the Ninth and Tenth Commandments? |
| 90 | How are we tempted to be dissatisfied with what we have? |
| 91 | Is all wanting, desiring, and ambition sinful? |
| 92 | What is particularly important about these last two commandments? |
| CLOSE OF THE COMMANDMENTS |
| 93 | Why does God describe Himself as a "jealous God"? |
| 94 | What moves God to punish or bless? |
| 95 | What is our proper response to God's warnings and promises? |
| 96 | How does God carry out His punishments and blessings in this life? |
| 97 | Does this mean that when we live in a certain way, things will always go the way we want? |
| 98 | What, ultimately, does God threaten against those who hate Him and break His commandments? |
| 99 | Why does God warn children whose fathers hate Him and sin against Him? |
| 100 | How carefully does God want us to keep His commandments? |
| 101 | Can anyone, then, be saved by keeping God's commandments? |
| 102 | Where alone can we sinners find rescue from the condemnation of God? |
| APOSTLES' CREED |
| 103 | Why does the Creed follow the Ten Commandments? |
| 104 | What is the Creed? |
| 105 | Can we learn about God apart from the Bible? |
| 106 | Then why do we need the Bible or a summary of the Bible, such as the Creed? |
| 107 | Why does the Creed begin with the words "I believe"? |
| 108 | How many creeds do we have? |
| 109 | Why do we use the Apostles' Creed in the Catechism? |
| 110 | What does the word Trinity mean? |
| 111 | What distinguishes the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit from one another? |
| 112 | What unites the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as one God? |
| FIRST ARTICLE |
| 113 | Why is the First Person of the Trinity called God the Father? |
| 114 | Why does the Creed confess God as the Maker of heaven and earth? |
| 115 | What is included in the phrase "heaven and earth"? |
| 116 | Why does the catechism say that God created "me and all creatures"? |
| 117 | What does it mean to confess that God made me? |
| 118 | What does it mean to confess that God made me "and all creatures"? |
| 119 | What does it mean that God has given me both a body and a soul? |
| 120 | What is the significance of having a body and soul for my personal identity and relationships? |
| 121 | How did God create everything? |
| 122 | Where should we begin when considering other competing accounts of how the world came into existence? |
| 123 | What distinguishes humans from all other creatures? |
| 124 | Do we still have the image of God? |
| 125 | Will we ever regain the image of God that was lost? |
| 126 | What other living creatures did God create? |
| 127 | For what purpose did God create nonhuman creatures on earth? |
| 128 | For what purpose did God create the angels? |
| 129 | Do all the angels serve these purposes of God? |
| 130 | What are some common questions about angels? |
| 131 | Does God continue to be involved with His creation? |
| 132 | For whom does God care and provide within His creation? |
| 133 | What does God provide for our body and life? |
| 134 | What else does God do to take care of us? |
| 135 | How does God provide for me and protect me each day? |
| 136 | If our gracious Creator provides for all of our needs and protects us from all evil, why do suffering and death exist in the world? |
| 137 | Why do some of us experience more suffering and misfortune than others? |
| 138 | What is God doing about all the suffering and death in the world? |
| 139 | What are some false beliefs about God's presence and activity within the world? |
| 140 | Why does the catechism use the word all nine times in its explanation of the First Article? |
| 141 | What is the significance of confessing that God did all of this out of "fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me"? |
| 142 | Why do we say that it is our duty to "thank and praise, serve and obey"? |
| 143 | How do I thank and praise God? |
| 144 | How do I serve and obey God? |
| 145 | How should we think of our calling as human creatures within the rest of God's creation? |
| 146 | What does it mean to be a steward? |
| 147 | What are some of our stewardship responsibilities? |
| SECOND ARTICLE |
| 148 | What does it mean to confess that Jesus is Lord? |
| 149 | Why do I confess that Jesus Christ is my Lord? |
| 150 | Who is this Jesus that I confess as my Lord? |
| 151 | What does it mean to confess that Jesus is true God? |
| 152 | What does it mean to confess that Jesus is "begotten of the Father from eternity"? |
| 153 | What does it mean to confess that Jesus is true man? |
| 154 | What does it mean to confess that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit? |
| 155 | What do we call the event by which the Son of God became man? |
| 156 | How did the incarnation take place? |
| 157 | What can we say about Jesus as a result of the incarnation? |
| 158 | What does it mean for us as human creatures that the Son of God has become our Brother? |
| 159 | Why is it so important for us sinners that the Son of God has become our Brother? |
| 160 | Why is it so important for us that the man Jesus, our Brother, is also the Son of God who created the universe? |
| 161 | What two natures are united in the one person of Jesus Christ? |
| 162 | What are we saying when we confess that Jesus has redeemed us? |
| 163 | Why did we need to be redeemed (rescued)? What was our situation? |
| 164 | How did we come to be lost and condemned? |
| 165 | Why did God send His Son to rescue us? |
| 166 | How did Jesus rescue me from sin? |
| 167 | How did Jesus rescue me from the devil? |
| 168 | How did Jesus rescue me from death? |
| 169 | What does the Bible say about Jesus' resurrection? Why is it so comforting to us? |
| 170 | Why was Jesus' divine majesty not always evident during His earthly life? |
| 171 | What does this state of humiliation mean for our understanding of Jesus' life? |
| 172 | What comfort does the state of humiliation bring to us? |
| 173 | When does Jesus, as our Brother, manifest the divine majesty that is His as the Son of God? |
| 174 | What does the state of exaltation mean for our understanding of who Jesus is and what He has done? |
| 175 | What comfort does the state of exaltation bring us? |
| 176 | For what purpose has Christ freed me from sin, death, and the devil? |
| 177 | What does it mean to confess that I belong to Christ? |
| 178 | What does it mean to confess that I live under Him in His kingdom? |
| 179 | What does it mean that we will "serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness"? |
| 180 | What is the basis for my confession and confidence that I will live forever in His kingdom? |
| 181 | Is there evidence for the resurrection of Jesus? |
| 182 | What does it mean that our Lord Jesus is called the Christ? |
| 183 | What does it mean for us to speak of Jesus as our Prophet? |
| 184 | What does it mean for us to speak of Jesus as our Priest? |
| 185 | What does it mean for us to speak of Jesus as our King? |
| THIRD ARTICLE |
| 186 | How was I brought under the gracious lordship of Jesus? |
| 187 | Why can I not come to faith in Jesus by my own reason or strength? |
| 188 | What does it mean that the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel? |
| 189 | What does it mean that I am enlightened with His gifts? |
| 190 | What odes it mean to be sanctified by the Spirit? |
| 191 | What are good works in God's sight? |
| 192 | What does it mean to be kept in the true faith? |
| 193 | Who is the Holy Spirit? |
| 194 | Why does we confess the Holy Spirit as God? |
| 195 | What is the special role of the Holy Spirit in our salvation? |
| 196 | Does the Holy Spirit want to bring everyone to faith in Jesus? |
| 197 | Why do not all who hear the Gospel believe in Jesus as their Lord? |
| 198 | Do people believe in Jesus because they decide to follow Him of their own free will? |
| 199 | Did God determine in advance that He would not convert some people? |
| 200 | Can we be truly spiritual without the Holy Spirit and the Gospel? |
| 201 | What did the Holy Spirit do when He brought me to faith? |
| 202 | What is the Church? |
| 203 | How is the Church different from all other communities? |
| 204 | What is the forgiveness of sins? |
| 205 | Why does God forgive our sins? |
| 206 | How is it possible for a just and holy God to declare sinners righteous (justification)? |
| 207 | Where does God offer the forgiveness of sins? |
| 208 | How do I receive this forgiveness of sins? |
| 209 | When my sins condemn me and I am doubting, how can I be sure of my forgiveness and salvation? |
| 210 | Why must we firmly maintain this teaching of forgiveness--the doctrine of justification by grace, for Christ's sake, through faith? |
| 211 | Where can I find the Church within the world? How do I recognize the Church? |
| 212 | What are the identifying characteristics of the Church? |
| 213 | What are some other outward indications that the Church is present? |
| 214 | What is the mission of the Church on earth? |
| 215 | What are some of the privileges and responsibilities of members of the Church? |
| 216 | What are some of our responsibilities toward other Christians and church bodies? |
| 217 | Will the Church always exist? |
| 218 | Should I expect the Church's life to be one of continual peace and harmony? |
| 219 | What will happen when Jesus returns visibly? |
| 220 | What will my resurrected body be like? |
| 221 | What will happen on the Last Day to those who have rejected Christ (unbelievers)? |
| 222 | Why do people die? |
| 223 | What happens to me as a Christian when I die? |
| 224 | What will happen to me when I am raised from the dead on the Last Day? |
| 225 | What will happen to this world after we Christians are raised from the dead? |
| 226 | What will the new creation be like? |
| 227 | Do we know when all this will take place? |
| 228 | What will happen on the Last Day? |
| 229 | What are some false teachings about the end of time and life everlasting? |
| LORD'S PRAYER |
| 230 | Why does the Lord's Prayer come after the Creed in the catechism? |
| 231 | What is prayer? |
| 232 | How does God initiate prayer? |
| 233 | What kinds of prayer do we find in the Bible? |
| 234 | What do all these forms of prayer have in common? |
| 235 | How does God answer prayer? |
| 236 | For whom should we pray? |
| 237 | Where should we pray? |
| 238 | How often should we pray? |
| 239 | Do my prayers need to be in a polished form or in a set pattern of words? |
| 240 | What is the Lord's Prayer? |
| 241 | For what does Jesus teach us to pray in the seven petitions of the Lord's Prayer? |
| 242 | How has the Lord's Prayer been used? |
| INTRODUCTION |
| 243 | How does Jesus invite us to pray? |
| 244 | How is it possible that we can dare to call God Father? |
| 245 | How does calling upon God as "our Father" shape our prayers? |
| 246 | Why do we call Him our Father who is "in Heaven"? |
| 247 | To whom do we address our prayers? |
| 248 | How does the New Testament teach us to pray? |
| 249 | Can we also pray to Jesus and the Holy Spirit? |
| FIRST PETITION |
| 250 | What is the connection between this petition and the Second Commandment? |
| 251 | What is meant by "God's name"? |
| 252 | What are we asking when we pray that God's name be kept holy? |
| 253 | How is God's name profaned? |
| 254 | How should we deal with those who dishonor God's name? |
| SECOND PETITION |
| 255 | What is the kingdom of God for which Jesus teaches us to pray? |
| 256 | What does it mean that the kingdom of God comes without our prayer? |
| 257 | What do we ask and seek from our Father in this petition? |
| 258 | What are the benefits of living under God's gracious rule? |
| 259 | Does God rule only over believers? |
| 260 | How does God rule as King over His creation? |
| THIRD PETITION |
| 261 | What is the will of God? |
| 262 | What is the specific focus of this petition? |
| 263 | How does God do this? |
| 264 | When will Satan's defeat be complete? |
| 265 | What is God's will for my life? |
| 266 | Should I be anxious about discerning God's precise will in my daily decisions? |
| 267 | How can I make decisions as a Christian about everyday matters? |
| FOURTH PETITION |
| 268 | What is the focus of this petition? |
| 269 | Why does God provide for the earthly needs of everyone, even apart from prayer? |
| 270 | What do we mwan by "daily bread"? |
| 271 | Why do we specify "daily" bread in this petition? |
| 272 | For what, then, do we pray in this petition? |
| 273 | How does God provide our daily bread? |
| 274 | Does God give me daily bread only for my own needs? |
| 275 | If God provides for everyone in these ways, why do some lack daily bread? |
| FIFTH PETITION |
| 276 | What do we ask for in this petition? |
| 277 | Why do we need to pray for God's forgiveness? |
| 278 | Why is forgiveness important for my own life in Christ? |
| 279 | Does our forgiveness from God depend upon our ability to forgive others? |
| 280 | Does forgiveness means that I must "forgive and forget"? |
| SIXTH PETITION |
| 281 | What is the focus of this particular petition? |
| 282 | What do we ask God to do for us when we pray this petition? |
| 283 | How does God help us to resist tose threats? |
| 284 | Does God ever tempt us? |
| SEVENTH PETITION |
| 285 | How does the Seventh Petition relate to the previous petitions? |
| 286 | What do we ask God our Father to do for us in this petition? |
| 287 | What kind of being is Satan? |
| 288 | Why does Satan concern himself with us? |
| 289 | Where do we find our hope in the battle against Satan? |
| CONCLUSION |
| 290 | Why did the Early Church include these words at the end of the Lord's Prayer? |
| 291 | Why do we end the Lord's Prayer with the word "Amen"? |
| MEANS OF GRACE |
| 292 | Why does the catechism include Baptism, Confession and the Office of the Keys, and the Sacrament of the Altar? |
| 293 | What is a sacrament? |
| 294 | How many sacraments are there? |
| 295 | Why are we to treasure the Sacraments, when water, bread, and wine are such ordinary elements? |
| 296 | How are the Sacraments to be used? |
| NATURE OF BAPTISM |
| 297 | What does the word "baptize" mean? |
| 298 | What is different about the water of Baptism? |
| 299 | Who instituted Holy Baptism? |
| 300 | What does it mean to baptize "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit"? |
| 301 | Who is to baptize? |
| 302 | To whom does Jesus refer when He says that "all nations" are to be baptized? |
| 303 | Why should babies be baptized? |
| 304 | What should I do if I am not certain I have been baptized? |
| 305 | What is the connection between Baptism and teaching? |
| 306 | Why does the church encourage sponsors at Baptism? |
| 307 | Are all "baptisms" to be recognized as valid? |
| BLESSINGS OF BAPTISM |
| 308 | What great things does God do through Baptism? |
| 309 | If Christ has already won full forgiveness and salvation for us, why do we need Baptism? |
| 310 | To whom does Baptism give these blessings? |
| 311 | Where are the blessings of Baptism received? |
| 312 | Is it possible for an unbaptized person to be saved? |
| 313 | Is it possible for a baptized person to fall from faith and be eternally lost? |
| 314 | How does Baptism help me in my life and death? |
| POWER OF BAPTISM |
| 315 | We see only water in Baptism. How does water work the forgiveness of sins, rescue from death and the devil, and give eternal salvation? |
| 316 | Why is Baptism called "the washing of rebirth and renewal of the Holy Spirit"? |
| 317 | Is a Christian's faith in Baptism or in Jesus? |
| 318 | Are we to seek a "baptism with the Holy Spirit" in addition to Holy Baptism? |
| WHAT BAPTISM INDICATES |
| 319 | What is the old Adam? |
| 320 | What is the new man? |
| 321 | How do the old Adam and the new man interact? |
| 322 | How does Baptism picture what the Christian's daily life should look like? |
| 323 | What words do we use to remember our Baptism? |
| 324 | How do we rightly use our Baptism? |
| CONFESSION |
| 325 | What is the first part of Confession? |
| 326 | What sins should we confess before God? |
| 327 | What sins should we confess before our neighbor? |
| 328 | What sins should we confess to our pastor? |
| 329 | What is the second part of Confession before the pastor? |
| 330 | How should we regard teh Absolution spoken by the pastor? |
| 331 | Can I be sure that my private Confession to the pastor will remain confidential? |
| 332 | What is the benefit of individual (private) Confession and Absolution? |
| 333 | How do I prepare for Confession? |
| OFFICE OF THE KEYS |
| 334 | What special authority has Christ given to His Church on earth? |
| 335 | Why do we refer to this authority as the power of the Keys? |
| 336 | Who is to be forgiven? |
| 337 | Who is not to be forgiven? |
| 338 | Who receives the forgiveness given in Absolution? |
| 339 | How is the Office of the Keys related to the proclamation of the Gospel? |
| 340 | What is excommunication? |
| 341 | What is the purpose of excommunication? |
| 342 | What is the responsibility of a congregation toward an excommunicated sinner who repents? |
| 343 | How does the Church publicly exercise the Office of the Keys? |
| 344 | May every Christian, without a call, presume to exercise the Office of the Keys publicly? |
| 345 | May only pastors, then, forgive sins? |
| 346 | Who should be considered for the office of pastor? |
| 347 | May women serve in the pastoral office? |
| NATURE OF THE SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR |
| 348 | Who instituted the Sacrament of the Altar? |
| 349 | What does Christ give us in this Sacrament? |
| 350 | Why do we take the words "This is My body" and "This is My blood" at face value? |
| 351 | What are the earthly elements Jesus uses in this Sacrament? |
| 352 | How then are the bread and wine in the Sacrament the body and blood of Christ? |
| 353 | Do all communicants receive the body and blood in the Sacrament, whether or not they believe? |
| 354 | What does Christ command when He says, "This do in remembrance of Me"? |
| 355 | Why is this Sacrament called the Sacrament of the Altar? |
| 356 | Why are Jesus' words always spoken over the bread and the wine by the pastor? |
| 357 | Are communicants to receive both the body and the blood of Christ in the Sacrament? |
| 358 | How often are we to receive the Sacrament? |
| 359 | Do the bread and wine merely symbolize the body and blood of Christ? |
| 360 | Do Christ's body and blood in the Sacrament replace the bread and the wine, so that they bread and wine only appear to be there? |
| 361 | Are the body and blood of Christ in the Sacrament sacrificed again to God for the sins of the living and the dead? |
| BENEFIT OF THE SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR |
| 362 | What is the benefit promised in the Sacrament? |
| 363 | Why should Christians be encouraged to receive the Sacrament frequently? |
| POWER OF THE SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR |
| 364 | How can bodily eating and drinking give us such great spiritual benefits as forgiveness, life, and salvation? |
| 365 | Does everyone who eats and drinks the Sacrament also receive forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation? |
| 366 | How, then, should we eat and drink the Lord's Supper? |
| HOW TO RECEIVE THE SACRAMENT WORTHILY |
| 367 | Who receives the Sacrament worthily? |
| 368 | Why should we be concerned about receiving the Sacrament worthily? |
| 369 | When are we unworthy and unprepared? |
| 370 | What is "fasting and bodily preparation"? |
| 371 | How are we to examine ourselves before receiving the Sacrament? |
| 372 | May those who are weak or struggling in faith come to the Sacrament? |
| 373 | What should I do if I feel no need for the Sacrament? |
| 374 | Who should not be given the Sacrament? |
