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Reformed / Continental · 1563

Heidelberg Catechism for Kids

The Heidelberg Catechism written for children ages 6–12. Each question and answer uses simple, clear language while faithfully teaching the same truths as the original.

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Quiz Mode
1

What is your only comfort (the thing that gives you hope and peace) in life and in death?

That I am not my own, but I belong—body and soul, in life and in death—to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ. He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood and has set me free from the tyranny of the devil. He watches over me so that not even a hair can fall from my head without my Father…

1 Corinthians 6:19–20Romans 14:7–91 Peter 1:18–191 John 1:71 John 2:2John 8:34–36Hebrews 2:14–151 John 3:8Matthew 10:29–31Luke 21:16–18Romans 8:282 Corinthians 1:21–222 Corinthians 5:5Ephesians 1:13–14Romans 8:15–16Romans 8:1–17
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4

What does God's law tell us to do?

Christ teaches us in Matthew 22:37–40: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law and…

Deuteronomy 6:5Leviticus 19:18
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6

Did God create people to be wicked?

No! God created people good and in his image, which means in true righteousness and holiness. He made us so that we could know him, love him with all our hearts, and live with him in happiness forever, praising and honoring him.

Genesis 1:31Genesis 1:26–27Ephesians 4:24Colossians 3:10
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11

But isn't God also merciful?

God is indeed merciful, but he is also just. His justice means that sin against the most high God must be punished with the greatest punishment — an everlasting punishment of body and soul.

Exodus 34:6–7Psalm 103:8–9Exodus 20:5Psalm 5:4–6Matthew 25:45–462 Thessalonians 1:8–9
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17

Why must he also be true God?

So that by the power of his divine nature he could carry the weight of God's anger against sin in his human nature, and win back for us righteousness and life.

Isaiah 9:6Deuteronomy 4:24Nahum 1:6Psalm 130:3Isaiah 53:5, 11John 3:162 Corinthians 5:21
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19

How do you know this?

From the holy gospel. God first shared this good news in the Garden of Eden. Later, he had it announced by the fathers of the faith and the prophets, and pictured by the sacrifices and ceremonies of the Old Testament law. Finally, he made it come true through his only Son.

Genesis 3:15Genesis 12:3Genesis 22:18Genesis 49:10Isaiah 53Jeremiah 23:5–6Micah 7:18–20Acts 10:43Hebrews 1:1–2Hebrews 10:1, 7Romans 10:4Galatians 4:4–5Colossians 2:17
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21

What is true faith?

True faith is knowing for sure that everything God tells us in his Word is true. At the same time, it is trusting deeply that not only other people, but also I myself, have been given forgiveness of sins, righteousness that lasts forever, and salvation — all as a free gift of grace, only because of…

John 17:3, 17Hebrews 11:1–3James 2:19Romans 4:18–21Romans 5:1Romans 10:10Hebrews 4:16Galatians 2:20Romans 1:17Hebrews 10:10Acts 16:14Romans 1:16Romans 10:171 Corinthians 1:21
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23

What does the Apostles' Creed say?

I believe in God the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord; he was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended into hell; on the third day he rose…

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26

What do you believe when you say: I believe in God the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth?

That the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who made heaven and earth and everything in them out of nothing, and who still holds them together and rules them, is my God and Father because of Christ his Son. I trust him so much that I have no doubt he will give me everything I need for body…

Genesis 1:1Genesis 2:3Psalm 33:6Isaiah 44:24Acts 4:24Acts 14:15Psalm 104:27–30Hebrews 1:3John 1:12–13Romans 8:15–16Galatians 4:4–7Ephesians 1:5Psalm 55:22Matthew 6:25–26Luke 12:22–31Romans 8:28Genesis 18:14Romans 8:31–33Matthew 6:32–33Matthew 7:9–11
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27

What do you mean by God's providence?

Providence is God's almighty and always-present power by which he holds up heaven and earth and all creatures, like holding them in his hand. He rules everything so that sunshine and rain, good times and hard times, food and drink, health and sickness, being rich and being poor — all things come to…

Jeremiah 23:23–24Acts 17:24–28Hebrews 1:3Jeremiah 5:24Acts 14:15–17John 9:3Proverbs 22:2Matthew 10:29Ephesians 1:11
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28

How does knowing about God's creation and providence help us?

We can be patient when things go wrong, thankful when things go well, and for the future we can trust that nothing will separate us from God our faithful Father's love. Everything is so completely in his hands that without his will nothing can move at all.

Job 1:21–22Romans 5:3–5James 1:3Deuteronomy 8:101 Thessalonians 5:18Psalm 55:22Romans 8:38–39Job 1:12Job 2:6Proverbs 21:1Acts 17:24–28
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31

Why is he called Christ, which means Anointed One?

Because God the Father chose him and anointed him with the Holy Spirit to be our greatest prophet and teacher, who perfectly shows us God's plan to save us; our only high priest, who set us free by offering up his own body as a sacrifice, and who always speaks to the Father for us; and our eternal…

Luke 3:21–22Luke 4:14–19Hebrews 1:9Acts 3:22Deuteronomy 18:15John 1:18John 15:15Hebrews 7:17Hebrews 9:12Hebrews 10:11–14Romans 8:34Hebrews 9:24Matthew 21:5Luke 1:33Matthew 28:18–20John 10:28Revelation 12:10–11
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32

Why are you called a Christian?

Because through faith I am joined to Christ and share in his anointing. I am anointed to tell others about him, to offer my whole life to him as a thank-you, to fight against sin and the devil in this life with a clear conscience, and one day to rule with Christ over all creation forever.

1 Corinthians 12:27Acts 2:171 John 2:27Matthew 10:32Romans 10:9–10Romans 12:11 Peter 2:5, 9Galatians 5:16–17Ephesians 6:111 Timothy 1:18–19Matthew 25:342 Timothy 2:12
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34

Why do you call him our Lord?

Because — not with gold or silver, but with his precious blood — he has set us free from sin and from the power of the devil, and has bought us, body and soul, to be his very own.

1 Peter 1:18–19Colossians 1:13–14Hebrews 2:14–151 Corinthians 6:201 Timothy 2:5–6
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35

What does it mean that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary?

That the eternal Son of God, who is and always will be true and eternal God, took on a real human nature through the Holy Spirit's work, from the flesh and blood of the virgin Mary. He became a true descendant of King David, and was like us in every way except that he never sinned.

John 1:1John 10:30–36Romans 1:3Romans 9:5Colossians 2:9Luke 1:35Matthew 1:18–23John 1:14Galatians 4:4Hebrews 2:142 Samuel 7:12–16Psalm 132:11Luke 1:32Romans 1:3Philippians 2:7Hebrews 2:17Hebrews 4:15Hebrews 7:26–27
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36

How does Jesus' holy birth help you?

He is our mediator (the one who goes between us and God), and because he is perfectly innocent and holy, he covers my sin — the sin I have had since I was born — so that God no longer sees it.

1 Timothy 2:5–6Hebrews 9:13–15Romans 8:3–42 Corinthians 5:21Galatians 4:4–51 Peter 1:18–19
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37

What do you mean by the word "suffered"?

That during his whole life on earth, and especially at the end, Christ carried in his body and soul God's anger against the sin of the whole human race. He did this as the only sacrifice that could take away sin, to set us free, body and soul, from being punished forever, and to win for us God's…

Isaiah 53:4–51 Peter 2:241 Peter 3:18Romans 3:25Hebrews 10:141 John 2:2Romans 8:1–4Galatians 3:13John 3:16Romans 3:24–26
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45

How does Christ's resurrection help us?

First, by rising from the dead he defeated death, so he could share with us the righteousness he won by dying. Second, by his power we are already raised to a new life right now. Third, Christ's resurrection is a guarantee that we too will be raised to glory.

Romans 4:251 Corinthians 15:16–201 Peter 1:3–5Romans 6:5–11Ephesians 2:4–6Colossians 3:1–4Romans 8:111 Corinthians 15:12–23Philippians 3:20–21
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49

How does Christ going up to heaven help us?

First, he speaks to his Father in heaven for us. Second, we have our own human nature in heaven — a sure promise that Christ our head will bring us, his people, to be with him there. Third, he sends his Spirit to us on earth as a further promise. By the Spirit's power, we set our hearts on the…

Romans 8:341 John 2:1John 14:2John 17:24Ephesians 2:4–6John 14:16Acts 2:332 Corinthians 1:21–222 Corinthians 5:5Colossians 3:1–4Philippians 3:14, 20
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52

How does it comfort you that Christ will come back to judge the living and the dead?

When I am going through hard times, I can look up to heaven and wait with confidence for the very one who already stood in my place before God and took away the whole curse from me. He will send all his and my enemies away to be punished forever. But he will take me and all his chosen people into…

Luke 21:28Romans 8:22–25Philippians 3:20–21Titus 2:13–14Matthew 25:31–462 Thessalonians 1:6–10
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53

What do you believe about the Holy Spirit?

First, he, together with the Father and the Son, is eternal God. Second, he has been given to me personally, so that through true faith he lets me share in Christ and all his blessings, comforts me, and will stay with me forever.

Genesis 1:1–2Matthew 28:19Acts 5:3–41 Corinthians 6:192 Corinthians 1:21–22Galatians 4:6Galatians 3:14John 15:26Acts 9:31John 14:16–171 Peter 4:14
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54

What do you believe about the holy catholic (universal) church?

I believe that the Son of God, through his Spirit and Word, gathers people from all over the world, from the beginning of time to the very end, and protects and keeps a community chosen for eternal life and united in true faith. And I am and always will be a living member of this community.

John 10:11Acts 20:28Ephesians 4:11–14Colossians 1:18Romans 1:16Romans 10:14–17Isaiah 59:21Genesis 26:4Revelation 5:9Isaiah 59:211 Corinthians 11:26Romans 8:29–30Ephesians 1:3–14Acts 2:42–471 John 3:14, 19–21
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55

What do you mean by "the communion of saints"?

First, that all believers share in Christ and in all his treasures and gifts. Second, that each person should gladly use their gifts to serve and help the others.

Romans 8:321 Corinthians 6:171 Corinthians 12:4–7, 12–131 John 1:3Romans 12:4–81 Corinthians 12:20–271 Corinthians 13:1–7Philippians 2:4–8
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56

What do you believe about the forgiveness of sins?

I believe that God, because of what Christ did, will never hold against me any of my sins or the sinful nature I struggle with all my life. Instead, by his grace, God gives me the righteousness of Christ so I am free from judgment forever.

Psalm 103:3–4, 10, 12Micah 7:18–192 Corinthians 5:18–211 John 1:71 John 2:2Romans 7:21–25John 3:17–18Romans 8:1–2
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60

How are you right with God?

Only by true faith in Jesus Christ. Even though I know I have broken all God's commandments and have never kept any of them perfectly, and even though I still want to do wrong, God — without me earning it at all, purely by grace, — imputed (credited) to me the perfect goodness, righteousness, and…

Romans 3:21–28Galatians 2:16Ephesians 2:8–9Philippians 3:8–11Romans 3:9–10Romans 7:23Titus 3:4–5Romans 3:24Ephesians 2:8Romans 4:3–52 Corinthians 5:17–19Romans 4:24–252 Corinthians 5:21John 3:18Acts 16:30–31Romans 3:28
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66

What are sacraments?

Sacraments are special signs that you can see, given by God to help us understand the promise of the gospel more clearly, and to put his seal on that promise. And God's gospel promise is this: he forgives our sins and gives us eternal life by grace alone, because of Christ's one sacrifice on the…

Genesis 17:11Deuteronomy 30:6Romans 4:11Matthew 26:27–28Acts 2:38Hebrews 10:10
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70

What does it mean to be washed with Christ's blood and Spirit?

To be washed with Christ's blood means that God, by grace, has forgiven my sins because Christ shed his blood for me on the cross. To be washed with Christ's Spirit means that the Holy Spirit has made me new and set me apart to belong to Christ, so that more and more I turn away from sin and live a…

Hebrews 12:241 Peter 1:2Revelation 1:5Revelation 7:14Zechariah 13:1John 3:5–8Romans 6:41 Corinthians 6:11Colossians 2:11–12
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73

Then why does the Holy Spirit call baptism "the washing of rebirth" and "the washing away of sins"?

God has a good reason for these words. He wants to teach us that Christ's blood and Spirit wash away our sins just as water washes dirt from our bodies. But even more importantly, he wants to assure us — by this special sign from God — that our sins really are washed away, just as really as water…

1 Corinthians 6:11Revelation 1:5Revelation 7:14Acts 2:38Romans 6:3–4Galatians 3:27
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74

Should babies be baptized too?

Yes. Babies as well as grown-ups belong to God's covenant and are his people. They are promised forgiveness of sin through Christ's blood and the Holy Spirit who creates faith. So by baptism, the sign of the covenant, babies should be welcomed into the Christian church and set apart from children…

Genesis 17:7Matthew 19:14Psalm 22:10Isaiah 44:1–3Acts 2:38–39Acts 16:31Acts 10:47Genesis 17:9–14Colossians 2:11–13
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76

What does it mean to eat Christ's body and drink his blood?

It means to believe with all your heart that Christ suffered and died for you, and so to receive forgiveness of sins and eternal life. It also means that through the Holy Spirit, who lives in both Christ and in us, we are joined more and more to Christ. Even though he is in heaven and we are on…

John 6:35, 40, 50–54John 6:55–561 Corinthians 12:13Ephesians 5:29–321 John 4:13John 6:56–58John 15:1–6Ephesians 4:15–16
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78

Do the bread and wine actually turn into Christ's real body and blood?

No. Just as the water of baptism does not turn into Christ's blood and does not actually wash away sins — it is simply God's sign and promise — so also the bread of the Lord's Supper does not turn into Christ's actual body, even though it is called the body of Christ, as is the way sacraments speak.

Ephesians 5:26Titus 3:5Matthew 26:26–29Genesis 17:10–11Exodus 12:11, 131 Corinthians 10:1–4
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80

How is the Lord's Supper different from the Roman Catholic Mass?

The Lord's Supper tells us that our sins have been completely forgiven through Jesus Christ's one sacrifice on the cross, once for all. It also tells us that the Holy Spirit joins us to Christ, who in his human body is now in heaven at the right hand of the Father, where he wants us to worship him.

Hebrews 7:27Hebrews 9:12, 25–28Hebrews 10:10–18John 19:301 Corinthians 6:171 Corinthians 10:16–17Acts 7:55–56Hebrews 1:3Hebrews 8:1Matthew 6:20–21John 4:21–24Philippians 3:20Colossians 3:1–3
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81

Who should come to the Lord's table?

Those who are sorry for their sins, but who trust that their sins are forgiven and that their weakness is covered by Christ's suffering and death. They also want to grow stronger in faith and to live a better life. But those who are not sorry for their sins and do not truly believe eat and drink…

1 Corinthians 10:19–221 Corinthians 11:26–32
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86

We are saved by grace through Christ without earning it. So why should we do good works?

Because Christ, who saved us with his blood, is also changing us by his Spirit to be more like him. We do good works so that with our whole lives we show God we are thankful for his gifts, so that God is praised through us, so that we can see by the fruits in our lives that our faith is real, and…

Romans 6:13Romans 12:1–21 Peter 2:5–10Matthew 5:161 Corinthians 6:19–20Matthew 7:17–18Galatians 5:22–242 Peter 1:10–11Matthew 5:14–16Romans 14:17–191 Peter 2:121 Peter 3:1–2
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91

What counts as truly good in God's eyes?

Only what comes from true faith, follows God's law, and is done for his glory — not what we think is right by ourselves or what is just a human tradition.

John 15:5Romans 14:23Hebrews 11:6Leviticus 18:41 Samuel 15:22Ephesians 2:101 Corinthians 10:31Deuteronomy 12:32Isaiah 29:13Ezekiel 20:18–19Matthew 15:7–9
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92

What does the Lord say in his law?

God spoke all these words: "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image. You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain. Remember the Sabbath day, to…

Exodus 20:1–17Deuteronomy 5:6–21
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94

What does God require in the first commandment?

That I avoid and stay away from all idolatry, magic, and superstition, and prayer to saints or other created things. That I truly know the only true God, trust him alone, look to him for every good thing with a humble and patient heart, love him, fear (have deep awe and reverence for) him, and…

1 Corinthians 6:9–101 Corinthians 10:5–141 John 5:21Leviticus 19:31Deuteronomy 18:9–12Matthew 4:10Revelation 19:10Revelation 22:8–9John 17:3Jeremiah 17:5, 7Psalm 104:27–28James 1:171 Peter 5:5–6Deuteronomy 6:5Matthew 22:37Deuteronomy 6:2Psalm 111:10Proverbs 9:10Matthew 10:28Deuteronomy 6:13Matthew 4:10Matthew 5:29–30Matthew 10:37–39
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97

May we make any image at all?

God cannot and should not be pictured in any way. Created things may be pictured, but God says we must not make or keep images if we plan to worship them or use them to worship God.

Exodus 34:13–14, 17Numbers 33:522 Kings 18:4–5
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99

What does God want from us in the third commandment?

That we never misuse God's name by cursing, lying under oath, or swearing when we don't need to, and that we don't stay quiet when others do these things. We should use God's holy name only with respect and awe, so that we honor him, pray to him, and praise him in everything we do and say.

Leviticus 24:10–17Leviticus 19:12Matthew 5:37James 5:12Leviticus 5:1Proverbs 29:24Psalm 99:1–5Isaiah 45:23Jeremiah 4:2Matthew 10:32–33Romans 10:9–10Psalm 50:14–151 Timothy 2:8Colossians 3:17Romans 2:24
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103

What does God want from you in the fourth commandment?

First, that the preaching of the gospel and teaching about it continue, and that, especially on the day of rest, I regularly go to church to learn what God's Word teaches, to take part in the sacraments, to pray together with God's people, and to give offerings to help the poor. Second, that every…

Deuteronomy 6:4–9, 20–251 Corinthians 9:13–142 Timothy 2:22 Timothy 3:13–17Titus 1:5Deuteronomy 12:5–12Psalm 40:9–10Psalm 68:26Acts 2:42–47Hebrews 10:23–25Romans 10:14–171 Corinthians 14:31–321 Timothy 4:131 Corinthians 11:23–25Colossians 3:161 Timothy 2:1Psalm 50:141 Corinthians 16:22 Corinthians 8–9Isaiah 66:23Hebrews 4:9–11
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104

What does God want from you in the fifth commandment?

That I honor, love, and be loyal to my father and mother and everyone in authority over me. That I obey them and accept their correction, and that I be patient with their weaknesses — because God has chosen to lead us through them.

Exodus 21:17Proverbs 1:8Proverbs 4:1Romans 13:1–2Ephesians 5:21–22Ephesians 6:1–9Colossians 3:18–4:1Proverbs 20:20Proverbs 23:221 Peter 2:18Matthew 22:21Romans 13:1–8Ephesians 6:1–9Colossians 3:18–21
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105

What does God want from you in the sixth commandment?

I must not put down, insult, hate, or kill my neighbor — not in my thoughts, my words, my looks, or my actions — and I must not go along with others who do. Instead, I must put away all desire for revenge. I must not harm or recklessly put myself in danger either. God also gave the government the…

Genesis 9:6Leviticus 19:17–18Matthew 5:21–22Matthew 26:52Proverbs 25:21–22Matthew 18:35Romans 12:19Ephesians 4:26Matthew 4:7Matthew 26:52Romans 13:11–14Genesis 9:6Exodus 21:14Romans 13:4
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107

Is it enough just to not kill our neighbor?

No. By condemning envy, hatred, and anger, God tells us to love our neighbors as ourselves, to be patient, peaceful, gentle, merciful, and friendly toward them, to protect them from harm as much as we can, and to do good even to our enemies.

Matthew 7:12Matthew 22:39Romans 12:10Ephesians 4:1–2Galatians 6:1–2Matthew 5:5, 7, 9Romans 12:18Luke 6:361 Peter 3:8Exodus 23:4–5Matthew 5:44–45Romans 12:20–21
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110

What does God forbid in the eighth commandment?

He forbids not only stealing and robbery that the law punishes, but in God's sight, theft also includes cheating people with tricks that seem fair, such as lying about sizes and weights, selling dishonestly, using fake money, or charging too much interest. He also forbids all greed and wasting the…

Exodus 22:11 Corinthians 5:9–101 Corinthians 6:9–10Luke 3:141 Thessalonians 4:6Deuteronomy 25:13–16Psalm 15:5Proverbs 11:1Proverbs 12:22Ezekiel 45:9–12Luke 6:35Luke 12:15Ephesians 5:5Proverbs 21:20Proverbs 23:20–21Luke 16:10–13
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112

What does the ninth commandment require?

That I never lie about anyone, twist anyone's words, gossip, or help condemn someone unfairly. Instead, I should avoid all lies and tricks — these are tools the devil uses, and they bring God's strong anger. I should love the truth, speak it openly, and admit it honestly. And I should do what I can…

Psalm 15Proverbs 19:5, 9Proverbs 21:28Leviticus 19:11–12Proverbs 12:22Proverbs 13:5John 8:44Revelation 21:81 Corinthians 13:6Ephesians 4:251 Peter 3:8–91 Peter 4:8
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115

Since nobody can perfectly obey the Ten Commandments in this life, why does God want them taught so strongly?

First, so that the longer we live, the more we see our sinfulness and eagerly look to Christ for forgiveness and righteousness. Second, so that while we pray for the grace of the Holy Spirit, we never stop trying to become more and more like God, until after this life we reach our goal: perfection.

Psalm 32:5Romans 3:19–26Romans 7:7, 24–251 John 1:91 Corinthians 9:24Philippians 3:12–141 John 3:1–3
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116

Why do Christians need to pray?

Because prayer is the most important part of the thankfulness God asks of us. And because God gives his grace and Holy Spirit only to those who keep praying and asking God for these gifts and thanking him for them.

Psalm 50:14–15Psalm 116:12–191 Thessalonians 5:16–18Matthew 7:7–8Luke 11:9–13
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117

How does God want us to pray so that he will listen?

First, we must pray from the heart to the one true God only, asking for what he has told us to ask for. Second, we must honestly admit our needs and not hide anything, coming humbly before our great God. Third, we must trust this solid promise: even though we don't deserve it, God will surely hear…

Psalm 145:18–20John 4:22–24Romans 8:26–27James 1:51 John 5:14–152 Chronicles 7:14Psalm 2:11Psalm 34:18Psalm 62:8Isaiah 66:2Revelation 4Daniel 9:17–18Matthew 7:8John 14:13–14John 16:23Romans 10:13James 1:6
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119

What is this prayer?

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the kingdom and the…

Matthew 6:9–13Luke 11:2–4
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120

Why did Christ tell us to call God "our Father"?

Right at the start of our prayer, Christ wants to fill our hearts with the childlike awe and trust that a child has for a parent. Through Christ, God has become our Father. And just as our parents give us what we need, even more will our Father in heaven give us what we ask for in faith.

Matthew 7:9–11Luke 11:11–13
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122

What does the first request mean?

"Hallowed be your name" means: Help us to truly know you, to worship and praise you for everything you do — your power, wisdom, kindness, justice, mercy, and faithfulness. Help us to live in such a way that your name is never dishonored because of us, but is always honored and praised.

John 17:3Jeremiah 9:24Jeremiah 31:33–34Matthew 16:17Exodus 34:5–8Psalm 145Jeremiah 32:16–20Luke 1:46–55, 68–75Romans 11:33–36Psalm 115:1Matthew 5:16
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123

What does the second request mean?

"Your kingdom come" means: Rule us by your Word and Spirit so that more and more we follow you. Keep your church strong and help it grow. Destroy the devil's work and every power that fights against you and your Word. Do this until your kingdom is complete and perfect, and you are all in all.

Psalm 119:5, 105Psalm 143:10Matthew 6:33Psalm 122:6–9Matthew 24:14Acts 2:42–471 Corinthians 12:22–31Romans 16:201 John 3:8Romans 8:22–231 Corinthians 15:28Revelation 22:17, 20
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124

What does the third request mean?

"Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven" means: Help us and all people to say no to our own selfish wishes and to obey your will instead, because your will alone is good. Help all of us to do the work you have given us as willingly and faithfully as the angels do in heaven.

Matthew 7:21Matthew 16:24–26Luke 22:42Romans 12:1–2Titus 2:11–121 Corinthians 7:17–24Ephesians 6:5–9Psalm 103:20–21
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125

What does the fourth request mean?

"Give us today our daily bread" means: Please take care of all our physical needs so we learn that you are the only source of everything good. Neither our hard work nor your gifts can help us without your blessing. Help us to stop trusting in other things and to put our trust in you alone.

Psalm 104:27–28Psalm 145:15–16Matthew 6:25–34Acts 14:17Acts 17:25James 1:17Deuteronomy 8:3Psalm 37:16Psalm 127:1–21 Corinthians 15:58Psalm 55:22Psalm 62Psalm 146Jeremiah 17:5–8Hebrews 13:5–6
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126

What does the fifth request mean?

"Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors" means: Because of Christ's blood, please do not hold any of our sins against us — we are poor sinners, and evil always clings to us. And forgive us, just as we are determined to forgive other people, showing that your grace is working in…

Psalm 51:1–7Psalm 143:2Romans 8:11 John 2:1Matthew 6:14–15Matthew 18:21–35
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What does the sixth request mean?

"And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one" means: On our own, we are too weak to stand even for a moment. Our enemies — the devil, the world, and our own sinful desires — never stop attacking us. So, Lord, hold us up and make us strong by the power of your Holy Spirit, so…

Psalm 103:14–16John 15:1–52 Corinthians 11:14Ephesians 6:10–131 Peter 5:8John 15:18–21Romans 7:23Galatians 5:17Matthew 10:19–20Matthew 26:41Mark 13:33Romans 5:3–51 Corinthians 10:131 Thessalonians 3:131 Thessalonians 5:23
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What does the ending of this prayer mean?

"For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever" means: We pray all these things to you because, as our all-powerful king, you not only want to give us all that is good but are able to do it. And all praise should go to your holy name, not to us, forever and ever.

Romans 10:11–132 Peter 2:9Psalm 115:1John 14:13
Scripture proofs & commentary