Catechisma

The Ten Commandments

Q5. What is the Third Commandment?

Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.

Scripture Proofs — King James Version

1

Exodus 20:8

Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

Deuteronomy 5:12

Keep the sabbath day to sanctify it, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee.

Parent Guide

Discuss this question together

Discussion Questions

  1. 1

    What does the Third Commandment tell us to do with the Sabbath day?

  2. 2

    Why do you think God set aside a whole day for rest and his Word?

  3. 3

    What makes it hard for you to pay attention in church or during Bible reading?

Illustration

A plant that never gets watered will dry up and die. It does not matter how good the soil is. Sunday worship and hearing God's Word are like water for your faith. Go too long without it and your soul starts to dry out. God did not give you the Sabbath because he needs something from you. He gave it because you need something from him.

Application

This Sunday, choose one thing from the sermon or Bible reading to remember. Tell a parent or sibling what it was over lunch. Ask God to help you hold his Word sacred and be glad to hear it.

Read Luther’s expanded teaching

From the Large Catechism (1529)