by heart
Conversations with
Martin Luther's
Small Catechism
Adult Study
September 2023 – May 2024
By Heart is resource we are using this year to study Martin Luther’s Small Catechism.
We have assigned readings for each week that can be used in small groups, Bible studies, and with individual families.
Luther wrote the Small Catechism to help people learn the basics of the faith and identified five chief elements that are important for the Christian life:
The Ten Commandments
The Apostles’ Creed
The Lord’s Prayer
The Sacrament of Baptism
The Sacrament of Altar
Growing up Lutheran, many of us were encouraged to memorize these portions of the Small Catechism and to recite them “by heart” before the pastor and/or the congregation.
While we are not requiring anyone to memorize the Small Catechism, we do hope that these basics of the Christian faith will be known by you by heart by the end of our year of study.
In Christ,
Pastor John D. Morris
Contact Pastor John or Pastor Tim if you have any questions.
By Heart 2023-2024 Reading Schedule
Week of |
| Pages | |
|---|---|---|---|
Intro/Story of the Small Catechism (3 units) | |||
September 10 | Book Introduction | 7-15 | |
September 17 | Introduction to Catechism | 17-32 | |
September 24 | Small Catechism/Reformation | 33-41 | |
Ten Commandments (5 units) | |||
October 1 | Commandments to Mercy Seat | 43-50 | |
October 8 | I, II, III Commandments | 51-57 | |
October 15 | IV & V Commandments | 58-64 | |
October 22 | VI & VII Commandments | 64-70 | |
October 29 | VIII, IX, X Commandments | 70-75 | |
Apostles Creed (4 units) | |||
November 5 | What is a Creed? | 77-81 | |
November 12 | First Article | 81-86 | |
November 19-25 | No Class (Thanksgiving Week) | ||
November 26 | Second Article | 87-92 | |
December 3 | Third Article | 92-97 | |
December 10 | Daily Prayer | 171-178 | |
Dec 17 - Jan 10 | No Class (Christmas Break) | ||
Lord's Prayer (5 units) | |||
January 14 | Praying in Luther's Time | 99-105 | |
January 21 | Luther and the Lord's Prayer | 105-108 | |
January 28 | I, II, III Petitions | 108-113 | |
February 4 | IV, V, VI Petitions | 113-119 | |
February 11 | VII Petition/Conclusion | 120 - 122 | |
February 14 | No Wednesday Class (Ash Wednesday) | ||
Baptism and Confession (5 units) | |||
Wednesday Lenten Meals | |||
February 18 | Intro/Context/Baptism | 123-132 | |
February 25 | Gifts of Baptism | 132-135 | |
March 3 | Water and Such Things? | 135-138 | |
March 10 | Significance | 138-142 | |
March 17 | Confession | 143-147 | |
March 24-April 6 | No Class (Holy Week & Easter) | ||
Holy Communion (5 units) | |||
April 7 | Sacrament of Altar | 149-155 | |
April 14 | Body of Christ/Small Matters | 156-160 | |
April 21 | Central Idea = Gift | 161-162 | |
Apri 28 | What and How? | 162-164 | |
May 5 | Worthy Reception | 164-170 | |
May 12 | Household Chart | 179-205 | |
WEEKLY BIBLE STUDY & DISCUSSION TIMES
Men's Ministry
Mondays, 7:30 pm
Meets every other week in the Conference room, beginning on Monday, September 18.
Tuesday Zoom
Tuesdays, 6 pm
Zoom Link
Meeting ID: 835 5207 4153
Passcode: 446741
This study is a Zoom only study. It is recorded. You can listen to it on our YouTube Channel.
Wednesday Morning Women's Bible Study
Wednesdays, 9:15 - 10:30 am
Choir Room (Old Chapel)
Wednesday Evening (Pastor Led) Discussion
Wednesdays, 6 pm
Fellowship Hall
Thursday Morning Pastor's Bible Study
Thursdays, 11 am
Upstairs Meeting Room
EMAIL updates
Prince of Peace 2026 © All Right Reserved. Accessibility Statement