Northwoods Table Talk

  Lection for Trinity X 1 Samuel 6:1-19        1 Corinthians 9:1-23   Luther’s Small Catechism was written to equip ‘the head of the household’ to teach the basics of the Christian faith. After the “First Section” of the Catechism, what has come to be called “the Six Chief Parts,” we come to the second section. This section is entitled, “Daily Prayers” and is supposed to be just that, instruction on ho we should pray.   It is true that too many people do not know what or how to pray, thinking the ex corde prayer (from the heart prayer) is what they are supposed to do. Well, maybe not – especially if being afraid to pray because we do not know what to pray, keeps us from praying altogether.   In “Daily Prayers” Luther instructs how to pray in the morning, evening, and before meals (asking a blessing) and after meals (returning thanks).   I pray you mark this devotion, or cut and paste it so that you can use it each day to instruct you in your...

Lection for Friday Trinity IX 2 Samuel 1:1-27        1 Corinthians 7:25-40 Luther’s Small Catechism was written to equip ‘the head of the household’ to teach the basics of the Christian faith. What we call the Six Chief Parts was intended also to be devotional, one part prayed on each day of the week to prepare for coming to the Sacrament on Sunday. So, today’s devotion is actually that which was intended to be read/prayed on Friday. Knowing the perfect and holy Law of God revealed to us in the three persons of the Trinity to Whom we come in prayer, we now rejoice in the gifts that Christ purchased, and delivers to us. It is by the lips of pastors that Christ grants His authority to forgive the sins of those who confess their sins, and trust in the work of Christ. Luther also gives a brief form for private confession. At a later date, Luther also wrote of the “Office of the Keys” and this too was added to later versions of the Catechis, Today’s devotion...

Lection for Thursday Trinity IX 1 Samuel 31:1-13       1 Corinthians 7:1-24 Luther’s Small Catechism was written to equip ‘the head of the household’ to teach the basics of the Christian faith. What we call the Six Chief Parts was intended also to be devotional, one part prayed on each day of the week to prepare for coming to the Sacrament on Sunday. So, today’s devotion is actually that which was intended to be read/prayed on Thursday. Knowing the perfect and holy Law of God revealed to us in the three persons of the Trinity to Whom we come in prayer, we now rejoice in the gifts that Christ purchased, and delivers to us – today remembering and rejoicing in the miraculous waters of Holy Baptism. Today’s devotion is from Luther's Small Catechism The Sacrament of Holy Baptism AS THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY SHOULD TEACH IT IN A SIMPLE WAY TO HIS HOUSEHOLD First What is Baptism? Baptism is not just plain water, but it is the water included in God’s comma...

Lection for Wednesday Trinity IX 1 Samuel 28:3-25        1 Corinthians 6:1-20 Luther’s Small Catechism was written to equip ‘the head of the household’ to teach the basics of the Christian faith. What we call the Six Chief Parts was intended also to be devotional, one part prayed on each day of the week to prepare for coming to the Sacrament on Sunday. So, today’s devotion is actually that which was intended to be read/prayed on Tuesday. Monday we considered the perfect and holy Law of God. Tuesday we considered the work of God as revealed in the three persons of the Trinity. Today we consider that our God desires us to come to Him in prayer, led to pray according to His will, knowing that He will indeed grant all our petitions prayed in His will. Today’s devotion is from Luther's Small Catechism   The Lord’s Prayer AS THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY SHOULD TEACH IT IN A SIMPLE WAY TO HIS HOUSEHOLD Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy nam...

Lection for Tuesday Trinity IX 1 Samuel 26:1-25        1 Corinthians 5:1-13 Luther’s Small Catechism was written to equip ‘the head of the household’ to teach the basics of the Christian faith. What we call the Six Chief Parts was intended also to be devotional, one part prayed on each day of the week to prepare for coming to the Sacrament on Sunday. So, today’s devotion is actually that which was intended to be read/prayed on Tuesday. Monday we considered the perfect and holy Law of God. Today we consider the work of God as revealed in the three persons of the Trinity. Today’s devotion is from Luther's Small Catechism   The Creed AS THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY SHOULD TEACH IT IN A SIMPLE WAY TO HIS HOUSEHOLD 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 memb...

Lection for Monday Trinity IX 1 Samuel 25:23-44       1 Corinthians 4:1-2 Luther’s  Small Catechism  was written to equip ‘the head of the household’ to teach the basics of the Christian faith. What we call the  Six Chief Parts  was intended also to be devotional, one part prayed on each day of the week to prepare for coming to the Sacrament on Sunday. So, today’s devotion is actually that which was intended to be read/prayed on Monday. Today’s devotion is from Luther's  Small 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, use satanic arts, lie, or deceive by His name, but ca...