Memorize the Bible Verse of the Week, the Catechism Memory Work by noted grade levels, and the first stanza of the Hymn of the Week.
The Hymn of the Week will be sung in Chapel and is encouraged for use in family daily devotions.
Catechism questions are taken from the 2018 Luther's Small Catechism with Explanations (Concordia Publishing House: St. Louis, 2018)
[Preschool +] "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth."
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.
[Preschool +] What does this mean?
[First Grade +] I believe that God has made me and all creatures; that He has given me my body and soul, eyes, ears, and all my members, my reason and all my senses, and still takes care of them.
The God of Abr'ham praise, Who reigns enthroned above;
Ancient of everlasting days And God of love. Jehovah, great I AM!
By earth and heav'n confessed; I bow and bless the sacred name Forever blest.
1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his pinions,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
5 You will not fear the terror of the night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8 You will only look with your eyes
and see the recompense of the wicked.
9 Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place—
the Most High, who is my refuge—
10 no evil shall be allowed to befall you,
no plague come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways.
12 On their hands they will bear you up,
lest you strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the adder;
the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.
14 “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him;
I will protect him, because he knows my name.
15 When he calls to me, I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”
[Preschool +] For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.
What does God say about all these commandments?
[First Grade +] He says: “I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments.” Exodus 20:5-6 What does this mean?
[Second Grade +] God threatens to punish all who break these commandments. Therefore, we should fear His wrath and not do anything against them. But He promises grace and every blessing to all who keep these commandments. Therefore, we should also love and trust in Him and gladly do what He commands.
God's own child, I gladly say it: I am baptized into Christ!
He, because I could not pay it, Gave my full redemption price.
Do I need earth's treasures many?
I have one worth more than any that brought me salvation free
Lasting to eternity.
1 Praise the Lord!
Praise, O servants of the Lord,
praise the name of the Lord!
2 Blessed be the name of the Lord
from this time forth and forevermore!
3 From the rising of the sun to its setting,
the name of the Lord is to be praised!
4 The Lord is high above all nations,
and his glory above the heavens!
5 Who is like the Lord our God,
who is seated on high,
6 who looks far down
on the heavens and the earth?
7 He raises the poor from the dust
and lifts the needy from the ash heap,
8 to make them sit with princes,
with the princes of his people.
9 He gives the barren woman a home,
making her the joyous mother of children.
Praise the Lord!
[Preschool +] And he said to them, "Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."
What is the Ninth Commandment?
[Preschool +] You shall not covet your neighbor’s house.
What does this mean?
[Second Grade +] We should fear and love God so that we do not scheme to get our neighbor’s inheritance or house, or get it in a way which only appears right, but help and be of service to him in keeping it.
What is the Tenth Commandment?
[Preschool +] You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.
What does this mean?
[Second Grade +] We should fear and love God so that we do not entice or force away our neighbor’s wife, workers, or animals, or turn them against him, but urge them to stay and do their duty.
Hymn of the Week – LSB 818 In Thee Is Gladness
In Thee is gladness Amid all sadness, Jesus, sunshine of my heart.
By Thee are given The gifts of heaven, Thou the true Redeemer art.
Our souls Thou wakest, Our bonds Thou breakest;
Who trusts Thee surely Has built securely; He stands forever: Alleluia!
Our hearts are pining To see Thy shining,
Dying or living To Thee are cleaving; Naught can us sever: Alleluia!
169 Let my cry come before you, O Lord; give me understanding according to your word!
170 Let my plea come before you; deliver me according to your word.
171 My lips will pour forth praise, for you teach me your statutes.
172 My tongue will sing of your word, for all your commandments are right.
173 Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts.
174 I long for your salvation, O Lord, and your law is my delight.
175 Let my soul live and praise you, and let your rules help me.
176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant, for I do not forget your commandments.
[Preschool +] The wicked borrows but does not pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives.
What is the Seventh Commandment?
[Preschool +] You shall not steal.
What does this mean?
[First Grade +] We should fear and love God so that we do not take our neighbor’s money or possessions, or get them in any dishonest way, but help him to improve and protect his possessions and income.
What is the Eighth Commandment?
[Preschool +] You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
What does this mean?
[Second Grade +] We should fear and love God so that we do not tell lies about our neighbor, betray him, slander him, or hurt his reputation, but defend him, speak well of him, and explain everything in the kindest way.
Come, let us join our cheerful songs
With angels round the throne;
Ten thousand thousand are their tongues
But all their joys are one.