To Be a Christian: The Anglican Catechism in a Year

Today is day 339 and we are studying The Ninth Commandment. 339. What is the ninth commandment? The ninth commandment is “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” (Exodus 20:16; Deuteronomy 5:20) We will conclude today by praying The Decalogue found on page 100 of the Book of Common Prayer (2019). If you would like to buy or download To Be a Christian, head to anglicanchurch.net/ca...

Today is day 338 and we are studying The Eighth Commandment. 338. What is an appropriate standard of giving for you as a Christian? A “tithe,” which is 10 percent of my income, is the minimum standard of giving for the work of God’s Church and the spread of his kingdom; yet I should generously give of all that God has entrusted to me. (Genesis 14:17–20; Leviticus 27:30–33; Deuteronomy 14:22–29; Ma...

Today is day 337 and we are studying The Eighth Commandment. 337. As God’s steward, how are you commanded to use your possessions? As I am able, I should earn my own living, care for my dependents, and give to the poor. I should use all my possessions to the glory of God and the good of creation. (Deuteronomy 15:11; Psalm 41:1; Proverbs 30:8–9; Isaiah 58:6–7; Matthew 25:14–30; Luke 14:13; Ephesian...

Today is day 336 and we are studying The Eighth Commandment.336. How does this commandment teach you to view your possessions? God desires that I be content, responsible, and generous with what he has given me. Everything I own I hold in trust as God’s steward, to cultivate and use for his glory and my neighbor’s good. (Genesis 1:28–31; Leviticus 25; Psalm 37:16; Proverbs 16:8; Luke 12:32–34; 1 Ti...

Today is day 335 and we are studying The Eighth Commandment. 335. What did Jesus teach about this commandment? Jesus taught that I cannot serve God and be a slave to greed. I should seek first his will and rule, and trust that he will provide for my needs. (Matthew 6:19–24; Luke 12:13–34) We will conclude today by praying The Pe Stanza of Psalm 119 which is verses 129-136 found on page 436 of the...

Today is day 334 and we are studying The Eighth Commandment. 334. What things besides property can you steal? I can steal or defraud others of wages, identity, credit, or intellectual property; cheat in school or on my taxes; or fail to pay my debts. I must repay and, to the best of my ability, restore what I have stolen. (Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 24:10–15, 17–22; Proverbs 20:23; Jeremiah 22:13; M...

Today is day 333 and we are studying The Eighth Commandment. 333. How did God teach Israel to respect the property of others? God required restitution when property was stolen or destroyed; and he forbade unjust loans and oppression of the poor. (Exodus 21:33–22:15; Leviticus 25:35–37; Psalm 37:21–22) We will conclude today by praying The Ayin Stanza of Psalm 119 which is verses 121-128 found on p...

Today is day 332 and we are studying The Eighth Commandment. 332. Why does God forbid stealing? God is Creator and Lord of this world, and all things come from him. Therefore, I must never take what God has not entrusted to me. (Exodus 23:19a; Leviticus 19:10–11a, 23–25; 1 Chronicles 29:14; Psalms 24:1–2; 50:7–12; Romans 13:9; Ephesians 4:28) We will conclude today by praying Proper 9 found on pag...

Today is day 331 and we are studying The Eighth Commandment. 331. What is stealing? Stealing is the unauthorized and willful taking of what rightly belongs to another. (Joshua 7:10–26; Proverbs 1:10–19; Luke 19:1–10; Acts 5:1–11) We will conclude today by praying Proper 26 found on page 622 of the Book of Common Prayer (2019). If you would like to buy or download To Be a Christian, head to anglica...

Today is day 330 and we are studying The Eighth Commandment. 330. What is the eighth commandment? The eighth commandment is “You shall not steal.” (Exodus 20:15; Deuteronomy 5:19) We will conclude today by praying The Decalogue found on page 100 of the Book of Common Prayer (2019). If you would like to buy or download To Be a Christian, head to anglicanchurch.net/catechism . Produced by Holy Trini...

Today is day 329 and we are studying The Seventh Commandment. 329. How else is the seventh commandment broken? Violations of this law include sexual harassment and abuse, rape, incest, pedophilia, bestiality, same-sex sexual acts, prostitution, pornography, and any other form of lust in thought, word, or deed. (Leviticus 18:6–30; Matthew 5:27–28; Romans 1:24–28) We will conclude today by praying P...

Today is day 328 and we are studying The Seventh Commandment. 328. Are some called to lifelong celibacy? Yes. God calls some to an unmarried life of faithfulness and chastity. This calling enables them to devote their lives to God’s service without the responsibilities of marriage and family. (Matthew 19:10–12; 1 Corinthians 7:32–35) We will conclude today by praying Prayer 52.For Those We Love an...

Today is day 327 and we are studying The Seventh Commandment. 327. How should a single person keep the seventh commandment? Those who are single should honor as holy their own bodies and those of others by refraining from sexual acts, lewd speech, or lustful thoughts. They should nurture chaste and loyal friendships, and uphold the common life of their families, fellowships, and churches. (1 Corin...

Today is day 326 and we are studying The Seventh Commandment. 326. Is divorce ever permitted? The New Testament permits divorce in some cases; however, out of love for his people, God hates divorce because it severs what he has joined, causes immeasurable pain, and destroys family life. (Matthew 5:31–32; 19:7–9; 1 Corinthians 7:10–16) We will conclude today by praying Prayer 42.For the Human Famil...

Today is day 325 and we are studying The Seventh Commandment. 325. What else did Jesus teach concerning this commandment? Jesus also taught that divorce violates God’s intention for marriage. (Matthew 19:1–9; Mark 10:1–12) We will conclude today by praying the Samekh Stanza of Psalm 119 which is verses 113-120 found on page 435 of the Book of Common Prayer (2019). If you would like to buy or downl...

Today is day 324 and we are studying The Seventh Commandment. 324. Why does God forbid adultery? Adultery is a sin against one’s spouse or spouse-to-be; against the sexual partners with whom it is committed; against their children, family, and friends; against human society by undermining the institution of marriage; and against God, in whose Name marriage vows are made. (2 Samuel 11:2–12:14; Prov...

Today is day 323 and we are studying The Seventh Commandment. 322. What is marriage? God ordained marriage for the procreation of children to be brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord; for a remedy against sin and to avoid sexual immorality; for mutual friendship, help, and comfort, both in prosperity and in adversity; and for the benefit of family, church, and society. (Genesis 1:28...

Today is day 322 and we are studying The Seventh Commandment. 322. What is marriage? Marriage is the exclusive, lifelong, covenantal union of love between one man and one woman, and a reflection of the faithful love that unites God and his people. Marriage is therefore holy and should “be held in honor among all.” (Hebrews 13:4; see also Genesis 2:18–24; Matthew 19:4–6; Ephesians 5:21–33; see ques...

Today is day 321 and we are studying The Seventh Commandment. 321. How do you benefit from chastity? Chastity establishes wise and godly boundaries that enable me to give freely of myself in friendship, avoid difficulty in marriage, and experience the freedom of integrity before God. (Genesis 39:19–23; Proverbs 11:5–6; Matthew 5:8; 1 Corinthians 7:25–40) We will conclude today by praying the Nun S...

Today is day 320 and we are studying The Seventh Commandment. 320. What does it mean for you to be chaste? Whether I am married or single, it means I will love and honor others as image bearers of God, not as objects of lust and sexual gratification, and I will refrain from all sexual acts outside of marriage. (Genesis 39:6b–12; Proverbs 6:25–28; Matthew 5:29–30; Philippians 4:8; 1 Thessalonians 4...

Today is day 319 and we are studying The Seventh Commandment. 319. What did Jesus teach about adultery? Jesus taught that even to look at another person with lust violates this commandment. Adultery begins with a lustful heart, but the Lord calls us to be chaste. (Matthew 5:27–28) We will conclude today by praying Proper 1 found on page 615 of the Book of Common Prayer (2019). If you would like to...

Today is day 318 and we are studying The Seventh Commandment. 318. What is adultery? Adultery is any sexual intimacy between persons not married to each other, at least one of whom is married to another. (Leviticus 20:10; Romans 7:2–3) We will conclude today by praying the Mem stanza of Psalm 119 which is verses 97-104 of the Book of Common Prayer (2019). If you would like to buy or download To Be...

Today is day 317 and we are studying The Seventh Commandment. 317. What is the seventh commandment? The seventh commandment is “You shall not commit adultery.” (Exodus 20:14; Deuteronomy 5:18; see also Proverbs 6:32; Hebrews 13:4) We will conclude today by praying the Decalogue found on page 100 of the Book of Common Prayer (2019). If you would like to buy or download To Be a Christian, head to an...

Today is day 316 and we are studying The Sixth Commandment. 316. How else can you obey this commandment? As a witness to the Gospel and a follower of Christ, I can also keep this commandment by forgiving those who wrong me, patiently refraining from ungodly anger and hateful words; defending the unborn, vulnerable, and oppressed; rescuing those who harm themselves; and seeking the well-being of al...

Today is day 315 and we are studying The Sixth Commandment. 315. How did Christ cause life to flourish? Jesus sought the well-being of all who came to him: he healed the sick, fed the hungry, cast out demons, raised the dead, preached good news, forgave his enemies, and offered his life to redeem ours. (Isaiah 53:4–5; Matthew 4:13–17; Luke 4:17–21; 7:20–22; 23:32–34; Acts 10:34–42) We will conclud...