To Be a Christian: The Anglican Catechism in a Year

Today is day 314 and we are studying The Sixth Commandment. 314. How should Christians understand the value of life? There are circumstances in which justice, the protection of the weak and defenseless, and the preservation of life may require acts of violence. It is the particular task of government to uphold these principles in society. However, our Lord calls us to show mercy and to return evil...

Today is day 313 and we are studying The Sixth Commandment. 313. Is it always wrong to harm or kill another? There are circumstances in which justice, the protection of the weak and defenseless, and the preservation of life may require acts of violence. It is the particular task of government to uphold these principles in society. However, our Lord calls us to show mercy and to return evil with go...

Today is day 312 and we are studying The Sixth Commandment. 312. Is anger always sinful? While godly anger is a just response to wickedness and injustice, we are more often led into ungodly anger by fear, pride, and revenge. We should therefore be slow to anger and quick to forgive. (Psalm 103:8–9; Proverbs 15:18; 16:32; 19:11; Micah 7:18; John 2:13–17; Ephesians 4:26–27, 31–32; James 1:19–20) We...

Today is day 311 and we are studying The Sixth Commandment. 311. How did Jesus extend the law against murder? Jesus taught that this commandment also forbids the vice of ungodly anger. A murderous heart can lead to hatred, threatening words, violent acts, and murder itself, and is counter to God’s life-affirming love. (Leviticus 19:17–18; Matthew 5:21–22, 43–45; 15:18–20; 1 John 3:15) We will conc...

Today is day 310 and we are studying The Sixth Commandment. 310. What other actions are considered murder? Genocide, infanticide, abortion, suicide, and euthanasia are all forms of murder. Sins of murderous intent include physical and emotional abuse, abandonment, willful negligence, and wanton recklessness. (Exodus 1:15–22; 21:28–30; 2 Kings 17:16–18; Psalm 139:13–16; Amos 1:13–15; Acts 9:1–2; Di...

Today is day 309 and we are studying The Sixth Commandment. 309. Why does God prohibit murder? Because every human being is made in God’s image, all human life is sacred, from conception to natural death. Therefore, I may not take the life of others unjustly. (Genesis 9:6; Deuteronomy 19:4–13; Psalm 94:1–7; Isaiah 46:3–4; Romans 12:19–21) We will conclude today by praying Prayer 43.For Social Just...

Today is day 308 and we are studying The Sixth Commandment. 308. What is murder? Murder is the willful and unjust taking of human life. (Genesis 4:1–10; Deuteronomy 19:4–13; Acts 7:54–8:3) We will conclude today by praying Yodh stanza of Psalm 119 which is verses 73-80 found on page 432 of the Book of Common Prayer (2019). If you would like to buy or download To Be a Christian, head to anglicanchu...

Today is day 307 and we are studying The Sixth Commandment. 307. What is the sixth commandment? The sixth commandment is “You shall not murder.” (Exodus 20:13; Deuteronomy 5:17) 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 Trinity...

Today is day 306 and we are studying The Fifth Commandment. 306. Does earthly authority have limits? Yes. All authority comes from God, the King of kings, who expects me to love, honor, and obey him above all earthly authorities whenever they command me to sin. (Exodus 1:15–21; Daniel 3:4–6,16–18; Matthew 23:1–4; Acts 5:27–29; Revelation 18:1–4) We will conclude today by praying Prayer 37.For the...

Today is day 305 and we are studying The Fifth Commandment. 305. What blessings result from obeying the fifth commandment? Submission to God’s appointed earthly authorities helps me to resist pride and grow in humility, and promotes the justice and peace (shalom)of society in which human life flourishes. (Exodus 20:12; 1 Chronicles 29:23; Proverbs 10:17; Romans 13:1–4; Hebrews 13:17) We will concl...

Today is day 304 and we are studying The Fifth Commandment. 304. How else do you love God in light of the fifth commandment? I also keep the fifth commandment by showing respect for teachers and elders; by obeying, as far as is lawful, those who hold authority in the Church, my employment, and civil government; and by conducting myself in all things with reverent humility before God and my neighbo...

Today is day 303 and we are studying The Fifth Commandment. 303. How did Jesus keep the fifth commandment? As a child, Jesus obeyed Joseph and Mary; on the Cross, he provided for his mother by entrusting her to his disciple’s care; in his life, he obeyed the lawful requirements of the civil and religious authorities; and in all things he sought to do his Father’s will. (Luke 2:39–52; John 10:22–39...

Today is day 302 and we are studying The Fifth Commandment. 302. How should parents treat their children? Earthly fathers and mothers should represent to their children the loving care of our heavenly Father by nurturing and protecting them, teaching and modeling to them the Christian faith and life, guiding and assisting them in education, and encouraging them in their lives and vocations. (Genes...

Today is day 301 and we are studying The Fifth Commandment. 301. What does it mean to honor your father and mother? I should love, serve, respect, and care for my parents all their lives, and should obey them in all things that are reasonable and conform to God’s Law. (Genesis 45:7–13; Proverbs 6:20–22; 20:20; 23:22; Ephesians 6:1–3; Colossians 3:20) We will conclude today by praying Prayer 65.For...

Today is day 300 and we are studying The Fifth Commandment. 300. What is the Fifth commandment? The fifth commandment is “Honor your father and your mother.” (Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16) We will conclude today by praying the Decalogue found on page 10 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...

Today is day 299 and we are studying The Fourth Commandment. 299. How does keeping the Sabbath help you to grow in Christ? As I keep a weekly day of rest and worship, my faith in God my Creator is strengthened, my hope in God my Provider is renewed, and my love for God my Redeemer is deepened. (Exodus 16:1–30; Psalm 127:1–2; Hebrews 10:19–25) We will conclude today by praying Prayer 88.For Daily G...

Today is day 298 and we are studying The Fourth Commandment. 298. What does the Sabbath teach you about time? Through an ordered life of weekly worship and rest throughout the Christian year, and by a regular pattern of daily prayer, I learn that time belongs to God and is ordered by him. (Genesis 1:14–15; Leviticus 23; Psalms 92:1–4; 119:164; Acts 3:1; Hebrews 10:25) We will conclude today by pra...

Today is day 297 and we are studying The Fourth Commandment. 297. Why does the Church worship on the first day of the week rather than the seventh? The earliest Christians came to observe Sunday as “the Lord’s Day” (Revelation 1:10)for their primary day of worship in remembrance of Jesus’ resurrection on the first day of the week. (Luke 24:1–7; Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2; Didache 14.1; Ignatius...

Today is day 296 and we are studying The Fourth Commandment. 296. What does this commandment teach you about work? My work is a gift of God that can grant me provision and satisfaction, and serve the common good, but it neither defines my life nor rules over it. I am thereby freed from resentment and sloth to work diligently and with joy for God’s glory. (Genesis 2:15; Exodus 20:9–11; Psalm 128; P...

Today is day 295 and we are studying The Fourth Commandment. 295. How do you keep the Sabbath? I cease from all unnecessary work; rest physically, mentally, and spiritually; and join with my family and church in worship, fellowship, and works of love. (Psalm 92; Isaiah 58:13–14; Matthew 12:12; Colossians 2:16–23) We will conclude today by praying the Collect for the Third Sunday in Lent found on p...

Today is day 294 and we are studying The Fourth Commandment. 294. How does the Sabbath serve as a promise for the future of God’s people? When the Church is perfected in Christ, all believers will dwell in God’s new creation, free from sin and its curse, and eternally united to God in love, adoration, and joy. This will be our unending Sabbath rest. (Psalm 132; Isaiah 66:22–23; Colossians 2:16–19;...

Today is day 293 and we are studying The Fourth Commandment. 293. How did Jesus teach us to keep the Sabbath? As Lord of the Sabbath, Jesus taught us to keep it not merely as a duty, but as a gift of God to be received with joy and extended to others through acts of love and hospitality. (Mark 2:23–3:6; Luke 13:10–16) We will conclude today by praying the Invocation and Part I of Canticle 10 found...

Today is day 292 and we are studying The Fourth Commandment. 292. Why was Israel to rest on the Sabbath? Israel was called to rest in remembrance that God had freed them from slavery and that God rested from his work of creation, bringing joyful balance and rhythm to life, work, and worship. (Genesis 2:1–2; Exodus 20:11; 23:12; Deuteronomy 5:12–15) We will conclude today by praying the Heth Stanza...

Today is day 291 and we are studying The Fourth Commandment. 291. What does it mean to keep the Sabbath day holy? “Sabbath” is from the Hebrew shabbath, which means “rest.” “Holy” means “set apart” for God’s purposes. God commanded Israel to set apart each seventh day, following six days of work, for rest and worship. (Genesis 2:2; Exodus 31:12–17; Psalm 23:1–3; Mark 1:21–22) We will conclude toda...

Today is day 290 and we are studying The Fourth Commandment. 290. What is the fourth commandment? The fourth commandment is “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” (Exodus 20:8–10; see also Deuteronomy 5:12–14) 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.ne...