To Be a Christian: The Anglican Catechism in a Year

Today is day 167 and we are on the section on The Address: "Our Father Who art in Heaven". 167. Why does Jesus teach us to pray “our” Father? Jesus teaches us always to understand ourselves not only as individuals but as members of God’s family of believers, and to pray accordingly. (Psalm 147; Romans 8:14–19; 1 Peter 1:17) We will conclude today with Proper 22 found on page 620 of the Book of Com...

Today is day 166 and we are on the section on The Address: "Our Father Who art in Heaven". 166. Who are God’s children? All who come to God through faith and Baptism in Christ are adopted as children of God the Father. (Deuteronomy 32:1–6; Isaiah 30:1; John 1:12–13; Romans 8:14–16; 1 John 3:1–3) We will conclude today with Proper 27 found on page 622 of the Book of Common Prayer (2019). If you wou...

Today is day 165 and we are on the section on The Address: "Our Father Who art in Heaven". 165. Why do we call God “Father”? We call God “Father” because Jesus teaches his disciples that we are God’s children and should call God “our Father.” (Exodus 4:22; Psalm 73:15; Isaiah 43:6; Matthew 23:8–9; 2 Corinthians 6:18; see questions 39–40) We will conclude today with the Lord's Prayer. If you would...

Today is day 164 and we are on the section on the Lord's Prayer. 164. What are the parts of the Lord’s Prayer? The traditional form of the Lord’s Prayer begins by addressing God the Father, makes seven petitions, adds a doxology, and concludes with “Amen.” We will conclude today with the Lord's Prayer. If you would like to buy or download To Be a Christian, head to anglicanchurch.net/catechism . P...

Today is day 163 and we are on the section on the Lord's Prayer. 163. How is the Lord’s Prayer a pattern for prayer? The Lord’s Prayer models the primary types of prayer: praise of God, intercession for his rule, petition for his provision and protection, and confession of sins. I should pray regularly in all these ways. (Psalm 150; Isaiah 63:7–64:12; Acts 9:36–43; 3 John 2) We will conclude today...

Today is day 162 and we are on the section on the Lord's Prayer. 162. Why should you practice the Lord’s Prayer? I should pray the Lord’s Prayer regularly because it teaches me to pray as Jesus commanded and to desire what his Father wills. (Psalm 34; Matthew 12:46–50; 26:36–44; 1 John 5:14–15) We will conclude today with Prayer 91. For Submission to God's Will on page 673 of the Book of Common Pr...

Today is day 161 and we are on the section on the Lord's Prayer. 161. Why should you learn the Lord’s Prayer? I should learn the Lord’s Prayer because Jesus taught it to his disciples as both a practice and a pattern for prayer to God the Father. (Matthew 6:5–8; Luke 11:1, 5–13) We will conclude today with Prayer 97. Preparation for Personal Prayer on page 675 of the Book of Common Prayer (2019)....

Today is day 160 and we are on the section on the Lord's Prayer. 160. What is the prayer our Lord Jesus taught his disciples to pray? The traditional version of the Lord’s Prayer is this: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who tresp...

Today is day 159 and we are on the section Concerning Prayer. 159. When should you pray? I should pray at regular times throughout each day, with fellow Christians for prayer and worship, and whenever I am aware of a need for God’s grace. And I should learn to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17)as I grow in the knowledge of God’s presence. (Nehemiah 2:4; Psalm 55:17; Daniel 6:10; Jonah 2...

Today is day 158 and we are on the section Concerning Prayer. 158. What should you pray? I should pray the Lord’s Prayer, the Psalms, the collected prayers of the Church, and my own prayers as the Spirit leads me. (1 Samuel 2:1–10; Psalms 2; 62:8; Luke 1:46–55; 2:25–35; Acts 4:24–30; Romans 8:26–27; Revelation 4:8–11) We will conclude today with Prayer 90. For Grace to Seek God in Every Way on pag...

Today is day 157 and we are on the section Concerning Prayer. 157. Why should you pray? I should pray because God calls me to do so, because I was made for fellowship with him, because I need the help of his Holy Spirit, and because he has promised to answer the prayers of his people. (Exodus 33:7–11; Psalm 50:14–15; Matthew 7:7–11; Luke 18:1–8; Romans 8:26; 1 Timothy 2:1) We will conclude today w...

Today is day 156 and we are on the section Concerning Prayer. 156. How can you have fellowship with God? Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, and union with him by the Holy Spirit, I have fellowship with God as his adopted child. I experience this in prayer, worship, God’s Word, the sacraments, and Christian community, as I daily follow him by faith. (Nehemiah 9:1–8; Psalm 65:1–4; John 15:...

Today is day 155 and we are on the section Concerning Prayer. 155. What should you seek in prayer? In prayer, I should seek not only God’s provision for my needs, but fellowship with God, who made me for fellowship with himself. (Exodus 33:7–11; Psalms 27:4, 8; 42:1–2; John 14:18–23; 1 John 1:3) We will conclude today with Proper 10 on page 617 of the Book of Common Prayer (2019). If you would lik...

Today is day 154 and we are on the section Concerning Prayer. 154. What is prayer? Prayer is turning my heart toward God, to listen and to speak with him. (Psalms 84; 123; Matthew 7:7–11; John 17:1–9) We will conclude today with Prayer 97 Preparation for Personal Prayer on page 675 of the Book of Common Prayer (2019). If you would like to buy or download To Be a Christian, head to anglicanchurch.n...

In this special bonus podcast, we are reading Part 3: Belonging to Christ found on page 65 of To Be a Christian.

Today is day 153 and we are studying The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick. 153. What grace does God give in the anointing of the sick? God gives healing, strength, and peace, either for recovery from injury or illness, or for perseverance in adversity, especially in preparation for death. (Psalms 103:2–5; 119:49–56; Isaiah 49:13; Matthew 8:5–13; 2 Corinthians 1:3–7; 12:7–10) We will conclude tod...

Today is day 152 and we are studying The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick. 152. What is the anointing of the sick? Through prayer and anointing with oil, the minister invokes God’s blessing upon those suffering in body, mind, or spirit. (1 Kings 17:17–24; Psalm 107:17–22; Matthew 8:14–17; 10:5–8; Acts 28:8; James 5:15–16) We will conclude today with The Concluding Prayer for Anointing of the Sic...

Today is day 151 and we are studying The Sacrament of Absolution. 151. What is necessary to receive the grace of absolution? Repentance, in which I intend to resist further sin, accept responsibility for my actions, and endeavor to repair damage I have caused; and faith, by which I thankfully receive God’s forgiveness. (1 Kings 8:46–53; Psalm 51; Daniel 9:1–23; Matthew 3:1–12; Romans 2:1–11; 2 Cor...

Today is day 150 and we are studying The Sacrament of Absolution. 150. What grace does God give to you in absolution? In absolution, God conveys his pardon through the Cross, removes and cancels my sin, declares me reconciled and at peace with him, and grants me the assurance of his grace and salvation. (Psalm 32; Matthew 18:18; Acts 5:30–32; 1 John 1:8–10) We will conclude today with The Concludi...

Today is day 149 and we are studying The Sacrament of Absolution. 149. What is absolution? In absolution, a priest, acting under God’s authority, pronounces God’s forgiveness in response to repentance and confession of sin. (2 Samuel 12:1–13; Proverbs 28:13; John 20:22–23; James 5:15–16) We will conclude today with the First Prayer for Absolution in Morning Prayer on page 12 of the Book of Common...

Today is day 148 and we are studying The Sacrament of Marriage. 148. What grace does God give in marriage? In Christian marriage, God unites husband and wife and blesses their common life, that they may grow together in love, wisdom, and godliness, patterned on the sacrificial love of Christ. A Christian marriage embodies this grace in the world, especially through hospitality and care for those w...

Today is day 147 and we are studying The Sacrament of Marriage. 147. What is signified in marriage? The union of husband and wife in one flesh signifies the communion between Christ, the heavenly bridegroom, and the Church, his holy bride. Not all are called or able to marry, but all Christians are joined to Christ as members of his Body. (Song of Solomon 8:6–7; Isaiah 54:4–8; 1 Corinthians 7:6–11...

Today is day 146 and we are studying The Sacrament of Marriage. 146. What is Christian marriage? Christian marriage, or Holy Matrimony, is a lifelong covenant between one man and one woman, uniting them in self-giving love, joy, and faithfulness. It is ordained by God for the procreation and spiritual nurture of children, the sanctification of husband and wife, the mutual support of their common l...

Today is day 145 and we are studying The Sacrament of Ordination. 144. What is the work of deacons? Serving Christ under their bishops, deacons care for those in need, assist in public worship, and instruct both young and old in the catechism. (Deuteronomy 15:7–11; Psalm 119:1–8; Luke 12:35–40; Acts 6:1–7; 1 Timothy 3:8–13) We will conclude today with the Prayer for the Ordination of a Deacons on...

Today is day 144 and we are studying The Sacrament of Ordination. 144. What is the work of priests? Serving Christ with their bishops, priests (or presbyters) nurture God’s people through the ministry of Word and Sacrament and pronounce absolution and blessing in God’s Name. (Genesis 14:17–20; Psalm 132:8–18; Luke 10:1–9; John 10:1–16; Ephesians 4:7–13) We will conclude today with the Prayer for t...