Series: The Shorter Catechism


Thursday 27th May

The Shorter Catechism | Question 107

Q. 107. What doth the conclusion of the Lord’s Prayer teach us?

A. The conclusion of the Lord’s Prayer, which is, For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever, Amen. teacheth us to take our encouragement in prayer from God only, and in our prayers to praise him, ascribing kingdom, power, and glory to him; and, in testimony of our desire, and assurance to be heard, we say, Amen.

Tuesday 25th May

The Shorter Catechism | Question 106

Q. 106. What do we pray for in the sixth petition?

A. In the sixth petition, which is, And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, we pray, that God would either keep us from being tempted to sin, or support and deliver us when we are tempted.

Monday 24th May

The Shorter Catechism | Question 105

Q. 105. What do we pray for in the fifth petition?

A. In the fifth petition, which is, And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors, we pray that God, for Christ’s sake, would freely pardon all our sins; which we are the rather encouraged to ask, because by his grace we are enabled from the heart to forgive others.

Friday 21st May

The Shorter Catechism – Question 104

Q. 104. What do we pray for in the fourth petition?

A. In the fourth petition, which is, Give us this day our daily bread, we pray that of God’s free gift we may receive a competent portion of the good things of this life, and enjoy his blessing with them.

Thursday 20th May

The Shorter Catechism – Question 103

Q. 103. What do we pray for in the third petition?

A. In the third petition, which is, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven, we pray, that God, by his grace, would make us able and willing to know, obey, and submit to his will in all things, as the angels do in heaven.

Tuesday 18th May

The Shorter Catechism – Question 102

Q. 102. What do we pray for in the second petition?

A. In the second petition, which is, Thy kingdom come, we pray, that Satan’s kingdom may be destroyed; and that the kingdom of grace may be advanced, ourselves and others brought into it, and kept in it; and that the kingdom of glory may be hastened.

Monday 17th May

The Shorter Catechism – Question 101

Q. 101. What do we pray for in the first petition?

A. In the first petition, which is, Hallowed be thy name, we pray, that God would enable us, and others, to glorify him in all that whereby he maketh himself known; and that he would dispose all things to his own glory.

Friday 14th May

The Shorter Catechism – Question 100

Q. 100. What doth the preface of the Lord’s Prayer teach us?
A. The preface of the Lord’s Prayer, which is, Our Father which art in heaven, teacheth us to draw near to God with all holy reverence and confidence, as children to a father, able and ready to help us; and that we should pray with and for others.

Thursday 13th May

The Shorter Catechism – Question 99

Q. 99. What rule hath God given for our direction in prayer?
A. The whole Word of God is of use to direct us in prayer; but the special rule of direction is that form of prayer which Christ taught his disciples, commonly called The Lord’s Prayer.

Tuesday 11th May

The Shorter Catechism – Question 98

Q. 99. What rule hath God given for our direction in prayer?
A. The whole Word of God is of use to direct us in prayer; but the special rule of direction is that form of prayer which Christ taught his disciples, commonly called The Lord’s Prayer.

Monday 10th May

The Shorter Catechism – Question 97

Q. 97. What is required for the worthy receiving of the Lord’s Supper?
A. It is required of them that would worthily partake of the Lord’s Supper, that they examine themselves of their knowledge to discern the Lord’s body, of their faith to feed upon him, of their repentance, love, and new obedience; lest, coming unworthily, they eat and drink judgment to themselves.

Friday 7th May

The Shorter Catechism – Question 96

Q. 96. What is the Lord’s Supper?
A. The Lord’s Supper is a sacrament, wherein, by giving and receiving bread and wine, according to Christ’s appointment, his death is showed forth; and the worthy receivers are, not after a corporal and carnal manner, but by faith, made partakers of his body and blood, with all his benefits, to their spiritual nourishment, and growth in grace.

Tuesday 4th May

The Shorter Catechism – Question 94

Q. 94. What is Baptism?
A. Baptism is a sacrament, wherein the washing with water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, doth signify and seal our ingrafting into Christ, and partaking of the benefits of the covenant of grace, and our engagement to be the Lord’s.

Monday 3rd May

The Shorter Catechism – Questions 92 & 93

Q. 92. What is a sacrament?
A. A sacrament is an holy ordinance instituted by Christ; wherein, by sensible signs, Christ, and the benefits of the new covenant, are represented, sealed, and applied to believers.

Q. 93. Which are the sacraments of the New Testament?
A. The sacraments of the New Testament are, Baptism, and the Lord’s Supper.

Friday 30th April

The Shorter Catechism – Question 91

Q. 91. How do the sacraments become effectual means of salvation?
A. The sacraments become effectual means of salvation, not from any virtue in them, or in him that doth administer them; but only by the blessing of Christ, and the working of his Spirit in them that by faith receive them.

Thursday 29th April

The Shorter Catechism – Question 90

Q. 90. How is the Word to be read and heard, that it may become effectual to salvation?
A. That the Word may become effectual to salvation, we must attend thereunto with diligence, preparation, and prayer; receive it with faith and love, lay it up in our hearts, and practice it in our lives.

Tuesday 27th April

The Shorter Catechism – Question 89

Q. 89. How is the Word made effectual to salvation?
A. The Spirit of God maketh the reading, but especially the preaching of the Word, an effectual means of convincing and converting sinners, and of building them up in holiness and comfort, through faith, unto salvation.

Monday 26th April

The Shorter Catechism – Question 88

Q. 88. What are the outward and ordinary means whereby Christ
communicateth to us the benefits of redemption?
A. The outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption are, his ordinances, especially the Word, sacraments, and prayer; all which are made effectual to the elect for salvation.

Friday 23rd April

The Shorter Catechism – Question 87

Q. 87. What is repentance unto life?
A. Repentance unto life is a saving grace, whereby a sinner, out of a true sense of his sin, and apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ, doth, with grief and hatred of his sin, turn from it unto God, with full purpose of, and endeavour after, new obedience.

Thursday 22nd April

The Shorter Catechism – Question 86

Q. 86. What is faith in Jesus Christ?
A. Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace, whereby we receive and rest upon him alone for salvation, as he is offered to us in the gospel.

Tuesday 20th April

The Shorter Catechism – Question 82 – 84

Q. 82. Is any man able perfectly to keep the commandments of God?
A. No mere man, since the fall, is able in this life perfectly to keep the commandments of God, but doth daily break them in thought, word, and deed.

Q. 83. Are all transgressions of the law equally heinous?

A. Some sins in themselves, and by reason of several aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others.

Q. 84. What doth every sin deserve?
A. Every sin deserveth God’s wrath and curse, both in this life, and that which is to come.

Friday 20th November

The Tenth Commandment

The tenth commandment forbids us from coveting the lifestyle or possessions of others. We should be content with our own situation, and recognise any good thing we have is an undeserved blessing from God.
Thursday 19th November

The Ninth Commandment

The ninth commandment forbids sharing dishonest or harmful words about others - this includes any lies, half-truths, rumours or exaggerations which damage the reputation of another person.
Tuesday 17th November

The Eighth Commandment

The eighth commandment forbids stealing - this includes anything which unjustly benefits our wealth or unjustly hinders someone else's wealth. We should be givers, not grabbers.
Monday 16th November

The Seventh Commandment

The seventh commandment forbids adultery - this includes any thought, word, or action which encourages sexual activity outside of the marriage between one man and one woman.
Friday 13th November

The Sixth Commandment

The sixth commandment forbids murder and promotes our responsibility to value and preserve life. This includes our thoughts and attitudes towards others not just the physical act of killing.
Thursday 12th November

The Fifth Commandment

The Fifth Commandment requires us to honour our parents with our conduct and our attitudes, doing so will honour God and bring great blessing to our lives.
Tuesday 10th November

The Fourth Commandment – Part 2

The fourth commandment requires believers to keep the Sabbath holy by devoting themselves to worship for the entire day, not just publicly but privately too. This includes forsaking unnecessary thoughts about our activities during the rest of the week.
Monday 9th November

The Fourth Commandment – Part 1

The fourth commandment requires us to remember the Sabbath by setting apart one day in seven as holy to God. Initially, this pointed to God's rest from creation, but now it points to the rest which is found in the risen Christ.
Friday 6th November

The Third Commandment

The Third Commandment requires us to treat God's name, character and Word with holy reverence, it forbids us from any thought, word or deed which shows a lack of respect towards the Lord our God.
Thursday 5th November

The Second Commandment

The second commandment explains how we should worship the one true God. It forbids us from using images or idols as part of our worship, as these only diminish our perception of God's majesty and holiness.
Tuesday 3rd November

The First Commandment

The first commandment requires us to acknowledge that there is only one true God and to worship and glorify Him accordingly, it warns that God is displeased when we give that worship and glory to anything else.
Friday 25th September

The Shorter Catechism | Questions 40 & 41

Q. 40. What did God at first reveal to man for the rule of his obedience?
A. The rule which God at first revealed to man for his obedience, was the moral law.

Q. 41. Wherein is the moral law summarily comprehended?
A. The moral law is summarily comprehended in the ten commandments.

Friday 18th September

The Shorter Catechism | Question 36

Q. 36. What are the benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification?
A. The benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification, are assurance of God’s love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, increase of grace, and perseverance therein to the end.

Thursday 17th September

The Shorter Catechism | Question 35

Q. 35. What is sanctification?
A. Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness.

Tuesday 15th September

The Shorter Catechism | Question 34

Question 34 of the Shorter Catechism focuses on adoption -  an act of God’s free grace which brings a believer into the family of God, and grants access to the privileges of knowing their Heavenly Father.
Monday 14th September

The Shorter Catechism | Question 33

Question 33 of the Shorter Catechism focuses on justification - the act of God's free grace which pardons our sins by transferring the righteousness of Christ to those who put their faith in Him alone.
Thursday 10th September

The Shorter Catechism | Question 31

Q. 31. What is effectual calling?
A. Effectual calling is the work of God’s Spirit, whereby, convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing our wills, he doth persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the gospel.

Wednesday 9th September

The Shorter Catechism | Question 30

Q. 30. How doth the Spirit apply to us the redemption purchased by Christ?
A. The Spirit applieth to us the redemption purchased by Christ, by working faith in us, and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling.

Tuesday 8th September

The Shorter Catechism | Question 29

Q. 29. How are we made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ?
A. We are made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ, by the effectual application of it to us by his Holy Spirit.

Monday 7th September

The Shorter Catechism | Question 28

Q. 28. Wherein consisteth Christ’s exaltation?
A. Christ’s exaltation consisteth in his rising again from the dead on the third day, in ascending up into heaven, in sitting at the right hand of God the Father, and in coming to judge the world at the last day.

Friday 28th August

The Shorter Catechism | Question 27

Q. 27. Wherein did Christ’s humiliation consist?
A. Christ’s humiliation consisted in his being born, and that in a low condition, made under the law, undergoing the miseries of this life, the wrath of God, and the cursed death of the cross; in being buried, and continuing under the power of death for a time.

Wednesday 26th August

The Shorter Catechism | Question 26

Question 26 of the Shorter Catechism explores Christ's' role as King - explaining how Jesus subdues believers to Himself, ruling and defending them each day, and conquering those who oppose His kingdom.
Monday 24th August

The Shorter Catechism | Question 25

Question 25 of the Shorter Catechism explores Christ's' role as a priest - explaining how Jesus offered Himself once as a sacrifice for sin, and continues to intercede on behalf of those who trust in Him.
Friday 21st August

The Shorter Catechism | Question 24

Question 24 of the Shorter Catechism explores Christ's' role as a prophet - explaining how Jesus reveals God's will for our salvation through the Word of God and the Holy Spirit.
Wednesday 19th August

The Shorter Catechism | Question 23

Q. 23. What offices doth Christ execute as our Redeemer?
A. Christ, as our Redeemer, executeth the offices of a prophet, of a priest, and of a king, both in his estate of humiliation and exaltation.

Monday 17th August

The Shorter Catechism | Question 22

Q. 22. How did Christ, being the Son of God, become man?
A. Christ, the Son of God, became man, by taking to himself a true body, and a reasonable soul, being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the virgin Mary, and born of her yet without sin.

Friday 14th August

The Shorter Catechism | Question 21

Q. 21. Who is the Redeemer of God’s elect?
A. The only Redeemer of God’s elect is the Lord Jesus Christ, who, being the eternal Son of God, became man and so was, and continueth to be, God and man in two distinct natures, and one person, forever.

Monday 10th August

The Shorter Catechism | Question 19

Question 19 of the Shorter Catechism considers how the fall of mankind broke our communion with God and brought us under His wrath, making us liable to the miseries of life, to death and to hell.
Wednesday 5th August

The Shorter Catechism | Question 17

Question 17 of the Shorter Catechism explains how the fall brought mankind from their created state of peace and joy into a fallen state of sin and misery.
Monday 3rd August

The Shorter Catechism | Question 16

Question 16 of the Shorter Catechism explains how Adam acted as mankind's representative when he first transgressed, causing all of his descendants to fall into sin with him.
Friday 31st July

The Shorter Catechism | Question 15

Question 15 of the Shorter Catechism explains how mankind fell from its perfect state when our first parents, Adam and Eve, ate the fruit which God had forbidden.
Wednesday 29th July

The Shorter Catechism | Question 14

Question 14 of the Shorter Catechism explains that sin is anything that deviates from God's law - failing to do the good that God expects of us, as well as doing the wrong things God forbids.
Friday 24th July

The Shorter Catechism | Question 12

Question 12 of the Shorter Catechism explains how God created man to live forever in a relationship with Him, on the condition of perfect obedience to God's commands.
Wednesday 22nd July

The Shorter Catechism | Question 11

Question 11 of the Shorter Catechism deals with God's works of providence - how He provides for all His creatures and governs their actions in holiness, wisdom and power.
Wednesday 15th July

The Shorter Catechism | Question 8

Question 8 of the Shorter Catechism explains how God executes his eternal plan through the creation of this world, and His continual providence which sustains all that He has created.
Monday 13th July

The Shorter Catechism | Question 7

Question 7 of the Shorter Catechism touches on the issue of God's sovereignty versus man's free will, by exploring the mystery of the eternal plan God set in place for His glory before creation.
Wednesday 8th July

The Shorter Catechism | Question 5

Question 5 of the Shorter Catechism deals with the notion of multiple gods, affirming that the God described in the Bible is the only one, true and living God.
Monday 6th July

The Shorter Catechism | Question 4

Question 4 of the Shorter Catechism considers the mysterious and limitless reality of God and the infinite, eternal, and unchangeable nature of His character.
Friday 3rd July

The Shorter Catechism | Question 3

Question 3 of the Shorter Catechism shows how the Bible principally teaches us about the character of God and how mankind should respond to this knowledge.
Wednesday 1st July

The Shorter Catechism | Question 2

Question 2 of the Shorter Catechism considers how God's Word, the scriptures of the Old and New Testament, is the only thing that should direct us in how we glorify and enjoy Him.
Monday 29th June

The Shorter Catechism | Question 1

Question 1 of the Shorter Catechism deals with “man’s chief end” or purpose in life. And explains how we were created by God to glorify Him and enjoy Him forever.