Notes on Large Catechism -- 4th Commandment

A Study of

Luther's Large Catechism

as found in Concordia: the Lutheran Confessions, A Reader's Edition of the Book of Concord edited by Paul Timothy McCain, Second Edition, Concordia Publishing House, © 2006.

Jacob Blesses Isaac   Genesis 27

Oh, Blest the House
By: Christoph C. L. vonPfeil

Oh, blest the house, whatever befall,
Where Jesus Christ is all in all!
For if he were not dwelling there,
How dark and poor and void it were!

Oh, blest that house where faith is found
And all in charity abound
To trust their God and serve him still
And do in all his holy will!

Oh, blest that house; it prospers will!
In peace and joy the parents dwell,
And in their children’s lives is shown
How richly God can bless his own.

Then here will I and mine today
A solemn covenant make and say: 

Though all the world for sake his Word,
My house and I will serve the Lord.

Hymn # 862 Lutheran Service Book

Author: Joseph Klug
Tune: Wo Gott Zum Haus
1^st Published in: 1782

Read Proverbs 23:22; Colossians 3:20; Titus 3:1 and in the Large Catechism the Fourth Commandment page 370-378:

1. After reading the Editor's Note on page 370, identify the vocations you have at this stage of your life.

2. What about this commandment is different than the other commandments that deal with our relation to our neighbors? (#105-106).

3. How is "honor" a greater thing than "love"? 

4.  In what ways are parents and other authorities God's earthly representatives? #108  See also Romans 13:1-2.

5. Carthusian monks and nuns live apart from the rest of society. How would such a life leave a Christian less able to do good works under the fourth commandment? (#120)

6.  What is God's promise to those who keep the Fourth Commandment? (#131) List some specific examples?

7.  Why do our responsibilities to other authorities (say for example, teachers) fall under this commandment? (#141-143)

8.  What could motivate even a lowly servant girl or poor ditch digger go about her or his work with a cheerful heart? (#145)

9. As Christians living in a democratic nation we both obey our leaders and exercise our voice and vote to elect leaders.  Furthermore in a free society we obey our employers and may also exercise our freedom to leave one job and take on another. How do we balance this obedience on the one hand and freedom on the other?

10. What do Christians owe their "spiritual fathers"? (#161-162)