THE FIRST PETITION
Hallowed be your name.
What does this mean?
God's name is certainly holy by itself, but we pray in this petition that we too
may keep it holy.
How is God's name kept holy?
God's name is kept holy when his Word is taught in its truth and purity and
we as children of God lead holy lives according to it. Help us to do this, dear
Father in heaven! But whoever teaches and lives contrary to God's Word
dishonors God's name among us. Keep us from doing this, dear Father in
heaven!
LUTHER’S SMALL CATECHISM
THE FIRST PETITION
Hallowed be your name.
What does this mean?
God's name is certainly holy by itself, but we pray in this petition that we too
may keep it holy.
How is God's name kept holy?
God's name is kept holy when his Word is taught in its truth and purity and
we as children of God lead holy lives according to it. Help us to do this, dear
Father in heaven! But whoever teaches and lives contrary to God's Word
dishonors God's name among us. Keep us from doing this, dear Father in
heaven!
1. Gather the entire family together for five to fifteen minutes.
Perhaps before/after a meal or before leaving the house in the
morning or before bed at night.
2. Recite the Petition. You might have to read it at first or say it
and let younger ones repeat it. Say it multiple times together
each day. Ask each member of the family to say it each day.
You will soon know the petition by memory.
3. Read one of the Bible readings from the bulletin or watch the
sermon again online. Use the outline on the other side of this
sheet to discuss.
4. Ask each member of the family to say a thank you, forgive me
and/or help me prayer. After saying the Lord’s Prayer together,
conclude by blessing each other.
1. Look up Exodus 34:5-7. What does God teach us about himself
as he proclaims his name?
2. Explain how teaching God’s Word correctly serves to keep his
name holy.
3. How can God’s name be kept holy in the following activities?
Eating a meal … Playing sports … Talking with friends …
Worshipping in church
4. Which of the 10 Commandments most closely correspond(s) to
this petition?
Read one of the Bible readings from the bulletin and discuss:
1. What does God want us to learn?
(make a list of as many things as you can)
2. How does this lead you to praise and thank God?
3. What sin does this lead you to confess?
4. What do you want to ask God help you believe and/or do?
Each person prays a Praise/Thank, Forgive and/or Help me prayer.
Pray the Lord’s Prayer together.
Bless one another, making the sign of the cross on each other’s
forehead:
The LORD bless you and keep you;
The LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;
The LORD look on you with favor and give you peace. Amen.