Phil Rigdon

What is Confession? Confession has two parts. First, that we confess our sins, and second, that we receive absolution, that is, forgiveness from the pastor as from God Himself, not doubting, but firmly believing that by it our sins are forgiven before God in heaven.

Continue learning how to teach Holy Baptism with the Third and Fourth Parts on Baptism in Luther’s Small Catechism

What is Baptism? Baptism is not just plain water, but it is the water included in God’s command and combined with God’s word.

Here are a few ideas for teaching the Law and Gospel from the Lord’s Prayer, Petitions 5–7 and Conclusion in Luther’s Small Catechism.

The Lord’s Prayer is the next portion of Luther’s Small Catechism we will be thinking through for ideas on how to teach Law and Gospel.

The second article of the Apostles' Creed is all about Jesus. Gather ideas for teaching this section of Luther's Small Catechism with a lens on Law & Gospel.

As we move on from the Ten Commandments portion of Luther’s Small Catechism, we will look at two articles of the Apostles’ Creed and examine what they mean. We will use Law and Gospel to view these two parts of the Creed.

One of the challenges of teaching the Ten Commandments is helping students to understand that God’s directives and prohibitions are broader than they seem.

The month of January marks not only a new year but the start of a fresh series of blogs for Sunday School teachers. The plan over the coming months is to reflect upon and offer teaching ideas related to the Six Chief Parts of Luther’s Small Catechism. The Six Chief Parts are the Ten Commandments, the Apostles’ Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, Confession, and the Sacrament of the Altar. It is my sincere hope that this series will be an edifying confirmation review for you, the teacher, and a useful tool for presenting the basics of the faith to your students.

The den of our home features a set of large windows. Aside from the aesthetic beauty of their shape and design, the windows also let in a more-than-ample amount of glorious sunshine throughout the year. Little compares to napping in the easy chair with beams of solar warmth pouring over you. The only downside to so much light is that the illumination mercilessly reveals the dust all over the furniture and television and even floating through the air. I just dusted yesterday! Light is glorious except when it reveals imperfections.

The Lord speaks to His people through the prophet Malachi in the fifth century before Christ regarding a similarly thorough revelation.