“What does this mean?”
It’s one of the most Lutheran questions one can ask.
Almost 500 years ago, Martin Luther was looking for a way for families to explain and learn the basics of the Christian faith.
He created a resource called the Small Catechism* – a resource that’s still in use today. Though we now have it in pocket booklet form, the earliest versions were created as posters for the wall. Martin knew that young and inquisitive learners (of any age) might ask “but why?” (perhaps several thousand times) and utilized a simple question and answer format for the Catechism with this sort of curious spirit in mind.
He welcomed – expected – questions.
This Lenten guide is created with that same spirit in mind.
There are many words, phrases and concepts that we may hear often but take for granted what they actually mean. Or, we might know the definitions but perhaps haven’t considered what the words might mean for us.
For each day of the forty days of Lent, this guide features a word that you might have heard before and provides you with a definition, a place it can be explained within scripture and some additional reflections about what this word could mean in your daily life.
May your wisdom and faith (and vocabulary!) increase together we ask what these words mean for us and how they might shape the ways we live our lives.
*What does Catechism mean? Find out during week two!
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40 Words in 40 Days: Salvation
Salvation God’s work to rescue us from the consequences of our sin, so that we might live in restored relationship on this earth and eternally. (via Lutheran Basics for Teachers)…
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40 Words in 40 Days: Atonement
Atonement The work of Jesus to restore our relationship with God. (via Lutheran Basics for Teachers) Romans 5:10-11 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through…
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40 Words in 40 Days: Covenant
Covenant A mutual agreement between two or more people to do (or refrain from) doing certain acts; sometimes the undertaking of one of the parties. (via The Handy Bible Dictionary…
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40 Words in 40 Days: Absolution
Absolution The forgiveness of our sins in the name of Jesus. (via Lutheran Basics for Teachers) 1 John 1:8-9 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive…
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40 Words in 40 Days: Justification
Justification God’s declaration that our relationship with God has been made right because of the work of Jesus. (via Lutheran Basics for Teachers) Romans 5:1-2 1Therefore, since we are justified…
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40 Words in 40 Days: Grace
Grace God’s gift of love and forgiveness freely given to undeserving sinners. (via Lutheran Basics for Teachers) Ephesians 2:8–9 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this…
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40 Words in 40 Days: Sola
Sola A Latin word meaning “alone” or “only.” The Lutheran reformers used the phrase “Sola fide” to make their case that one is saved by faith alone – not by…
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40 Words in 40 Days: Prophet
Prophet A prophet was a spokesperson for God; they spoke in God’s name and by God’s authority (Ex. 7:1). A prophet is the mouth by which God speaks to humankind…
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40 Words in 40 Days: Gospel
Gospel “Gospel” translates the Old Testament Hebrew verb bisser and the noun besorah. The Greek New Testament equivalent is euangelion, which is a compound word. Eu means “good,” and angelion…
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40 Words in 40 Days: Scripture
Scripture a) the books of the Bible —often used in plural b) a body of writings considered sacred or authoritative (via Merriam-Webster) 2 Timothy 3:16-17 16All scripture is inspired by…
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“Words matter. Words are necessary for communication and community. They transform and refresh. They convey meaning and they convey God. Since words have the power both to create and destroy, we attend to them carefully.”
-L. DeAne Lagerquist
Professor at St. Olaf College