“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: 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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40 Words in 40 Days: Catechism
Catechism (ˈka-tə-ˌki-zəm) A summary of the principles of Christian religion, sometimes in the form of questions and answers, used for the instruction of Christians. Deuteronomy 6:6–7 6 Keep these words that…
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40 Words in 40 Days: Apostle
Apostle A title that indicates someone is a commissioned messenger or ambassador. It is a Greek word that can mean “one who is sent out.” Jesus, sent by God the…
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40 Words in 40 Days: Metanoia
Metanoia This Greek word is derived from the root words meta (“after/change”) and noiein (“to think/perceive.”) In the Bible it is frequently translated into English as repentance – something that…
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40 Words in 40 Days: Lament
Lament A passionate expression of grief or sorrow. Psalm 13:1–2 1 How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? 2…
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40 Words in 40 Days: Sin
Sin Self-centeredness; placing self in God’s place, resulting in total alienation from God. Psalm 51:1-3 1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion…
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40 Words in 40 Days: Fast
Fast A voluntary, temporary pause from consuming food, drink or some other practice as a practice in spiritual discipline. It’s not a way to prove or earn something, but a…
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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