A Most Familiar Explanation of the Assembly's Shorter Catechism

Chapter 1

2. Assign tasks to each individual according to their abilities, and

be diligent in expecting their completion. Demonstrate the same zeal for doing God's work as you do for your own. However, there is no need for anyone to memorize the explanatory questions and answers separately, as this

Chapter 2

3. The corruption of the entire nature.

Q. What is guilt? A. Being liable to punishment. Q. Are we guilty of Adam's sin? -- 29 of 189 -- A. Yes. Q. Which sin of Adam's? A. His first sin. Q. Is the guilt of Adam's first sin a part of original sin? A. Yes. Q.

Chapter 3

3. By unnecessary thoughts, words, or actions related to worldly

work and recreation. Q. Can we be idle on the Sabbath day? A. No. -- 106 of 189 -- Q. Can we sleep and waste time? A. No. Q. Is it considered desecrating the day by engaging in activities that are inherently sinful? A.

Chapter 4

4. His blessing of the Sabbath day.

Q. Has God granted us any days of the week? A. Yes. Q. What has He granted them to us for? A. For our own employment. Q. Is it God's will that everyone should have some form of employment? A. Yes. -- 108 of 189 -- Q. H

Chapter 5

2. Due to their aggravating circumstances.

Q. What do you mean by "aggravations"? A. Circumstances that make a sin more significant than it would be without them. Q. Do sins become more severe through their aggravating or intensifying circumstances, such as the t

Chapter 6

4. Repentance. 5. New obedience. This is to ensure that they do not

eat and drink judgment upon themselves by coming unworthily. Q. What is the main duty of those who are going to participate in the Lord's Supper? A. To examine themselves. Q. How many aspects must they examine themselves

Chapter 7

1. Personal godliness: Your first priority should be to enthrone

Christ in your hearts. Make all your worldly pursuits subordinate to Him, devoting yourself entirely and unreservedly to Him. If you knowingly and deliberately allow any sin to take root, you are undone. Truly embrace th

Chapter 8

2. Family godliness: Those who have established Christ in their

hearts will be diligent in establishing Him in their homes. Let every family in your midst be a Christian church, every house a house of prayer, and every household a household of faith. Let every head of the household p

Chapter 9

2. Hold each member of your family accountable for their spiritual

growth, just as you do for your own business matters. This is an immensely important duty and will help those under your care to remember and benefit from what they receive. Look to Christ's example in calling His discip

Chapter 10

3. Frequently assess the spiritual state of those under your care,

inquire about their conditions, emphasize the sinfulness and misery of their natural state, and stress the necessity of regeneration and conversion for their salvation. Admonish them earnestly concerning their sins, enco

Chapter 11

4. Ensure the strict sanctification of the Sabbath in all your

households. Many underprivileged families have little time otherwise. Oh, diligently utilize your Sabbath days for gaining knowledge and doing the work of your Creator, just as you do on other days in pursuing your own w

Chapter 12

5. Offer up the morning and evening sacrifice of solemn prayer

daily in all your families. Beware of being among those families -- 183 of 189 -- that do not call upon God's name. Why should there be wrath from the Lord upon your households? Oh, miserable families without God in th

Chapter 13

6. Encourage everyone in your families to engage in private prayer.

Monitor whether they are fulfilling this duty. Provide them with a form, if needed, until they are able to pray without it. Guide them in how to pray by reminding them of their sins, needs, and mercies—the materials of p

Chapter 14

7. Establish catechizing in your families, at least once every week.

It was my dying request that you would consistently institute and maintain this duty in your households. Have you fulfilled it accordingly? Can your consciences testify? Can your families testify that you have not? Well,