Luther's Small Catechism

{{short description|Catechism by Martin Luther}}

{{Infobox book

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| name = Der Kleine Katechismus

| image = Der kleine Catechismus 1535.jpg

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| caption = Title page of Luther's Small Catechism (1536, originally published in 1529)

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| title_orig = Der Kleine Catechismus

| orig_lang_code = de

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| language = German

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| pub_date = {{release date|df=yes|1529}}

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{{lutheranism| Concord}}

Luther's Small Catechism ({{langx|de|Der Kleine Katechismus}}) is a catechism written by Martin Luther and published in 1529 for the training of children. Luther's Small Catechism reviews the Ten Commandments, the Apostles' Creed, the Lord's Prayer, the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, the Office of the Keys and Confession and the Sacrament of the Eucharist. It is included in the Book of Concord as an authoritative statement of what Lutherans believe. Martin Luther took it upon himself to solve the problem of regular household Christians not being able to truly understand the key points of Christianity. He wanted to create a simple and understandable book for the regular person to grow their knowledge in the religion [https://www.faithlutherancorning.org/the-small-catechism#:~:text=Luther%20wanted%20the%20Catechism%20to,prepare%20to%20receive%20Holy%20Communion]. It was made to help shape every Christian's life and develop their faith. Many Pastors in the early 1500s did not have the knowledge that the Small Catechism contains, which Luther saw as a problem because then many people could not hear these important aspects. He said, “Yet all the people are supposed to be Christians, have been baptized, and receive the Holy Sacrament even though they do not know the Our Father.”{{cite web | url=https://www.faithlutherancorning.org/the-small-catechism#:~:text=Luther%20wanted%20the%20Catechism%20to,prepare%20to%20receive%20Holy%20Communion | title=Faith Lutheran Church: Corning, NY > the Small Catechism }} Martin Luther intended this book to simplify the values of Christianity for all. This book is still used today in many services.[https://catechism.cph.org/]

The Small Catechism is widely used today in Lutheran churches as part of youth education and Confirmation. It was mandatory for confirmands in the Church of Sweden until the 1960s.{{cite web|url=https://www.svenskakyrkan.se/lilla-katekesen|title=Lilla katekesen|publisher=Church of Sweden|language=sv|access-date=21 October 2017}} It has been translated into most European languages.