Learning the Faith by Heart

Speaking, Praying, and Singing God’s Word Together

The Week of Jan 4 – Jan 11, 2026

Preparing for the Epiphany of our Lord & Baptism of Our Lord   

Hymn of the Week: O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright (395)

GLCA Learn by Heart Hymn: We All Believe in One True God (953:1)

GLCA Catechism Memory: Apostles’ Creed Second Article + OT Books (Lamentations to Obadiah)

Bible Verse Memory: “[Jesus Christ] is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. – 1 John 2:2

Monday: Catechism Bible Story – Luke 23:32-56  Jesus willingly died on the cross to pay for all our sins. Read about it in Luke 23:32-56. What do these Bible verses tell you about Jesus? What do these verses tell you about how Jesus feels about you? Why do we (and all people) need a Savior? What are some of the evils in the world that try to take us away from God? What did Jesus do to save you? – Luther’s Small Catechism for Kids, pgs. 50-51

Tuesday: The Feast of the Epiphany of Our Lord (Jan 6) The season of Epiphany gets its name from the Greek word for “manifestation”. It remembers the “epiphany” (the revealing or manifestation) of the Messiah to the Magi and to us Gentiles (non-Jews). The Feast of the Epiphany is also known as the “Gentile Christmas”. Why is that an appropriate way of thinking about the holy day?

Wednesday: Old Testament – Isaiah 42:1-9 The Baptism of our Lord is an “epiphany” of the one true God in the flesh and blood of Jesus. At His baptism, Jesus is revealed as the chosen servant of the Lord, when He is anointed with the Spirit. Read Isaiah 42 and make a list of the things that Jesus was anointed to do.

Thursday: Holy Gospel – Matthew 3:13-17  Read Matthew 3:13-17 in light of Matthew 28:19-20. How does Jesus’ baptism manifest all three persons of the Holy Trinity?  What is the significance of the Lord’s name in Baptism?

Friday: Epistle – Romans 6:1-11 Read Romans 6:1-11, then discuss the following statements: 1) It is not just “I was baptized, but I am baptized.” 2) The Christian life is one of getting used to your Baptism. (Luther’s Small Catechism: A Manual for Discipleship, pg. 112) 3) “Repentance, therefore, is nothing else than a return and approach to baptism, to resume and practice what has earlier been begun but abandoned.” (LC IV 79)

The Order of Meditation and Prayer

The sign of the cross + may be made by all in remembrance of their Baptism.

Invocation 

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Verse of the Week 

[Jesus Christ] is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. – 1 John 2:2

Catechism Memory 

 What is the 2nd Article of the Apostles’ Creed?

And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and dead.

What does this mean? (Parts 1 & 2)

I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the virgin Mary, is my Lord,

Who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned person, purchased and won me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil; not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood and with His innocent suffering and death.

Bible Reading for the Day (From Upcoming Readings for Sun, Portals of Prayer, or other Daily meditation)

             This is the Word of the Lord. 

             Thanks be to God. 

Apostles’ Creed 

I believe in God the Father Almighty…

Hymn of the Week  

O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright (395)

Family Prayers 

For___________________, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.  

Lord’s Prayer