Learning the Faith by Heart

Speaking, Praying, and Singing God’s Word Together

The Week of Jan 11 – Jan 18, 2026

Preparing for the Confession of St. Peter

Hymn of the Week: At the Name of Jesus (512)  

GLCA Learn by Heart Hymn: We All Believe in One True God (953:2)

GLCA Catechism Memory: Apostles’ Creed Second Article + OT Books (Jonah to Malachi)

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 – The Crucifixion (Matt 27, Luke 23, and John 19)   What do you learn about Jesus from the words that He spoke while on the cross? How did the actions of Pilate and the soldiers fulfill OT prophecies about the death of Jesus? Why did Jesus have to die? Why did God the Father forsake Jesus while He was on the cross? Because Jesus suffered and died, what priceless gift do you receive? – 120 Bible Stories, pgs. 226-227  

Tuesday: First Reading – Acts 4:8-13  According to Peter and John’s testimony, what was the significance of Jesus’ name, and why were they compelled to proclaim it? How did Jesus receive His name? What was the rationale for this name? See Matt 1:18-21.

Wednesday: Epistle – 2 Peter 1:1-15  The virtues listed in verses 5-7 are fruits of a God-given faith. St. Peter encourages Christians to cultivate these fruits. What should we always keep in mind when we work to cultivate these virtues? Read John 15:5.

Thursday: Holy Gospel – Mark 8:27-35  After Peter confesses that Jesus is the “Christ, the Son of the living God,” Jesus responds, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.” The conviction that Jesus is God in human flesh, who has come to save us, must be revealed to us by the Holy Spirit.  Pray LSB 645, stanza 1 and give thanks to God for founding His church not on us, but on this truth that He has shined His light on for us. 

Friday: At the Name of Jesus (512)  Names are important. We name our pets, we agonize over the names of our children. Names are personal and signify personhood. God revealed His name to Moses in the burning bush, and He reveals His name in the incarnation of His Son Jesus. Jesus’ name in Hebrew is Y’shua, the same as Joshua. It means, “Yahweh saves” or “Yahweh is salvation.” When you think of the name of Jesus, what impressions or images do you think of? What importance does the name of Jesus have to you in your life? – LCMS Worship Hymn Studies: Feasts, Festivals, and Occasions, pg. 19

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?

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, that I may be His own and live under Him in His kingdom and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, just as He has risen from the dead, lives and reigns to all eternity. This is most certainly true.

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 inGod the Father Almighty…

Hymn of the Week  

At the Name of Jesus (512)  

Family Prayers 

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

Lord’s Prayer