Learning the Faith by Heart

Speaking, Praying, and Singing God’s Word Together

The Week of Feb 1 – Feb 8, 2026

Preparing for the Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany   

Hymn of the Week: Thy Strong Word (578)

GLCA Learn by Heart Hymn: We All Believe in One True God (953:3)

GLCA Catechism Memory: Apostles’ Creed Third Article + NT Books (Galatians -Titus)

 Bible Verse Memory: “Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit.” – 1 Corinthians 12:3

Monday: Purification of Mary and Presentation of Jesus – Luke 2:22-32 The infant Lord is brought to the temple because two OT laws must be kept. The first one is that Mary must be purified. Read Lev. 12. To be purified, the mother had to go to the “tent of meeting” and do what to be cleansed (see vs. 6)? How does this ritual point to Christ? The second OT law is that the child must be presented at the temple. Read Ex. 13:11-16. What are the people of God commanded to do in verse 13? To what historical event did this ceremony point back (vv. 14-16)? Read aloud LSB 519.

Tuesday: Old Testament – Isaiah 58:3–9a  How does the doctrine of salvation by grace alone through faith alone result in the true love and service of our neighbors who are in need?

Wednesday: Epistle – 1 Corinthians 2:1–12  How does God manifest His “demonstration of the Spirit and of power?” Why is this so hard for our natural reason to accept or believe?

Thursday: Catechism Bible Story – Acts 2:42-47 The Holy Spirit brings you to faith in Jesus and makes you a member of the Church. The Church is made up of all people throughout the world whom the Holy Spirit has brought to faith in Christ. After Pentecost, believers in Jesus gathered together. Read about it in Acts 2:42-47. What did the believers in Jesus do together? How was the Holy Spirit working in the hearts and lives of the believers? – Luther’s Small Catechism for Kids, pg. 59

Friday: Holy Gospel – Matthew 5:13–20

In the Lutheran tradition (when it is badly misunderstood), “good works” can almost come to have a “bad name.” Not so with Jesus. Having filled his empty disciples with blessing (5:3-12), He names them salt and light and sends them out to their vocations and communities as those who bless others with the goal of revealing what God, the Father of our Lord Jesus, is like. How might the good works God has prepared for you to do in your vocations shine Christ’s light? How do the two images help you understand the doctrine of vocation? (Salt gives flavor where it’s sprinkled, lamps give light where they are placed).

 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 

Review of all Old Testaments Books (Genesis – Malachi)  

Catechism Memory 

What is the 3rd Article of the Apostles’ Creed?

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

What does this mean (Parts 1 &2)?

I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith.

In the same way He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith. In this Christian church He daily and richly forgives all my sins and the sins of all believers.

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  

Thy Strong Word (578)

Family Prayers 

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

Lord’s Prayer