Small Catechism
Luther's 1529 short catechism for home and parish instruction.
The Small Catechism is Martin Luther's 1529 short catechism for home and parish instruction in the Christian faith, organized around six chief parts: the Ten Commandments, the Apostles' Creed, the Lord's Prayer, Holy Baptism, Confession, and the Sacrament of the Altar. Each part is presented with a brief explanation, designed to be memorized and explained in the home by parents to children. The Small Catechism is foundational to Lutheran confirmation preparation across the ELCA, the LCMS, and other Lutheran bodies; the catechetical year typically focuses on the candidate's growing understanding of and ability to articulate the Small Catechism's content.