What are these Saxon Visitation Articles of 1528? Learn about what church visitations are about, what they have to do with the Book of Concord, and why Gospel-focused Lutherans—wanting to get out from under the Pope tyranny— would want to visit their churches and establish a Church order. Also hear what the proper use of the Lord’s Supper, closed communion, daily worship services, and what is being taught in the churches and schools has to do with gospel-focused Church order. And finally, hear about what tribulation has to do with church visitation.

Rev. Sean Daenzer, director of Worship for the LCMS and Chaplain at the LCMS International Center, joins host Rev. Sean Smith to discuss the Saxon Visitation Articles of 1528.

We continue in the discussion about understanding worship catechetically. Learn how the Golden Gate Bridge serves as an analogy for how we can understand the liturgy and its catechetical function. Also, hear how the liturgy helps us see the confession of both the earthly life and mission of Christ and the benefits of that completed mission being poured out today.

Rev. Mark Bestul, Pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church Elgin, IL joins host Rev. Sean Smith to discuss catechesis in worship.

We now dive into understanding worship “Catechetically.” Hear discussion about what worship is and how we rightly understand that term, what liturgy is, and how liturgy itself echoes the truth of God’s Word and teaches the Catechetical faith.

Rev. Mark Bestul, Pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church Elgin, IL joins host Rev. Sean Smith to discuss our Lutheran worship and liturgy.

We now study section 4 of the Catechism, Christian Questions with their Answers. How do the Christian questions and answers relate to the rest of the Catechism, especially the 6 chief parts? What is the distinction between self-examination and the duty of the pastor examine those who desire to come to the Lord’s Table? How does this section lead us to the reason for our hope in the Gospel promise? Read these questions and answers at catechism.cph.org/en/questions-answers.html and use them for your own examination before Communion.

Rev. Mark Bestul, Pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church in Elgin, IL, joins host Rev. Sean Smith to discuss Christian Questions and their Answers.

Today we explore Section 3 of the Catechism and the Table of Duties. What role does this section (the table of duties) play in the Catechism? Luther refers to these as “holy orders” but, how is Luther framing this in a radically different way of understanding that term than was taught in his day (and might even still be understood by some today)? How are we to understand these duties as paired in couplets of vocational relationships? What are God’s vocational expectations for those who serve in the pastoral office? And how are hearers of God’s Word to relate to who preach God’s Word? What is the vocational relationship between government and citizens? How does the Fourth Commandment inform our understanding of this relationship? What is the vocational relationship between husbands and wives in marriage, and parents and children? What is the vocational relationship between employees and employers? How are we to understand the couplet of youth and widows? What is the vocational relationship? How do the texts listed for everyone summarize our vocational expectations for our Christian life in the world?

Rev. Mark Bestul joins host Rev. Sean Smith to discuss vocation.

We dive into section 2 of the Catechism on Daily Prayers and Table of Duties. What do these teach us for a catechetical devotional life? Why did Luther provide prayers for morning, evening, and mealtime in addition to the Lord’s Prayer in the catechism? How does the Lord’s Prayer form a foundation for our devotional life and for our prayers throughout the day? What do the italicized instructions included with the daily prayers teach us about the Christian devotional and prayer life?

Rev. Mark Bestul, Pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church in Elgin, IL joins host Rev. Sean Smith to discuss daily prayer.

We continue in The Sacrament of the Altar and consider how bodily eating and drinking can do such great things, if the forgiveness of sins is automatic for all who eat and drink Jesus’ body and blood, how we can best prepare to receive the Lord’s Supper worthily, some forms of “outward training” that are beneficial in worthy reception of the Lord’s Supper, how we understand “closed Communion,” and whether Christians with a weak faith should come to the Sacrament.

Rev. Mark Bestul, Pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church in Elgin, Illinois joins host Rev. Sean Smith to discuss the Sacrament of the Altar.

Begin studying the Sacrament of the Altar, including what it is, what we learn from the Words of Institution, the importance of the word “true” body and blood, how these words challenge the Protestant teaching that bread and wine are symbols, explanation of "consubstantiation," and how the benefits which were obtained by Christ on the cross are now delivered to us in the Sacrament.

Rev. Mark Bestul, Pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church in Elgin, IL joins host Rev. Sean Smith to discuss the Sacrament of the Altar.

Learn about the Office of the Keys, including why we even call it that, why we have pastors if the whole Church possesses the Office of the Keys, the biblical qualifications for the pastoral office, and the comfort we have knowing that the pastor is God’s appointed minister to us.

Rev. Mark Bestul, Pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church in Elgin, Illinois, joins host Rev. Sean Smith to discuss the Office of the Keys.

We dig deeper into the Confession of Sins, including discussion about what sins we should confess, if we confess directly to God or to a pastor (or both), and the distinction between general confession in a worship service and private confession. Learn more about the blessing of private confession and absolution, why it's important to confess the "little sins" as much as the "big sins," and how we can use the Ten Commandments in preparation for Confession.

Rev. Mark Bestul, Pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church in Elgin, Illinois, joins host Rev. Sean Smith to discuss the confession of sins.