First Sunday after Epiphany (1880)

Suggestion that the pericope should be used for a occasional sermon. Catechism teaching already existed at the apostles' time.1 In the ancient Christian church Christian teaching was always diligently conducted, and only toward the Middle Ages, under the popes, it fell into great decay - at the same time because of the inability of the priests - to the greatest disadvantage of young and old. But no sooner had God set in motion the blessed Reformation, than catechisms of Dr. Luther, Dr. Brenz and other orthodox, godly church teachers also appeared immediately, and with all seriousness Christian teachings were again put into effect, until Rationalism finally again partly displaced, partly suppressed to morality lessons that soon bored young and old, etc., because they were without the spirit of the Gospel. Our Synod from the very beginning has diligently practiced this necessary work and sacred privilege for old and young, to be taught again specifically the Catechism, even given to enjoy the dear Catechism in this country. In short, the stagnation of Christian teaching - sign of decay; diligent activity of Christian teaching - sign of flowering of the Church. Luke 2:41-52 Verses 46-47: Christian teaching was not first set up in the Christian church; it already existed in the Jewish Old Testament Church, yes even among the Patriarchs.2 Today we find the Lord in Christian teaching as a 12-year-old boy, bidding us so much lovely and instructive things on this subject etc. The 12 year old boy Jesus, as He sits in the temple among the teachers, questions them, listens to them and responds 1. about the satisfaction of sins a. of children and young people, who . unnecessarily neglect Christian teaching, . are not attentive to it, . think it is a shame to participate in it; b. of parents, who . deter their children without need of it, . contemptuously pass judgment over Christian teaching, . do not seriously encourage their children to it; 2. for an example a. to children and young people, that they . are not ashamed of what Jesus did, . are not ashamed of what is necessary for them,
1 2

Acts 5:42, 18:25-26, 20:31; Romans 2:18; 1 Corinthians 3:2, 14:19; Galatians 6:6; Hebrews 5:12, 6:1. Genesis 18:19; Deuteronomy 6:7.

. for retaining pure doctrine, . for their salvation; . diligently prepare themselves for it, . listen with all seriousness (hearken), . attentively answer, . they know that it is a sacred privilege for them to be informed and examined in the chief parts; b. to parents, that they . seriously encourage children, . venerate Christian teaching themselves, . diligently participate in it themselves . for stimulation of their children, . for their own growth in knowledge; 3. for the sanctification and blessing of Christian teaching a. for parents, . that they . become blessed by it, . become obedient children by it, . that they themselves are reminded again and again that they are never outgrowing the Catechism, b. for children and young people, that they . not merely increase in age, but also in divine wisdom and understanding, . grow by grace to the full manhood of Christ, and finally . are saved together with the elderly. F.W.S(tellhorn)(?)