“The Lutheran minister has three special activities. He is, first of all, a preacher of the Word, the whole Word, its Law and its Gospel. He is always and everywhere a seelsorger, a pastor, an under-shepherd, seeking the lost, feeding and caring for those in the fold, knowing them by name, carrying on his heart their woes, their wants and their welfare, looking after them individually and collectively. If he would make full proof of his ministry, he must love the Shepherd and Bishop of his own soul, and must show his love by feeding His lambs, by tending His young sheep. He must be a good Catechist.” — George Gerberding

George Henry Gerberding (1847-1927) studied under Charles Krauth and C. F. Schaeffer and assisted the Rev. Passavant. An indefatigable worker, he established and restored churches in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Fargo, ND. His Way of Salvation in the Lutheran Church was one of the most successful books ever published by the English Lutheran Church.

Level of Difficulty: Primer: No subject matter knowledge needed.

Book Contents

Part I. Introductory.

• I. The Catechist’s Office and Work
• II. The Catechist’s Activity Its Relation to Church-growth
• III. The Catechist’s Study of the Catechumen

Part II. Historical And Critical — The Catechist In History.

• IV. The Catechist in History iIn Bible Times
• V. The Catechist in History From the End of the Apostolic Age to the Reformation

Part III. Historical And Critical -the Catechist’s Textbook In History.

• VI. The Catechist’s Text-Book A Brief History of Catechisms Before Luther
• VII. The Catechist’s Text-Book History of Luther’s Catechisms
• VIII. Characteristics and Value of The Catechist’s Text-Book
• IX. Characteristics and Value (Continued) — The Question and Answer Form.
• X. The Catechist’s Text-Book The Story of Its Use

Part IV. Theoretical And Practical.

• XI. The Catechist and the Rite of Confirmation
• XII. The Catechist’s Qualifications
• XIII. The Catechist Gathering His Class
• XIV. The Catechist Before His Class — The First Meeting
• XV. The Catechist Before His Class — An Ordinary Regular Meeting
• XVI. The Catechist Before His Class — General Suggestions
• XVII. The Catechist Deciding Whom He will Confirm
• XVIII. The Catechist and the Public Examination
• XIX, The Catechist Holding Those Whom He Has Confirmed

Part V. Helpful Hints On The Five Parts Of The Catechism.

• XX. The Ten Commandments
• XXI. The Apostles’ Creed
• XXII. The Lord’s Prayer
• XXIII. The Sacrament of Baptism
• XXIV. Of Confession
• XXV. The Sacrament of the Altar

Publication Information

• Lutheran Library edition first published: 2022
• Copyright: CC BY 4.0