Heidelberg Catechism Lectionary

This lectionary is the order of Scripture lessons, with suggestions for the use of questions and answers from the Heidelberg Catechism during the Season of Pentecost. In addition to the order and selections of the Psalter, this is a four-year plan for using the Bible as the basis for preaching the Word of God.

The plan is based on the well-established Reformed principle of lectio continua, or continuous reading and exposition of biblical books or parts of books. For the second lesson, ministers will find suggestions in one or more lectionaries in use in other Churches. This lectionary was originally printed in Liturgy and Psalms.

Week	Scripture	Theme
Advent I	Genesis 1:1-23	In the beginning
Advent II	Genesis 1:24-2:3	In our image, after our likeness
Advent III	Genesis 2:4-25	The Garden of Eden
Advent IV	Genesis 3:1-24	Paradise lost
Christmas Eve	Matthew 1:18-25	You shall call his name Jesus
Christmas Day	Matthew 2:1-12	The adoration of the Wise Men
Christmas	I Matthew 2:13-23	The flight into Egypt
Christmas	II Matthew 3:1-17	The baptism
Epiphany I	Matthew 4:1-11	The temptation
Epiphany II	Matthew 4:12-25	The first disciples
Epiphany III	Matthew 8:1-17	Healing of the sick
Epiphany IV	Matthew 8:18-34	Even winds and seas obey him
Epiphany V	Matthew 9:18-34	Never anything seen like this
Epiphany VI	Matthew 11:16-30	Come to me
Epiphany VII	Matthew 13:1-23	The sower (Septuagesima)
Epiphany VIII	Matthew 13:24-43	The wheat and the tares (Sexagesima)
Epiphany IX	Matthew 14:13-33	You are the Son of God (Quinquagesima)
Lent I	Matthew 16:13-28	The great confession
Lent II	Matthew 17:1-23	The transfiguration
Lent III	Matthew 18:15-35	Forgiveness
Lent IV	Matthew 19:13-30	The first last and the last first
Lent V	Matthew 20:17-28	Not to be served but to serve
Lent VI	Matthew 21:1-17	Hosanna to the Son of David
Selections from the last week’s teachings may be used at services during Holy Week or at mid-week services during Lent.
Maundy Thursday	Matthew 26:17-56	Last Supper and Gethsemane
Good Friday	Matthew 27:32-54	The crucifixion
Easter Sunday	Matthew 28:1-20	The resurrection
Easter I	Exodus 1:8-2:10	Moses
Easter II	Exodus 2:23-3:15	The burning bush
Easter III	Exodus 5:1-6:1	Bricks without straw
Easter IV	Exodus 12:21-42	The exodus
Easter V	Exodus 14:15-31	The crossing of the Red Sea
Ascension Day	Exodus 15:1-18	The Lord shall reign forever and ever
Ascension I	Exodus 16:1-16	Bread from heaven
Pentecost	Exodus 24:1-18	The covenant at Sinai
Pentecost I	Exodus 32:1-19, 30, 35	The golden calf
Pentecost II	Romans 1:1-17 Heidelberg Catechism 1-2	Power of God for salvation Our only comfort
Pentecost III	Romans 2:11-29 Heidelberg Catechism 3-5	God is impartial Man’s misery
Pentecost IV	Romans 3:1-20 Heidelberg Catechism 6-11	None is righteous The wages of sin
Pentecost V	Romans 3:21-31 Heidelberg Catechism 12-19	Redemption in Christ The gospel
Pentecost VI	Romans 4:1-25 Heidelberg Catechism 20-22	Abraham’s faith True faith
Pentecost VII	Romans 5:1-21 Heidelberg Catechism 59-64	Peace with God Justification
Pentecost VIII	Romans 6:1-11 Heidelberg Catechism 65-68	Dead to sin, alive to Christ Word and sacraments
Pentecost IX	Romans 8:1-17 Heidelberg Catechism 69-74	Children and heirs Baptism
Pentecost X	Romans 8:28-39 Heidelberg Catechism 75-85	Victorious love of God Lord’s Supper
Pentecost XI	Romans 12:1-21 Heidelberg Catechism 86-91	Be transformed Conversion
Pentecost XII	Leviticus 19:1-18	Be holy as I the Lord am holy
Pentecost XIII	Numbers 20:1-13	The sin of Moses and Aaron
Pentecost XIV	Deuteronomy 6:1-25	Hear, O Israel
Pentecost XV	Deuteronomy 26:1-11	Offering the first fruits
Pentecost XVI	Deuteronomy 30:1-20	Life and good, death and evil
Pentecost XVII	Deuteronomy 34:1-12	The death of Moses
Pentecost XVIII	Joshua 1:1-18	Go over this Jordan
Pentecost XIX	Joshua 6:1-21	Conquest of Jericho
Pentecost XX	Joshua 24:14-31	Choose this day whom you will serve
Pentecost XXI*	1 Peter 1:3-19	Redeemed with the blood of Christ
Pentecost XXII	1 Peter 2:1-10	A spiritual house
Pentecost XXIII	1 Peter 2:11-25	In his steps
Pentecost XXIV	1 Peter 3:1-18	Reverence Christ in your hearts
Pentecost XXV	1 Peter 4:7-19	The end is at hand
Pentecost XXVI	2 Peter 1:16-2:3	A lamp in a dark place
Pentecost XXVII	2 Peter 3:3-15a	The coming day of the Lord
Pentecost XXVIII	Revelation 3:14-22	I stand at the door and knock

* Since Easter is a variable date, some selections prior to the XXIst may have to be omitted in such a way that in any year the XXIst will be used on the first Sunday in October with the later lessons following in sequence.

Week	Scripture	Theme
Advent I	Genesis 12:1-9	The call of Abraham
Advent II	Genesis 15:1-21	The covenant with Abraham
Advent III	Genesis 22:1-19	The trial of Abraham’s faith
Advent IV	Genesis 28:1-22	Jacob’s dream at Bethel
Christmas Eve	Hebrews 1:1-14	The express image of his person
Christmas Day	Hebrews 2:1-18	Made like his brethren in every respect
Christmas I	Hebrews 3:1-14	Consider Jesus
Christmas II	Mark 1:1-11	The baptism
Epiphany I	Mark 1:12-28	Disciples and teacher
Epiphany II	Mark 2:1-17	I came to call sinners
Epiphany III	Mark 3:13-35	My mother and my brothers
Epiphany IV	Mark 4: 21-41	Parables of the kingdom
Epiphany V	Mark 5:21-43	The daughter of Jairus
Epiphany VI	Mark 6:30-56	Feeding of the five thousand
Epiphany VII	Mark 8:27-9:13	Confession and transfiguration (Septuagesima)
Epiphany VIII	Mark 10:13-31	The first last and the last first (Sexagesima)
Epiphany IX	Mark 10:32-52	His life a ransom for many (Quinquagesima)
Lent I	Hebrews 4:14-5:10	We have a great high priest
Lent II	Hebrews 8:6-13	Mediator of a better covenant
Lent III	Hebrews 9:11-28	Christ once offered to bear sins
Lent IV	Hebrews 10:11-25	One sacrifice for sins forever
Lent V	Hebrews 12:1-13	Looking to Jesus
Lent VI	Hebrews 11:1-11	Triumphant entry
Selections from the last week’s teachings may be used at services during Holy Week or at mid-week services during Lent.
Maundy Thursday	Mark 14:12-31	The last supper
Good Friday	Mark 15:16-41	The crucifixion
Easter Sunday	Mark 16:1-20	The resurrection
Easter I	Acts 13:1-5, 42-52	Church in Galatia
Easter II	Acts 16:9-34	Church in Macedonia
Easter III	Acts 17:16-34	Church in Achaia
Easter IV	1 Corinthians 15:1-28	The gospel I preached to you
Easter V	Acts 19:1-20	Church in Asia
Ascension Day	Ephesians 1:3-23	Head over all things
Ascension I	Ephesians 2:1-10	We are his workmanship
Pentecost	Ephesians 2:11-22	A habitation of God through the Spirit
Pentecost I	Ephesians 3:14-4:16	Unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace
Pentecost II	Ephesians 6:10-20	Put on the whole armor of God
Pentecost III	Acts 27:1-26	Paul journeys to Rome
Pentecost IV	Acts 28:11-31	Paul reaches Rome
Pentecost V	1 Corinthians 1:3-17 Heidelberg Catechism 22-25	One holy faith God in three persons
Pentecost VI	1 Corinthians 1:18-31 Heidelberg Catechism 26-28	The election of God God the Father
Pentecost VII	Colossians 1:3-14 Heidelberg Catechism 29-34	The kingdom of the Son The names of Christ
Pentecost VIII	Colossians 1:15-23 Heidelberg Catechism 35-36	Image of the invisible God The person of Christ
Pentecost IX	Colossians 2:4-23 Heidelberg Catechism 37-44	Sin nailed to the cross The work of Christ
Pentecost X	Colossians 3:1-17 Heidelberg Catechism 45-52	Raised with Christ The glory of Christ
Pentecost XI	1 Corinthians 2:1-16 Heidelberg Catechism 53	Ministry of the Spirit The Holy Spirit
Pentecost XII	1 Corinthians 3:1-11 Heidelberg Catechism 54-56	Fellow workers for God The Christian Church
Pentecost XIII	1 Corinthians 3:12-4:5 Heidelberg Catechism 57-58	The Lord our Judge The last things
Pentecost XIV	Judges 2:6-3:6	Apostasy in the promised land
Pentecost XV	Judges 7:1-17	The sword of the Lord and of Gideon
Pentecost XVI	Judges 16:4-27	Samson and Delilah
Pentecost XVII	Ruth 1:1-17	Thy people my people; thy God my God
Pentecost XVIII	2 Corinthians 4:1-15	Treasure in earthen vessels
Pentecost XIX	2 Corinthians 4:16-5:10	Things unseen are eternal
Pentecost XX	2 Corinthians 5:11-6:2	God in Christ reconciling the world
Pentecost XXI*	1 Corinthians 11:23-34	The Lord’s Supper
Pentecost XXII	1 Corinthians 12:4-28	Various gifts: one Spirit
Pentecost XXIII	1 Corinthians 12:31b-13:13	Love never ends
Pentecost XXIV	1 Corinthians 15:35-58	Death swallowed up by victory
Pentecost XXV	1 Thessalonians 4:13-38	Concerning those who are asleep
Pentecost XXVI	1 Thessalonians 5:1-11	Keep awake and be sober
Pentecost XXVII	2 Thessalonians 2:1-17	Concerning the coming
Pentecost XXVIII	Malachi 3:6-4:6	I will send Elijah

Week	Scripture	Theme
Advent I	Luke 1:1-25	Promise of the birth of John the Baptist
Advent II	Luke 1:26-38	The annunciation
Advent III	Luke 1:39-56	Visit of Mary to Elizabeth
Advent IV	Luke 1:57-80	Birth of John the Baptist
Christmas Eve	Luke 2:1-20	Adoration of the shepherds
Christmas Day	Luke 2:21-40	Presentation in the temple
Christmas I	Luke 2:41-52	The boy Jesus in the temple
Christmas II	Luke 3:1-22	The baptism
Epiphany I	Luke 4:1-13	The temptation
Epiphany II	Luke 4:14-30	Rejection at Nazareth
Epiphany III	Luke 5:1-11	Call of Simon Peter
Epiphany IV	Luke 6:1-11	Lord of the Sabbath
Epiphany V	Luke 6:12-36	Beatitudes and woes
Epiphany VI	Luke 7:18-35	Are you he that should come?
Epiphany VII	Luke 9:18-36	Peter’s confession and the transfiguration (Septuagesima)
Epiphany VIII	Luke 10:1-22	Mission of the seventy (Sexagesima)
Epiphany IX	Luke 10:23-42	The good Samaritan (Quinquagesima)
Lent I	Luke 12:49-13:9	I have a baptism to be baptized with
Lent II	Luke 13:10-35	Journeying toward Jerusalem
Lent III	Luke 15:1-10	This man receives sinners
Lent IV	Luke 15:11-32	The prodigal son
Lent V	Luke 17:11-37	Between Samaria and Galilee
Lent VI	Luke 19:29-44	The triumphal entry
Selections from the last week’s teachings may be used at services during Holy Week or at mid-week services during Lent.
Maundy Thursday	Luke 22:7-30	The last supper
Good Friday	Luke 23:26-49	The crucifixion
Easter Sunday	Luke 24:1-12	The resurrection
Easter I	Luke 24:13-35	The road to Emmaus
Easter II	Isaiah 58:1-14	Cry aloud, spare not
Easter III	Isaiah 59:1-21	The Lord’s hand is not shortened
Easter IV	Isaiah 62:1-12	For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent
Easter V	Isaiah 63:1-19	Who is this that comes from Edom?
Ascension Day	Acts 1:1-14	The ascension
Ascension I	Isaiah 65:17-25	I create new heavens and a new earth
Pentecost	Acts 2:1-21	The descent of the Holy Spirit
Pentecost I	Acts 4:1-22	Peter and John before the council
Pentecost II	Acts 5:17-42	Persecution of the Apostles
Pentecost III	Acts 6:1-5, 7:54-8:3	Martyrdom of Stephen
Pentecost IV	Acts 8:26-40	Baptism of the Ethiopian
Pentecost V	Acts 9:1-22	Conversion of Paul
Pentecost VI	Acts 11:1-26	Vision of Peter
Pentecost VII	Matthew 5:1-12 Heidelberg Catechism 92-95	Beatitudes God only is Lord
Pentecost VIII	Matthew 6:19-24 Heidelberg Catechism 96-98	No man can serve two masters True worship
Pentecost IX	Matthew 6:1-18 Heidelberg Catechism 99-102	True piety Reverence God’s name
Pentecost X	Matthew 5:13-20 Heidelberg Catechism 103	Let your light shine Maintain the ministry of the gospel
Pentecost XI	Matthew 7:1-12 Heidelberg Catechism 104	Your Father in heaven Honor to whom honor is due
Pentecost XII	Matthew 5:21-26 Heidelberg Catechism 105-107	Do not be angry Respect for God’s creatures
Pentecost XIII	Matthew 5:27-32 Heidelberg Catechism 108-109	Do not be lustful Temples of the Holy Spirit
Pentecost XIV	Matthew 6:25-34 Heidelberg Catechism 110-111	Do not be anxious Furthering our neighbor’s good
Pentecost XV	Matthew 5:33-48 Heidelberg Catechism 112	Do not swear Speaking the truth in love
Pentecost XVI	Matthew 7:13-29 Heidelberg Catechism 113-115	Enter at the narrow gate By the grace of the Holy Spirit
Pentecost XVII	Genesis 6:5-22	The earth filled with violence
Pentecost XVIII	Genesis 8:1-22	While the earth remains
Pentecost XIX	Genesis 9:1-19	Covenant with Noah
Pentecost XX	Genesis 11:1-9	Tower of Babel
Pentecost XXI*	Jeremiah 1:1-19	Call of Jeremiah
Pentecost XXII	Jeremiah 2:1-13	Broken cisterns
Pentecost XXIII	Jeremiah 6:1-21	Peace and there is no peace
Pentecost XXIV	Jeremiah 11:1-14	Broken covenant
Pentecost XXV	Jeremiah 18:1-17	Potter and clay
Pentecost XXVI	Jeremiah 23:16-29	Storm of the Lord
Pentecost XXVII	Jeremiah 26:1-19	Destruction threatened
Pentecost XXVIII	Jeremiah 31:23-40	New covenant

Week	Scripture	Theme
Advent I	Isaiah 40:1-11	Comfort my people
Advent II	Isaiah 42:1-17	Behold thy servant
Advent III	Isaiah 52:1-12	Awake, put on thy strength, O Zion
Advent IV	Isaiah 55:1-13	Ho, every one that thirsts
Christmas Eve	Isaiah 60:1-22	Arise, shine, for thy light has come
Christmas Day	John 1:1-18	The Word made flesh
Christmas I	John 1:19-34	John the Baptist
Christmas II	John 1:35-51	Behold the Lamb of God
Epiphany I	John 2:1-11	First miracle
Epiphany II	Genesis 37:12-36	This dreamer is coming
Epiphany III	Genesis 41:1-16, 25-36	Dream of Pharaoh
Epiphany IV	Genesis 42:1-25	Corn in Egypt
Epiphany V	Genesis 44:1-17	The silver cup
Epiphany VI	Genesis 45:1-28	I am Joseph your brother
Epiphany VII	John 3:1-21	God so loved the world (Septuagesima)
Epiphany VIII	John 4:5-26	God is Spirit (Sexagesima)
Epiphany IX	John 5:1-24	My Father works and I work (Quinquagesima)
Lent I	John 6:1-21	Feeding the five thousand
Lent II	John 6:26-51	Bread of Life
Lent III	John 8:19-38	I am the Light of the world
Lent IV	John 10:1-18	I am the Good Shepherd
Lent V	John 11:5-27	I am the Resurrection and the Life
Lent VI	John 12:12-36	the triumphal entry
Selections from the last week’s teachings may be used at services during Holy Week or at mid-week services during Lent.
Maundy Thursday	John 18:1-17	In the night he was betrayed
Good Friday	John 19:17-37	The crucifixion
Easter Sunday	John 20:1-18	The resurrection
Easter I	John 20:19-31	My Lord and my God
Easter II	John 21:1-25	Feed my sheep
Easter III	1 John 1:1 2:2	This is the message
Easter IV	1 John 2:3-17	Do not love the world
Easter V	1 John 3:1-18	See what love the Father has given us
Ascension Day	Zechariah 8:1-23	Future glory of Zion
Ascension I	1 John 4:1-21	Abiding in him
Pentecost	Joel 2:28-32	The gift of the Spirit and the coming of the end
Pentecost I	1John 5:1-11	Three witnesses
Pentecost II	1 Samuel 3:1-21	Call of Samuel
Pentecost III	1 Samuel 16:1-23	Anointing of David
Pentecost IV	2 Samuel 7:1-24	Promise to the House of David
Pentecost V	1 Chronicles 29:10-30	Coronation of Solomon
Pentecost VI	1 Kings 11:26-43	Prophecy of a divided kingdom
Pentecost VII	James 5:13-20 Heidelberg Catechism 116-119	Prayer has great power Prayer
Pentecost VIII	James 1:1-15 Heidelberg Catechism 120-121	Ask God and it will be given Our Father
Pentecost IX	James 1:16-27 Heidelberg Catechism 122-124	Every perfect gift from above First three petitions
Pentecost X	James 2:1-26 or 4:1-12 Heidelberg Catechism 125-127	Fulfill the royal law; draw nigh to God The last three petitions
Pentecost XI	James 4:13-5:11 Heidelberg Catechism 128-129	Be patient Conclusion
Pentecost XII 1	Timothy 6:6-19	Godliness with contentment
Pentecost XIII	2 Timothy 2:1-13	Word of God not fettered
Pentecost XIV	2 Timothy 3:14-4:8	Preach the Word
Pentecost XV	Ezekiel 1:26-2:10	Call of Ezekiel
Pentecost XVI	Ezekiel 37:1-14	Valley of dry bones
Pentecost XVII	1 Kings 18:17-39	Elijah at Mt. Carmel
Pentecost XVIII	2 Kings 2:1-15	Spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha
Pentecost XIX	Amos 5:1-24	Let judgment run down
Pentecost XX	Hosea 11:1-11	How shall I give you up?
Pentecost XXI*	Isaiah 6:1-13	Call of Isaiah
Pentecost XXII	Micah 6:1-8	With what shall I come before the Lord?
Pentecost XXIII	2 Kings 19:14-37	Invasion of Sennacherib
Pentecost XXIV	2 Kings 23:1-14, 21-25	Josiah’s reformation
Pentecost XXV	2 Chronicles 36:11-23	Fall of Jerusalem
Pentecost XXVI	Daniel 3:1-6, 13-28	Burning fiery furnace
Pentecost XXVII	Revelation 7:9-17	Arrayed in white robes
Pentecost XXVIII	Revelation 21:22-22:5	No night there

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Heidelberg Catechism Lectionary

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