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

* 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 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

* 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 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

* 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.