Title page of Luther's Small Catechism

Luther published the Small Catechism in 1529 for the use of parents in instructing their households. Over a period of years this work was somewhat expanded and sometimes appeared with a variety of appendixes. The skeleton of this brief work is created by a series of short questions and answers, formed largely out of Scriptural passages. Six sections cover the Ten Commandments, the Apostles' Creed, the Lord's Prayer, Baptism, Confession, and Holy Communion. Luther published the Large Catechism, also in 1529, for the use of pastors and others who would give more extensive instruction in the Christian faith. It follows the same order as the Small Catechism. Both Catechisms are included in the Lutheran confessional corpus, The Book of Concord.