Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 39 of 107
What is the duty which God requireth of man?
A.The duty which God requireth of man is obedience to his revealed will.
Which Bible passages support this answer?
The Westminster Assembly attached these Scripture proofs to answer 39. Read them together and ask what each one shows about the answer.
- Micah 6:8
He has told you, O man, what is good, and what the Lord really wants from you: He wants you to carry out justice, to love faithfulness, and to live obediently before your God. (NET)
- 1 Samuel 15:22
Then Samuel said, “Does the Lord take pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as he does in obedience? Certainly, obedience is better than sacrifice; paying attention is better than the fat of rams. (NET)
What does this answer mean?
Here the catechism turns from what we believe to what we do. The duty God requires of us is obedience to his revealed will, what he has made known in his Word. Obedience follows from knowing who God is: the God described in the first half of the catechism is worthy of our trust and our obedience.
What can we ask our children?
- What duty does God ask of us?
- Where has God revealed his will?
- Why is it right to obey God?
Can I print this question?
Yes. Every printable here is free for home, church and co-op use. Press Print on any of these pages for a clean sheet.
- Memory card for question 39 (fold-over card, question on the front)
- Copywork page for question 39 (trace, then copy)
- Memory cards for questions 31 to 40
- Copywork for questions 31 to 40
- All Westminster Shorter Catechism printables
Text: The Shorter Catechism, constitutional text of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. Public domain (1647). Proof references: Scripture proofs added by the Westminster Assembly, as transcribed by The Westminster Standard. Scripture quotations are from the NET Bible; see permissions.
Checked against a second edition on November 15, 2026. Explanation and questions by Household Theology Press. Last updated November 15, 2026.