Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 44 of 107

What doth the preface to the ten commandments teach us?

A.The preface to the ten commandments teacheth us that because God is the Lord, and our God, and redeemer, therefore we are bound to keep all his commandments.

Which Bible passages support this answer?

The Westminster Assembly attached these Scripture proofs to answer 44. Read them together and ask what each one shows about the answer.

Luke 1:74-75
⁷⁴that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies, may serve him without fear, ⁷⁵in holiness and righteousness before him for as long as we live. (NET)
1 Peter 1:15-19
¹⁵but, like the Holy One who called you, become holy yourselves in all of your conduct, ¹⁶for it is written, “You shall be holy, because I am holy.” ¹⁷And if you address as Father the one who impartially judges according to each one’s work, live out the time of your temporary residence here in reverence. ¹⁸You know that from your empty way of life inherited from your ancestors you were ransomed—not by perishable things like silver or gold, ¹⁹but by precious blood like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb, namely Christ. (NET)

What does this answer mean?

The preface gives three reasons to keep God's commandments: he is the Lord, he is our God, and he is our redeemer. We obey the God who has already rescued his people. Obedience is the grateful response of those he has redeemed.

What can we ask our children?

What three things does the preface teach about God?
Did God rescue Israel before or after giving the law?
How does remembering what God has done help us obey?

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 44 (fold-over card, question on the front)
Copywork page for question 44 (trace, then copy)
Memory cards for questions 41 to 50
Copywork for questions 41 to 50
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.

Printed from https://householdtheologypress.com/westminster-shorter-catechism/question-44/ · Household Theology Press · free to copy for home, church and co-op