Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 46 of 107
What is required in the first commandment?
A.The first commandment requireth us to know and acknowledge God to be the only true God, and our God; and to worship and glorify him accordingly.
Which Bible passages support this answer?
The Westminster Assembly attached these Scripture proofs to answer 46. Read them together and ask what each one shows about the answer.
- 1 Chronicles 28:9
“And you, Solomon my son, obey the God of your father and serve him with a submissive attitude and a willing spirit, for the Lord examines all minds and understands every motive of one’s thoughts. If you seek him, he will let you find him, but if you abandon him, he will reject you permanently. (NET)
- Deuteronomy 26:17
Today you have declared the Lord to be your God, and that you will walk in his ways, keep his statutes, commandments, and ordinances, and obey him. (NET)
- Matthew 4:10
Then Jesus said to him, “Go away, Satan! For it is written: ‘You are to worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’” (NET)
- Psalm 29:2
Acknowledge the majesty of the Lord’s reputation. Worship the Lord in holy attire. (NET)
What does this answer mean?
The first commandment requires us to know and acknowledge God as the only true God and as our God, and then to worship and glorify him accordingly. It asks for knowledge, for personal trust ('our God'), and for worship that fits who he is.
What can we ask our children?
- What must we know about God, according to this answer?
- What is the difference between 'the true God' and 'our God'?
- How do we worship and glorify him in our home?
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 46 (fold-over card, question on the front)
- Copywork page for question 46 (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.