Receive with Thanksgiving!
An Online Congregational Study of Economic Life

The Fourth Petition
Give us today our daily bread.

What is this?
Answer. In fact, God gives daily bread without our prayer, even to all evil people, but we ask in this prayer that God cause us to recognize what our daily bread is and to receive it with thanksgiving.

Martin Luther’s Small Catechism

This online study guide will assist those who intend to participate in a study of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s social statement, Sufficient, Sustainable Livelihood for All. The study includes:

• Detailed directions for conducting nine one-hour sessions for adults or adults with youth;

• Suggestions for supplementary activities, as well as ways to adapt the model for use in other settings; and

• A listing of additional resources and organizations.

The study process is designed both to help participants understand the statement and to reflect on its implications for themselves and their congregation. 

Each module of the study process is available to be printed below.  You may also print this page as a guide by using the "print" button in the center column.

• Cover, Basic Information and Table of Contents
• What's in this Guide?
• Introductory Session
• Session One
  From Where I Sit: Helping and Supporting Our Neighbor in All Life’s Needs
• Session Two
  The Face of Poverty: And Who Is My Neighbor?
• Session Three
  Profession and Vocation: Answering God’s Call
• Session Four
  The Fruits of Our Labor: Enjoying Justice
• Session Five
  Dignity in the Workplace: Made in the Image of God
• Session Six
  Sufficiency: How Much is Too Much?
• Session Seven
  Wants and Needs: Too Much is Just Too Much
• Session Eight
  Rest and Re-creation