1. LESSON 1
THE BIBLE
Opening Prayer: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, as we begin this new year as youth and parents going to your Word we ask that you bless us just as you had Moses bless your people. “The Lord bless (us) and keep (us); the Lord make his face shine upon (us) and be gracious to (us); the Lord turn his face toward (us) and give (us) peace.” (Numbers 6:24) Amen.
Take a few moments and share with your youth what you remember from your youth about Confirmation.
The word “confirm” means to strengthen. God through His Holy Spirit strengthens us through our contact and use of the Word and Sacraments. It is a special time to come together in the family and the family of God.
In our 1st Lesson on “The Bible” we want to understand the connection between the Catechism and the Bible.
We will ask: “What is the Bible?”
“Why did God give us the Bible?”
“What are the Two Main Teachings or Doctrines of the Bible?’ and,
“How does God want us to use His Word?”
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2. THE CATECHISM
Ask: “What is the Catechism?” Turn to your Blue “Revised Catechism” “Preface” on page vii we read “Martin Luther wrote the Small Catechism so that all Christians might have a short and simple summary of the main truths the Bible teaches.”
Turn to Page 1 of the Catechism. The First Commandment: “You shall have no other gods.” is given.
Then notice Luther’s question: “What does this mean?” Luther provides the answer: “We should fear, love, and trust in God above all things.”
Our Catechism gives us a simple, clear summary of the First Commandment.
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3. THE CATECHISM
A book of instruction in the form of questions and answers
What it is:
Who wrote it:
Martin Luther (1483 – 1546)
So that the head of the family could teach his family the chief parts of Christian doctrine (teaching)
So we ask: “What is it (catechism)? Have your youth record/write down in his work-book: “A Book of Instruction in the form of Questions and Answers.” (In the future I will not write out these responses—the purpose of writing down the response is to more fully engage the student. The more we engage ourselves in educational process the more we retain.)
Who wrote it: Have youth record the response.
Share from your perspective something you know about Martin Luther. Your Catechism
( Pages 20-25) provides more background information about Martin Luther.
Why it was written: Go to pages 1, 4, 6, 9, 11, 13 in your Catechism and under each major part we have the phrase:
“As the head of the household should teach them in the simplest way to those in his household.”
Luther wrote the Catechism as a teaching tool for the family. Luther saw the need in the family and church to know and understand the main teachings of the Bible.
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Why it was written:

4. THE CATECHISM 1. The Ten Commandments What’s in it:
2. The Apostles’ Creed
3. The Lord’s Prayer
4. The Sacrament of Holy Baptism
5. The Use of the Keys and Confession
Have the youth record the chief parts of the Catechism.
Ask: Do you remember where God gave Moses the Ten Commandments? (Answer: Mt. Sinai) The Apostles Creed is a summary of Bible teachings about God that came to be about 100 AD. Jesus’ disciples asked: “Lord, teach us to pray” and we are provided: “The Lord’s Prayer”. At Jesus’ ascension he gives the command: “Go…make disciples….” and with it Baptism. Looking to Jesus’ victory at Easter as well as his interaction with his disciples in Matthew 18 we have “the Ministry of the Keys and Confession.” On Maundy Thursday—the night before Jesus’ death on the cross Jesus initiates “the Sacrament of Holy Communion.” These are the 6 chief parts of the Catechism.
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6. The Sacrament of Holy Communion
The Bible
The source of the Catechism’s teachings:

5. THE BIBLE
Ask: What was the source for all this teaching and instruction? Martin Luther went to His Bible.
Have youth record this response.
Families needed help in Martin Luther’s day and families need help today. I admit it is easy to put my Bible aside and leave it closed. We have a similiar problem today because we are so busy doing many things but not necessarily the important things.
We look to God to bless our studies. So we ask: “What do we remember about the Bible?
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6. THE BIBLE The Bible Old Testament New Testament 1. Books 39 27
2. Writers
Moses, Kings, Prophets
Evangelists, Apostles
3. Kinds of Books
History, Poetry, Prophecy
History, Letters, Prophecy
4. Language
Hebrew
Greek
5. Content
History of Israel Promise of a Savior
Tells about the Savior who has come
Turn to pages 30, 31, 32 in your Catechism. The Catechism reminds us of different names for the Bible and how Old Testament and New Testament focus on Christ. The top of Page 32 gives us some helpful information about the Books of the Bible. Try reading through the names of the Books of the Bible together.
Have the youth record the information into the appropriate boxes. Note that last category: Content.
The Old Testament primarily gives the “history of Israel through whom God brings the promise of the Savior into the world.” The New Testament “tells us about the Savior who has come”.
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7. THE BIBLE Words to Know One who speaks God’s Word to God’s people
Prophet:
One who speaks or writes the Good News about Jesus
Evangelist:
One who is sent out as Jesus’ messenger
Apostle:
Here are some key words we need to know about the writers of the Bible. Have the youth record this information.
Prophet: example—Elijah, Jonah
Evangelist—Example: Mark, Luke
Apostle: Example – James, John, Matthew
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Bible:
Word meaning “book”
The “writings” referring to the Bible
Scriptures:

8. WHAT IS THE BIBLE?
“What is the Bible?” This is an important question. Let’s say that you just received a letter I sent you last week. In it I promised to send you a thousand dollars and another thousand for each member of your family.
What are some reasons you would want to be sure that this letter came from me? (You would want to be sure I wasn’t playing some joke on you, or that I really meant it before you started planning to spend it by buying things for yourselves. Or you might ask: Why would Pastor Dave do that?)
We can answer the question: “What is the Bible?” by saying that the Bible is God’s letter – God’s message – to us and it is filled with many wonderful promises. In the Bible God tells us our sins are forgiven, that we will rise from the dead when Jesus comes again, that one day we will live with Him in heaven. So we want to check to see if this “letter” or “message” is real and not fake.
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9. 2 Timothy 3:16
16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
Have youth read this passage.
This passage tells us the Bible is “God-breathed.” God “breathed” these words into men he had chosen, and they wrote them down. Another word for this is “inspired”. God “inspired”; he breathed into the prophets and apostles to write the Bible. So God is the real author of the entire Bible. And it is God Himself who is speaking to us when we read the Bible.
Let’s look at another passage.
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10. 2 Peter 1:21
21For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
Let’s read this passage together.
What is the Bible? We can be sure that the Bible is God’s Word because the Holy Spirit guided the men who wrote it as they did their work.
Illustration: God moved the men he had chosen to write down what He wanted them to record. These men were not robots. Rather, God used each man’s individual talent and writing style and customary expressions.
(So Matthew writes different from Luke or John, and yet each one is inspired by God.) The Holy Spirit made sure they wrote exactly what he wanted.
Let‘s look at another passage.

11. John 14:26
26But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
Jesus put it very simply when he told his disciples: “The Holy Spirit…will teach you all things…”
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12. What is the Bible?
1. God the Holy Spirit breathed into (inspired) the writers to write the exact words He wanted.
Have the youth record the note.
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13. 1 Corinthians 2:12-13
12We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.
Read this passage together.
The Holy Spirit gave the writers the words they were to write.
Illustrate: The term we use to describe this biblical truth is “verbal” or a “word-for-word” inspiration. A bugle doesn’t produce good music unless the musician blowing into it plays the exact tones that need to be played for a certain tune. In the same way, the writers of the Bible could not have written God’s Word if the Holy Spirit hadn’t guided them to write the exact words God wanted them to write.
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14. What is the Bible?
1. God the Holy Spirit breathed into (inspired) the writers to write the exact words He wanted.
2. The Bible is therefore word-for-word God’s Word (Verbal Inspiration)
Have youth record the note.

15. John 10:35 35…..-and the Scripture cannot be broken--
Jesus is speaking and says the Bible is true and contains no errors. “The Scriptures can’t be broken.”
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16. John 17:17 17. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.
We can be sure that the Bible is true and contains no errors.
Illustration: Recently the government studied some of the history books being used in schools. In one history book alone, there were almost 100 mistakes. God’s Word is not like a history book written by human authors who make mistakes. Since the real author of the Bible is God himself—He speaks the truth, God cannot lie. We can trust all His promises to be the truth and to come true.
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17. What is the Bible?
1. God the Holy Spirit breathed into (inspired) the writers to write the exact words He wanted.
1. God the Holy Spirit breathed into (inspired) the writers to write the exact words He wanted.
2. The Bible is therefore word-for-word God’s Word
Have youth record note.
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3. Everything the Bible says is true since it’s God’s Word

18. Revelation 22:18-19
18I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. 19And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.
We will not want to add to or subtract/take away from what the Bible says.
Illustration: A good baker knows how important it is to read and follow a recipe carefully.
Imagine what would happen if you were making brownies and you decided to add a teaspoon of garlic salt. Imagine what would happen if you decided not to put in the flour.
So also, whenever someone subtracts from or adds to God’s Word, that person is serving up his own concoction and is changing God’s message of salvation. And doing that would wreck more than our digestion—it could ruin our eternal future.
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19. What is the Bible?
1. God the Holy Spirit breathed into (inspired) the writers to write the exact words He wanted.
2. The Bible is therefore word-for-word God’s Word
What is the Bible?
Have youth record note #4.
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3. Everything the Bible says is true since it’s God’s Word
4. We shouldn’t add anything to or subtract anything from the Bible

20. Application Evaluate this statement:
I believe the Bible is God’s Word because it makes so much sense.
Comment: This wouldn’t necessarily be a good proof that the Bible is God’s Word. Many false teachings that are contrary to the Bible also make good sense. Many false teachings that are contrary to the Bible also make good sense. And some teachings of the bible also make good sense. And some teachings of the Bible don’t make a lot of sense to our sense to our human minds, but they are still true (like the bread and wine also being Jesus’ body and blood in the Lord’s Supper, or Jesus’ virgin birth, or Jesus’ being both true God and true man in one person.)
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21. WHY DID GOD GIVE US THE BIBLE?
We have asked: What is the Bible? Another basic question is “Why?”
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22. 2 Timothy 3:15-17
15and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Read this passage together.
Only through the Bible can we be made “wise for salvation” or learn how we are saved.
Illustration: You get a new riding lawn mower and turn the key. But it won’t start—maybe
its in the wires, maybe the battery’s dead. Neighbors suggest what you should do. Only when you look in the owner’s manual, however, do you discover the key fact you missed—that your foot has to be on the clutch to start it. We can possibly know some things about God by looking at the world or looking at people. But they can’t teach us the most important thing – the way of salvation.
The owner’s manual does more – it tells us how to properly care for and use the mower.
So God through the Bible wants to reveal how we please God by the way He wants us to care for ourselves and the lives of others.
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23. Why Did God Give us the Bible?
1. To teach us the way of salvation (deliverence) by trusting in Jesus.
2. To guide us in God-pleasing living after we have come to trust in Jesus.
Have youth record both notes 1 & 2.
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24. WHAT ARE THE TWO MAIN TEACHINGS (DOCTRINES) OF THE BIBLE?
This leads us to ask our 3rd Question:
What are the two main teachings or doctrines of the Bible?
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25. John 1:17
17For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
Have youth read passage.
The Bible – God’s letter to us – has 2 main teachings.
John 1: 17 shows us one of the main teachings of the Bible is the Law or God’s commands; the other teaching is the Gospel – God’s Promises filled with grace and truth.
Illustration: Many laws have been passed by our government: no littering, drive at 45, no jaywalking, and no messing with the US Mail, and so on. God has his own set of laws.
They are summed up in the Ten Commandments. The Law was first written in our hearts and then given a second time at Mt. Sinai.
The Gospel is given only one place--- in the Bible—God’s love letter to us.
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26. What are the Two Main Teachings (Doctrines) of the Bible?
The Law (God’s Commands)
The Gospel (God’s Promises)
Have the youth record both notes.

27. Exodus 20
The Ten Commandments 1 And God spoke all these words: 2 "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 3 "You shall have no other gods before me. 4 "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand {generations} of those who love me and keep my commandments. 7 "You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.
Scan the record of God giving the Law at Mt. Sinai in Exodus 20.
“You shall have no other gods….
Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy…
These are God’s clear commands of what we are and are not to do.
The next slide gives us more of the Law. Click.

28. Exodus 20
8 "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. 11 For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. 12 "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you. 13 "You shall not murder. 14 "You shall not commit adultery. 15 "You shall not steal. 16 "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
Honor your father and mother….
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29. Exodus 20
17 "You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor." 18 When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance 19 and said to Moses, "Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die." 20 Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning." 21 The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was.
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30. What are the Two Main Teachings (Doctrines) of the Bible?
The Law (God’s Commands)
The Gospel (God’s Promises)
Exodus 20
Do! Don’t!
What to do and not to do
Have the youth record these notes.
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31. John 19:30
30When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
Read this passage together.
What a contrast! Jesus speaks from the cross. He announces:
“It is finished!” The word here means the payment of a debt.
Jesus pays for the debt of our sins with his life.
What Good News!
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32. What are the Two Main Teachings (Doctrines) of the Bible?
The Law (God’s Commands)
The Gospel (God’s Promises)
John 19:30
Does!
What God has done for our salvation
Exodus 20
Do! Don’t!
What to do and not to do
Have youth record the note.

33. Romans 3:20
20Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.
Have youth read the passage.
The Law acts as a mirror and enables me to see myself as I really am – sinful within and sinful without.
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34. What are the Two Main Teachings (Doctrines) of the Bible?
The Law (God’s Commands)
The Gospel (God’s Promises)
John 19:30
Does!
What God has done for our salvation
Exodus 20
Do! Don’t!
What to do and not to do
Romans 3:20
2. Shows us our sin, mirror, x-ray
Have youth record note.

35. Luke 2:14
14"Glory to God in the highest,        and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
Read together.
The Gospel takes to the shepherds outside the town of Bethlehem as the angels sing their
praise to God.
We follow the shepherds to Bethlehem and see the infant Jesus in the arms of Mary and
Joseph. The Son of God came to be our Savior.
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36. What are the Two Main Teachings (Doctrines) of the Bible?
The Law (God’s Commands)
The Gospel (God’s Promises)
John 19:30
Does!
What God has done for our salvation
Exodus 20
Do! Don’t!
What to do and not to do
Have youth record the note.
Note the simple way we see the difference between Law and Gospel.
The Law: SOS -- Shows us Our Sin
The Gospel: SOS – Shows us Our Savior
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Romans 3:20
2. Shows us our sin, mirror, x-ray
Luke 2:14
2. Shows us our Savior

37. Galatians 3:10
10All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law."
The Law reveals we are under a curse because we do not meet its demands.
Illustration: In Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs the evil queen offers Snow White an apple that has been cursed. When Snow White takes of a bit of the apple she falls into
A deep sleep. The only possible escape from the curse is for a man to come along and kiss her and wake her up. We also have fallen under a curse. God has placed a curse on all who fail to uphold his law—and there is no escape.
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38. What are the Two Main Teachings (Doctrines) of the Bible?
The Law (God’s Commands)
The Gospel (God’s Promises)
John 19:30
Does!
What God has done for our salvation
Exodus 20
Do! Don’t!
What to do and not to do
Romans 3:20
2. Shows us our sin, mirror, x-ray
Luke 2:14
2. Shows us our Savior
Have youth record note.
Galatians 3:10
3. Condemns all

39. Romans 1:16
16I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
Read the passage together.
The Gospel tell the Good News of God’s deliverance from our sins and death.
Illustration: A man needs an expensive operation to save his life. But he doesn’t have the money to pay for it. A friend of his finds out and pays for the operation. The operation is successful, and the man’s life is saved. That’s what the Gospel of Jesus Christ is all about.
WE were doomed to eternal death because we are sinful but Jesus, our greatest friend,
rescued us. The Gospel is a gift to be received in faith by all.
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40. What are the Two Main Teachings (Doctrines) of the Bible?
The Law (God’s Commands)
The Gospel (God’s Promises)
Exodus 20
Do! Don’t!
What to do and not to do
John 19:30
Does!
What God has done for our salvation
Romans 3:20
2. Shows us our sin, mirror, x-ray
Luke 2:14
2. Shows us our Savior
Have youth record the note.
Romans 1:16
3. Has the power to save all who believe
Galatians 3:10
3. Condemns all

41. HOW DOES GOD WANT US TO USE HIS WORD?
This leads to our closing question: “How does God want us to use His Word?”
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42. Luke 11:28
28He replied, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it."
Have youth read this passage.
Now remember the letter about the $1000 gift to you and to each member of your family.
You have the opportunity to think about. God announces His gift in Jesus is real. He wants us to take him at His word and says we are blessed to hear and obey His Word in Jesus.
We go to the Bible and see how has worked in the hearts of people. We go to the Bible
Where God wants to work in our hearts to believe and know His way of salvation better.
We go to the Bible and are blessed as we walk in His commands.
This is one of the tremendous values of using the Bible and the Catechism—it makes us
And our youth stronger in their Christian faith and life. God gives us His promise.
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43. How Does God Want Us to Use His Word?
1. To hear and study it.
2. To live according to it.
Have youth record these points.
3. Through it He will strengthen (confirm) us in our Christian faith and life.

44. ASSIGNMENT FOR NEXT WEEK
Study carefully the notes you have taken in class; be sure you understand them.
Study carefully Questions 1-17; in the Catechism. Be able to answer these questions in your own words.
Complete the “Working with God’s Word” section. Read the Bible sections and fill in all the blanks. Parents please check this section and correct their Bible Study.
Memorize these Bible verses:
John 1:17 – “The law was given through Moses; grace and truth cam through Jesus Christ.”
Romans 1:16 – VIP “I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.”
John 10:35 – “The Scripture cannot be broken.”

45. ASSIGNMENT FOR NEXT WEEK
5. Memorize in order the names of the following New Testament books:
Matthew Romans
Mark 1st and 2nd Corinthians
Luke Galatians
John Ephesians
Acts Philippians
Colossians
Complete Worksheet #1 at home and have your parents correct it with the answer key.
Complete Key Truths Sheet and be ready to take a quiz at our review secession on October 10th.

46. KEY TRUTHS Lesson One: Martin Luther wrote the catechism to help
___________ teach their children the chief doctrines of the __________. The Holy Spirit __________ or breathed into, the writers of the Bible the exact words he wanted. That means everything in the Bible is ________. The two main teachings of the Bible are the ____ which
_____ ___ _____, and the gospel which _____ __ ________.
Closing Prayer
These the Key Truths for Lesson One.
Have youth fill in the blanks. This is one way we can grasp how well they understand
These Bible truths.
Prayer: Father, Son, and Spirit, thank you for helping us as parents and youth work together in your Word. Send us your continued blessings as we go the Bible and Luther’s
Catechism and strengthen us in our Christian faith and life—all to the praise of your name.
Amen.