How To Use the Catechism
Over the next 2 years, we will be sharing our Catechism, week-by-week, through this blog. The blog has been designed to help you get the most out of it. This post explains exactly how to use our blog. We hope you find it helpful and encouraging as you work your way through our catechism.
Overview
The format of this catechism has been designed to assist parents and teachers alike to instruct children of all ages in the foundation of our faith: the Gospel of Jesus Christ. After an introductory segment, the catechism is structured in three sections (1) Misery (or Guilt) describing the fact and result of sin: (2) Salvation (or Grace) describing the fact and result of Christ and His work – the Gospel; and (3) Growth and Gratitude describing how Christians grow in their faith and display gratitude to God for the grace we have received in Christ. Additionally four key touchstones of the faith have been built in to aid the child in his or her understanding. The child will memorize (1) the 66 books of the Bible, (2) the Lord’s Prayer, (3) The Apostle’s Creed and (4) the Ten Commandments.
The catechism will be most effective when it is used in two complimentary ways:
- In church. From the time children are 3 years old until they are 14, they will be working on catechism questions as part of our children’s ministry. Each week the children will review questions previously learned and will be working on the next question in the series.
- In the home. With the questions and the additional materials provided, parents have the tools to continue working with their child. The scripture references and discussion questions can be used for family devotions, and the questions make for some family fun as you memorize, and quiz each other on the questions around the dinner table or family room as part of your regular family activities.
In order to help parents and teachers use the catechism to help instruct our children in the Christian faith, we will go over each of the sections of the catechism below, describing the format of the section and its intended use.
Questions and Answers
The catechism is made up of a series of questions and answers. The questions are numbered sequentially and progress through a description of what the gospel is and how it affects my life. The child is only expected to memorize the answers. The parent or teacher will ask the child the question as it is written, and the child responds with the answer exactly as it is written. For example, for question 1, the parent will ask “Why did God create humans?” and the child will respond “To glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” The child will become intimately familiar with both the questions and the answers, but he or she is only responsible to know the answer. It is important to have the children remember the answers exactly, as this will aid memorization.
Focus and Purpose
This section is provided to enable the teacher, parent, or learner to better understand the intent of each of the questions. The section explains why each question is part of the catechism, and what important doctrine of the faith is being addressed. Furthermore, we have tried to be very careful in our choice of words, and this section will often give a hint as to which words in the question and answer are being stressed and why. Finally, the order of questions in the catechism is not random, but quite purposeful, and this section will show that order. It will often explain why one question leads to the next question, which will help one to understand the flow of the catechism.
Additional Questions
We have provided an additional set of questions that rephrase the main question in several age appropriate ways. This is to give the parent or teacher some ways to help the child better grasp the concept described in the question. For instance a child of 5 may not fully understand question 1 “Why did God create humans?” But she may understand “Why did God make you?” Similarly a middle schooler will likely be bored by a simple reading of the question, but may enjoy wrestling with “What is the chief end of man?”
In general, these additional questions will increase in difficulty, so that parents and teachers of younger children will probably only use the first couple of additional questions, while parents and teachers of older children will make use of the later additional questions in each section.
Please note that these additional questions are just an aid to help ensure understanding. The child does not need to memorize these questions.
Scripture References
This section is included to provide an immediate response to the question, “Why do we believe that this is the answer to the question just asked?” The Scripture alone is the foundation of our faith, and so we must always go back to the Scripture for truth. The catechism does not replace Scripture – it merely summarizes some important biblical teachings in a manner that makes it easy for children to learn the faith.
While an answer is being learned, these scriptures may be used to provide Biblical support for our faith. Additionally, the references may be used to create lessons or devotions for the child, or for the family to look more closely at a specific truth of the faith. Perhaps the most valuable part of this section is that it provides scriptures that may be memorized along with the catechism.
Questions for Further Discussion
Memorizing answers is only the first step in attaining of wisdom. The catechism serves as the raw data in the mind of the child. The next step is to cooperate with the Holy Spirit as he transforms that mind data into heart wisdom. These discussion questions are provided to give a jumping off point for further conversations between the child and his peers, parents, and teachers. These may be used by the teacher in designing a lesson plan, or by parents in family devotions. Once the catechism question has been asked and the answer learned, the Questions for Further Discussion can be used to prompt further reflection and conversation.
Please note that these questions are only intended for older children and adults. Young children by nature do not think in abstract terms, and so these questions will not prove helpful to them. However, as children mature, they learn in more abstract ways, and these questions will help them to ponder the implications of the actual catechism question.
Additional Information
This final section is here because there are a lot more great resources that we would have liked to include in the body of the catechism, but to do so would have been an enormous undertaking, and would have created an overwhelming sea for you to find your way through. Instead of doing that (to save us, and you) we have listed only a few resources that you can consult. These resources include similar catechism questions from the Heidelberg, Westminster Shorter, and New City Catechisms, and also other books and teachings which themselves are sources for references and further study.
Finally, along with many of the questions a hymn or worship song has been listed which highlights the glory of God and the truth of the specific tenet of the faith. This can be used for personal reflection, or as a beginning or ending to family devotions. If you are unfamiliar with the tunes to the songs, many of the tunes can be accessed on the internet.
It is our prayer and desire that you, your child, BRCC, and the world would benefit from this investment as we work together to prepare our children for the calling of God in their life, and ultimately to store up treasures in Heaven for the Glory of Christ. May it help us all to glorify God and enjoy Him forever!