We Will Tell the Next Generation ~ Catechism

As I mentioned in my last post, we believe strongly in the value of catechizing our children. Dr. Kim Riddlebarger had a great article on the practice of catechism on yesterday's blog. I'd like to share a few highlights, and my own observations.

Catechism (from the Greek word catechesis) is simply instruction in the basic doctrines of the Christian faith. Instead of replacing or supplanting the role of the Bible in Christian education, catechism ideally serves as the basis for it. For the practice of catechism, as properly understood, is the Christian equivalent of looking at the box top of a jig-saw puzzle before one starts to put all of those hundreds of little pieces together.

In our family, catechism has been a wonderful tool to get our children thinking deeply and biblically about the real questions of life. I have a precious memory of a certain sleepy little three year old, having learned his newest catechism question, telling his older brother who was carrying him from the car to bed, "Caleb, God is a spirit, and he has no body like we do." (just in case big brother Caleb, age 16, didn’t know!) That deep and unfathomable truth was filling his mind, even as he was drifting off to sleep.

...Protestants have always argued that creeds, confessions and catechisms are authoritative only in so far as they faithfully reflect the teaching of Holy Scripture. This means that the use of catechisms, which correctly summarize biblical teaching, does not negate or remove the role of Holy Scripture. Instead, these same creeds, confessions and catechisms, as summary statements of what the Holy Scriptures themselves teach about a particular doctrine, should serve as a kind of spring-board to more effective Bible study.

Amen...the catechism and creeds you choose must be completely biblical. We like the Westminster Shorter Catechism for kids 10 and up, and the First Catechism, Biblical Truth for God's Children. Whatever catechism you choose, be sure to read it all the way through and make sure it lines up with Scripture!

The practice of catechism also serves as an important safeguard against heresy and helps to mitigate some of the problems associated with the private interpretation of Scripture. How many times have you been forced to sit through a Bible study in which the goal was not to discover what the text actually says, but instead to discover what a particular verse means to each of the studies' participants? When we remember that virtually every cult in America began with an open Bible and a charismatic leader who could ensure his or her followers that they alone have discovered what everyone else, especially the creeds, confessions and catechisms, have missed, we see perhaps the greatest value of catechism. These guides protect us from such errors and self-deluded teachers. As American evangelicals have moved away from the practice of catechism for subjective and experiential modes of meaning, it is no accident that biblical illiteracy has risen to embarrassing levels and that false doctrines have rushed in like a flood.

This is sobering and convicting. Cults tend to target "churched" kids, because they are attracted to spiritual things, but tend to be so ignorant of Scripture, that they make easy marks for conversion. Protecting our children from error is a fundamental responsibility of Christian parents. A solid program of Scripture memory, catechism, and creeds is a first-line defense against this kind of error. Random memorization of Scripture verses will not give children this kind of theological protection. I know this will make many evangelical Christians nervous, but please understand what I am saying here. I am arguing for a thoroughly biblical systematic theology course for our children, from the earliest possible age...and the best practical way we have found to implement this is the use training program consisting of catechism, Scripture memory, and creeds to teach our kids the fundamentals of the faith.

Making sure our children can recite catechism and creeds will not regenerate them...only God's work in their hearts can do that...but it will give them a solid foundation and understanding for the faith that I am confident He will work out in their hearts. And it is their hearts we are after. My wise friend, Mary Ellen, now at home with the Lord, once said, "You can teach a parrot to recite the sinner's prayer (catechism and creeds), but we want their hearts!" (italics mine). In addition to the need for a systematic training program in Scriptural truth, children need to see their parents earnestly seeking God, and loving and serving Him with their whole hearts. Children must be encouraged to take the truths they are learning, and apply them to their daily lives. If the catechism, Scripture memory, and creeds are rote, and unaccompanied by any requirement in daily life to live out true faith, they will produce little or no fruit in a child's life and heart.

Even in the absence of the parent's example and discipline, however, God can use memorized truth as a "handle" for the Holy Spirit's work in drawing a person to Christ. I can use myself as an example here. Even though my parents did not actively teach or live out Scripture in our home, they did make sure I attended church every Sunday. It was an Episcopal church, not particularly "alive", but in the liturgy each week, I heard deep truths of Scripture, and theological teaching from the Book of Common Prayer and great hymns of the faith. All of that made a deep impression on my spirit, and God used it as He drew me to Himself in my early twenties. I am so grateful for my heritage.

One of the best by-products of parents taking an active role in catechizing their kids, is that they also catechize themselves in the process! ...There are surprising practical ramifications that result from the practice of catechism as well. ...Too often people assume that the place to start learning theology is through tackling technical theological writing, when in fact the creeds and catechisms of the Reformation were designed to instruct novices in the faith. Starting with the catechism and confessions is really a better way to go.

This is unspeakably true! I heartily agree that has been true in our home. I am convinced being a parent (particularly a homeschooling parent) is truly God's discipleship of ME! And I think we as individuals and churches would do well to take Dr. Riddlebarger's advice to heart in the discipleship of new believers as well as the training of our children.

Well, once I get going, I can't stop. I guess this is why I post so infrequently! I highly recommend reading Dr. Riddlebarger's article linked above. He also gives some great practical tips for teaching your children the catechism. In my previous post, I also listed some good resources for this training.