Why Catechisms Are Important
What is a catechism? Webster defines it as a summary of religious doctrine often in the form of questions and answers. Question and answers make for a great way to memorize and learn things for adults and for children. What is doctrine? It’s a principle or position or the body of principles in a branch of knowledge or system of belief. Christian doctrine is a belief based on the Bible’s teachings.
When I first had someone share their favorite catechisms with me, I can’t lie, I was a little confused. From everything I knew, the catechism was a class that Roman Catholics sent their children to until they completed the sacrament of confirmation. My parents never made me go but I attended Catholic Catechism classes from 9th-11th grade and made my confirmation then. I didn’t attend for my elementary and middle school years because I attended a private school and they count that towards your hours. I’m certain that all my classmates loathed being in a class with me as I asked a million questions. My teacher was a former protestant and seemed to enjoy my questions.
New City Catechism
We started using New City Catechism a couple of years ago. It is simple, theologically sound, relatively low cost, and has a free app with questions, verses, and songs to help everyone remember what we’re learning. My children are learning and reciting biblical beliefs but more importantly, they are asking questions that we get to discuss together. The goal in our home isn’t to tell them what to believe but to teach them why we believe what we believe. Our job as Christian parents is not to convince our children to choose Jesus but to share the Gospel in the hope that God saves them.
New City Catechism is a 52-week curriculum that can be used as part of your Sunday school, your homeschool, or even your carpool. No matter how and where you use it, New City Catechism is a beneficial tool for teaching your children basic beliefs of the Christian faith.
Alongside Them Catechism
Alongside Them is described as “Modern & Biblically Sound Catechisms for Family.” This is another biblically sound, simple, and beautiful option for catechizing your family. I love that it’s a flipbook and not loose cards. They even have a little stand that you can keep your book displayed on.
They also have other items for stewarding your family. Including sermon note notebooks for kids and more.
The Kids’ Catechism Westminister Standard
The Westminister Standard Kid’s Catechism is probably the easiest and most simple. It’s a list of questions. For us, I’ve printed them out and added them to our homeschool lessons.
Why You Should Use A Catechism
If a catechism is a summary of religious doctrine often in the form of questions and answers, why wouldn’t you use one? Why are catechisms important? Because they are simple tools to teach your children (and yourself) summaries of doctrines. It’s an easy way to hide truths of God in their hearts.
