February 06, 2006
Catechism is Not a Bad Word
Some have actually been nervous about visiting our church because we are very open on our website about the use of catechism to teach our children. It has actually been “evidence” to some that we are not really Baptist, particularly of fundamentalist persuasion! Last night, however, Bob Roberts of the outstanding It-Oughta-Replace-AWANA children’s ministry, Kids 4 Truth, had a chance to share with our congregation his lecture on the benefits of catechizing. You can download his powerpoint presentation here. Check it out. Then invite Bob to your church. He “preached to the choir” because our congregation is already sold on the value of catechism. As a pastor who teaches the catechism to my church, I heartily endorse Bob’s mission.
We use the same catechism that Spurgeon used with the children in his ministry (before he tweaked it and came out with his own): Keach’s Catechism. Every Sunday night the children come to the front for 15 to 20 minutes to be taught in the presence of the entire congregation the next question in the catechism. We have seen that when the pastors take the time to teach the children, everyone learns. Many of the adults have become grounded in theology since we started this because they are able to learn more than the children by eavesdropping on a lesson that is simplified for children. As pastors we have not told anyone that we really know that we are teaching adults without insulting their intelligence. After all, we want the smallest child to understand! Catechism is a very important part of our life. I only wish more churches would take it up again.
Thank you, Bob. I hope many people tap into your great effort.
P.S. Bob, since I have flattered you so much, I feel it my duty as a fellow BOB, to encourage you to read this. It’ll keep you humble.
Posted by Bob Bixby at February 6, 2006 01:01 PM | eMail this entry! | 316 WordsThis entry was posted in the following categories: Things I have learned
Well, Pastor, trying to be sneaky about teaching us adults is really unnecessary. We know that we’re learning when the kids have catechism! :-) God has really used Pastor Mark’s teaching of questions 51-54 on the first of the Ten Commandments to work on me lately. I have been convicted and blessed by meditating on those principles.
Posted by: karyn at February 7, 2006 12:53 PMBob,
I remeber learning catechism when I was younger (it may have been your dad that taught it to us), and wish I had learned much more of it. I believe it is a concise and simplified way to rehearse some of the great docrines of the Bible without cheapening their meaning and application.
Your cousin
Posted by: andrew at February 7, 2006 08:55 PMAndrew,
I remember working on catechism too. I wish that the folks had been a little more systematic and rigorous because I did not get the questions and answers down by memory as I would have liked. But they must be forgiven. They were breaking the trends of their particular circles when they introduced their children to the catechism in the first place. Thank God!
Let’s make sure the next generation knows a good catechism my heart.
Posted by: Bob at February 8, 2006 09:22 AMPastor Bob,
What an absolute blessing it was to be at your church. Thank you for allowing me to present the catechism sermon/lecture Sunday evening. As you know, the message is still being honed, so it was priceless to be able to present it to “the choir.”
I am grateful that you are leading your flock by publicly catechizing the children in your church. Would to God that more churches would follow this example! Cotton Mather agreed with what you’re doing. Says the Puritan regarding the outcome of such a practice: “. . . . you have the experience of all ages to make you hope that vast will be the consequence, vast the advantage.”
Your Friend & Servant,
Bob
Posted by: Bob Roberts at February 9, 2006 02:43 PM
