The past few years I have been training Noah and Anna, primarily on the Westminster Shorter Catechism, complete with some of my own modifications, not in the theology but in the language. We got out of the habit through the Spring and Summer, but now we are back at it. However, my frustrations continue to grow over wording issues, and so I’ve decided to write a “new” (not new theology) catechism based on our own 2000 Baptist Faith and Message. So far, I’ve gotten 31 questions and answers done, and the kids and I have already started working on it. You’ll notice I’m borrowing from other catechisms somewhat (Q1 for example!), but following the BF&M as closely as possible.
If you have suggestions or comments on these, or if you use a certain catechism in training children, feel free to comment.
- Who made you? God
- Why did God make you? To glorify his own name
- How many gods are there? There is one and only one living and true God
- In how many persons does this one God exist? Three
- Can you name the three persons of the Trinity? Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
- What does it mean that God is eternal? That he has no beginning and no ending; he just is
- What does it mean that God is intelligent? That he is perfect in knowledge and wisdom
- To what does God’s perfect knowledge extend? To all things, past, present, and future
- What does it mean that God is a spirit? He does not have a body like men
- What does it mean that God is a personal being? Other persons can have a relationship with him
- What does it mean that God is the Creator? He made all things by speaking them into being
- Why did God create all things? To glorify his own name
- What does it mean that God is redeemer? He has acted to save people from their sin
- What does it mean that God is the preserver of the universe? He keeps the universe existing and working
- What does it mean that God is the ruler of the universe? He is the highest authority and nobody can ruin his plans
- What does it mean that God is infinite in holiness? He alone is the standard of moral purity
- Because of God’s absolute power and infinite holiness, what do you owe him? The highest love, reverence, and obedience
- How do you know about the triune, living God? Because he has revealed himself
- In what three ways has God revealed himself? Through the Holy Bible, through Jesus Christ, and through the things he has made
- What is the Holy Bible? It is a perfect treasure of divine instruction
- Who wrote the Bible? Men divinely inspired by God
- Why did God give us the Bible? To show us salvation in the glory of Jesus Christ
- Why should you trust the Bible? Because it is totally true and trustworthy
- Who is Jesus Christ? He is the eternal Son of God
- What does the incarnation of Jesus Christ mean? He took on flesh and lived among us
- Who were Jesus’ earthly father and mother? Joseph of Nazareth and the virgin Mary
- How did Jesus please God, his Father? He was perfectly obedient to God’s Law
- What does it mean that Jesus died a substitutionary death on the cross? He made provision for the redemption of men
- What is the resurrection of Christ? When he returned from dead in a glorified body
- Why is the resurrection of Christ important? It proves that he is God and is able to save sinners
- Was Jesus the same person after his resurrection? Yes, the same as before his crucifixion
