Catechism is a remarkable tool to add to our toolbox. If we are enthusiastic for the psalms and great hymns of the faith, for preaching and Reformed worship, and for the catechism, our children will be too. I delighted recently to hear one of our small children in the congregation eagerly say to her mother after worship, “We are going to listen to the catechism on the way home, aren’t we?” Remember, parents, in most cases our children will love what we teach them to love. This is tragic, since the practice has proven itself time and again to be one of the most effective tools with which parents may fulfill their duty to teach their children from morning, throughout the day, and until bedtime (Deut. It is likely that catechizing fell on hard times due to the influence of worldly pedagogical theory. Second, catechizing is a proven method for fulfilling our calling as parents to instruct our children in the truth. Machen might not have understood the significance of learning the catechism and the kings of Israel by rote at ten years of age, but the fruit of his mother’s tender instruction helped provide the church with an extraordinarily faithful and devout defender of the faith. Gresham Machen credited his lifelong love for and commitment to the Reformed faith to learning the Bible and catechism on Sunday afternoons at his mother’s knee. Princeton theologian and New Testament scholar J.

However, rote memory of Scripture and catechism early in life becomes the intellectual and spiritual building material of a strong Christian life. True, not every catechized child will remember it all in adulthood. Modern educational theory looks askance on rote learning, but our children must have data with which to think. Here are four arguments for faithfully catechizing our small children and youth.įirst, catechizing is good pedagogy. 6:4) so that they can hide the truth of God in their hearts is by the old tried and proven means of catechizing. One essential way of rearing our children in the fear and admonition of the Lord (Eph.

Catechism teaching