As many of you know, we homeschool our children. One of the many reasons we choose to go this route in their formal education is so that we can direct their spiritual learning and disciplines. We want them to be able to learn about Christ, all throughout their school day and we want Him intertwined in the different school subjects that they’re learning about.
One year, at a homeschool conference, I heard Voddie Bacham (a wonderful, inspiring speaker) tell about how they started their small kids with a catechism. If you’re anything like I was, you’re thinking a cate-what? I didn’t grow up in any churches that used catechisms (that I know of anyway) and frankly, if I had seen a book on it anywhere, I wouldn’t have picked it up, because I didn’t know what it was. After the session that Mr. Bacham spoke in about catechisms, every homeschool convention vendor who carried them, sold out within the hour. It was pretty funny to see the look of surprise on the vendors’ faces, wondering why their books on the catechism were suddenly selling like hotcakes!
I know that many of you, do know what a catechism is, but in all fairness to those who may not, here is the definition.
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cat·e·chism/ˈkatəˌkizəm/
Noun: - A summary of the principles of Christian religion in the form of questions and answers, used for the instruction of Christians.
- A series of fixed questions, answers, or precepts used for instruction in other situations.
The reason, for teaching the children through catechism is so that we can catch them when they are young. Teach them doctrine that they will not get through Bible stories. It will give them a biblical worldview in which to base decisions in their lives upon. It will give them a solid foundation of Biblical principles that they can sift new knowledge that they are obtaining over the years through.
by Starr Meade. It is a book of family devotions based on the Shorter Catechism. What I loved about it is that it breaks each Catechism question down into a week of 6 short little lessons. You would do one a day for 6 days, reading the Scripture to go along with it.For example:
Week 1
Q. 1. What is Man’s Primary Purpose?
A. Man’s primary purpose is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.
Then, Monday through Saturday, you read a short paragraph explaining that concept in a little more detail, along with a Scripture verse that helps to solidify it. By the end of the week, they usually have the answer to that question memorized, as well as a week of repetitive explanation on exactly what it means to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.
Just what I needed! I’m telling you, I need things that are easy….or I just won’t do them. This definitely falls into that category! We recently started doing this devotional book again and I was really surprised to see what some of my children had retained after not doing it for a couple of months. I’m excited to see what they learn in the coming months!
Some other resources that we have used to teach our children about being a Christian and their Biblical Worldview are:
- Awana program at a local church – I’m really excited at the amount of Scripture in my children because of this program!
- Light Bearers – my 14 year old is using this to help him think through his worldview. It’s been a really neat program, helping him to think more Biblically.
- Bright Lights – this is a program specifically for girls to encourage one another to live Godly lives and to develop Godly disciplines of Bible reading, prayer and memorization.
- Who Is God? (And Can I Really Know Him?) – This is the first in a series on Biblical Worldview for ages 6-14. They have really enjoyed using it!
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