Catechism
Term
A summary of Christian teaching in question-and-answer form, used to teach children and new believers the faith; catechesis is that teaching.
Also called: catechisms, catechesis, catechizing, catechize, catechized
What it means
The word comes from a Greek verb meaning "to instruct". Luke wrote so that Theophilus might know the certainty of what he had been "taught", and Paul speaks of the one who "receives instruction in the word". From the earliest centuries the church prepared new believers for baptism by teaching them the creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the commandments.
The Reformation renewed this practice. Luther's catechisms, the Heidelberg Catechism, and the Westminster Shorter and Larger Catechisms taught whole generations the faith in short, memorable answers. Reformed Baptists use the Baptist Catechism, closely based on the Westminster Shorter Catechism. A child who learns that "man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him for ever" carries a whole theology in a sentence.
Catechizing does not replace preaching or a living faith, but it gives children and adults a framework of sound words to hold, test what they hear, and grow in. The site notes whether a church teaches a catechism to its children.
In Scripture
God's words are to be on parents' hearts and taught diligently to their children.
Luke wrote so that Theophilus might know the certainty of what he had been taught.
The one who receives instruction in the word is to share good things with his teacher.
Timothy is to hold to the pattern of sound words he heard from Paul.
From childhood Timothy knew the Scriptures, which make one wise for salvation through faith in Christ.
Where it comes up
On this site: Catechesis & family worship
Related terms
Family worshipHistoric orthodoxy
The regular worship of God in the home, led by the head of the household, usually with Scripture reading, prayer, and singing.
Covenant childrenA view held among orthodox Christians
The teaching, held by paedobaptist churches, that the children of believers belong to the visible church as members of the covenant, though they come to the Lord's Table only after a credible profession of faith.