Leading and Loving Children
The fundamental goal of Christian parents ought to be guiding their children to a saving and transformational faith in Christ, and to set them on a path to spiritual maturity (Ephesians 4:13; Proverbs 22:6).
Catechism
Catechism is a systematic instruction in the formate of simple Q&A. It is a tried and true method for nurturing spiritual development.
This resource is meant to help parents guide their children in the Christian growth. It is also a great way to prepare children for confirmation into the Christian faith - where they have an opportunity to accept these truths for themselves.
John Wesley’s advice to parents:
Is not this the very principle that should be inculcated upon every human creature, — “You are made to be happy in God,” as soon as ever reason dawns? Should not every parent, as soon as a child begins to talk, or to run alone, say something of this kind: “See! what is that which shines so over your head? That we call the sun. See, how bright it is! Feel how it warms you! It makes the grass to spring, and everything to grow. But God made the sun. The sun could not shine, nor warm, nor do any good without him.” In this plain and familiar way a wise parent might, many times in a day, say something of God; particularly insisting, “He made you; and he made you to be happy in him; and nothing else can make you happy.” We cannot press this too soon.
Catechism for kids
Pulling from a variety of sources, the following is a short catechism for kids. Enjoy!
God made all things
Who made you?
Answer: God
How did God make you?
Answer: In His image
How does this comfort you?
Answer: I matter to God
Since everyone is made in God’s image, how should we treat them?
Answer: With kindness and respect
Who made all things?
Answer: God
How is God able to make all things?
Answer: He is Almighty
Who loves you even more than Mom and Dad?
Answer: God
Why did God make you?
Answer: To have a relationship with Him
How can you have a relationship with God?
Answer: By loving God
Can anything else make you happy forever?
Answer: No. Nothing is greater than God.
Do you need to be scared?
Answer: No
Why don’t you need to be scared?
Answer: God is with me
Can you see God?
Answer: No
Can God see you?
Answer: Yes
God is Three in One (Trinity)
How many gods are there?
Answer: One
How many persons are there in God?
Answer: Three
Who is the first person in God?
Answer: The Father
Who is the second person in God?
Answer: The Son
Who is the third person in God?
Answer: The Holy Spirit
Doing Bad Things (Sin)
Who were the first man and woman?
Answer: Adam and Eve
What did Adam and Eve do?
Answer: They sinned
What is sin?
Answer: Disobeying God
What is the consequence of sin?
Answer: Death
Whom did God send to save us from sin and death?
Answer: His only Son, Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ
Who is the Son of God?
Answer: Jesus Christ
Who was the mother of Jesus?
Answer: The virgin Mary
Who gave baby Jesus to Mary?
Answer: The Holy Spirit
Why did Jesus have to die? (Atonement)
How did Jesus die?
Answer: He was crucified on a cross
Why did Jesus die?
Answer: For our sins
What happened on the third day?
Answer: He rose again; came back to life
Because Jesus died and rose again, what do we believe?
Answer: He is Lord and Savior
Where did Jesus go?
Answer: To his Father in heaven
What is Jesus doing right now?
Answer: Ruling as king
Why is Jesus coming again?
Answer: To judge everyone
What must you do to be saved from judgement?
Answer: Believe in Jesus
What should you do if you sin?
Answer: Say sorry to God
Holy Spirit & The Church
Whom else did God send to save us?
Answer: The Holy Spirit
What does the Holy Spirit do for you?
Answer: He helps me
How does the Holy Spirit help you?
Answer: Through the Church
What is the Church?
Answer: The family of God
How do you join the Church?
Answer: Through baptism
Sanctification
Whom does God want you to be like?
Answer: Jesus
What is God’s will for you in the first four commandments?
Answer: To love God
What is God’s will for you in the last six commandments?
Answer: To love my neighbor
Whom does God want you to obey?
Answer: Mom and Dad
What is prayer?
Answer: Talking with God
What did Jesus teach us to pray?
Answer: The Lord’s Prayer
How does God talk to you?
Answer: Through the Bible
What is the Bible?
Answer: God’s Word
Last Things
What is God making new?
Answer: All things
What will God raise from the dead?
Answer: Our bodies
What do we enjoy now and look forward to enjoying forever?
Answer: Eternal life
While a variety of resources were used to produce this short catechism, the primary one was take from Holy Joys, a Wesleyan source at: https://holyjoys.org/kids-catechism/. They also produce a children’s catechism book that you should consider adding to your family library.
A Short Catechism on the Christian Faith
A Short Catechism on the Christian Faith
This is a must for every Christian family library! Dr. Timothy Tennent, President of Asbury Theological Seminary, has produced this valuable resource.
