Catechism for Kids

Throughout the week,

over breakfast, we try to engage and encourage our kids’ faith in Christ. They are young but smart enough to learn deeper truths of the gospel. Below is a guide that I have developed from the Westminster Shorter Catechism that I have found to be helpful in my home for my kids and their stage of life. It is not exhaustive by any means, but I hope this is helpful for you and your home as well.

What is a Catechism?

Catechism |ˈkatəˌkizÉ™m| noun A summary of the principles of the 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.

Question and Answers

A. How can I become a Christian?

1. Go to Church
2. Read the Bible and Pray
3. Believe in Jesus

Answer: Going to church is very important, and so is reading the Bible and praying, but these actions don’t make us a Christian. God says that we must believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and we will be saved. We become a Christian by God’s Grace through believing in faith that Jesus is the Lord and that because of Him we have forgiveness of sin. (Ephesians, 2:8-9, Romans 10:9) True faith means there will be repentance - a turning from sin to Jesus.

B. What is repentance like?

1. When I feel bad for doing wrong
2. When I believe I disobeyed God and commit to change
3. Both 1 and 2

Answer: 3. Repentance means turning from sin. It’s confessing your sin to God, which means feeling guilty, or bad, for your sin. It’s you knowing that it is wrong to disobey God’s law. Then you must commit to change so that you will live to please God for his glory. (James 5:16, Luke 24:47, Acts 2:38)

C. What is sin?

1. When I break the rules at home or school
2. When I break God’s rules in the Bible
3. Both A and B

Answer: 3. Sin is when you disobey God’s law with your actions, your words, or in your nature. This can be breaking the rules at school as well. Sin has effected every part of us - our whole entire being. (Psalms 51:5, Romans 3:23, Colossians 3:20, Ephesians 6:1)

D. What’s the purpose of being a Christian?

1. To give God glory and enjoy him
2. To be happy
3. To be good

Answer: 1. God’s purpose in salvation for mankind is to bring glory to himself through his children. There is no other enjoyment in life that compares to this relationship with the Creator! (Psalm 16:5-11, Philippians 4:4)

E. Does my belief in Jesus save me?

1. Yes
2. No
3. Maybe

Answer: 2. No, your belief is not what saves you; Christ alone saves you. Nothing of your own doing can save you. It is your belief, or faith, that is given to you by the work of the Holy Spirit to believe in Jesus. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

F. What is grace?

1. It’s what we put on our biscuits
2. It’s getting God’s kindness when we don’t deserve it
3. It’s a prayer we say before dinner

Answer: 2. This is God’s favor and kindness towards you in your life when you don’t deserve it at all. ( Ephesians 2:8-9)

G. What do sinners deserve?

1. To be punished for sin
2. To be given a second chance
3. None of the above

Answer: 1. The punishment for sin is death. God is holy and loving, but he is also just. He is a good, fair judge and our sin is a violation to Him. (Romans 6:23)

H. Am I saved through Faith?

1.  No
2. Yes
3. Both 1 and 2

Answer: 2. Yes, entirely by grace through faith. Salvation is no account of our own work. We can’t make ourselves good enough for God to save us. (Ephesians 2:8-9) Faith is like the canals we have in Phoenix - they bring water to our city, but it is the water that allows us to live. So it is with God; he channels his grace through our faith to bring life.