What is a catechism?
In the beginning of his account of the Gospel, Luke uses the word catechesis, a word which means “orally instructed in” (Luke 1:4). Theophilus, the recipient of Luke’s Gospel, had been orally instructed in the Christian faith. Luke was writing to build upon, clarify and organize that basic teaching.
The purpose of the catechism is to teach the basic foundations of the Christian faith. At the end of John’s Gospel, John stated that he was writing “so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:31). The goal of a catechism is the same. It is our aim that you will develop a deeper understanding of Christ and his saving work for you through the study of these Biblical teachings. We desire that you put your hope and trust firmly and solely in Him. We pray that you decide to commit your life to Christ in baptism and live for Him who died for you.
Why the catechism?
We find in church history that the earliest Christians took this idea of an orderly teaching of the basic concepts of the Christian faith very seriously. One ongoing task of the Great Commission was teaching the disciples to “observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:18-20). By the second and third centuries of Christianity, the church had a detailed process for training in the faith. This body and method of teaching formed the earliest versions of what we now refer to as a catechism. Interest in the catechism and in teaching the basics of the Christian faith surfaced again in the Protestant Reformation.
It is important to have an organized and orderly way of learning the faith. There are at least three reasons to produce a catechism. First, the catechism will help you clearly understand the gospel of Jesus Christ and the Biblical teachings (doctrines) upon which the gospel is based. Second, the catechism provides you a way to determine if teachings that you are hearing are false or misleading. Finally, the thorough teaching of catechism is designed to lead you to diminish yourself and exalt and glorify God in every aspect of life and with everything you have.
What will it involve?
Your child(ren) will attend a weekly one-hour class for 10 weeks taught by the NPC ministers. Each student will have a workbook to complete as part of the class. Parents and students will review the workbook at home each week to help with learning the material.
Topics Studied?
THE BIBLE - GOD’S PROMISES
GOD - JESUS CHRIST - THE HOLY SPIRIT - THE TRINITY
THE GOSPEL
SIN - REDEMPTION - FORGIVENESS AND GRACE - JUSTIFICATION - ATONEMENT - RIGHTEOUSNESS - SALVATION
THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST - THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST
ETERNAL LIFE - HEAVEN - HELL
FAITH - CONFESSION - REPENTANCE - BAPTISM - OBEDIENCE - SANCTIFICATION
THE CHURCH - KINGDOM OF GOD
TEMPTATION -PRAYER - HOLY ANGELS - DEMONS AND SPIRITUAL WARFARE
LOVE - ANGER - ENVY - BITTERNESS - IDOLATRY - GOSSIP AND SLANDER - PRIDE - GREED - SELFISHNESS
What ages?
The catechism class will be for students currently in 2nd grade & up.
What will younger kids do?
The younger kids will have Bible classes suitable for them.
When will it be done?
The class will be conducted on Wednesday nights for 10 weeks. The class begins on January 11, 2017 and ends on March 15, 2017.
Dinner will be provided each week for you and your family starting at 6pm.
The class will be from 6:30-7:30pm.
In the beginning of his account of the Gospel, Luke uses the word catechesis, a word which means “orally instructed in” (Luke 1:4). Theophilus, the recipient of Luke’s Gospel, had been orally instructed in the Christian faith. Luke was writing to build upon, clarify and organize that basic teaching.
The purpose of the catechism is to teach the basic foundations of the Christian faith. At the end of John’s Gospel, John stated that he was writing “so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:31). The goal of a catechism is the same. It is our aim that you will develop a deeper understanding of Christ and his saving work for you through the study of these Biblical teachings. We desire that you put your hope and trust firmly and solely in Him. We pray that you decide to commit your life to Christ in baptism and live for Him who died for you.
Why the catechism?
We find in church history that the earliest Christians took this idea of an orderly teaching of the basic concepts of the Christian faith very seriously. One ongoing task of the Great Commission was teaching the disciples to “observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:18-20). By the second and third centuries of Christianity, the church had a detailed process for training in the faith. This body and method of teaching formed the earliest versions of what we now refer to as a catechism. Interest in the catechism and in teaching the basics of the Christian faith surfaced again in the Protestant Reformation.
It is important to have an organized and orderly way of learning the faith. There are at least three reasons to produce a catechism. First, the catechism will help you clearly understand the gospel of Jesus Christ and the Biblical teachings (doctrines) upon which the gospel is based. Second, the catechism provides you a way to determine if teachings that you are hearing are false or misleading. Finally, the thorough teaching of catechism is designed to lead you to diminish yourself and exalt and glorify God in every aspect of life and with everything you have.
What will it involve?
Your child(ren) will attend a weekly one-hour class for 10 weeks taught by the NPC ministers. Each student will have a workbook to complete as part of the class. Parents and students will review the workbook at home each week to help with learning the material.
Topics Studied?
THE BIBLE - GOD’S PROMISES
GOD - JESUS CHRIST - THE HOLY SPIRIT - THE TRINITY
THE GOSPEL
SIN - REDEMPTION - FORGIVENESS AND GRACE - JUSTIFICATION - ATONEMENT - RIGHTEOUSNESS - SALVATION
THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST - THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST
ETERNAL LIFE - HEAVEN - HELL
FAITH - CONFESSION - REPENTANCE - BAPTISM - OBEDIENCE - SANCTIFICATION
THE CHURCH - KINGDOM OF GOD
TEMPTATION -PRAYER - HOLY ANGELS - DEMONS AND SPIRITUAL WARFARE
LOVE - ANGER - ENVY - BITTERNESS - IDOLATRY - GOSSIP AND SLANDER - PRIDE - GREED - SELFISHNESS
What ages?
The catechism class will be for students currently in 2nd grade & up.
What will younger kids do?
The younger kids will have Bible classes suitable for them.
When will it be done?
The class will be conducted on Wednesday nights for 10 weeks. The class begins on January 11, 2017 and ends on March 15, 2017.
Dinner will be provided each week for you and your family starting at 6pm.
The class will be from 6:30-7:30pm.