Catechism Course

Who May Enroll

This course is open to teens (7th grade and older) and adults.

Purpose

More than ever, knowledge of Christian doctrine is needed, that we and our children might be able to find direction and encouragement in God’s answers to life’s fundamental questions. “Who am I?”, “Where did I come from?”, “What is my purpose?”, “What is my future?”, and “What is my hope?” are all questions answered in God’s Word. I look forward to your partnership in learning as we grow in our faith in Jesus and become better ‘prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks [us] for a reason for the hope that is in [us]…” 1 Peter 3:15.
Pastor Roger

The purpose of this course is to:

Equip parents in the foundations of the Christian Faith, that they might more effectively disciple their young children as they grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 3:18)
Partner with parents in teaching the essentials of the Christian Faith to their teenage children, so that they might continue in what [they] have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom [they] learned it and how from childhood [they] have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make [them] wise for salvation through faith in Christ. (2 Timothy 3:14–15)
Provide foundational instruction for adults investigating or wishing to review the essentials of the Christian faith.

Content

The course content consists of approximately 60 lessons taught on a two year rotation - 30 lessons per year. Students are welcome to participate for as many or as few years as it takes to learn the content. Upon satisfactory completion of the course, students will be recognized with a Certificate of Christian Knowledge on Confirmation Sunday.

Expectations

1) At least one parent is expected to attend class with their teenage student, as parents are their child’s single greatest influencer. The values and priorities they model in daily life will have a profound effect on what each young person believes and comes to hold dear. Participating in catechism class together provides a helpful context for parents to model their own personal desire to learn God’s Word, to observe how their children are processing what they are learning, and to coach them as they interact with the Scripture.

2) Regular class and worship service attendance. Please give notice if you will be unable to attend class. Students who are repeatedly absent must make arrangements with the instructor to complete their studies or re-enroll in the next section of the class.

3) Completion of all class work, including:

- Worship service notes using notes template (20 per year)

- Memorization of key Bible verses and portions of the Catechism and Explanation as assigned

- completing workbook and reading assignments prior to class

- Writing a 500 - 700 word essay on a topic covered in the course of study (second year students only). The essay will be presented to the congregation on Confirmation Sunday.

Schedule

The course will begin with an introductory class over lunch on Sunday, September 10, 2023.

Following classes will be held on Wednesdays at 4:15 - 5:15 pm and 7:15 - 8:15 pm. Students and parents are free to attend the segment which best suits them.

Resources

Please provide your personal copy:
The Holy Bible (English Standard Version preferred)

Provided at first class:
Luther’s Small Catechism with Explanation (Concordia Publishing House, 2017 edition)
Enduring Faith 60 Lesson Catechism Study (Concordia Publishing House, 2018)

Year B (2023 - 2024)

UNIT 1 INTRODUCTION
September 10 - SUNDAY Lunch & Learning
(12:00 - 2:00 pm)
Introduction to Biblical Foundations
2   The Big Question - Who is Jesus?
4   Reading God’s Word
3    The Small Catechism - Introduction
6    The Small Catechism - Overview
** numbers denote workbook chapter

September 13 - 31, 32 The Lord’s Prayer - Introduction
September 20 - 33 The First Petition
September 27 - 34 The Second Petition

UNIT 4 THE LORD'S PRAYER
October 4 - 35 The Third Petition
October 11 -36 The Fourth Petition
October 18 -37 The Fifth Petition
October 25 -38 The Sixth Petition
November 1 - 39, 40 The Seventh Petition & Conclusion
November 8 - UNIT 4 TEST

UNIT 5 THE MEANS OF GRACE
November 15 - 41 God’s Means of Grace - Overview
November 22 - NO CLASS - THANKSGIVING
November 29 - 42 Baptism - What is It?
December 6 - 43 Baptism & God's Word
December 13 - 44, 45 Baptism - God’s Word works
December 20 - 46, 47 Confession & Forgiveness
December 28 - NO CLASS
January 4 - NO CLASS
January 11 - NO CLASS

January 17 - 48, 49   The Lord’s Supper - What is it?
The Lord’s Supper - Gifts
January 24 - 50, 51, 59   Preparing to receive Communion
January 31 - 52 Review - The Means of Grace
February 7   -  UNIT 5 TEST

FEBRUARY 14 - MARCH 28 LENTEN SERVICES

(ASH WEDNESDAY - MAUNDY THURSDAY)

April 3  - 53 God’s Word and Prayer
April 10  - 54 & 55   Vocation - Serving God & Neighbor
April 17  - A Life of Worship in God’s Family
56 - The Church Year
57 - Gifts & Service
58 - Stewardship
April 24  - Preparation for Confirmation Sunday
(Second Year students only)
April 28 - Confirmation Sunday