Catechesis as Necessary to Discipleship

Guest Post by Nathan Long

Catechesis is fundamental to the Gospel life; that is to say, catechesis is an intrinsic aspect of walking according to God’s Law-Word. A literal rendering of Galatians 6:6 reads: “Let the one who is catechized share all good things with the one who catechizes.”

Consider Deuteronomy 6 & 11. What do these passages describe except a “rigorous growing and grounding of believers in the Christian faith”^a. The text uses the word shanan, or “teach diligently.” Having been a parent for almost 18 years now, I can tell you that one may have the best intentions in the world to talk of God’s commandments when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise, but if one does not utilize a systematic approach, gaps will become apparent.

It is the systematization that permits binding God’s words on your hands and as lenses upon your eyes. I paraphrase that in this manner, “Don’t lift a finger but to keep a commandment; don’t look at the world except through the eyes of a Spirit-written, Scripture-filled (enlightened) heart” (see Ephesians 1:18)

I’m not saying one must use an existing catechism, but one would be well-served to start with an example and modify it for your home use. Catechisms are nothing more than the systematizing of Scripture for practical comprehension, application, and memorization. There is, however, a significant advantage to using a catechism that will be familiar not just to your children, but also to their playmates.

If one can combine systematization and passion, the children will catch it. I have passion naturally; I had to submit to the need for a systematic approach. What is a “systematic approach,” you say? The opposite of haphazard and/or spontaneous. An intentional, thorough, succinct form that enhances the instinctual comprehension, recollection, and application of the breadth of Scripture.

If you’re looking to understanding the practice of catechism, start with Journey to Jesus by Robert E. Webber, and move to Grounded in the Gospel by J.I. Packer and Gary Parrett. Journey to Jesus will change your paradigm. If you want to go straight to the source, check out Apostolic Traditions by Hippolytus, although I would encourage starting with Webber.

Someone might ask, “Are you recommending a methodical approach or a particular catechism?” I would reply that “systematic” is more than just “methodical.” But, yes, I’m recommending a methodical approach, which will necessarily involve a catechism. The Westminster, the Heidelberg, and the New City Catechisms are all good places to begin, and if you consider modifications, I would suggest that the closer we can be to one or all of those, the greater ease with which our children will identify with the larger Church, and that is a very important thing. The curse of our contemporary era is our individualistic, iconoclastic, and atomistic nature.

Nathan Long is an Anglican priest living and working in the Treasure Valley of Idaho. Nathan has walked through the valley of the shadow of the Internet for 20 years and presently earns a living as the Cyber Security Evangelist for St. Luke’s Health System. He and his wife, Elisa, homeschool their 4 children, ages 11 – 17.