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Teaching Catechism
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Is anyone here going through the Westminster Shorter Catechism questions and answers with their children? I was wondering if there’s a way to avoid using rote memorization so my 6-year-old child doesn’t just know the Q&As mechanically. I read about the value of short lessons, narrating, quality over quantity, and using “living” material in a CM education. However, my child’s Sunday School is requiring about 3 questions and answers memorized each week, and I am concerned that my child is not drinking in the deeper meaning of Bible truths at this rate. How could one make learning catechism align more with CM’s methods, especially when there’s somewhat of a pressure to perform? (I am still new to CM, so there’s a lot more for me to learn. Thanks!)
I will let others answer about how to make the Westminster Catechism more CM aligned. I just want to encourage you not to be disappointed if your 6yo doesn’t “drink in the deeper meaning of Bible truths” at such a young age. The doctrine in the W. C. is very abstract and, imho, it can take years to understand for someone of almost any age. I also think three questions a week is a stretch. If you feel it’s too much pressure, feel free to be honest with your child’s teacher.
I agree with Alphabetica that 6 is a little young for understanding deep biblical truths. As in Classical Education, the Catechism is meant to lay a foundation of facts or truths that can be understood at a deeper level as the child matures.
As for learning the Catechism in a more CM fashion, how about reading bible stories that correspond to the Catechism material?
We memorize the Shorter Catechism. We work through the Catechism for Young Children first. (Three Q and As seem like a lot IMO.) Our kids have a Sunday School class ages 6-8 for memorizing. And then 9-? they actually have a Catechism class in which the meanings are taught.
I believe planting the doctrinal seeds will make way for the Holy Spirit to make use of when the time is right. Our Sunday School teachers know, our family osore focused on scripture memory and sometimes our kids get through Catechism question right and sometimes they don’t…no biggie. (I’m pretty sure my son was on #56 for three months. 😳)
Our family has been memorizing these for years. I like to include scripture when we introduce a new question+ answer each week. I hear what you are saying about understanding them at a more deeper level but you will be amazed how often these questions + answers come to your mind in regular bible study + everyday character development. I say stick with memorizing but doing a little heart instruction when you first introduce a new one (for us that is once a week during lunch) and then sit back and be amazed at how hiding these truths in you + your child’s heart will come up again and again.
We are going through the Apologia “What We Believe” series and after all these years of learning catechisms (been doing these since my oldest was 3 and he is now 12) we are bringing them up almost daily as we do this study together. Love that!! ❤️❤️❤️
Side Note… This is the book we use for catheisms + our memory work (using the scripture memory box system by SimplyCM).
https://www.amazon.com/Truth-Grace-Memory-Book-1/dp/0970524803
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