Return to Catechism

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My church was one of the Christian Reformed churches that stopped offering a formal catechism class for young people. It’s been at least 25 years. While we might never fully know the impact of not having it, we are now convinced of the gift that the Heidelberg Catechism is.

Now, decades later, our church has come back to the catechism. We’ve found it’s such a wonderful document to form us; it helps us think deeply, ask big questions, and also receive clear answers about our faith. Having scriptural references throughout gives it credibility and provides an opportunity to explore God’s Word more deeply.

Our pastor re-introduced it by offering a four-week catechism class for adults. I was curious. More than 20 people gathered. Some folks you’d expect to come; others were a surprise. We read it aloud, taking turns in a semi-circle, with our pastor at the front. It was wonderful. Our pastor would share some background for some of the questions and answers. Some topics presented the opportunity to dig in a little deeper and discuss. It was a great way to re-introduce it to the congregation. Simple and meaningful.

Encouraged by this start, we sought a formal class after church for grades nine to 11. Four leaders—myself, another member, our youth director and pastor—now guide this group. It’s been a learning curve, to say the least.

HISTORY

Catechism was once a given in the Christian Reformed Church. Churches offered classes for young people, for adult small groups or those seeking to profess their faith. But today, it is no longer a given that all CRCs offer a Catechism class.

Perhaps the zeal for it was no longer there, or it was dropped during a transition period after the pastor took a call to another church. Perhaps it was one more thing to do that just didn’t make it on the high priority list or didn’t have a willing leader. Or maybe it just became too hard to get people out with busy schedules and an under-appreciation for it.

Whatever the reason, it’s time to consider bringing it back.

WHAT WE DISCOVERED

Rediscovering the Heidelberg Catechism has been a true blessing for our church.

The students are eager to open up Scripture, and we’ve had some wonderful discussions. We often talk about a “faith that seeks understanding.” We meet after church, so we share food together, which everyone enjoys, and this also helps break the ice for our new students.

I’ve had the opportunity to lead sessions on topics like “The Problem with Sin” and “Why Christ Had to Die For Us.” I’ve shared the Apostles’ Creed and compared it to the Nicene Creed, complementing the topic with a YouTube video. We’ve explored the value of creeds for unity and as a summary of what a Christian believes—that can also be shared with our neighbour.

The students have been engaged, respectful, and appreciative. Their feedback and interest have encouraged us as leaders, and I feel blessed to be able to get to know some of our young people better through this experience. I’ve also gotten to know some of their parents and have had great conversations with them.

Knowing our faith is important. Scripture calls us to “stand firm in the faith” (1 Cor. 16:13). For centuries, the Heidelberg Catechism has helped us do just that, to know our faith better. It’s a treasure.

WHY IT MATTERS

We live in a world where many views are expressed. Many seem less certain in what they believe or what we, as a church, believe—and certainly it has become more difficult to express our convictions. Sharing our faith isn’t easy. Finding the right words is daunting. Looking for a starting point in growing our faith also seems arduous.

The Heidelberg Catechism, written over 460 years ago, helps with these difficulties, and does so in a manageable way. It was divided into 52 Lord’s Days—to match the number of weeks in a year, allowing ministers to teach believers throughout those 52 weeks. Its overarching theme is comfort, and it unpacks our faith under the headings of “Misery,” “Deliverance,” and “Gratitude.” The catechism asks big questions like, “What then must a Christian believe?” (Q. 22). It answers with clarity and with scriptural, historical roots: “All that is promised us in the gospel, a summary of which is taught us in the articles of our universal and undisputed Christian faith” (A. 22).

This kind of clarity is what we found ourselves needing again.

My prayer is that more churches will find ways to rediscover and use the catechism, so that together we might grow deeper in our relationship with Jesus Christ.