While it’s important to teach your kids how to study the Bible on their own, it’s equally important to teach them some basic facts about the Bible and its contents. One of my favorite ways to teach my kids Bible basics is through a relaxed catechism approach.
What is Catechism?
The English word “catechize” simply means to teach biblical truth in an orderly way. Catechism is a question and answer method of instruction in basic Christian doctrines; it forms a framework for personal interaction with the Scriptures. The series of questions and answers develops a fundamental understanding of God, sin, salvation, prayer, the Bible, the church, and heaven and hell; each answer in the catechism is supported by Scripture references. (definition from Ministry-to-Children.com/why-catechize-kids)
Why use Catechism to Teach Bible Basics to Kids?
Catechism promotes a faster, deeper understanding as verses are tied to appropriate questions. Children are helped to tie verses to meaning through the use of questions and answers. Children begin to understand the usefulness of God’s Word as they see how clearly it answers important questions. Catechism stimulates and motivates learning, because most children, especially younger ones, love to answer questions. Questions are a teacher’s most useful ally, because through them one gains access to precious minds. As Jesus showed, questions are invaluable when teaching truth! (taken from Ministry-to-Children.com/why-catechize-kids)
What Does This Look Like Practically at Our House?
At our house, we use a relaxed catechism approach to teach our kids Bible basics. Because we had already been using the stick figure teaching method of Grapevine Bible Studies to teach our kids how to study the Bible, it was only natural that we would also use their catechism resources to teach our kids Bible basics.
Old Testament Catechism
We used the OT Catechism resource from Grapevine several years ago with Jenny, and we were thrilled with how thorough an overview of the Old Testament to which she was exposed.
You can read more about how we used this resource here: Old Testament Basics.
New Testament Catechism
For the past couple of months, we have been working through the New Testament Catechism resource from Grapevine with both Jenny and David.
We got a family license for the multi-level traceable student eBook so that I could print out a copy for each of the kids. I modified the printing to print two pages on both sides of a sheet of paper. It worked well to align the traceable images next to the answer pages for each question.
We are currently working on the New Testament Catechism three times a week as a a part of our homeschool, but if we were not homeschooling, we could easily use this resource for family devotions.
I access the digital teacher’s guide on my computer while the kids have their notebook pages in front of them. We read the question together, look up the Scripture indicated, and then discuss the answer to the catechism question. Then they each trace the stick figure drawing to help them remember the answer and fill in the answer in the space provided.
This method of discussing, drawing, and writing the answers out helps to cement the basic Bible facts in their brains better than the tradition verbal question and answer method of catechism teaching.
We generally do eight questions each time because that allows us to complete two full pages during each session.
Using the New Testament Catechism resource from Grapevine is such an easy way to teach my kids Bible basics because all the work is already done for me. I simply have to read the question and guide my kids to the correct answer (which is in the teacher’s guide). Even if I had no Bible knowledge of my own, I would be able to use this resource to teach my kids!
Purchasing Grapevine Resources
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Disclosure: I received a free download of the New Testament Catechism student eBook and teacher’s guide in exchange for my honest review. I am also an affiliate of GVS and make a small commission on any sales made through my affiliate links at no additional cost to the purchaser. We whole-heartedly love and endorse Grapevine Bible Studies and look forward to using their many Bible study resources for years to come!