As you walk with and talk through the Apostles’ Creed catechesis questions with your kids, you’re likely to entertain curios kiddos’ questions about the great mysterion (“the mystery” of the gospel, Col 1:26; this “mystery” is all over Paul’s letters) of Jesus being “fully and truly” divine, and at the same time, without “division, separation, mixture, or change,” he is fully and truly human.
As I said in the Week 5 & 6 lesson intro, no need to get bogged down in this mystery, just keep going. This discussion requires repetition over years not days. But… if you’d like to dive a bit deeper, and you yourself feel overwhelmed… C. S. Lewis to the rescue!
Book 4 of Lewis’ book, Mere Christianity, is very helpful in explaining the practical importance of our three-personal God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. But even these super-helpful chapters can be hard to unpack. Thankfully, a wonderful YouTuber, CSLewisDoodle, has been visualizing many of Lewis’ works for years now, and he has some great visualizations of key sections of Book 4 of Mere Christianity. So without further ado, watch these videos with your kiddos, and keep calm and carry on in catechesis!
“Making and Begetting” from Book 4 of Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis
“The Three-Personal God,” the second chapter of Book 4.
Note: Sometimes 2 weeks of homeschooling stretches into 4 and God gives us grace (and we must discipline ourselves to receive His grace and continue on in the task)!
Note #2: As we continue to dive more deeply into the doctrine of God (as Trinity), I encourage you to not go too slowly and get lost in the philosophical weeds (see below on the pace of catechesis in this section). The Holy Trinity is not primarily a cognitive reality (it is rational) but a relational one, and it takes many years of relationship to go deep in understanding.
Prayer Pray this or any other appointed prayer from pgs. 115-122.
Almighty God, you so loved the world that you gave your only Son, that whoever believes in him would not perish but have eternal life: Pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of love by your Holy Spirit, that we may delight in the inheritance that is ours as your sons and daughters, and live to your praise and glory, through Jesus Christ. Amen.
Scripture Prayer, then Scripture, then Catechism, in that order.
For all students. Read Matthew 3:16-17 with Matthew 28:18-20 and discuss. Imagine Jesus’s baptism scene in your mind. What would it have felt like to have been there? Why does Matthew begin and end Jesus’s ministry with reference to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit?
For younger & lower grade students. Write (or dictate) a one sentence answer to this question: Describe your relationship to your daddy? How do you think your relationship with your daddy compares/contrasts with your Daddy in heaven? Discuss their answer. Ask questions.
For upper grade students. Write (or dictate) a one paragraph answer to these questions: How does your relationship with your earthly father compare with your Heavenly Father? What do you think the significance of two persons of the Trinity being described as Father and Son? Discuss inheritance, fatherly affection, fatherly protection, responsibility as heirs as well as the receipt of inheritance because of (new) birth not because of merit.
Read the whole letter of 1 Thessalonians. Then read again 1 Thessalonians 2:5-12. Discuss the importance of mothers (affection/nurturing) and fathers (affection/exhortation) as Paul writes to the Thessalonians. Why is it important and significant that Paul (as a man and spiritual father) is both nurturing and authoritative/strong? How does Paul’s affection with authority compare to Jesus as coming affectionate rescuer and authoritative judge in 1 Thessalonians? Discuss. Ask questions.
Catechism Weeks 5 & 6, ask and answer questions #36-83 on pgs. 36ff concerning the first two articles of The Apostles’ Creed (I: Father, II: Son). With the doctrine of the Trinity, we can go too slowly and get lost. So then, I’ve broken up the days into larger chunks so we don’t get stuck!
Day 1: #36-41
Day 2: #42-47
Day 3: #48-52
Day 4: #53-58
Day 5: #59-62
Day 6: #63-68
Day 7: #69-72
Day 8: #73-75
Day 9: #76-83
Optional: Read the Scripture references with each answer.
Watch Bible Project videos will be helpful companions in our catechetical journey. Pop some popcorn and watch as a family!
An incredible visualization & Biblical overview of God’s unity (one God) and his persons (Father, Son, & Holy Spirit).
Prayer Pray this or any other appointed prayer from pgs. 115-122.
O God, who wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully restored, the dignity of human nature: Grant that we may share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our humanity, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Scripture Prayer, then Scripture, then Catechism, in that order.
For all students. Read John 20:24-29 and discuss. Have you seen the risen Lord Jesus in the flesh? What does it mean to believe someone’s testimony without physical proof? How can you trust that someone is telling the truth?
For younger & lower grade students. Write (or dictate) a one sentence answer to this question: Why do we read the Bible a lot in our worship services along with saying the Apostle’s (or Nicene) Creed? Do we need both? Why? Discuss their answer. Ask questions.
For upper grade students. Write (or dictate) a one paragraph answer to these questions: Why do we read the Bible a lot in our worship services along with saying the Apostle’s (or Nicene) Creed? Do we need both? Why? Are you like Thomas (like me!) or are you content with the blessedness Jesus pronounces over you in John 20:29? Discuss their answer. Ask questions.
Catechism Week 3, ask and answer questions #18-24 on pgs. 30-32 concerning the creeds. Week 4, ask and answer questions #25-35 on pgs. 32-35 concerning Holy Scripture.
Read a few questions and answers daily. Trade off who reads.
Continue asking questions related the relation of Creeds to the Bible. Why do we need both?
Memorization isn’t the aim. But repetition will (surprisingly) lead to memorization.
I recommend that each section be cumulative, but the whole catechism will not be cumulative. Ask and answer questions #18-35 these next two weeks, adding more each day.
Optional: Read the Scripture references with each answer.
Watch Bible Project videos will be helpful companions in our catechetical journey. Pop some popcorn and watch as a family!
Catechesis covers the basics. Don’t let words like “catechesis” scare you. Catechesis simply means learning the basic teachings of Christianity, very often covered in preparation for baptism or confirmation. Orthodox Christians of any denomination will benefit greatly from this at-home catechetical plan.
Here’s the plan. This catechism, “To Be A Christian,” covers The Gospel, The Apostle’s Creed, The Lord’s Prayer, The Ten Commandments, The Sacraments (those ordained by Jesus, commonly called the Dominical Sacraments or Ordinances, along with the Sacraments of the Church), Justification, and Sanctification.
Christian catechesis is just as much for the teacher as it is for the student. You don’t truly know something until you teach it. Humble yourself as the teacher, and devote yourself to knowing and loving God more deeply in this process (do the recommended assignments with them!).
Be flexible and give yourself grace. If you’re anything like us, you will miss days. You will get behind. Give yourself grace and jump back in where you left off. These guides will be for two weeks, but you could easily get them done in a few days. There is built-in space and flexibility.
Repetition is key. There are 368 questions and answers in this catechism. You will be surprised at how much you can actually memorize, but returning again and again, hearing again and again is the point. The truths covered in the catechism will take a lifetime of repetition to even begin to know.
Begin with prayer. Say the Lord’s Prayer. Say one of the appropriate prayers listed on pgs. 115-122 in the Catechism.
Read the Bible. You might notice that these at-home catechesis “guides” always begin with an age-appropriate assignment from Holy Scripture. You might decide that the assignment doesn’t really fit with the busy week ahead, but even then, I encourage you to read and discuss the Scriptures before you get into the catechism.
Start with catechesis. I (Chris) have found that beginning the school day with catechesis is best. It doesn’t make the school day magically holy, but attention is sharpest for us first thing in the morning.
Ask questions. You don’t know it all, nor do you have to. Resist the urge to quickly correct your child’s answers. To be a catechist is not to be a know-it-all. Relax, non-experts preferred.
Week 1 and 2
Prayer Pray this or any other appointed prayer from pgs. 115-122.
“Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made, and you forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Cre- ate and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.“
Scripture Prayer, then Scripture, then Catechism, in that order. This is what the catechism recommends!
For younger students. Read Acts 2:14-36 and discuss. Write (or dictate) a summary. You can do a one sentence summary, a one paragraph summary, or simply answer questions. Talk about the text. What is the gospel that Peter preached?
For lower grade students. Read 1 Corinthians 15 and discuss. Write (or dictate) a summary. You can do a one sentence summary, a one paragraph summary, or simply answer questions. Talk about the text. What is the gospel that Paul proclaimed?
For upper grade students. Read The Gospel of Mark (curl up on the couch or a hammock and read it in one sitting) and discuss. Write (or dictate) a summary. You can do a one sentence summary, a one paragraph summary, or simply answer questions. Talk about the text. What is the gospel of Jesus according to Mark? In addition to Acts 2:14-36 and 1 Corinthians 15, read Romans 10:15 and Isaiah 52:7 and surrounding verses. Did Jesus preach the gospel? Compare and contrast Isaiah, Paul, Peter, and Jesus’s “good news” proclamation.
For all students. Now read the Introduction and summary of The Gospel from the catechism on pgs. 19-23. How does your reading of Holy Scripture and your summary align with this summary? Do you believe the gospel of Jesus? This entire catechism is designed to know, believe, and to follow Jesus the King. He is the greatest, worthy of all praise, full of all wisdom, and beautiful beyond all measure.
Catechism Daily ask and answer questions #1-17 on pgs. 23-27.
Read a few questions and answers daily. Trade off who reads.
If you read questions #1-3 yesterday, read #1-3 today and add #4-7. Again, memorization isn’t the aim. But repetition will (surprisingly) lead to memorization.
I recommend that each section be cumulative, but the whole catechism will not be cumulative. So, for example, the last day of week 1 and 2, you will be asking and answering #1-17. When we begin week 3 and 4, start with question #18 and build from there. Occasional cumulative reviews are helpful, but there are 368 questions total, so don’t go crazy!
Optional: Read the Scripture references with each answer.
Watch Bible Project videos will be helpful companions in our catechetical journey. Pop some popcorn and watch as a family!
