Dec 13
5
The Westminster Shorter Catechism and Baptist Catechism is often wordy and filled with vocabulary that is not very practical for toddlers. In 1798, Richard Cecil complied a Baptist “Catechism for Girls and Boys.” The first 8 to 10 questions are intended to be used for children from 2 to 4 years of age. These ten questions teach our children about the nature of God, mankind and creation, and the purpose of creation.
I believe that these 10 questions can be a great resource to introduce our young children to the process of catechizing and teaching the most rudimentary truths of God and man.
1. Q. Who made you?
A. God made me (Gn 1:26, 27; 2:7; Ec 12:1; Acts 17:24-29).
2. Q. What else did God make?
A. God made all things (Gn 1, esp. verses 1, 31; Acts 14:15; Rm 11:36; Col 1:16).
3. Q. Why did God make you and all things?
A. For his own glory (Ps 19:1; Jer 9:23, 24; Rv 4:11).
4. Q. How can you glorify God?
A. By loving him and doing what he commands (Ec 12:13; Mk 12:29-31; Jn 15:8-10; 1 Cor 10:31).
5. Q. Why ought you to glorify God?
A. Because he made me and takes care of me (Rm 11:36; Rv 4:11; cf. Dan 4:37).
6. Q. Are there more gods than one?
A. There is only one God (Deut 6:4; Jer 10:10; Mk 12:29; Acts 17:22-31).
7. Q. In how many persons does this one God exist?
A. In three persons (Mt 3:16, 17; Jn 5:23; 10:30; 14:9, 10; 15:26; 16:13-15; 1 Jn 5:20; Rv 1:4, 5).
8. Q. Who are they?
A. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit (Mt 28:19; 2 Cor 13:14; 1 Pet 1:2; Jude 20, 21).
9. Q. Who is God?
A. God is a Spirit, and does not have a body like men (Jn 4:24; 2 Cor 3:17; 1 Tim 1:17).
10. Q. Where is God?
A. God is everywhere (Ps 139:7-12; Jer 23:23,24; Acts 17:27,28).
