Shorter Catechism

[Foundthelight]

Someone on CF said recently that if you memorize the Shorter Catechism you will know more theology than most people you will meet. I wish I could find the post to give credit to the poster.

This post put a burden on my heart which has led to my taking the Shorter Catechism and scripture proofs (ESV Translation) and putting the questions into a series of daily devotions for my sons and some friends.

Here is an example:

Q. 1. What is the chief end of man?



A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God,[1]and to enjoy him forever.[2]



Scripture Proofs



[1]. 1Co 10:31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.;


Rom 11:36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

.[2]. Psa 73:24 You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Psa 73:25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. Psa 73:26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. ;


John 17:22The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one,


John 17:24Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.


Would any of you like to be included in these daily e-mails?

 

[tigersnare]

Someone on CF said recently that if you memorize the Shorter Catechism you will know more theology than most people you will meet. I wish I could find the post to give credit to the poster.

This post put a burden on my heart which has led to my taking the Shorter Catechism and scripture proofs (ESV Translation) and putting the questions into a series of daily devotions for my sons and some friends.

Here is an example:

Q. 1. What is the chief end of man?



A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God,[1]and to enjoy him forever.[2]



Scripture Proofs



[1]. 1Co 10:31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.;


Rom 11:36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

.[2]. Psa 73:24 You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Psa 73:25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. Psa 73:26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. ;


John 17:22The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one,


John 17:24Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.


Would any of you like to be included in these daily e-mails?

rjg01@yahoo.com I have been delaying my purchase of the WCF, and the Catechism for some time now. thanks!

 

[Macrina]

The Book of Catechisms is very helpful for use in Reformed study of this kind. It might prove helpful to you.

 

[Foundthelight]

rjg01@yahoo.com I have been delaying my purchase of the WCF, and the Catechism for some time now. thanks!

You don't need to purchase it. Free software such as E-sword contains it.

 

[Irishcat922]

Joel Beeke's book the "Reformed Confessions Harmonized" is a must have for any one who loves the WCF and Catechisms.

 

[Macrina]

Joel Beeke's book the "Reformed Confessions Harmonized" is a must have for any one who loves the WCF and Catechisms.

I heartily second that. It has been very useful for studying on particular topics.

 

[Elderone]

Someone on CF said recently that if you memorize the Shorter Catechism you will know more theology than most people you will meet. I wish I could find the post to give credit to the poster.

Here is the quote you mentioned. The insight of this statement belongs to Dr. Edwin Elliott, pastor of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in Manassas, VA.

"Our previous minister said that if a person memorized the Shorter Catechism questions and answers, 107 of them, they would know more theology than most of the Christian world, including many ministers. I agree with him." (I can unequivocally attest to the validity of his statement.)

The twelve years we were members of that church were, without a doubt, my greatest learning experience.

 

[GrinningDwarf]

I'm using the Shorter Catechism as our family devotional. Depending on how that shapes up...how well I can get a handle on distilling the truths down to my kids' level...I'm going to suggest it for youth Sunday School cirriculum at our li'l country non-denominational, community church.

 

[Irishcat922]

I'm using the Shorter Catechism as our family devotional. Depending on how that shapes up...how well I can get a handle on distilling the truths down to my kids' level...I'm going to suggest it for youth Sunday School cirriculum at our li'l country non-denominational, community church.

Try using the Kids catechism along with it I think you will find it very helpful. It is published by GPC I think.

 

[GrinningDwarf]

Thanks...I might try that.

I saw the Kids catechism (at least, that's what I think it was!) once, and I considered it. I decided at the time not to, because I wanted to avoid having the kids learn one thing in the Kids version, and then later having to learn something else, the Shorter version. I thought it would be more profitable to go through the Shorter catechism first as a devotional, taking one question a week and exploring it with the kids. This was based upon Training Hearts, Teaching Minds by Starr Meade (P&R Publishing, 2000). It would take about two years or so to get through the entire Shorter version. After that, I planned to go back through the Shorter cat. once again in more detail, and at that time I think their more mature minds (they're 8 and 6 now) would be able to memorize the Q&A better...especially after having been familiarized with the entire thing by then.

After a few weeks of this, it's turning out to be harder to get the kids into it than I thought it would be. Maybe I really should use the Kids version right now. Any ideas?