Each Sunday, at Calvary Chapel Tampa, we teach through the New Testament verse-by-verse.  Now to help us translate that learning into the minds and hearts of our children, we have developed a practical tool to assist parents.  We call it, "Kids Catechism."  The word "catechism" has its roots in ancient Greek word, "Katachismos" meaning, "to sound down" (i.e., into the ears), or, "to teach by word of mouth."  For most believing parents in our generation, the practice of teaching children the Word of God in the home is one we did not have modelled to us, so we have to study and ask questions to learn ways to do it.  In past generations, this was not so.  In fact, it was, for the most part, a typical and expected practice of every Christian father (or mother, if the father was unsaved or unwilling).

Consider the words of one of the most renouned and well-respected pastors in history, Charles H. Spurgeon...

"I am persuaded that the use of a good Catechism in all our families will be a great safeguard against the increasing errors of the times, and therefore I have compiled this little manual from the Westminster Assembly's and Baptist Catechisms, for the use of my own church and congregation. Those who use it in their families or classes must labour to explain the sense; but the words should be carefully learned by heart, for they will be understood better as years pass.  May the Lord bless my dear friends and their families evermore, is the prayer of their loving Pastor."

                                                    - C.H. Spurgeon

There is no single practice more likely to help our children become firm, immovable disciples of Jesus then to teach them God's word at home, first by our lives, but also by word of mouth.  Going to a strong, Bible-believing, Christ-glorifying church is a big help.  But Dad and Mom, if you want your children to walk with Jesus when they are grown, there is nothing you can do to better assure it will happen then to love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and teach your children God's word both formally (i.e., "catechizing" / bringing down God's word to their minds in family devotions) and informally (i.e., applying God's word and faith in Jesus to your day and all that's going on in it (see Deut. 6:1-7).

These "Kids catechisms" are being written each week at Calvary Chapel Tampa to help you help your children know and love the Word of God.  They are unique among catechisms of the past in this sense - they are 100% expositional.  Every Q & A has been taken directly out of the text of the scriptures from our Sunday verse by verse studies of the N.T., and worded for children.

May this free resource be a blessing to your home and children as you seek to follow our precious Heavenly Father's admonition to us regarding His word...

"We will not hide it from our children, but will reveal to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and His strength, and the wonderful works He has done.  For He established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded of our fathers that they should make it known to their children, that the generation to come might know it, and that the children which should be born should then arise and declare it to their children, that they too might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments."  (Psalm 78:4-7)

So you see, God's primary method for perpetuating faith and godliness into the next generation is for parents (and fathers especially!) to teach and train their own children in the things of God. 

Please note that we have many other resources available to help and encourage fathers and mothers learn and grow in our understanding of discipling our own children.  Do give us a call or drop us a note if there's anything we can do to be of help to you in this.  "Freely we have received," we will therefore "freely give."