WHO MAY ENROLL
This course is open to teens (7th grade and older) and adults.
PURPOSE
More than ever, knowledge of Christian doctrine is needed, that we and our children might be able to find direction and encouragement in God’s answers to life’s fundamental questions. “Who am I?”, “Where did I come from?”, “What is my purpose?”, “What is my future?”, and “What is my hope?” are all questions answered in God’s Word. I look forward to your partnership in learning as we grow in our faith in Jesus and become better ‘prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks [us] for a reason for the hope that is in [us]…” 1 Peter 3:15.
Pastor Roger
The purpose of this course is to:
- equip parents in the foundations of the Christian Faith, that they might more effectively disciple their young children as they grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ 2 Peter 3:18.
- partner with parents in teaching the essentials of the Christian Faith to their teenage children, so that they might continue in what [they] have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom [they] learned it and how from childhood [they] have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make [them] wise for salvation through faith in Christ 2 Timothy 3:14–15.
- provide foundational instruction for adults investigating or wishing to review the essentials of the Christian faith.
CONTENT
The course content consists of approximately 60 lessons taught on a two year rotation - 30 lessons per year. Students are welcome to participate for as many or as few years as it takes to learn the content. Upon satisfactory completion of the course, students will be recognized with a Certificate of Christian Knowledge on Confirmation Sunday.
EXPECTATIONS
- At least one parent is expected to attend class with their teenage student, as parents are their child’s single greatest influencer. The values and priorities they model in daily life will have a profound effect on what each young person believes and comes to hold dear. Participating in catechism class together provides a helpful context for parents to model their own personal desire to learn God’s Word, to observe how their children are processing what they are learning, and to coach them as they interact with the Scripture.
- Regular class and worship service attendance. Please give notice if you will be unable to attend class. Students who are repeatedly absent must make arrangements with the instructor to complete their studies or re-enroll in the next section of the class.
- Completion of all class work, including:
- worship service notes using notes template (20 per year)
- memorization of key Bible verses and portions of the Catechism and Explanation as assigned
- completing workbook and reading assignments prior to class
- writing a 500 - 700 word essay on a topic covered in the course of study (second year students only). The essay will be presented to the congregation on Confirmation Sunday.
RESOURCES
Please provide your personal copy
- The Holy Bible (English Standard Version preferred)
Provided at first class
- Luther’s Small Catechism with Explanation (Concordia Publishing House, 2017 edition)
- Enduring Faith 60 Lesson Catechism Study (Concordia Publishing House, 2018)
SCHEDULE
The course will begin with an introductory class over lunch on Sunday, September 11.
Following classes will be held on Wednesdays at 4:15 - 5:15 pm and 7:15 - 8:15 pm. Students and parents are free to attend the segment which best suits them.
Year A (2022 - 2023)
UNIT 1 INTRODUCTION
September 11 SUNDAY Lunch & Learning (12:30 - 2:00 pm)
Introduction to Biblical Foundations
2* The Big Question - Who is Jesus?
* denotes workbook chapter
September 14 4 Reading God’s Word
September 21 3 & 6 The Small Catechism - Introduction and Overview
September 28 7 Introduction to Ten Commandments
UNIT 2 THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
October 5 8 The First Commandment
October 12 9 The Second Commandment
October 19 10 The Third Commandment
October 26 11 The Fourth Commandment
November 2 12 The Fifth Commandment
November 9 13 The Sixth Commandment
November 16 14 The Seventh Commandment
November 23 NO CLASS
November 30 15 The Eighth Commandment
December 7 16 The Ninth & Tenth Commandments
December 14 17 The Close of the Commandments
December 21 NO CLASS
December 28 NO CLASS
January 4 NO CLASS
January 11 NO CLASS
UNIT 3 THE APOSTLES’ CREED
January 18 18 The Introduction to the Apostles’ Creed
January 25 19 The First Article (Part 1)
February 1 20 The First Article (Part 2)
February 8 21 The First Article (Part 3)
February 15 22 The Second Article (Part 1)
February 22 23 The Second Article (Part 2)
March 1 24 The Second Article (Part 3)
March 8 25 The Third Article (Part 1)
March 15 NO CLASS
March 22 26 The Third Article (Part 2)
March 29 27 The Third Article (Part 3)
April 5 28 Review - The Creed
April 12 29 Returning to The Ten Commandments
April 19 30 Returning to The Apostles’ Creed
April 26 Preparation for Confirmation Sunday (Second Year student only)
May 7 Confirmation Sunday