Shorter Catechism Boys
In Ephesians 6, the Apostle Paul calls Christian fathers to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (v. 4b). This echoes the teaching found in Deuteronomy, where Israel is commanded to cherish God’s word in their hearts and teach it diligently to their children (6:6–7).
One method of instructing children and new believers that the church has used since the beginning, and which the Reformers revitalized, was the use of catechisms – a set of questions and answers regarding our holy faith that are to be studied and memorized. So impactful was their use during the Reformation that the Roman Catholic Council of Trent lamented that, “The heretics (that’s us)… have chiefly made use of catechisms to corrupt the minds of Christians.”
A memorable story illustrating the fruit of faithful catechesis comes from the theologian B.B. Warfield – who once wrote of a U.S. Army officer who, during a violent conflict, noticed a young soldier of "singularly combined calmness and firmness of bearing, whose very demeanor inspired confidence.”
The officer was so impressed with the young man that he turned to him, stuck a finger in his chest, and forcefully inquired, “What is the chief end of man?”
The answer immediately came, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.”
“Ah,” replied the officer, “I knew you were a Shorter Catechism boy...”
Warfield concluded this story, writing, “It is worthwhile to be a Shorter Catechism boy. They grow to be men. And better than that, they are exceedingly apt to grow to be men of God.” That is what we want for our children. We want them to know their God, we want them to have the strong peace of the gospel deep down in their bones, that they would be witnesses to our Lord in all circumstances.
And so the exhortation is to teach your children diligently. The exact method or tool doesn’t really matter – find what works for you. It may be enrolling them in our upcoming catechism course or just having regular time in the Word as a family. But whatever it is, do so with joy and with faith – that your children would glorify God and enjoy Him forever.