The word catechesis comes from the Greek (and Latin) for “oral instruction,” which involves some repetition and dialogue. The teachings imparted in catechesis are those foundational to Christianity as Lutherans understand them to have existed all the way back to Christ and His apostles.
And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
Deuteronomy 6:6–7
If you are not already a member of another Missouri Synod congregation, we invite you to go through a period of catechesis and discernment. Even those transferring in from another LCMS congregation, or from a Lutheran church body with whom we are in fellowship, are strongly encouraged to attend as a way of becoming familiar with our pastor and with the doctrinal life of our congregation.
At Town and Country we call this class The Christian Faith in Plain Language. Here we gather as those new to Lutheranism or interested to learn more, alongside lifelong Lutherans who simply want to keep growing in their understanding of the faith. For those unable to attend regularly scheduled classes, our pastor is open to finding alternative times.
No one who attends this class is required to become Lutheran or to join Town and Country, and no pressure of any sort will be applied to anyone who simply wants to attend and learn more about what we believe. Your questions, and even your doubts, are welcome.
The class is usually taught by the pastor, though sometimes the deacon or an elder fills in. It unpacks the teachings of the Holy Scriptures, Luther’s Small Catechism, and the Lutheran liturgy. Long-time members are always strongly encouraged to attend:
- Those new to Lutheranism or seeking to learn more can learn from the questions and contributions of those who have been Lutheran for some time.
- Likewise, the pastor and long-time Lutheran attendees also learn and grow from the questions and contributions of those new to Lutheranism, who bring a different perspective.
- Catechesis is a great way for brothers and sisters in Christ to learn and grow together in our knowledge of and love for the faith handed down to us throughout the ages.
Psalm 1 reminds us that they are truly blessed whose entire being revolves around the Word of God. Deuteronomy 6:4–9 admonishes us to make God’s Word the very foundation and center of our lives, to the point of influencing our thoughts, speech and actions. Let Christian catechesis become another avenue in this endeavor, along with regular Sunday morning church and Bible class attendance.
Topics Generally Covered in Catechesis
- Christ and the Word of God: where the Christian faith finds its authority
- The Church: what it is, what Christ does through it, and what we do in it
- The Liturgy: the way we worship and why, and our part in it
- God and creation (Apostles’ Creed, First Article)
- The Ten Commandments and how they apply today
- Jesus Christ as our Savior (Apostles’ Creed, Second Article)
- The work of the Holy Spirit (Apostles’ Creed, Third Article)
- A little bit about angels
- Sin and getting right with God: the forgiveness of sins, and how we are justified
- Holy Baptism
- The Office of the Keys: Confession and Absolution
- The Lord’s Supper
- The Church and our life in it, including prayer, the Lord’s Prayer, and the Table of Duties
“We’re struggling to find the time.”
With work, school, homework, sports, arts, housework and family activities, many of us are struggling to have enough time for catechesis, or even for Sunday School. Life today keeps us very busy, and there are many necessary work, school and family responsibilities — along with many beneficial extracurricular activities.
But if those things dominate our lives and we pay little attention to Christ and His Word as the source of our life and faith, at the end of days when Christ returns, what will be left? Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” While we need to fulfill our worldly responsibilities, and even take time to benefit from fun and physically or mentally beneficial activities, none of these things should ever take precedence over our foundation in Christ and His Word. Jesus would have us place our primary focus on the one thing needful.