I am beginning a series with my students at church on The Westminster Larger Catechism. We're gonna work through it, maybe taking more than one week on a question if need be and stuff like that. I want to get my students grounded in the Bible and the things that it teaches. Most of my students are middle school and early high school. What is a good way to go about teaching something like that with kids their ages? I was thinking a kinda discussion or question/answer type thing. But I wanna know if someone has done this or something similar and has a better way that I can maybe integrate into what I am doing.

I know my opinion will likely be in the small minority here, but if you're wanting to get your students grounded in the Bible, why not do an actual Bible study? You can always pick a theologically-rich book like Ephesians, and explain the historical background on the different issues, etc. I'll likely get ripped to shreds on this one, but catechizing someone doesn't seem to be the best way to give them the pure milk of the Word.

Alright- you guys can go ahead and <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/takethat.gif" alt="" /><img src="/forum/images/graemlins/flee.gif" alt="" />

I agree, the primary teaching should be from the Bible. If they don't know the Bible start teaching it. Ephesians would be a good start. There are some others as well - John, Romans. The Catechism is an excellent tool in supplementing the Bible, but the Bible is paramount.

Oh I agree. The Bible should come first and foremost. And that is what my teaching has been up to this point. We've done book studies and stuff like that. I just wanted to try something that, in their eyes, would be different than what we have been doing. And I think the Westminster Catechisms do a good job of summarizing some of the most important things in the Bible.

Go for it. I misunderstood that you were trying to teach children without a solid background of the Bible. The study should be a good change of pace and helpful.

I agree with Henry, to his chagrin I'm sure! <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> One of the biggest needs of the day is that professing Christians be students of the inspired Scriptures. The second is complementary and that would be solid doctrinal preaching, which is woefully lacking. (cf. Hos 4:6)

Perhaps you might consider using the Westminster Shorter Catechism, if you are settled on using a secondary document for your class, which I think is perfectly fine if used as it was intended; a summary of biblical doctrine. The reason I suggest the Shorter Catechism, over the Larger, is because you can obtain G.I. Williamson's excellent 2 volume study guide which was designed for exactly what you are wanting to accomplish. I've used this series myself and found it most helpful, especially in stimulating deeper discussions among the attendees. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/idea.gif" alt="" />

In His Grace,

Just out of curiosity, what would the cost of the study guide be and where would you recommend I purchase it?

Kind of- but I guess I shouldn't be too surprised!

Gosh, my copies are quite old and I don't even remember what I paid for them. I do remember that I purchased them directly from the publisher, "Presbyterian & Reformed Publishing". However, I wouldn't be at all surprised if you couldn't find them at a discount online. J_Edwards is the "go to guy" when it comes to finding bargains on books. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> They are paperback, so they probably aren't that expensive. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/shrug.gif" alt="" />

I did a quick search with and found this one: The Discerning Reader which has the new 2nd Edition (2 volumes in one) for $13.79.

My Dear Brother Henry,

I'm not going to rip you to shreds over your view of studying the Bible instead of Catechism. However, the Heidelberg Catechism and the Westminster Catechism don't teach something different than the Bible. They simply help a student to ask the right questions and focus on the answers provided in Scripture.

Feel free to pick a book to study but for a well rounded introduction to the key truths in God's Word you'll find you can't do better than work through the Catechism.


Wes <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/BigThumbUp.gif" alt="" />

Although the Bible should be first and foremost, I think a good catechism is something that is lacking in the life of many congregations today.

For a more complete understanding of why I say that I thought a quote from CH Spurgeon would do it better than I could.


http://members.optushome.com.au/kswans/spurgeon.html

Tom

GI Williamson also has a swell little book called, "The Westminster Confession of Faith for Study Classes" that would be GREAT to go through with your students.

I pray that you and your students grow in your faith as you go through your studies -- whatever you choose!

I have the Westminster Larger Catechism commentary by Johannes G. Vos and edited by Mr. Williamson, and that is what I am using for some of my discussion points. It does a very good job. I will look into the things that have been brought forward here though.