FAQs Mondays: A Catechism for Boys and Girls

Starting next Monday, we will be looking at A Catechism for Boys and Girls. You can find a copy of it here and here. Currently, we use this catechism during our family devotional time.

As we examine the questions, their answers, and the scriptural proofs, I will also explore some of the modifications I have made to help Sophia better understand the questions.

If you have never considered using a catechism, I encourage you to follow this weekly series. I also encourage you to check previous FAQs Monday posts. You can find the introduction here, and the first post from The Baptist Catechism here.

Sermon Recap 2-27-11

Morning: The sermon was entitled, "Navigating Uncertain Waters," and focused on Ecclesiastes 11:1-6. In the passage, Solomon gives us some instruction on how to survive in uncertain times. He instructs us to:

1. Plan ahead. His instruction to "Cast your bread upon the waters," and "Give portions to seven, even eight" have been understood in to primary ways: as an encouragement to generosity or as an encouragement to industry. In other words, he is either instructing us to give generously (even if it feels like we are throwing our bread on the waters), or he is saying risk the investment and diversify your portfolio. Either way the "risk" is see to produce a desirable outcome: "and you will find them in many days." The spiritual application is that need to invest in the kingdom of God, try things that don't make us comfortable, and be willing to fail.  He demonstrates this in verses 3-4.

2. Do what you can do. There are many things that are out of our control. We can't make it rain, nor can we stop it from raining. We can't determine where a tree is going to fall. If we allow ourselves to be paralyzed by fear, we'll never do anything, and that would be a waste of life.

3. Don't lean on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5-6 expresses clearly what Solomon was trying to say in Ecclesiastes 11:5. There are so many things in this world that we don't understand. God's will is no exception. We have to commit ourselves to trust the Lord, especially when we can't seem to make sense of what is going on around us.

4. Work hard. Solomon says that we need to labor from sunup to sundown. We keep sharing, keep praying, and keep serving, because we don't know what efforts the Lord will use to bring about his glory. One project may fail, another succeed, or both might be used. We can't tell what will happen, so we can never give up.

Life can be filled with uncertain times. It may seem like we're a ship set adrift in turbulent waters, but in Christ we can navigate the way to safety. If we plan ahead, do what we can, trust the Lord, and work hard we will safely reach the goal--glorifying our Lord and Savior.

Evening: Foundations 13 focused on Exodus, Sinai, and the Wilderness Wanderings (Ex. 4:18-Num. 25:17; 1 Cor. 10:1-7).

Exodus:

• Moses Returns to Egypt (Ex. 4:18-6:12)

• Plagues (Ex. 7:14-12:30)

• Passover (Ex. 11:1-12:30; 1 Cor. 5:7; Luke 22:1-21; John 1:29-35)

• Exodus (Ex. 12:31-18:27; 1 Cor. 10:1-7)

• Crossing of the Sea (Ex. 13:17-14:31)
• Manna and Quail (Ex. 16:1-36; John 6:30-60)
• Water from the Rock (Ex. 17:1-7)

Mt. Sinai

• The Giving of the Law (Ex. 19:1-Num. 10:9)

• The Ten Commandments (Ex. 19:1-20:21)

•  Yahweh (Ex. 34:1-9)

Wilderness Wanderings

• Trouble in the Camp (Num. 10:10-20:29)

• Balaam (Num. 22L1-24:25; 2 Peter 2:15-16; Jude 11; Rev. 2:14)

Principles:

• God's plan A is to send a Redeemer. There is no plan B.

• Hardship is part of the plan.

• What hardens one, softens another.

• Pride comes before a fall.

• Obedience is better than sacrifice.

• God will rescue his people.

• God will judge sin, especially among his people.

• The wrong decision could ruin your reputation.

A Pattern for Family Devotions

In yesterday's article, "Family Devotions," we looked at some of the reasons for and practical results of family worship. You can read that article here. Today, we are going to look at what family devotions should look like.

Every family is different, so everyone's family devotion time will look slightly different. A single person's "family devotion" may just be a time of prayer and Bible study. For a married couple that has no children, it may reading the Bible together, studying biblical doctrines, and prayer. Families with children may have devotions of Bible reading, prayer, questions and answers, and singing. Families with older children might let the children lead the family devotions from time to time, lead the singing, or lead the prayer time. Extended families, that have one or more grandparents (or other relatives), living with them will want to include these members as we.

With all of that in mind, I want to offer you the pattern we a currently using. We are not perfect by any means, but this pattern works for us. It is easy to remain consistent, and the time is enjoyable.  Let me lay out the reasons we do it the way we do, and then we'll look at the pattern.

There are several reasons I chose the pattern I did. Beyond the fact that I felt compelled to practice family devotion, I wanted to influence my children for the Lord. I want them to grow up knowing not only knowing what I believe and why I believe it, but to believe it for themselves. I have struggled with the spiritual disciplines since I have became a Christian. I have always wished that my mentors  would have been able to give me more.

Family devotions give me the opportunity to weave spiritual discipline into the fabric of my children's lives. Solomon urges, "Train your child in the way he should go, and when he is older he will not depart from it" (Prov. 22:6). This verse is a warning and an encouragement. It doesn't guarantee success, but it does make it much more likely.

I'm not only concerned with why they learn, but also what they learn. I want them to know the Bible, because it is the sole authority for the Christian life. I want them to have a firm understanding of the things we confess to believe. I want them to understand why we confess to believe (and where to find those reasons in the Scripture). I want them to be equipped to pray, and to know that everyday they are prayed for. I want them to develop a passion for the glory of God that will motivate them to serve him with unflinching devotion. I also want them to have the Scriptures in their hearts and minds.

With these things in mind, here is the pattern we follow:

We start by reading a chapter out of a Bible story book. We are currently working through The Big Picture Story Bible. We have worked through The Jesus Storybook Bible, and will probably work through it again in the future.We are also considering other Bible story books.

• Then we read through a couple of chapters in the Bible. We read one from the Old Testament and on from the New Testament. Currently, we are reading Psalm 19 everyday, and we rotate through Philippians one chapter a day. We haven't put a time frame on how long we'll keep read this passages.

• We practice a memory verse. Currently, it's Psalm 19:1, "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky proclaims the work of his hands." When Sophia can repeat it without prompting or mistake, we'll pick another verse to work on.

• We pray. I try to pick some part of what we have read to inform my prayers. For example, we have offered praise to God for making the stars that reveal his mighty power. I try to follow the ACTS model of prayer (adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication), but I stick to it. I pray for Sophia (and her future siblings). I pray for her growth in strength and wisdom, for her conversion, and for her safety.

• We work through a catechism. A catechism is a series of doctrinal questions and answers. Catechisms have been used throughout Church history, in both Catholic and Protestant traditions. Even Baptists used catechism throughout the first 200 years of their existence. Currently, we are working though a modified version of A Catechism for Boys and Girls. Traditionally, the catechism is to be memorized word for word. However, I'm more interested in Sophia learning what the answer means.

• Then we read a book. We are working on the Big Thoughts for Little Thinkers series. We read Joey Allen's The Scriptures. This little book explains the importance of the Bible. Eventually, we will get the other books and read through them.

• Occasionally, we sing.  Since we don't have musical accompaniment, we find it difficult to maintain daily singing.

That's the pattern we follow, although some days we switch up the order. It usually takes 15 to 30 minutes depending on whether or not Sophia is cooperative. Most days, she is cooperative. Some days other events make it difficult for us to our devotions. Occasionally, Sophia falls asleep before we get to do them. In these events, we just pick up where we left of the next day. In the future, I'll post some more resources to help guide you in family devotions.

Family Devotions

Family devotions should be an important part of the Christian life. Often, the subject is approached in an "I can't believe they're expecting me to do another thing" kind of attitude. Others reject family devotions (worship) as legalism. However, family devotions are simply an extension of the primary expectation of all true believers: worshiping the Lord.

Although it seems obvious, we were created and redeemed to live a life of worship. There are many ways in which we do this, and worship should come from every corner of our life. The way in which we work can be an act of worship. Singing can be an act of worship. Giving to those in need can be an act of worship. Hearing a sermon can be an act of worship. Gathering as a family to worship God should be as natural to us (as believers) as going to church.

Do you feel awkward praying with your family? Or talking about the Bible? For those of you with children, do you feel embarrassed when they ask you questions about baptism, the Lord's Supper, or other topics of the faith? Do you struggle to answer their questions?

We assume that taking our children to church that we ensure their spiritual growth. We assume that Sunday School and worship will prepare them to comprehend the faith. At will at least get them as far as we got. But is that what God expects of us? The family model in Old Testament times can be found in Deuteronomy 6.  Moses wrote,

Listen, Israel: the LORD our God, the LORD is One. Love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. These words I am giving you today are to be in your heart. Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Bind them as a sign on your hand and let hem be a symbol on your forehead. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates (Deut. 6:4-8, HCSB).

In short, we are to seize every possible opportunity to instruct our children in the faith. Even our house is supposed to be set up in such a way that our priorities are reflected to our children. It's not enough to take them to church, we must gently instruct them in our homes and on the road. We do this through teaching and modeling the faith.

Some may argue that the Old Testament pattern is no longer valid. We live under grace not the law. Yet, Jesus commanded, "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Matt. 28:19-20, HCSB, emphasis mine). Although Jesus' words are not directly related to children, they do set forth the pattern. The concept of Deuteronomy 6:4-8 is evident in the ministry of Jesus. He taught his disciples at home and on the road. The Word of God was in his heart, and he instructed his followers.

God has given to every believing parent the ministry of discipling their children. He has left it up to you to shape their hearts for his glory. The church is their to help you accomplish this task. Through the ministry of the Word, you are taught what the believe and why. Through the ministry of prayer, you are strengthened and encouraged. Through the ministry of fellowship, you find a network of support. Through the ministry of worship, you find your place in the larger work of God.

Family devotions equip you and your family to grow in Christ Jesus. There are many benefits to practicing family devotions. Here are some that I can think of:

• It allows you to spend time with your family. In an age of cell phones, internet, and constant activity, family devotions allow you slow down for a few moments and enjoy your family.  

• The family that prays together, stays together. A common faith creates a strong family bond.

• It allows you, as the parent, to shepherd your children's hearts. You become the prime spiritual influence in the lives of your children.

• It helps you become more familiar with the Bible. As you read the Bible together daily as a family, you learn more of it's content.

• It helps you become more familiar with the teachings of the Bible. Christianity is a faith with definite content (doctrines). As you read the Bible together you will also encounter the truths of the faith.

• It will help you (and your children) to get more out of teaching and preaching at church. Again, personal and family devotions equip you for corporate worship.

• It prepares your children's hearts for the gospel. As you teach them about God, sin, Jesus, repentance, faith, the new birth, and other biblical doctrines, your turning over the soil of their hearts so that the seed of the gospel might take root and produce faith.

As we have seen, family worship should be a part of family life. We have also seen there are important reasons to practice family worship, and several benefits to it. Tomorrow, we will look at how to have a family devotional time. What are your thoughts on family devotions? Does your family have devotional times together? If not, why not? If so, what do your devotional times look like? Leave a comment, I would love to hear from you.

Freedom Through Submission

Everywhere you look, it seems like the world has gone mad. Civil uprisings in Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, and even Wisconsin. Many are praying that these events will have a positive impact, that maybe they will move the world one step closer to peace. Even as we watch the transfer of power, we are forced to mourn the loss of lives. When "dictators" are thrown down, we joyfully cheer their downfall, all the while praying their replacement will be someone of a more noble character.

As Americans we rejoice anytime it seems our ideals, freedom and democracy, are moving forward. We look at the list of injustices perpetrated by regimes that are being toppled and we smugly think they are getting what they deserve. However, the heart of most political change isn't the indignity of injustice. It seems to me, the heart of most revolutions is the yearning for autonomy.

Human beings yearn to master their own destiny. It's been this way every since Adam took the forbidden fruit from Eve. Although we are not given insight into the thinking of man at the moment of rebellion, it's not hard to imagine Adam wanting to shake off God's rule. After all, who was God to tell Adam that he could have the forbidden fruit. Adam wanted to be god, deciding for himself what was good and what is evil.

Things haven't changed. We descendants of Adam still desire to make the call. We often reject God's definitions of right and wrong. Authority is a necessary part of human society. It is built into the warp and woof of human life. However, most people hate authority. For that very reason, reverse psychology works (until people figure out what you are doing).

I'm not saying that there aren't corrupt authorities, or that every one who is in authority should be in authority. I'm saying there is a rebellious yearning for autonomy (self-government) that sees all authority with suspicion. Like children we run around shouting, "You're not the boss of me!" We break the rules we don't like, and bend most of the ones that don't personally offend us.

But Jesus didn't come to loose the autonomous self. He came to rescue us from our enslavement to rebellion. We, like Adam, had rejected God's rule over us. We had set ourselves up as the arbiters of truth, and when things didn't go the way we thought they should, we just pointed the finger at God and said, "That's unfair!" In his mercy, God stepped in and taught us how to identify right and wrong. He gave us his Word to teach us, sent his Son to purchase us, and sent his Spirit to guide us.

We are still rebels at heart. But we don't rebel against the will of God. We rebel against our sin, and the enslavement to self-worship. We acknowledge that a sinister administration once governed our hearts and lives, but Christ came and rescued us. He fought to the death to purchase our freedom--the freedom to submit to God.

Photo by: Klaus with a K, see attribution here.

Able and Worthy

Have you ever spent the better part of a day anticipating bad news? Or in some cases, days or weeks? I don't know about you, but my nerves get on edge. I imagine dozens (sometimes hundreds) of crazy scenarios that go from bad to worse. I'm easily agitated. I get snippy or snappy or crabby.

At times like that I find myself caught between the intense, raw emotional experience and my faith in God. Intellectually, I know that God is good and merciful. I also know that he is righteous and just. I know that a believer is not excused from hardship, and that God often allows us to experience the consequences of our sins.

I find myself caught in the tension of these truths. I want grace, not justice. However, I know that God doesn't bend to my will. I want mercy, not consequences.

I moments like these, I am confident in God's ability. I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, he can deliver me from them, but I am not always certain he will (or that he should).

A lack of certainty, is not doubt. Take Daniel's three friends: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. When faced with the fiery furnace, they responded, "We don't need to give you an answer to this question. If the God we serves exists, then He can rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire, and and He can rescue us from the power of you, the king. But even if He does not rescue us, we want you as king to know that we will not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up" (Dan. 3:16-18, HCSB). It didn't matter what happened, they rested on two important truths: God is able to deliver, and He is worthy of service even if he doesn't deliver.

The problem with worry is so much of it is wasted. We fear things that never actualize. They feel real in our minds, but they never come to pass. To often, we worry about all the wrong things. Things that should concern us, we ignore. Things that don't really matter, we blow out of proportion. Either way, it's wasted time.

When God delivers you from that thing you feared, I encourage you to spend time in praise. Then, reflect on the opportunity he has given you. Seize your moment, make the necessary changes, and slay that fear that drove you to worry. If God has chosen to allow you to face that which you fear, rest in his grace, and he will strengthen you for the days ahead. But never forget, he is able to deliver you, and still worthy of your worship if he doesn't.

Hymns: Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

I really love this song. This is an interesting arrangement. I hope you enjoy it.