pilgrim people

High School Catechism Class

Homework for Week 2, Sep 14, 2008

(HC = Heidelberg Catechism)

I. Memorize HC Q.1

II. Read HC Lord’s Day 32 and answer the following questions:

A. According to HC Q.86, what are the four reasons why Christians must do good works?

1.

2.

3.

4.

B. Look up Ephesians 2.8-10. What does this teach us about good works? Why must we do them?

C. Look up Romans 12.1-2. What does it mean to be conformed to this world?

D. Why must we have our minds renewed? How does God do this?

E. Look up 1 Corinthians 6.9-10 and Galatians 5.19-21. Can a person be saved and refuse to turn from his or her sin? Why or why not.

September 5, 2008

Dear Parents of High School Students,

I am delighted to announce that I will teach high school catechism this year. As some of you know, I had the privilege of teaching the 9^th and 10^th grade class last year (2007-08), an experience that I found to be very rewarding. Not only did I have the opportunity to get to know the students better, but I was also encouraged by their diligence in memorization and edified by our discussions about Louis Berkhof’s Manual of Christian Doctrine. This year, however, due to our limited number of classrooms, the 11^th and 12^th grades will join us. With eager anticipation, I look forward to spending time with these young people and watching their growth in the Christian faith and life.

The class itself will contain two components: 1) memorization and 2) instruction. With regard to memorization, we will work on the following questions & answers from the Heidelberg Catechism over the course of this Sunday School year: QQ. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 21, 27, 60, 65, 66, 69, 75, 86, 88, 89, 90, and 116. As a teacher, my goal is for each student to master all of these important questions by first memorizing the data, and then demonstrating an ability to explain the doctrine in his or her own words. We will also work on memorization of the books of the Bible.

I realize that students will vary in their abilities to reach this goal (Indeed, some students already have a large percentage of these questions memorized, while others do not.). My intention is to help each student master as much of this doctrine as he or she is able. I desire every student to be encouraged, not discouraged, in his or her quest to reach this goal. My only expectation of the students is that they diligently apply their God-given abilities and discipline themselves to memorize as much as they are able.

Please help and encourage your son or daughter to memorize this critical doctrine. You may find that incorporating memory work into your daily family devotions is quite helpful. If your child already has these particular catechism questions memorized, please continue to review them regularly so that he or she will not forget them. For more on the importance of catechism memorization, see the pamphlet, “Why We Memorize the Catechism” by R.S. Clark (available on the information table).

With regard to instruction, please see the attached page, which outlines what we will cover during the thirty-six weeks of Sunday School. Yes, there will be homework each week, but it will not be weighty or time-consuming. It will normally consist of about five questions. Please have your son or daughter write out his or her answers and bring the completed assignment to class the following week. This is imperative both for your child’s instruction and the participation of the whole class.

As a parent of two high-schoolers myself, I realize that your child has a lot of homework and demands. Subjects such as physics, advanced geometry, foreign languages, along with sports and music programs, demand a lot of time from a student and his or her family. The small amount of homework given in catechism, however, is not long and can easily be completed in a relatively short amount of time. You may find that having your child get into the habit of completing this on Sunday afternoon is an excellent way to spend the Lord’s Day! Whatever the case, however, please help your child see that he or she accomplishes this homework, keeps the sheets organized, and brings this homework back to class the following Lord’s Day. Moreover, your child is expected to bring a Bible and a Three Forms of Unity book to class each week.

The Consistory takes seriously our responsibility to oversee the doctrine and life of the church, which includes the instruction of baptized children. We hope that this class will benefit your child and be a healthy supplement to the instruction that you are already giving your child on a daily basis. We also hope that for those covenant children who have not yet made profession of faith, this class will further prepare them to do so in due time.

If you have questions, please give me a call or send me an email. May the Lord bless your family richly over this catechism year!

For the Consistory and the catechism teachers,

Pastor Brown

(619) 258-8500 (study)

michaelbrown@christurc.org