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I’ve been studying a variety of subjects lately, and I’ve come across a few things related to kids. Catechism things. But from evangelical sources. How can this be?
Let me back up for a minute. I’ve had a growing concern about the lack of systematized training that kids are getting these days. (I have four wonderful grandchildren, so I have more than a little vested interest in this.) I’ve been doing lots of study about what is going on with Christian curricula, books about children’s spiritual formation, etc., and specifically, the lack of musical worship resources to support any of that. What comes up in my research is a word that evangelicals tend to stay away from…catechism. There, I said it…catechism. In terms of systematic training, however, catechism is the way to go. I was searching for evangelical forms of catechism and found a Tim Keller video (see resources below) and New City material. I downloaded the app…interesting. So much of what kids are getting under the umbrella of “kids worship” would be hard to call worship…and hard to call systematic spiritual formation. In regard to kids “Sunday school,” we’re isolating the kids from the rest of the Body of Christ and not providing them with any substantial worship formation. Their classes are being led by people who have no worship background or philosophy, and then we wonder why the kids don’t transition to the larger church as a whole when “it’s time.”
This is important stuff to think about and consider. Isolated kids…worship that isn’t really worship…hype-based…not systematic, etc.
I remember attending a catechism class on Saturdays when I was in junior high. Voluntarily! I had a couple friends that went to an Evangelical Free Church that offered the class. I even rode my bike a fair distance to get there. I wonder if that church and that class still exist? Who sees this kind of training as worthwhile any more? I do! Let’s get the conversation going!
Here are some of the resources I’ve found:
Tim Keller on Why You Should Catechize Your Children
Evangelicals, Kids, and Catechism
Best Catechism Resources for Families
Evangelical catechism. What say you? What are your thoughts?