HOW TO TEACH THE CATECHISM TO CHILDREN

HOW TO TEACH THE CATECHISM TO CHILDREN

Joy M. Horton

CATECHISM CLASSES

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Q.1. Who made you?
A. God.
Scripture References:
Psalms 100:3
Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Genesis 1:27

So God created mankind in his own image,

in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.

Q.2. What else did God make?
A. God make all things.
Scripture References:
Acts 17:25
And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.
John 1:3
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

Q.3. Why did God make you and all things?
A. For His own glory.
Scripture References:

Acts 17:26-27
From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.
Revelation 4:11
“You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being.”

Psalm 19: 1
The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Isaiah 43:7
everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made.”

Q. 4. How do you glorify God?
A. By loving Him and doing what He commands.
Scripture References:
John 6:29
Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
Matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Q.5. Why ought you to glorify God?
A. Because He made me and takes care of me.
Scripture References:
Psalm 23
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,[a] I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.
Psalm 139:13-16

Q.6. Are there more gods than one?
A. There is only one God.

Scripture References:
Deuteronomy 6:4
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.
Ephesians 4:5-6
5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Q.7. In how many persons does this one God exist?
A. In three persons.
Scripture References:
1 John 5:7
For there are three that testify.

Q.8. What are they?
A. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
Scripture References:
Matthew 28:19
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
1 John 5:7
For there are three that testify.

Q.9. What is God?
A. God is a spirit, and has not a body like men.
Scripture References:
John 4:24
God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.

Q.10. Where is God?
A. God is everywhere.
Scripture References:
Psalm 139:7-12
7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,”
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.

Q.11. Can you see God?
A. No I cannot see God, but He always sees me.

Scripture References:
Hebrews 4:13
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
John 4:25
The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”
Proverbs 15:3
The eyes of the LORD are everywhere,
keeping watch on the wicked and the good.

Q.12. Does God know all things?
A. Yes; nothing can be hid from God.
Scripture References:
Psalm 139

Acts 15:18
things known from long ago.
Hebrews 4:13
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Q.13. Can God do all things?
A. Yes; God can do all His holy will.
Scripture References:
Ephesians 1:11
In him we were also chosen,[a] having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,
Hebrews 6:18
God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged.
Philippians 2:13
for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

Q.14. Where do you learn how to love and obey God?
A. In the Bible alone.
Scripture References:
Galatians 1:8-9
But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!  As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!
2 Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
John 17:17
Sanctify them by[a] the truth; your word is truth.

Q.15. Who wrote the Bible?
A. Holy men who were taught by the Holy Ghost.
Scripture References:
2 Peter 1:21
For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
2 Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,

Q.16. Who were our first parents?
A. Adam and Eve.
Scripture References:
Genesis 3:20
Adam[a] named his wife Eve,[b] because she would become the mother of all the living.
Acts 17:26
From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.

Q. 17. Of what were our first parents made?
A. God made the body of Adam out of the ground, and formed Eve from the body of Adam.
Scripture References:
Genesis 2:7
Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.
Genesis 2:21-23
21 So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs[a] and then closed up the place with flesh. 22 Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib[b] he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.
23 The man said,
“This is now bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh;
she shall be called ‘woman,’
for she was taken out of man.”
Genesis 3:19
By the sweat of your brow
you will eat your food
until you return to the ground,
since from it you were taken;
for dust you are
and to dust you will return.”
Psalm 103:14
for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.

Q.18. What did God give Adam and Eve besides bodies?
A. He gave them souls that could never die.

Scripture References:
Genesis 2:7
Then the LORD God formed a man[a] from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

Q.19. Have you a soul as well as a body?
A. Yes; I have a soul that can never die.
Scripture References:
Genesis 2:7
Then the LORD God formed a man[a] from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

Q. 20. How do you know that you have a soul?
A. Because the Bible tells me so.
Scripture References:
Genesis 1:26-27
26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals,[a] and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
27 So God created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.
Acts 17:22-23
22 Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you.
Romans 1:19-20
19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
Romans 13:1-4

(An English Class in Dong Nai, Vietnam)

Q.21. In what condition did God make Adam and Eve?
A. He made them holy and happy.
Scripture References:
Genesis 1:27
So God created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.
Genesis 1: 31
God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.
Genesis 2:25
Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.
Ephesians 4:24
and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Q. 22. What is a covenant?
A. An agreement between two or more persons.
Scripture References:
Genesis 9:12
And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come.
Genesis 17:10
This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep: Every male among you shall be circumcised.

Q. 23. What covenant did God make with Adam?
A. The covenant of works.
Scripture References:

Genesis 2:16-17
16 And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”
Genesis 2:16-17
16 And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”

Q. 24. What was Adam bound to do by the covenant of works?
A. To obey God perfectly.
Scripture References:

Genesis 2:16-17
16 And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”

Q. 25. What did God promise in the covenant of works?
A. To reward Adam with life if he obeyed Him.
Scripture References:
Genesis 2:16
And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden;
Genesis 3:22-24
22 And the LORD God said, “The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.” 23 So the LORD God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken.24 After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side[a] of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.

Q. 26. What did God threaten in the covenant of works?
A. To punish Adam with death if he disobeyed.
Scripture References:

Genesis 2: 17
but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.

Q. 27. Did Adam keep the covenant of works?
A. No he sinned against God.
Scripture References:
Genesis 3:6
When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.

Q. 28. What is sin?
A. Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of God.
Scripture References:
James 4:17
If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.
1 John 3:4
Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness.

Q. 29. What is meant by want of conformity?
A. Not being or doing what God requires.
Scripture References:

James 4:17
If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.

Q. 30. What is meant by transgression?
A. Doing what God forbids.
Scripture References:

1 John 3:4
Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness.

Q. 31. What was the sin of our first parents?
A. Eating the forbidden fruit.
Scripture References:
Genesis 2:17
but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.
Genesis 3:1-6
Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”
2 The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3 but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’”
4 “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. 5 “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.

Q. 32. Who tempted them to this sin?
A. The devil tempted Eve, and she gave the fruit to Adam.
Scripture References:
Genesis 3:1-6
1 Timothy 2:14
And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner.

Q. 33. What befell our first parents when they had sinned?
A. Instead of being holy and happy, they became sinful and miserable.
Scripture References:
Genesis 3:16-19
16 To the woman he said,
“I will make your pains in childbearing very severe;
with painful labor you will give birth to children.
Your desire will be for your husband,
and he will rule over you.”
17 To Adam he said, “Because you listened to your wife and ate fruit from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You must not eat from it,’
“Cursed is the ground because of you;
through painful toil you will eat food from it
all the days of your life.
18 It will produce thorns and thistles for you,
and you will eat the plants of the field.
19 By the sweat of your brow
you will eat your food
until you return to the ground,
since from it you were taken;
for dust you are
and to dust you will return.”
Genesis 3:24
After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side[a] of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.

Q. 34. Did Adam act for himself alone in the covenant of works?
A. No, he represented all his posterity.
Scripture References:
Romans 5:12
Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned.
1 Corinthians 15:22
For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.

Q. 35. What effect has the sin of Adam on all mankind?
A. All mankind are born in a state of sin and misery.
Scripture References:
Romans 5:12
Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned
Romans 5:19
For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.

Q. 36. What is that sinful nature which we inherit from Adam called?
A. Original sin.
Scripture References:
Romans 5:12
Romans 5:14-19
14 Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who is a pattern of the one to come.
15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! 16 Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification.17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!
18 Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. 19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.

Q. 37. What does every sin deserve?
A. The wrath and curse of God.
Scripture References:
John 3:36
36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in[a] Christ Jesus our Lord.
Galatians 3:10
For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.

Q. 38. Can anyone go to Heaven wit this sinful nature?
A. No; our hearts must be changed before we can be fit for Heaven.
Scripture References:
John 1:12-13
Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
John 3:3
Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.

Q. 39 What is a change of heart called?
A. Regeneration.
Scripture References:
Titus 3:5
he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,

Q. 40. Who can change a sinner’s heart?
A. The Holy Spirit alone.
Scripture References:
Matthew 19:25-26
25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”
26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
1 Corinthians 12:3
3 Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
1 John 4:13
This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit.

Q. 41. Can anyone be saved through the covenant of works?
A. None can be saved through the covenant of works.
Scripture References:
Romans 5:12-16
12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned—
13 To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone’s account where there is no law. 14 Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who is a pattern of the one to come.
15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! 16 Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification.
Galatians 4:24-26
24 These things are being taken figuratively: The women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children.26 But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother.

Q. 42. Why can none be saved through the covenant of works?
A. Because all have broken it, and are condemned by it.
Scripture References:
Psalm 14:1
The fool[a] says in his heart,
“There is no God.”
They are corrupt, their deeds are vile;
there is no one who does good.
Romans 3:10-12
10 As it is written:
“There is no one righteous, not even one;
11 there is no one who understands;
there is no one who seeks God.
12 All have turned away,
they have together become worthless;
there is no one who does good,
not even one.”
Romans 3:23
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Q. 43. With whom did God the Father make the covenant of grace?
A. With Christ, His eternal Son.
Scripture References:
Matthew 26:39
Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
Matthew 26:42
He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”
Matthew 26:44
So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.
John 17:4
I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.
John 17:5
And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.
John 17:12
While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by[a] that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.
1 Corinthians 15:2
By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.

Q. 44. Whom did Christ represent in the covenant of grace?
A. His elect people.
Scripture References:
John 6:37
37 All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.
John 6:44
44 “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.
John 15:16
16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.
John 17:2
2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him.
John 17:6
6 “I have revealed you[a] to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word.
John 17:9
9 I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours.

Q. 45. What did Christ undertake in the covenant of grace?
A. To keep the whole law for His people, and to suffer the punishment due to their sins.
Scripture References:
Matthew 26:28
28 This is my blood of the[a] covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Romans 5:19
19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.

Q. 46. Did our Lord Jesus Christ ever commit the least sin?
A. No, He was holy, harmless, and undefiled.
Scripture References:
2 Corinthians 5:21
21 God made him who had no sin to be sin [a] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Hebrews 4:15
15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.
1 Peter 2:22
22 “He committed no sin,
and no deceit was found in his mouth.
1 John 3:5
5 But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin.

Q. 47. How could the Son of God suffer?
A. Christ, the Son of God, became man that He might obey and suffer in our nature.
Scripture References:
Philippians 2:7
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature[a] of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
Hebrews 4:15
15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.
Hebrews 9:22
22 In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

Q. 48. What is meant by the atonement?
A. Christ’s satisfying divine justice, by His sufferings and death, in the place of sinners.
Scripture References:
Romans 5:10
10 For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!
1 Corinthians 15:3
3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance[a]: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
2 Corinthians 5:21
21 God made him who had no sin to be sin[a] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
1 Peter 3:18
18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.

Q. 49. What did God the Father undertake in the covenant of grace?
A. To justify and sanctify those for whom Christ should die.
Scripture References:
Romans 8:30
30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
1 Corinthians 1:30
30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.

Q. 50. What is justification?
A. It is God’s forgiving sinners and treating them as if they had never sinned.
Scripture References:
Romans 5:1
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Titus 3:4-7
4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

Q. 51. What is sanctification?
A. It is God’s making sinners holy in heart and conduct.
Scripture References:
Ephesians 1:4
4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love
2 Thessalonians 2:13
13 But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as first fruits[a] to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.

Q. 52. For whom did Christ obey and suffer?
A. For those whom the Father had given Him.
Scripture References:
John 6:37
37 All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.
John 10:26-28
26 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.
John 15:16
16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.

Q. 53. What kind of life did Christ live on earth?
A. A life of poverty and suffering.
Scripture References:

Leviticus 5:7
7 “‘Anyone who cannot afford a lamb is to bring two doves or two young pigeons to the LORD as a penalty for their sin—one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering.
Leviticus 12:1-8
The LORD said to Moses, 2 “Say to the Israelites: ‘A woman who becomes pregnant and gives birth to a son will be ceremonially unclean for seven days, just as she is unclean during her monthly period.3 On the eighth day the boy is to be circumcised. 4 Then the woman must wait thirty-three days to be purified from her bleeding. She must not touch anything sacred or go to the sanctuary until the days of her purification are over. 5 If she gives birth to a daughter, for two weeks the woman will be unclean, as during her period. Then she must wait sixty-six days to be purified from her bleeding.
6 “‘When the days of her purification for a son or daughter are over, she is to bring to the priest at the entrance to the tent of meeting a year-old lamb for a burnt offering and a young pigeon or a dove for a sin offering.[a] 7 He shall offer them before the LORD to make atonement for her, and then she will be ceremonially clean from her flow of blood.
“‘These are the regulations for the woman who gives birth to a boy or a girl. 8 But if she cannot afford a lamb, she is to bring two doves or two young pigeons, one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering. In this way the priest will make atonement for her, and she will be clean.
Matthew 8:20
20 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”

Q. 54. What kind of death did Christ die?
A. The painful and shameful death of the cross.
Scripture References:
Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 23; John 19; Philippines 2:8; Hebrews 12:2
Philippians 2:8
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!

Q. 55. Who will be saved?
A. Only those who repent of sin, believe in Christ, and lead holy lives.
Scripture References:

Acts 16:31
31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”
Romans 10:9-10
9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
James 2:17
17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

Q. 56. What is it to repent?
A. To be sorry for sin, and to hate and forsake it, because it is displeasing to God.
Scripture References:
Job 42:6
6 Therefore I despise myself
and repent in dust and ashes.”
Psalm 5:5
5 The arrogant cannot stand
in your presence.
You hate all who do wrong;

Psalm 97:10
10 Let those who love the LORD hate evil,
for he guards the lives of his faithful ones
and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.

Isaiah 55:7; Revelation 2:15-16

Q. 57. What is it to believe or have faith in Christ?
A. To trust in Christ alone for salvation.
Scripture References:
John 3:16New International Version (NIV)
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 10:9New International Version (NIV)
9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.[a] They will come in and go out, and find pasture.
John 14:6New International Version (NIV)
6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Q. 58. Can you repent and believe in Christ by your own power?
A. No, I can do nothing good without the help of God’s Holy Spirit.
Scripture References:
John 3:3-5
3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.[a]”
4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”
5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.
John 3:27
27 To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven.
John 6:65; 15:5; Acts 16:14; 1 Corinthians 12:3

Q. 59. How can you get the help of the Holy Spirit?
A. God has told us that we must pray to Him for the Holy Spirit.
Scripture References:
Luke 11:13
13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Q. 60. How long ago is it since Christ die?
A. More than nineteen hundred years.

Reference: The calendar!

Q. 61. How were pious persons saved before the coming of Christ?
A. By believing in a Saviour to come.
Scripture References:
Galatians 3:7-9
7 Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. 8 Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.”[a] 9 So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
Hebrews 11:3
3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

Q. 62. How did they show their faith?
A. By offering sacrifices on God’s altar.
Scripture References:
Hebrews 10:1
The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship.

Q. 63. What did these sacrifices represent?
A. Christ, the Lamb of God, who was to die for sinners.
Scripture References:
1 Peter 1:19
19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
John 1:29
29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
John 1:36
36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”

Q. 64. What offices has Christ?
A. Christ has three offices.
Scripture References:
Jeremiah 10:10
10 But the LORD is the true God;
he is the living God, the eternal King.
When he is angry, the earth trembles;
the nations cannot endure his wrath.
John 18:37
37 “You are a king, then!” said Pilate.
Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”
Acts 3:22-23
22 For Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you. 23 Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from their people.’
Hebrews 4:15; Revelation 19:16.

Q. 65. What are they?
A. The offices of a prophet, of a priest, and of a king.

Scripture References:
Jeremiah 10:10; John 18:37; Acts 3:22-23;
Hebrews 4:15
15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.
Revelation 19:16
16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:
KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

Q. 66. How is Christ a prophet?
A. Because He teaches us the will of God.
Scripture References:
John 1:4
4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.
John 14:26
26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
John 15:15
15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

Q. 67. How is Christ a priest?
A. Because He died for our sins and pleads with God for us.
Scripture References:
Romans 8:26-27
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
Hebrews 4:14-16; 9:28; 10:1-12.

Q. 68. How is Christ a king?
A. Because He rules over us and defends us.
Scripture References:
Proverbs 20:22
22 Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!”
Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you.
Isaiah 33:22
22 For the LORD is our judge,
the LORD is our lawgiver,
the LORD is our king;
it is he who will save us.
Acts 18:10
10 For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.”
1 Corinthians 15:25; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10.

Q. 69. Why do you need Christ as a prophet?
A. Because I am ignorant.
Scripture References:
Psalm 73:22-24
22 I was senseless and ignorant;
I was a brute beast before you.
23 Yet I am always with you;
you hold me by my right hand.
24 You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will take me into glory.
John 20:31
31 But these are written that you may believe[a] that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
2 Peter 1:21
21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Q. 70. Why do you need Christ a priest?
A. Because I am guilty.
Scripture References:
Romans 3:23; 2:12
James 2:10
10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.

Q. 71. Why do you need Christ as a king?
A. Because I am weak and helpless.
Scripture References:
Exodus 14:14
14 The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
Romans 7:15
15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.
2 Corinthians 12:10
10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Q. 72. How many commandments did God give on Mount Sinai?
A. Ten commandments.

Scripture References:
Deuteronomy 10:4
4 The LORD wrote on these tablets what he had written before, the Ten Commandments he had proclaimed to you on the mountain, out of the fire, on the day of the assembly. And the LORD gave them to me.
Exodus 19 & 20.

Q. 73. What are the ten commandments called?
A. The Decalogue.
Scripture References:
Exodus 31:18
18 When the LORD finished speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai, he gave him the two tablets of the covenant law, the tablets of stone inscribed by the finger of God.
Exodus 32:15-16
15 Moses turned and went down the mountain with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands. They were inscribed on both sides, front and back. 16 The tablets were the work of God; the writing was the writing of God, engraved on the tablets.
Exodus 34:1
The LORD said to Moses, “Chisel out two stone tablets like the first ones, and I will write on them the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke.

 

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