Little
Catechisms
for Life
Telling each other true stories.
We are always telling ourselves stories about our lives – what happened to us and why, and what it means and says about us. This story-telling is powerful because it provides us with an interpretation of our lives, which orients us to our days. The challenge? Telling ourselves true stories. Because whatever story we tell, whether true or untrue, over time, we will come to believe it – and we are prone to telling untrue stories. This is why we need to tell stories in the light of what God says about our lives. He has given us the true and better interpretation of the ups and downs and ins and outs of our lives. And if we tell them to each other, over time, we will come to believe them. Below are some stories (mini catechisms) our family uses to help us keep things in God’s perspective.
1. Setting Out
Father: To what are you called today, beloved?
Children: To love the Lord our God,
with all our heart, mind, soul and strength.
Father: What an adventure! Anything else?
Children: To love our neighbour as ourselves.
Father: How can such a quest be made
in such a fallen world?
Children: By walking after the Spirit of God
who dwells in us through Christ.
He leads us not in the things of the flesh
but into righteousness.
2. But If Not
Father: Beloved, is the Lord able to keep you today
from trial and toil and danger?
Children: He is.
Father: Will He deliver you from all these?
Children: He will.
Father: But if not?
Children: Let it be known to one and to all,
that we will serve the Lord alone,
whether we sail or whether we stall,
we only bow to heaven’s throne.
3. Contentment (after meals)
Father: Is it enough?
Family: It is!
Father: Are you content?
Family: We are!
Father: Who is the giver of these?
Family: God, the giver of every good gift.
Doxology
4. When It Shines
Father: Is it raining or shining, beloved?
Family: It’s raining.
Father: Does the Lord send both?
Family: He does.
Father: Does the Lord work in both?
Family: He certainly does.
Father: And we all say…
All: Thanks be to God.
5. Thankfulness
Father: Is it raining or shining, beloved?
Family: It’s shining.
Father: Does the sun shine by chance?
Family: No, it shines by God’s grace.
Father: And we all say…
All: Thanks be to God.
6. Sin Crouching
Father: Is sin crouched at the door, beloved?
Children: It is.
Father: And what does it want?
Children: To rule over us.
Father: But does sin have any claim on you?
Children: Certainly, certainly not!
Father: How can this be so?
Children: For one who has died
is free from sin,
and we died to sin with Christ!
Father: Then let not sin reign
in your mortal body,
that you should obey its lusts.
7. Folly Calling
Father: Is Folly calling, beloved?
Children: She is.
Father: What do you know of her?
Children: She promises sweetness
but serves only death.
Father: True, does wisdom also call?
Children: She does!
Father: And we all say…
All: Blessed is the one who listens to Wisdom,
and learns the notes of her chord,
whatever you do get wisdom, beloved,
begin with the fear of the Lord.
8. Doing Hard Things
Father: Is it difficult, beloved?
Child: It is.
Father: And what are you tempted to do?
Child: To shrink away from danger,
and from failure and defeat.
Father: Surely there’s a better way
for those who follow Christ?
Father: Together we say…
All: God is with his children
when they put their trust in Him,
He can give us courage,
say a prayer and then begin!