May 10, 2021
Dear friends,
This is a long message, I know, but bear with me!
The kids have been learning a beautiful hymn, “God’s Own Child I Gladly Say It” (LSB 594). There’s a great question raised in the first verse: “Do I need earth’s treasures many? I have one worth more than any that brought me salvation free, lasting to eternity!” Like Mary in the painting above, who sat at the feet of Jesus and listened to him teach, the kids are learning that there is just one thing that matters above all else. It is more precious than silver and gold and more enduring than all the fleeting treasures of this world. It is the gift they received in Baptism, the blessing of adoption into God’s family, the joy of a new life in Christ, and the promise of eternal life in God’s kingdom.
I wrote last week about working to teach the catechism to all kids of all ages. It can seem like teaching the catechism is parochial. That is, it can feel like it’s teaching something peculiar to our little corner of the world, like handing down a family tradition of eating pickled herring at Christmas. Or it can feel like a strange rite of passage, like collecting merit badges to become an eagle scout.
But that’s not it at all. The catechism is a summary of God’s Word. It is the most basic, fundamental parts of the Bible, put in terms that are easy to understand. It is universal. It’s true. It unlocks the whole Bible. And there’s enough packed in there to keep a person busy unpacking his whole life. Learning the catechism is a wonderful way for children to grow up into the gift and blessing and joy that they have as believers!
When Martin Luther compiled the Small Catechism, he prefaced each section like this: “As the head of the family should teach it in a simple way to his household.” Fathers, in particular, have the responsibility of teaching the faith to their children. This has been one of the emphases of our Men’s Bible Study here at Concordia – the unique responsibility that God has given to men to exercise authority over their God-given domains. Of course that authority involves material things – to protect and provide. But more importantly it is a spiritual authority and responsibility. That is the most important task given to a man: to guard his own faith and to strengthen and nurture the faith of his wife and children.
The devil tries to sneak in and convince us that it is too big a task, especially this business of teaching children the faith. Where do we begin? How do we fit it in with all the other demands on our time? What if they find it boring? What if I find it boring?
I’ll address that first question in a moment, but first let me say something to the last three questions. However parents regard God’s Word and the catechism will not only influence but even determine how their children think of it. If you don’t have time for it, neither will your kids. If you treat it as drudgery, so will your kids. But, if you prioritize it, so will your kids. If you are enthusiastic, your kids will be too. If you carry on with devotion to God’s Word even when you don’t feel like it because you know that it is good, your kids will too. That may be one of the greatest gifts you can give to your kids.
Now to the first question: where to begin?
I am working on some specific helps that I can sit down and go through with folks family-by-family. But here are some key principles:
Repetition is your friend! The old adage goes: repetition is the mother of learning. Let’s suppose you sat down and said the Ten Commandments together yesterday. Fantastic. Say them again today. And tomorrow. And the next day! You said them once today. Say them again. Say them three times!
I know two things about this from experience: 1) this feels dull and like a huge waste of time 2) it is a profoundly good use of time, and it is only dull if you act dull while doing it. So smile and tease and be prepared to laugh, and your kids will think it is just one of the joyous ways that you spend time together. And they won’t be wrong.
Ask easy questions!
Parent: Here’s the first commandment: You shall have no other gods. Now I’m going to say it and you fill in the blank: You shall have no other _____.
Child: GODS!
Parent: Perfect! Give me a high-five!
Slow and steady! There was an old Disney movie called The Richest Cat in the World in which a talking cat is teaching a young boy how to read. As the boy is frustrated that he has to sound out the words on the page, the cat tells him: “Inch by inch, life is a cinch. Yard by yard, it is very, very hard.” A helpful truth, even if it came from a cat. In the case of teaching the catechism, a little bit every day goes a lot further than any amount, big or small, in spurts.
That’s it for today. Stay tuned. Next week, I’ll begin to write more about what earlier catechism instruction means for Confirmation and admission to the Lord’s Supper.
Write with questions!
God bless and keep you,
Pr. Buchs
P.S. Apologies if you were looking for the live stream or a recording of the sermon the last two Sundays! I think we have the technical glitch sorted!