Only three days left to save big money on the “Life in Christ” catechism curriculum! You and your church can save $5 per book (that’s a third off the regular price of $15) by taking advantage of the $10 per book price during the pre-publication special offered at the Reformed Fellowship website.

Churches who begin catechism instruction for young ages ought to be aware that the listed grade levels are only suggestions.  Instructors have the flexibility to adjust memory work to the learning level of students. As the author of the first volume, Not My Own:Discovering God’s Comfort in the Heidelberg Catechism, I believe it can be used successfully at the third to sixth grade levels. My husband and I anticipate utilizing it with our fourth grade catechism class during the next church school season.

The order in which the volumes can be used is also flexible. Except for the obvious two-part Price of Possession volumes, the books may be used in any order. Each lesson has been prepared in a way that anticipates about forty-five minutes of classroom time for review. But some instructors may wish to use one volume for two years of instruction. Rev. Andrew Cammenga, for instance, believes his Facing Faith’s Challenges: Defending the Faith and Answering Life’s Important Questions contains enough information that it could be used over a two-year period.

A distinctively Reformed perspective and unified program characterize the “Life in Christ” catechism curriculum. The series provides a comprehensive overview of the doctrines of grace, church history, the covenant, as well as specific Reformed confessions including the Westminster Standards and the Three Forms of Unity (Heidelberg Catechism, Belgic Confession, and Canons of Dort). The full-orbed perspective of its material is also reflected in its method.

The “Life in Christ” catechism curriculum includes memorization of scripture, confessional statements, and Reformed concepts. Memory work from the Bible and the Three Forms of Unity appears in bold print, while alternative or additional memory is included for churches that wish to incorporate memorization from the Westminster Standards.  

The value of memorization cannot be overstated. Words memorized in youth often anchor the heart in the calm harbor of God’s peace when tossed in life’s tempests. And God specifically commands the memorization of His Word as an effective antidote to sin: “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11).

This curriculum goes beyond mere rote memorization, however, by incorporating application and apologetics. While students learn God’s Word, they also learn how to apply it to their lives and defend their faith in the world.