Catechism in church and at home: yay or nay???

[Greektim]

So I have been prompted to check out New City Catechisms put out by Tim Keller in association with the Gospel Coaltion (and Baptist; in case some were freaking out). I really like the idea for both church and family Bible study. And it seems like good stuff. Here is their intro that seemed pretty spot on.

What are your thoughts on catechizing???

 

[preachinjesus]

We recommend the New City Catechism for our families. It is very good and a great tool for them throughout the year.

One of good things is that they've approached the touchy issues of baptism, salvation, election, and such with a generous voice. In a time when more people are able to gather around our mobile devices and tablets this is a great resources. Honestly, I don't see anything else out there for this kind of use. Though the New City Catechism is based on the Westminster Catechism, you can clearly see the influences, it isn't nearly as reformed or theologically mainline. Its a good resource.

As far as our church services, we don't utilize a catechism, nor plan to. It isn't part of our methodological framework.

 

[Mexdeaf]

I like it. Going to pray about using this in a church plant.

 

[Yeshua1]

We recommend the New City Catechism for our families. It is very good and a great tool for them throughout the year.

One of good things is that they've approached the touchy issues of baptism, salvation, election, and such with a generous voice. In a time when more people are able to gather around our mobile devices and tablets this is a great resources. Honestly, I don't see anything else out there for this kind of use. Though the New City Catechism is based on the Westminster Catechism, you can clearly see the influences, it isn't nearly as reformed or theologically mainline. Its a good resource.

As far as our church services, we don't utilize a catechism, nor plan to. It isn't part of our methodological framework.

That it would be good aid to help us in family devotions/studies, but also think that in "church" the Bible is what we should be teaching/preaching out of!

 

[Mexdeaf]

That it would be good aid to help us in family devotions/studies, but also think that in "church" the Bible is what we should be teaching/preaching out of!

It's a teaching/preaching aid, brother. Nothing wrong with using it as an outline.

 

[annsni]

It definitely helps with teaching the concepts of Scripture. It's not replacing Scripture and the points are all supported by Scripture but it makes it easier to put forth the beliefs of a particular group as well as being able to organize it in our own minds to understand and teach the Word of God.

 

[Bronconagurski]

It's a teaching/preaching aid, brother. Nothing wrong with using it as an outline.

You may be right there, but I want my pastor to get sermons the old fashioned way: by prayer and study. Is seems to me that using someone else's outline is akin to getting a sermon off the internet. Now if he has already gotten a sermon, and it fits as a study guide, then fine. But that is my personal preference, and I'm not saying there aren't churches using them effectively.

 

[annsni]

I just downloaded it and it looks good!

 

[annsni]

You may be right there, but I want my pastor to get sermons the old fashioned way: by prayer and study. Is seems to me that using someone else's outline is akin to getting a sermon off the internet. Now if he has already gotten a sermon, and it fits as a study guide, then fine. But that is my personal preference, and I'm not saying there aren't churches using them effectively.

How did you connect this to sermons?

I know my husband will sometimes use other resources for his sermons - catechisms, commentaries, other pastor's sermons, etc. I don't see anything wrong with that.

 

[Bronconagurski]

How did you connect this to sermons?

I know my husband will sometimes use other resources for his sermons - catechisms, commentaries, other pastor's sermons, etc. I don't see anything wrong with that.

I was responding to the use it as an outline comment suggested by someone. If that is not what they meant, never mind, but that is what it seemed like to me. What did you think mex meant?

 

[Mexdeaf]

You may be right there, but I want my pastor to get sermons the old fashioned way: by prayer and study. Is seems to me that using someone else's outline is akin to getting a sermon off the internet. Now if he has already gotten a sermon, and it fits as a study guide, then fine. But that is my personal preference, and I'm not saying there aren't churches using them effectively.

What I meant was that I would not feel guilty at all using this catechism as a basis for 52-week series. Who said anything about neglecting prayer and study? I get inspiration for my sermons from many sources.

 

[annsni]

I was responding to the use it as an outline comment suggested by someone. If that is not what they meant, never mind, but that is what it seemed like to me. What did you think mex meant?

But using it as an outline for a year of messages doesn't mean that prayer and study won't go into it.