St. John the Evangelist - Ancient Faith, Modern Relevance

Catechesis has been something that has always been part of God’s covenant with his people. Catechesis is implied in the comment that the Apostle Paul makes about Timothy’s faith: I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well. (2 Timothy 1.5) The conversation between Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch is catechesis. Paul’s instructions to fathers requires it: Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 6.4)

The Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds are catechetical tools. The work of the reformation was very largely a work of catechizing the church, as is evidenced by Luther’s Catechism in Germany, the required use of the Elizabethan Homilies in England, Calvin’s Genevan Catechism in Switzerland, and many other such works, all of which provided revitalized tools for teaching and worship.

It’s in this spirit that we offer this little work. This booklet will be used as the basis for training throughout the various grade levels in our Christian Education program. We also commend it to you as part of your home devotional life.

From grandparents of the ripest faith, to harried parents finding bits of time here and there to disciple their children, to little children lisping their faith as best they can, a common faith can be nurtured in a common expression. The Book of Common Prayer is our "language" of worship. This little work can become our "language" of education.

May God use this tool as a blessing in the life of your family, reaping a return on investment that is beyond your imagining!

This was first presented to the families of St. John’s, with love, by the members of the Christian Education Committee on "Youth Sunday" (The Fifth Sunday After Easter), May 17, 2009.