Beginning Catechesis
“Catechesis.” When most of us hear this word, we think of a book that we used in a class, a sort of textbook or we think of a rite called, “confirmation.” Unfortunately, this sort of thinking has gotten us into some trouble as a congregation. We have children, teens, and adults who are not in 7th or 8th grade so we do not think of them (and they do not think of themselves) as candidates for catechesis.
It is time for us to change our thinking about catechesis. It is more than memorizing some passages and making some promises. The Great Commission of the Church in Matthew 28 gives the Church the responsibility to baptize and to teach. The two, baptizing and teaching, are given together. They belong together.
There isn’t anything that God has to give you that you have not been given by faith in the waters of Holy Baptism. The righteousness of Christ is given as your sin is washed away. The Holy Spirit is given to do battle against the old Adam and the devil’s temptations. The kingdom of heaven is given as you are claimed/adopted/named by God your Father. You are baptized. You are not lacking any good thing, so then what is the purpose of the teaching?
In baptism God has also gathered you into a community, part of that community is your local congregation. God has given the local congregation a pastor whose whole purpose is to continue to hold your baptism in front of you. He proclaims the Law so that you can see your continual need for the Savior from Sin. He proclaims the Gospel so that you can see that your Savior is present with the gifts that you continue to need. He draws your attention to the Lord’s Table where God’s baptized gather to be strengthened in their faith by receiving the body and blood of Christ.
There is an amazing little quote in the Large Catechism where Luther is speaking about the importance of catechizing the baptized and leading them to the Lord’s Table. He is speaking especially of children and the role of the head
of the household when he writes,
“Because they have been baptized and received into the people of Christ,
they should also enjoy this fellowship of the sacrament
so that they may serve us and be useful.
For they must all help us to believe, to love, to pray, and to fight against the devil.”
This is how Luther describes the purpose of catechesis and the role of our children in the Church! Isn’t that amazing? This is the purpose of the “baptize and teach” of the Great Commission! Did you know that our children had such an important role in the life of the church? Are we preparing them (or even our new, adult members) for this?
I am here to help. I am ready to meet with new members who have been baptized but need to be prepared for the Lord’s Table. I need to consult with parents whose children are baptized to make sure that they are being led to the Lord’s Table. This needs to be more than an 8th grade “elective” or a few hours with prospective members. This begins the day after the baptism. If you are a parent who has a child that is around fourth or fifth grade, I would encourage you to contact me. We should talk about what you (and I) can be doing to lead them to the Lord’s Table. Don’t wait for a class. Let’s, instead, consult with one another—Parents and pastor. If we have not already begun, let’s all get started on establishing a life-long process.
Rev. David Wiist
