The purpose of the Heidelberg Catechism Project is so that the catechism will actually be USED in the routine life of the church for evangelism, church planting, leadership training, and discipleship efforts as part of the larger task of teaching the Word of God.

The catechism is useful for all these purposes because it so adequately summarizes the Holy Scriptures.

The catechism provides a framework for Evangelism because it begins with questions of what brings ultimate joy – Jesus Christ or an idol? It then ultimately answers how and why Jesus Christ bring such joy by summarizing the Biblical narrative in its response.

In the Reformed Churches, instruction in the catechism was a weekly event for ALL members. All churches should aspire to continually teach the catechism.

It is especially important that those who lead the church whether as ministers or elders be very familiar with this text and the biblical theology that undergirds it. While formerly it was routine for anyone making an adult profession of faith after infant baptism to have studied the catechism for several years, now it is rare even for many ministers to know the catechism well.

For that reason, ministers will do well to ensure that they follow the Apostolic principle (Acts 20:20) of teaching the catechism in public settings as well in privately instructing people in the catechism as they train individual leaders.

The benefit of using the catechism is that 1) its content is recognized as biblical and orthodox and 2) by passing along the “form of sound words” (2 Timothy 1:13) in the form of the catechism, the people you teach can be sure the same substance is passed on to those they may teach. Those you teach may never “teach” in a public setting. ALL those you teach however have their own spheres of influence where they ARE called to appropriately live out the faith. The catechism will allow them to do so faithfully without “dropping the ball” by neglecting the basic doctrines of the Gospel.

Let’s summarize the ways you should be using the catechism in your church:

1. Regular exposure to the Questions, Answers, and Scripture References of the catechism in church.
2. Regular exposure to the Questions, Answers, and Scripture References in the home.
3. Reference to the catechism in Sermons and Bible Studies as appropriate.
4. Requirement of special study of the catechism prior to Adult Professions of Faith (a “catechism certificate”).
5. Requirement of a catechism certificate for all those to be ordained as elders.
6. Use of the catechism for “discipling” new converts and potential leaders.
7. Training others in how to use the catechism as a training tool.
8. Using the catechism’s Questions, Answers, and Scripture references for training in “Evangelism”.
9. Using the catechism as an evangelistic “Discussion Guide” with non-Christians or “lapsed” Christians.
10. Using the catechism as a inspiration to prayer, praise, and thanksgiving. This catechism offers many opportunities for spontaneous adoration, confession, and thanksgiving as we ponder the grace of Jesus Christ towards us, and His sufficiency in all things to bless those who rest in Him.

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