A friend recently shared on social media an article entitled The World is Catechizing Us Whether We Realize It or Not. It reminded me of an article with a similar title that I quote from every year at the beginning of confirmation class, when I meet with the parents. The premise behind articles like this is that our children are constantly learning. This is common sense. Exasperated parents wonder how their three-year old learned a “bad word.” Even the most careful parents can’t protect their children all the time. Some older children devour books. Others consume Netflix and YouTube with their parents’ permission, and sometimes without. Distracted toddlers have repeated portions of my sermons to me when I never would have imagined they heard or understood a word. Sometimes young adults come home from college for the holidays with shockingly new worldviews.
It’s not just young people either. The title of the article referenced above used the third-person plural pronoun “us,” because all of us are learning all the time. We are constantly surrounded by a sea of information, and we are constantly being fed messages by a myriad of sources that all have specific agendas. The question that parents ask, “How do we make sure our children are taught what is right,” is the question we must always be asking ourselves.
The simple, easy answer is to study the Scriptures, to “diligently” teach them to your children (Deut. 6:7), and certainly that is true and right. But what does that look like? I’m sure it varies from family to family, but I’m also sure that we tend to underestimate the need, the value of “continuing catechesis(education).”
For example, when is the last time you talked about the 6th commandment in your household? As Lutherans, we love talking about the catechism, but oftentimes we bank on the Sunday School and confirmation teachers to take care of teaching our children about what adultery means. But how do you think those conversations in class actually go? Was your child even in class that day? Does your middle school student (or older) know that all sex outside of marriage between one man and one woman goes against God’s blessing and design?
Do you think they’re learning about it elsewhere?
I know they are. Now, that can sound scary or ominous, but I don’t necessarily mean to be threatening. Because really, I simply mean to state a fact. A fact that we tend to overlook, but a fact that carries very real consequences. And it’s not just sex and adultery. What do we believe about the Bible? What do we believe about the natural state of man? What do we believe about Jesus? And why?
So often, the first step in solving a problem is identifying, naming it, calling it what it is. Training one another, young and old, to know and love Jesus, is a continual process and one to embrace and prioritize. What if we learned how to have humble conversations about our natural inclination toward pride? What if we acknowledged our questions and doubts about the person and work of God and His Son Jesus Christ and together sought answers in Scripture? What if we learned how to have healthy conversations about sex and gender issues, even in church? Especially in church? After all, it’s in church where we worship the One who creatively made us in His image, male and female.
I know I’ve sinned against God in so many ways, including taking these things for granted and shirking my responsibility as an educator, pastor, neighbor, friend. I thank God for His grace to me, for the forgiveness that is mine at the cross and the victory I find at the empty tomb.
And I thank God for more opportunities to catechize, and be catechized. This is the time of year that our attention turns to catechesis more specifically. That’s a confirmation word, but in the context of training and teaching, there are so many more opportunities! In Adult Bible Study, we’re starting a study on Genesis. Right from the start, we’re hitting two big topics: creation and the natural state of man. Consider making that a priority on your Wednesday nights. Sunday School is so important, youth group, the morning worship service, I could go on and on. Pray for these times of catechesis, and consider which ones may be helpful for you and your family.
Please know that I pray for your families too. There’s nothing that replaces the catechesis that happens in the home. What a wonderful privilege parents have to train their children to know and love Christ! And if you ever have any questions or need any resources or material as you seek to point your children to Christ, I’m always so happy to help.
May God bless our school year, and may He use this time to strengthen our faith and love for Him.
In Christ,
Pastor Micah
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