Preaching the catechism

[Curt]

I've never been a part of a congregation in which the catechism is preached. I wonder how (or if) it is possible to do this while preaching through a book.

 

[Guido's Brother]

Reformed churches which have catechism preaching have two services. For instance, in my church I'm preaching through Mark in the morning and then in the afternoon service, I preach on biblical teachings using the Heidelberg Catechism as a guide.

 

[Curt]

Reformed churches which have catechism preaching have two services. For instance, in my church I'm preaching through Mark in the morning and then in the afternoon service, I preach on biblical teachings using the Heidelberg Catechism as a guide.

Thanks, Wes.

 

[kvanlaan]

Basically, find almost any group of reformed Dutchmen, and you'll see this practise in action!

 

[Phil D.]

In our church the adult Sunday School class is teaching through the WLC.

 

[Jack K]

I've seen it done as a mid-week gathering, too, both for adults and as instruction for children. Never seen it as the primary, Sunday morning sermon, though.

 

[Curt]

In our congregation we are going through the WSC in the Sunday School class (yes, it's a Baptist congregation). In the evening service it's Systematic Theology (after a discussion of the morning sermon). At thre moment, I'm preaching through Joshua. Would any of that count as preaching the catechism?

 

[westminken]

The pastor I work with is preaching through the WCF now. He intends for the series to take us into late Spring early Summer. I have taught it in a Sunday School class setting. As far as doing it simultaneously while preaching through a book, it looks like you could do it in a Sunday School setting or preach it the Dutch Reformed manner in the evenings. I say whatever works for you and your sheep.

 

[Reformed Roman]

I don't see why you would preach through a Catechism. I think that's something you should teach your church in Sunday School's or Small Groups to get them sound in doctrine. As far as preaching on it? I personally think Pastors should preach through a book rather then preaching through a Catechism.

Don't get me wrong. I understand the Catechism is based on the Word of God, and it teaches it. That is all the Pastor would be trying to do. I suppose it would be a beneficial thing to do.

For example: The church I'm currently joining, their Pastor has been preaching on topics he thought the church needed to hear about due to certain issues. For the 6 years before that he preached through books. So I can understand doing things like this if the Pastor feels it's needed. I wouldn't make a practice of doing things like this though.

 

[Jack K]

I don't see why you would preach through a Catechism. I think that's something you should teach your church in Sunday School's or Small Groups to get them sound in doctrine. As far as preaching on it? I personally think Pastors should preach through a book rather then preaching through a Catechism.

Don't get me wrong. I understand the Catechism is based on the Word of God, and it teaches it. That is all the Pastor would be trying to do. I suppose it would be a beneficial thing to do.

For example: The church I'm currently joining, their Pastor has been preaching on topics he thought the church needed to hear about due to certain issues. For the 6 years before that he preached through books. So I can understand doing things like this if the Pastor feels it's needed. I wouldn't make a practice of doing things like this though.

Zach, I'll try to explain. If you aren't accustomed to this tradition, and especially to twice-a-Sunday church services, it may indeed seem strage or look bad at first. But a sermon derived from the catechism is best thought of as a topical sermon. It's still scriptural. Indeed, the catechism-based sermons I've heard often refer to more Scripture than do a lot of Bible-book based sermons.

Churches in the preach-through-the-catchism tradition we're talking about have traditionally had two Sunday services. And in many or most cases, they've not had a pastor's Sunday school class or small group meetings for formal, systematic teaching. Preaching through the catechism at the second service has been the main way to cover such teaching and provide a different sort of sermon, for the nurture of a well-rounded believer.

Now that we live in an era of small groups and multiple Sunday school options, this tradition may seem quaint or perhaps unnecessary. But place yourself back in a setting where worship services and corporate prayer had prominence, and the typical committed church member attended two Sunday services and perhaps a mid-week prayer meeting. Then it makes good sense.

I like through-a-book preaching best myself. But especially for a preacher who's already doing that once a week, a lot of good arguments can be made for making the second sermon a more topical and systematic teaching sort of sermon. The catechism provides and excellent (and very biblical) framework for this.