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Toddler's Catechism
by Pastor J.J. Lim
The use of the Catechism for the instruction of the young in the church is an ancient
and time-tested biblical method. We have, as such adopted a catechism regime that
includes Bible History Catechisms as well as Doctrinal or Creedal Catechisms.
Our children would typically begin the regime once they are able to repeat the answers
given in the Beginner's book I. Before that they attend a class where they are taught
one question each week from the Catechism for the Very Young and then listen to a
Bible Story.
Some of our parents eager to start their children at the Beginner level, have, however,
found it to be too great a transition from the Toddler's Class to the Beginner's I class.
This catechism booklet is produced with the hope of narrowing the jump. It is still
based on the Catechism for the Very Young. The child should still be trained to
memorise one question each week. But a set of supplementary questions are provided
to help the parents ensure that the child understands (as much as possible) what he is
memorising.
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Beginners Level 1 (Book 1 of 3)
by Rev C. Hanko
edited by Pastor J.J. Lim
This is the first in a series of three books which treat the history of the Bible in
story form for children from the ages of six to eight years. This first book covers
the history from creation through the judges.
Each lesson covers a certain phase of history and touches only some outstanding
event or events. The teacher in the classroom will determine how much other
material should be introduced in the discussion, but it should be borne in mind that
children grasp the history best when their attention is focused on but one or two
outstanding incidents.
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Beginners Level 1 (Book 2 of 3)
by Rev C. Hanko
edited by Pastor J.J. Lim
This is the second in a series of three books which treat the history of the Bible in
story form for children from the ages of six to eight years. This second book treats
the history from the beginning of Saul's reign to the return of the Jews from
captivity.
The teacher will notice that generally only one or two events are treated in each
lesson, rather than the many details. The teacher will use his own discretion in
determining how much other material should be included in the discussion in the
class room.
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Beginners Level 1 (Book 3 of 3)
by Rev C. Hanko
edited by Pastor J.J. Lim
This is the third in the series of catechism books which deal with the stories of the Bible for
children from the age of six to eight. The first two books covered the history of the Old
Testament, while this one treats the history of the New Testament.
Each lesson deals with only one phase of the history, rather than entering into detail on all
the events. Also, the facts of history are stressed, with the significance brought out,
whenever possible, toward the end of the lesson. The teacher should use his own discretion
in determining how much other material should be included in the classroom discussion.
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Juniors Level 2 (Book 1 of 2)
by Prof. H.C. Hoeksema
edited by Pastor J.J. Lim
The aim of this book is briefly and systematically to acquaint our children with the facts of Old
Testament history.
The success of this history course is dependent not only on the book and the teachers, but upon
persistent effort at thorough memory work and study by the children, with the indispensable aid of their
parents.
The written work for these lessons, prepared and printed in a separate workbook, should not be
neglected if the aim of this course is to be achieved in the span of twenty-five lessons. It is purposely
designed so that the pupils will be compelled to look up numerous Scripture passages related to the lesson
material.
The use of map study is also recommended as a valuable aid in this course.
The Memory Projects may profitably be followed. ... A little persistent effort and some encouragement on the
part of the teacher will produce surprising results in this respect. We ought not to under-estimate our children's
ability to memorise; and these memory projects are not beyond the ability of most children of nine and ten years
old.
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Juniors Level 2 (Book 2 of 2)
by Rev. G. Vanden Berg
edited by Pastor J.J. Lim
This book has been prepared to provide a basis for catechetical instruction for
children of nine and ten years old.
The twenty- five lessons of this book are based on the New Testament and aim to emphasise the
facts and chronology of Scripture. With a review following each five lessons, the book will serve a
thirty week catechism season.
This book is a companion book to the Old Testament History in Brief, prepared by Prof. H. C.
Hoeksema, and it should be followed by the Old and New Testament Books for Seniors.
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Character Building Supplement
by Pastor J.J. Lim
Rote memory as a method of instruction is often considered cruel. But the Scripture does teach us
that we are to not only to “hold fast a form [or schema] of sound words” (1 Tim 1:13), but also to
memorise Scriptures, for as David puts it: “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin
against thee” (Ps 119:11). Additionally, experience teaches us that the things, which we commit to
memory in childhood are most likely to be retained in our lives for our lifetime.
It is for this reason that the catechism classes in PCC as with the best Reformed churches, emphasise
rote memory. Of course, as far as possible, we would like to ensure that our children understand
what they are memorising. But the fact is that the ability of the children to memorise is often ahead
of their ability to understand (just as their ability to read is usually ahead of their ability to
comprehend). Therefore, we will do well to encourage them and train them to memorise as soon as
they are able, knowing full well that often the catechism and verses memorised at a young age will
rest only on the surface of their heart. We do so believing that when God begins to work grace in
their heart (which can be early in childhood), these words retained in their memories, will sink in
deeply as a stone on a frozen lake sinks deep when the first sunshine of spring melts the ice. Did not
the Lord teach us that one of the roles of the Holy Spirit is to bring to mind the things that we have
learn (Jn 14:26)?
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Seniors Level 3 (Book 1 of 2)
by Rev John A. Heys
edited by Pastor J.J. Lim
This catechism book is based upon the principle that Genesis 3:15 is the mother promise,
the first announcement of the Gospel promise, and that all Old Testament history is the
unfolding of that promise.
We have, therefore, divided the entire period from creation to the birth of Christ into five
periods, each period ending with a decisive victory for the Church in the fulfilment of this
promise. These five victories are: the victory of the Flood, the victory of the Red Sea, the
victory of David over all the enemies in the promised land together with the peace and
prosperity of Solomon's reign, the victory of the return from the Captivity, and the victory
of the birth of Christ. The sixth victory is treated in New Testament History for Seniors in
the glorious coming of Christ at the end of time to usher in the everlasting Sabbath.
We have also emphasised in each period the scriptural truth that our covenant God
remains faithful to His promise even though His Church constantly reveals herself to be
unfaithful.
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Seniors Level 3 (Book 2 of 2)
by Rev H. Veldman
edited by Pastor J.J. Lim
This catechism book is based upon the principle that Genesis 3:15 is the mother promise,
the first announcement of the Gospel promise, and that all Old Testament history is the
unfolding of that promise.
This book has been composed for children of 11 and 12 years old, and it serves to follow
up the instruction as furnished in Rev. G. Vanden Berg’s “New Testament for Juniors.”
The purpose of this book is not only to acquaint our children with the facts of the New
Testament, but also to introduce them to fundamental truths.
It speaks for itself that the use of maps would be of great benefit to the catechumens. This
applies especially to Paul’s missionary journeys.
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Catechism for Young Childrem
Original Author unknown
edited and expanded by Pastor J.J. Lim
To facilitate the catechical instruction of our children, we have, in PCC,
adopted a series of Bible History Catechisms and Doctrinal Catechisms.
While a Bible History Catechism traces the progress of redemptive history
through the pages of Scripture, a Doctrinal Catechism summarises the most
important doctrines in the Scripture into doctrinal propositions.
Two Doctrinal Catechisms have been adopted for use in this church to
instruct our children, viz., the Westminster Shorter Catechism and the
Catechism for Young Children. The Catechism for Young Children is
designed to be an abridgement and introduction to Shorter Catechism.
While our aim is eventually to have our children retain in long-term memory
the Shorter Catechism, we judged it good that children who are not yet able
to grasp the complexity of the Shorter Catechism, be brought through an
intermediate step of learning an abridgement adapted for their age. Parents
who find their children able already to memorise the Shorter Catechism
(ahead of their understanding) may of course, begin to train them to
memorise the Shorter Catechism while using this abridged catechism as a
kind of commentary.
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