Many churches say one or more catechism questions each week in corporate worship. This article suggests catechism questions for each Sunday and major holy days. Alternatively, pastors may simply choose one or two questions each week that fit well with the Scriptures and sermon of the day.
Advent
Advent means “coming” and focuses on the first and second coming of Jesus. The first Sunday in Advent usually focuses more on the second coming to remind the church that we too are a people waiting for Christ before putting ourselves in the place of OT Israel to prepare for the celebration of Christ’s first coming at Christmas. Question 29 is specifically focused on Advent and could be said more than once during the season.
- First Sunday — Q. 35. Why will Christ come again to judge the living and the dead?
- Second Sunday — Q. 10. If our good God made and governs all things, why is the world full of evil?
- Third Sunday — Q. 11. What is God’s predestined purpose for the world?
- Fourth Sunday — Q. 29. How did God prepare the world for the coming of his Son?
Christmas
Christmas celebrates the incarnation of Christ.
- Christmas Eve — Q. 28. What is the gospel?; Q. 30. How did the Son of God become human for us and for our salvation?
- First Sunday after Christmas Day — Q. 27. Who is Jesus Christ?; Q. 30. How did the Son of God become human for us and for our salvation?
- Second Sunday after Christmas Day — Q. 28. What is the gospel?
Epiphany
Epiphany proclaims the earthly life and teachings of Jesus. Numerous lectionary texts in this season draw from the Sermon on the Mount, and so it is a fitting time to work through the Lord’s Prayer, which provides a summary of Christ’s teaching about the Christian life and kingdom of God. When there are fewer Sundays after the Epiphany, say more than one question on the Lord’s Prayer each Sunday as needed.
- Epiphany — Q. 27. Who is Jesus Christ?; Q. 28. What is the gospel?
- Sunday after Epiphany — Q. 57. How should we read and hear the Word of God?; Q. 58. What is prayer?
- Second Sunday after the Epiphany — Q. 59. What are we taught in the preface of the Lord’s Prayer?; Q. 60. What do we pray for in the first petition of the Lord’s Prayer?
- Third Sunday after the Epiphany — Q. 61. What do we pray for in the second petition of the Lord’s Prayer?
- Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany — Q. 62. What do we pray for in the third petition of the Lord’s Prayer?
- Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany — Q. 63. What do we pray for in the fourth petition of the Lord’s Prayer?
- Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany — Q. 64. What do we pray for in the fifth petition of the Lord’s Prayer?
- Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany — Q. 65. What do we pray for in the sixth petition of the Lord’s Prayer?; Q. 66. What are we taught in the conclusion of the Lord’s Prayer?
- Transfiguration Sunday — Q. 27. Who is Jesus Christ?
Lent & Holy Week
Lent is the season of preparation for Easter. It focuses on repentance, self-examination, prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. This is a fitting time to work through the Ten Commandments and questions on the law and sin. The liturgy of the Book of Common Prayer always begins with a summary of the law (the Ten Commandments or the two great commandments). After saying the Ten Commandments on Ash Wednesday, consider using the questions below instead at the beginning of the service.
- Ash Wednesday — Say the Ten Commandments; Q. 25. Have you perfectly kept all of God’s commandments, as his law and holiness requires?; Q. 48. What are repentance and saving faith?
- First Sunday in Lent — Q. 12. In what condition are we born because of Adam’s sin?; Q. 13. What did God give to expose our sin and show us our need for a Savior?; Q. 15. What is meant by the first commandment?; Q. 16. What is meant by the second commandment?; Q. 25. Have you perfectly kept all of God’s commandments, as his law and holiness requires?
- Second Sunday in Lent — Q. 13. What did God give to expose our sin and show us our need for a Savior?; Q. 17. What is meant by the third commandment?; Q. 18. What is meant by the fourth commandment?; Q. 25. Have you perfectly kept all of God’s commandments, as his law and holiness requires?
- Third Sunday in Lent — Q. 13. What did God give to expose our sin and show us our need for a Savior?; Q. 19. What is meant by the fifth commandment?; Q. 20. What is meant by the sixth commandment?; Q. 25. Have you perfectly kept all of God’s commandments, as his law and holiness requires?
- Fourth Sunday in Lent — Q. 13. What did God give to expose our sin and show us our need for a Savior?; Q. 21. What is meant by the seventh commandment?
Q. 22. What is meant by the eighth commandment?; Q. 25. Have you perfectly kept all of God’s commandments, as his law and holiness requires? - Fifth Sunday in Lent — Q. 13. What did God give to expose our sin and show us our need for a Savior?; Q. 23. What is meant by the ninth commandment?; Q. 24. What is meant by the tenth commandment?; Q. 25. Have you perfectly kept all of God’s commandments, as his law and holiness requires?
- Palm/Passion Sunday — Q. 26. What are the just consequences of our sin and rebellion?; Q. 31. Why did Christ suffer and die on the cross?
- Maundy Thursday — Q. 46. What is the Lord’s Supper?
- Good Friday — Q. 31. Why did Christ suffer and die on the cross?
Easter
Easter is a 50-day celebration of Christ’s resurrection that runs through Ascension Day (40th day) and concludes with Pentecost (50th day). Besides the questions on the resurrection, ascension, and Holy Spirit/Pentecost, this is a fitting time to say the questions on creation and providence, and to celebrate how the resurrection is the beginning of God’s new creation (Q. 33, Christ rose to “begin the restoration of the whole creation”).
- Holy Saturday Easter Vigil —Q. 32. Why did Christ descend to the dead?; Q. 33. Why was Christ raised from the dead?; if there are baptisms, Q. 44. What is baptism?
- Easter Sunday — Q. 33. Why was Christ raised from the dead?; if there are baptisms, Q. 44. What is baptism?
- Second Sunday in Easter — Q. 7. How did God make all things?
- Third Sunday in Easter — Q. 8. How did God create human beings?
- Fourth Sunday in Easter — Q. 9. Does God abandon his creation to chance or fortune?
- Fifth Sunday in Easter — Q. 33. Why was Christ raised from the dead?
- Sixth Sunday in Easter — Q. 33. Why was Christ raised from the dead?
- Ascension of the Lord — Q. 34. Why did Christ ascend into heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father?
- Seventh Sunday in Easter — Q. 34. Why did Christ ascend into heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father?
- Day of Pentecost — Q. 36. Who is the Holy Spirit?; Q. 37. Why was the Holy Spirit poured out at Pentecost?
After Pentecost
The season after Pentecost begins with Trinity Sunday and then focuses on the growth and mission of the Church of the Triune God. This is a fitting time to say the questions on the Church and salvation, which is all that remains of the catechism book. When there are more Sundays after Pentecost, the pastor may repeat questions as he sees fit (or, Q. 28. What is the gospel? is always fitting and may be repeated several weeks in a row to encourage the congregation to memorize it).
- Trinity Sunday — Q. 5. How many gods are there?; Q. 6. How many persons are there in God?; say the Athanasian Creed
- Second Sunday after Pentecost — Q. 38. What is the Church?; Q. 39. Where is the true Church visible on earth?
- Third Sunday after Pentecost — Q. 40. What authority does the Church have from Christ in matters of salvation?; Q. 41. Is everyone obliged to become a member of some particular local church?
- Fourth Sunday after Pentecost — Q. 43. What is a sacrament?; Q. 44. What is baptism?; Q. 46. What is the Lord’s Supper?
- Fifth Sunday after Pentecost — Q. 1. Why did God make you?; Q. 2. What prevents your happiness in God?
- Sixth Sunday after Pentecost — Q. 3. What has God given to direct us how to be saved from sin?; Q. 4. Where is the good news of God’s Word summarized?
- Seventh Sunday after Pentecost — Q. 47. How can you be saved from sin and begin your new life in the Church?; Q. 48. What are repentance and saving faith?
- Eighth Sunday after Pentecost — Q. 49. Can anyone repent or believe without the help of the Holy Spirit?
- Ninth Sunday after Pentecost — Q. 50. What is justification?
- Tenth Sunday after Pentecost — Q. 51. If we are justified by faith alone, are good works unnecessary?
- Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost — Q. 52. What is adoption?
- Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost — Q. 53. What is sanctification?
- Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost — Q. 54. What are the primary outward and ordinary means by which God gives his saving and sanctifying grace?
- Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost — Q. 55. If you persevere in faith and holiness to the end, what benefits will you receive from Christ at death?
- Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost — Q. 56. What benefits will the saints receive from Christ at the resurrection of the dead?
- Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost — Q. 57. How should we read and hear the Word of God?; Q. 58. What is prayer?
- All Saints’ Day — Q. 38. What is the Church?
- Christ the King Sunday — Q. 28. What is the gospel?; also, optionally, Q. 34. Why did Christ ascend into heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father?; Q. 35. Why will Christ come again to judge the living and the dead?
Special Occasions
- At baptisms throughout the year: Q. 43. What is a sacrament?; Q. 44. What is baptism?; Q. 41. Is everyone obliged to become a member of some particular local church?
- At infant baptisms throughout the year: Q. 45. Why has the Church baptized infants?
- At the ordination of elders or deacons: Q. 42. To whom has Christ entrusted the government of the local Church?
- At weddings: Q. 21. What is meant by the seventh commandment? (especially the secondary answer); it may not be fitting to read the questions responsively, and so the Minister may simply say the questions and answers (e.g., “Question 21 of our catechism reminds us that marriage was ordained by God as a sign of the mystical union between Christ and his Church, and should be honored by all with love, purity, and devotion”).
- At funerals/burials: Q. 55. If you persevere in faith and holiness to the end, what benefits will you receive from Christ at death?; Q. 56. What benefits will the saints receive from Christ at the resurrection of the dead?; it may not be fitting to read the questions responsively, and so the Minister may simply say the questions and answers (e.g., “Question 56 of our catechism reminds us of the benefits that the saints will receive from Christ at the resurrection of the dead: …”).
