Using the Catechism Book for Small Groups

The Whole Counsel of God: A Protestant Catechism and Discipleship Handbook was intentionally designed for a variety of uses, including small groups. Here are some suggestions for starting a catechism group or using the catechism in an existing small group.

1. Meet in a relaxed setting. Each person should bring a copy of the catechism book and a Bible. Snacks may be provided.
2. Begin with prayer. Our Wednesday small group often begins with the order for Daily Evening Prayer on page 254, which involves reading a Scripture verse, saying some responses from the Psalms (e.g., “Praise the Lord; the Lord’s name be praised”), singing a hymn, reading a Psalm and/or Scripture passage, saying the Apostles’ Creed, and then praying the Lord’s Prayer with additional prayers. Alternatively, the group can pray one of the written prayers (e.g., on pages 264–276), use the ACTS Method with a psalm (p. 286), practice Lectio Divina (p. 287), or simply pray for one another’s needs.
3. Choose a catechism question to focus on and say it responsively two or three times. Members may be encouraged to study the question of the week in advance and say it from memory. Or, the group may take five minutes to quietly work on memorizing the answer (especially for questions with shorter answers) and then try to say the answer together from memory.
4. Look up some of the key Scriptures. Group leaders may look up all the Scriptures in advance and highlight a few of the most important ones for the group to look up.
5. Take turns reading through some or all of the explanatory notes.
6. Discuss the Q&A, Scriptures, and Notes. Group leaders may prepare discussion questions in advance. For example, if the group is discussing Question 18 on the Sabbath, the group leader may ask how each group member has seen the fourth commandment interpreted and applied. Or, if the group is discussing Question 51 on good works, the group may brainstorm practical ways to serve one another or the community. Or, if the group is discussing Question 60 on the first petition of the Lord’s Prayer, the group may share how much time they spend praising God and seeking his glory in prayer in comparison to how much time they spend asking for temporal needs. Stay tuned for discussion questions for each Question in the catechism.
7. Incorporate relevant resources from throughout the book. The catechism book has hymns (with sheet music), Christian artwork, passages from the church fathers and reformers, written prayers, and many other discipleship resources. The group leader can familiarize themselves with the entire book and draw in resources as they see fit. For example, if the group is discussing Question 44 on baptism, the group can look at the rite for baptism on page 339 and discuss how their own baptism compared to a historic Protestant baptism service. Or, if the discussion is on Question 21 on adultery, the group can review the traditional marriage rite on page 344, which contains a wealth of implicit theology on marriage. Note that page 225 also has Questions for Small Groups that may be incorporated.
8. Close with a final time of prayer. The group leader may ask for requests relevant to the study. For example, if the study was on Question 53 on sanctification, the leader may ask each member to share one vice that they need to put off or one virtue that they need to put on. Or, the leader may simply take general requests. Alternatively, one of the written prayers may be used (e.g., Wesley’s Covenant Prayer on page 171 after a lesson on sanctification or good works).

Group leaders may find it helpful to consult the companion website at catechism.holyjoys.org. We are slowly adding “Further Study” resources for each question. For example, with Question 6 on the Trinity, we have links to articles, a podcast, and a 6-part video series on the Trinity that will help group leaders to grasp the material and prepare to better lead the discussion.