The Kids’ Catechism: 52 Questions and Answers (with Illustrations)

A print version of the Holy Joys Kids’ Catechism, with beautiful illustrations by Brent Version, is available in our Shop.

Introduction

A catechism is a summary of the Christian faith in question-and-answer format. The Holy Joys Kids’ Catechism is a tool for teaching young children about the God who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It provides a strong foundation for further instruction as they grow.

The opening questions of the Holy Joys’ Kids Catechism are inspired by John Wesley’s admonition to parents:

Is not this the very principle that should be inculcated upon every human creature, — “You are made to be happy in God,” as soon as ever reason dawns? Should not every parent, as soon as a child begins to talk, or to run alone, say something of this kind: “See! what is that which shines so over your head? That we call the sun. See, how bright it is! Feel how it warms you! It makes the grass to spring, and everything to grow. But God made the sun. The sun could not shine, nor warm, nor do any good without him.” In this plain and familiar way a wise parent might, many times in a day, say something of God; particularly insisting, “He made you; and he made you to be happy in him; and nothing else can make you happy.” We cannot press this too soon.

Illustration: Jesus with Children.

Opening Question

1. Who loves you even more than Mommy and Daddy?
Answer: God

2. Why did God make you?
Answer: To be happy

3. How can you be happy?
Answer: By loving God

4. Can anything else make you happy forever?
Answer: No

Illustration: Mother and Child Reading the Bible.

God

5. How many gods are there?
Answer: One

6. How many persons are there in God?
Answer: Three

7. Who is the first person in God?
Answer: The Father

8. Who is the second person in God?
Answer: The Son

9. Who is the third person in God?
Answer: The Holy Spirit

Illustration: The Baptism of Christ.

Creation

10. Who made all things?
Answer: God the Father

11. Through whom did God make all things?
Answer: The Son and Spirit

12. How is God able to make all things?
Answer: He is Almighty

Illustration: Child Looking at the Stars.

Humanity

13. How did God make you?
Answer: In his image

14. How does this comfort you?
Answer: I matter to God

15. Since everyone is made in God’s image, how should we treat them?
Answer: With kindness and respect

Illustration: Child Sharing Toy on Playground.

Sin

16. Who were the first man and woman?
Answer: Adam and Eve

17. What did Adam and Eve do?
Answer: They sinned

18. What is sin?
Answer: Disobeying God

19. What is the consequence of sin?
Answer: Death

Illustration: Adam and Eve in the Garden.

Incarnation

20. Whom did God send to save us from sin and death?
Answer: His only Son

21. Who is the Son of God?
Answer: Jesus Christ

22. Who was the mother of Jesus?
Answer: The virgin Mary

23. Who gave baby Jesus to Mary?
Answer: The Holy Spirit

Illustration: The Birth of Christ.

Atonement

24. How did Jesus die?
Answer: He was crucified

25. Why did Jesus die?
Answer: For our sins

26. What happened on the third day?
Answer: He rose again

27. Because Jesus died and rose again, what do we believe?
Answer: He is Lord

Illustration: The Crucifixion of Christ.

Salvation

28. Where did Jesus go?
Answer: To his Father in heaven

29. What is Jesus doing right now?
Answer: Reigning as king

30. Why is Jesus coming again?
Answer: To judge everyone

31. What must you do to be saved?
Answer: Believe in Jesus

32. What should you do if you sin?
Answer: Say sorry to God

Illustration: The Ascension of Christ (with Empty Tomb in Background)

Holy Spirit & Church

33. Whom else did God send to save us?
Answer: The Holy Spirit

34. What does the Holy Spirit do for you?
Answer: He helps me

35. How does the Holy Spirit help you?
Answer: Through the Church

36. What is the Church?
Answer: The family of God

37. How do you join the Church?
Answer: Through baptism

Illustration: Baptism into the Church.

Comfort

38. Do you need to be scared?
Answer: No

39. Why don’t you need to be scared?
Answer: God is with me

40. Can you see God?
Answer: No

41. Can God see you?
Answer: Yes

Illustration: Child in Bed at Night.

Sanctification

42. Whom does God want you to be like?
Answer: Jesus

43. What is God’s will for you in the first four commandments?
Answer: To love God

44. What is God’s will for you in the last six commandments?
Answer: To love my neighbor

45. Whom does God want you to obey?
Answer: Mommy and Daddy

46. What is prayer?
Answer: Talking with God

47. ​​What did Jesus teach us to pray?
Answer: The Lord’s Prayer

48. How does God talk to you?
Answer: Through the Bible

49. What is the Bible?
Answer: God’s Word

Last Things

50. What is God making new?
Answer: All things

51. What will God raise from the dead?
Answer: Our bodies

52. What do we enjoy now and look forward to enjoying forever?
Answer: Eternal life

Illustration: Child at Gravestone (“Awaiting the Resurrection”).

Appendix A: The Apostle’s Creed

I believe in God the Father Almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth.

And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord:
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary:
Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, died, and was buried:
He descended to the dead:
On the third day he rose again from the dead:
He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father:
From there he will come to judge the living and the dead:

I believe in the Holy Spirit:
the holy catholic church: the communion of saints:
The forgiveness of sins:
The resurrection of the body:
And the life everlasting. Amen.

Appendix B: The Ten Commandments (Simplified)

I am the Lord your God, who saved you.

1. You shall have no other gods before me.
2. You shall not make an idol.
3. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
4. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.
5. Honor your father and your mother.
6. You shall not murder.
7. You shall not commit adultery.
8. You shall not steal.
9. You shall not lie.
10. You shall not covet.

Appendix C: The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins* as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever, Amen.

*Luke 11:4

Appendix D: Outline for Family Devotions

1. Sing a hymn and/or the Gloria Patri.*
2. Recite the Apostles’ Creed (Appendix A).
3. Work on memorizing a section of the catechism.
4. Read a chapter or section in the Bible.**
5. Pray, asking for prayer requests.***
6. Conclude with the Lord’s Prayer (Appendix C).

*Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.

**Start by reading through the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Consider using a reputable Children’s Bible.

***E.g., “How can we pray for you?” “How can we pray for others?”