This article features a first draft of the main content for the third and final catechism book in the series of catechisms by Holy Joys. The content of the catechism is subject to change. The artwork is AI-generated and is simply a placeholder until the original artwork is finished by our artist. The print edition will also have a wealth of discipleship resources for families. To help us finish the book more quickly, please consider making a donation at holyjoys.org/donate.
Introduction
Parents and churches have a great responsibility to teach the Christian faith to the next generation. In a time of increasing cultural pressure, when many young adults are leaving behind the faith of their parents, it is crucial to embrace this responsibility with godly seriousness. By establishing a firm foundation in middle childhood, children are better equipped for the onslaught of temptation that comes in adolescence and early adulthood. When our children leave the home, they should have confidence about what they believe and why they believe it.
For centuries, the Church has used catechisms as a tool for teaching the Christian faith. A catechism is simply a book of teaching. It provides a summary of the Christian faith, often in question-and-answer format. Most catechisms explain the Apostles’ Creed (what we believe), the Ten Commandments (how we live), and the Lord’s Prayer (how we pray). Catechisms are valuable tools that, when used well and consistently, help to form serious disciples of Jesus.
This catechism is the second book in a three-part series. It is intended for children ages 6–12, or for young teenagers who have never been catechized. It builds on The Kids’ Catechism (recommended for ages 2–5) and prepares children for the main catechism, The Whole Counsel of God (ages 13+). Each question is cross-referenced with The Kid’s Catechism (KC) and The Whole Counsel of God (WCG). When using The Young Disciples’ Catechism, parents are encouraged to study the corresponding questions in The Whole Counsel of God. This will help them to have a deeper grasp of the key concepts so that they can better teach them to their children as they grow up and ask questions. Parents cannot pass on to their children what they do not truly understand, believe, and live out in their daily lives.
The Young Disciples’ Catechism has 81 questions that are divided into 52 weeks with a weekly memory verse. Set aside a few minutes each day to work on memorizing the answers and the Scripture verse. For example, go over the questions a few times at the breakfast table, on the way to school, at the dinner table, or during family devotions. Repetition is key. Aim for your children to have the entire catechism memorized by the time that they are 12.
For a fun way to learn or reinforce the catechism, order The Catechism Game from catechism.holyjoys.org/shop. Each player chooses a figure from church history, advances through the biblical storyline, and answers questions from an age-appropriate catechism. It is a creative way for the whole family to play and learn together.
Part I: What We Believe (The Apostles’ Creed)
WEEK 1
Question 1. Why did God make you? I was made to be happy in God.
Memory verse: Psalm 16:11, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy.”
Compare to Kid’s Catechism 1–3; Whole Counsel of God 1
WEEK 2
Q. 2. What keeps you from being happy in God? Sin keeps me from being happy in God.
Memory verse: Proverbs 14:12, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.”
Cf. KC 4; WCG 2
WEEK 3
Q. 3. Where does God teach us how to be saved from sin? The Bible, which is the Word of God, teaches us how to be saved from sin.
Memory verse: 2 Timothy 3:16, “All Scripture is breathed out by God.”
KC 48–49; WCG 3
WEEK 4
Q. 4. Where is the good news of God’s Word summarized? The good news of God’s Word is summarized in the Apostles’ Creed.
Memory verse: 1 Timothy 1:15, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.”
WEEK 5
Q. 5. How many gods are there? There is only one God who is alive and actually exists.
Q. 6. Has God always existed? God has always existed and will exist forever.
Memory verse: Deuteronomy 6:4, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.”
KC 5; WCG 5
WEEK 6
Q. 7. Does God have a body? God is an invisible spirit and does not have a body of any kind. God is an invisible spirit.
Q. 8. What is God like? God is perfect in power, wisdom, and goodness.
Memory verse: Psalm 147:5, “Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.”
KC 35–36, 12; WCG 5
WEEK 7
Q. 9. How many persons are there in God? There are three persons in God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Memory verse: Matthew 28:19, “Baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
KC 6–9; WCG 6
WEEK 8
Q. 10. How did God make all things? God made all things out of nothing, through his Son and Spirit.
Q. 11. Did God create anything that was evil? Everything that God created was very good.
Memory verse: Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”
KC 10–11; WCG 6
WEEK 9
Q. 12. How did God make human beings? God made human beings male and female, in his own image.
Q. 13. What does it mean to be made in God’s image? We are like God in some ways. We can think, love, and make choices.
Memory verse: Genesis 1:26, “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.’”
KC 13–15; WCG 8
WEEK 10
Q. 14. If God made everything good, why is the world full of evil? Adam and Eve freely chose to sin against God.
Q. 15. What happened to the world when Adam sinned? Instead of being holy and happy, the world became sinful and miserable.
Memory verse: Romans 5:12, “Sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned.”
KC 16–18; WCG 10
WEEK 11
Q. 16. In what shape or condition are we born because of Adam’s sin? We are born with selfish hearts that want what is wrong.
Q. 17. Have you ever sinned? Everyone has sinned by following their hearts.
Memory verse: Jeremiah 17:9, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?”
WEEK 12
Q. 18. What are the consequences of our sin? Every sin deserves God’s punishment and leads to death, hell, and separation from God unless we are forgiven.
Q. 19. Was God surprised when humans sinned? God already had a plan to send his Son Jesus to save us.
Memory verse: Romans 6:23, “The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
WEEK 13
Q. 20. Who is Jesus Christ? Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is equal with the Father in power, wisdom, and goodness.
Q. 21. Was Jesus created by God? Jesus was not created by God. He has always existed as God’s Son.
Memory verse: John 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
KC 8, 21; WCG 27
WEEK 14
Q. 22. What is the gospel? The gospel is the good news that God loves the world and sent his only Son, Jesus Christ, to save us.
Memory verse: John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
KC 20; WCG 28
WEEK 15
Q. 23. How did God prepare the world for the coming of his Son? God promised to send someone to defeat Satan, bless the world, and reign as king forever.
Memory verse: Acts 10:43, “To him all the prophets bear witness.”
WEEK 16
Q. 24. How did the Son of God become human for us and for our salvation? The Son of God was born of the virgin Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Q. 25. Did Jesus stop being truly God when he became truly human? Jesus did not stop being truly God when he became truly human.
Memory verse: Colossians 2:9, “In him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily.”
KC 22–23; WCG 30
WEEK 17
Q. 26. Why did Jesus die on the cross? Jesus died on the cross to fully pay for all my sins and bring me near to God.
Q. 27. How do we know that Jesus actually died? His body was buried and stayed in the grave until the third day.
Memory verse: 1 Peter 2:24, “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree.”
WEEK 18
Q. 28. Why was Jesus raised from the dead on the third day? Jesus rose from the dead to defeat death and show that he is Lord of everything.
Memory verse: Romans 14:9, “To this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.”
KC 26–27; WCG 33
WEEK 19
Q. 29. Why did Jesus go up into heaven? Jesus went up into heaven to reign as king of the world and pray for us to the Father.
Memory verse: 1 John 2:1, “If anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”
KC 28–29; WCG 34
WEEK 20
Q. 30. Why is Jesus coming back? Jesus is coming back to judge everyone and reign as king over a new world.
Q. 31. Will there be anything bad in the new world that Jesus makes? In the new world, there will be no more sin, death, crying, or pain.
Memory verse: 2 Corinthians 5:10, “We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ.”
KC 30, 50; WCG 35
WEEK 21
Q. 32. Who is the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit is the third person in the Trinity. He is equal with the Father and the Son.
Q. 33. Why did God pour out the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost? God poured out the Holy Spirit to connect us with Jesus and with one another.
Memory verse: 1 Corinthians 12:13, “In one Spirit we were all baptized into one body.”
WEEK 22
Q. 34. What is the Church? The Church is the people of God in all times and places.
Q. 35. Where is the Church on earth? The Church is found where believers gather to preach the gospel, baptize, and share the Lord’s Supper.
Memory verse: Matthew 16:18, “I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
WEEK 23
Q. 36. How does the Church help us to be saved? The Church teaches us how to be saved, protects us from sin, and picks us up if we fall.
Q. 37. Should everyone belong to a local church? Everyone should belong to a local church.
Memory verse: Hebrews 10:25, “Do not neglect to meet together, as is the habit of some.”
WEEK 24
Q. 38. How many sacraments are there? There are two sacraments: baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
Q. 39. Why do we call them “sacraments”? A sacrament is something that we can touch, taste, or see, which God uses to offer us his spiritual gifts.
Memory verse: 1 Corinthians 10:3, “All ate the same spiritual food.”
WEEK 25
Q. 40. What is baptism? Baptism is washing with water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Q. 41. What spiritual gifts does God give to us in baptism if we believe? God washes us from sin, gives us his Spirit, and makes us part of his family.
Memory verse: Acts 22:16, “Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.”
WEEK 26
Q. 42. What is the Lord’s Supper? The Lord’s Supper is sharing a meal of bread and wine as a sacrament of Christ’s body and blood.
Q. 43. What gifts does God give to us if we eat the Lord’s Supper with faith? God forgives our sins and unites us with other Christians as one body in Christ.
Memory verse: 1 Corinthians 10:16, “The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?”
WEEK 27
Q. 44. How can you be saved from sin and begin your new life in the Church? I must repent, believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and be baptized in his name.
Memory verse: Romans 10:9, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
KC 31–32; WCG 47
WEEK 28
Q. 45. What is repentance? Repentance is being truly sorry for my sins, turning away from them, and desiring to obey God instead.
Q. 46. What is saving faith? Faith is believing in my heart that Jesus died for me, and trusting in Christ alone to save me.
Memory verse: Mark 1:15, “Repent and believe in the gospel.”
WEEK 29
Q. 47. Can anyone believe in Jesus without the help of the Holy Spirit? Our hearts are so sinful that no one can believe in Jesus without God’s help.
Memory verse: John 6:44, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.”
WEEK 30
Q. 48. What does God do when he justifies us? God forgives all our sins because we trust in Jesus.
Q. 49. Are good works important? Good works do not save us, but they show that we truly believe.
Memory verse: Romans 5:1, “Since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
WEEK 31
Q. 50. What does God do when he sanctifies us? God makes us like Jesus. He changes our hearts so that we hate sin and love what is good.
Memory verse: 2 Corinthians 5:17, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.”
KC 42; WCG 53
WEEK 32
Q. 51. What are the main ways that God helps us to be saved and to grow spiritually? God helps us through prayer, Bible reading, preaching, and the sacraments.
Memory verse: Isaiah 55:3, “Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live.”
WEEK 33
Q. 52. If you trust and obey Jesus, what will happen when you die? My soul will go to heaven. My body will rest in the grave until the resurrection.
Q. 53. If you are a Christian, do you need to be afraid of death? I don’t need to be afraid of anything. God is with me, and if I die, I go to be with God.
Memory verse: 2 Corinthians 5:8, “We would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.”
KC 33–34, 52; WCG 55
WEEK 34
Q. 54. What will happen at the resurrection? My body will be made perfect, like the body of Jesus.
Q. 55. What is the best part of heaven? We will be perfectly happy in God’s presence forever.
Memory verse: 1 Corinthians 15:52, “The dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.”
KC 51; WCG 55
Part II: How We Live (The Ten Commandments)
WEEK 35
Q. 56. What did God give to show us our sin and our need for a Savior? God gave us his law to show us our sin and our need for a Savior.
Q. 57. Where is God’s law summarized? God’s law is summarized in the Ten Commandments, which teach us to love God and our neighbors.
Memory verse: Matthew 7:12, “Whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them.”
KC 43–44; WCG 13
WEEK 36
Q. 58. Why should you obey God’s commandments? I should obey God because he is the Lord, and my God, and savior.
Q. 59. What does God teach you in the first commandment? I should know, respect, and trust God more than anything else.
Memory verse: Exodus 20:3, “You shall have no other gods before me.”
WEEK 37
Q. 60. What does God teach you in the second commandment? I should only worship God, and I should worship him in the right way.
Memory verses: Exodus 20:4, “You shall not make for yourself an idol.”
WEEK 38
Q. 61. What does God teach you in the third commandment? I should speak about God in a respectful way and show God’s character in my life.
Memory verse: Exodus 20:7, “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.”
WEEK 39
Q. 62. What does God teach you in the fourth commandment? I should take time to rest and meet with God’s people for worship.
Memory verse: Exodus 20:8, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.”
WEEK 40
Q. 63. What does God teach you in the fifth commandment? I should respect my parents, listen to their good teaching, and be patient with their failures.
Memory verse: Exodus 20:12, “Honor your father and your mother.”
KC 45; WCG 19
WEEK 41
Q. 64. What does God teach you in the sixth commandment? I should not hurt or hate others.
*Q. 65. Is abortion murder? Abortion is murder. It ends the life of someone made in God’s image.
Memory verse: Exodus 20:13, “You shall not murder.”
*Question 65 may be introduced at an age that is deemed appropriate by the parents.
WEEK 42
*Q. 66. What does God teach you in the seventh commandment? I should be pure in everything that I think and do.
Q. 67. What is God’s will for marriage? God’s will is for one man and one woman to get married and love one another until death.
Memory verse: Exodus 20:14, “You shall not commit adultery.”
*Children are hearing about human sexuality, and being exposed to inappropriate content, earlier than ever before. Parents are strongly encouraged to establish serious safeguards in their home and to be the first ones to talk with their children about these issues. This means having open conversations at a much earlier age than in past generations.
WEEK 43
Q. 68. What does God teach you in the eighth commandment? I should not take what belongs to others. I should work hard and share what God has given to me.
Memory verse: Exodus 20:15, “You shall not steal.”
WEEK 44
Q. 69. What does God teach you in the ninth commandment? I should not lie. I should always speak the truth in a loving way.
Memory verse: Exodus 20:16, “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”
WEEK 45
Q. 70. What does God teach you in the tenth commandment? I should be content with what I have. I should not complain or desire what belongs to others.
Memory verse: Exodus 20:17: “You shall not covet anything that is your neighbor’s.”
Part III: How We Pray (The Lord’s Prayer)
WEEK 46
Q. 71. What is prayer? Prayer is drawing near to God and asking for things that agree with his will.
Q. 72. What has God given to teach us how to pray? The whole Bible, especially the Lord’s Prayer, teaches us how to pray.
Memory verse: Psalm 27:8, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.”
KC 46–47; WCG 58
WEEK 47
Q. 73. Why do we begin by saying, “Our Father, who is in heaven”? We come to God with confidence that he is happy to help us.
Q. 74. Why do we pray, “Hallowed be your name?” We pray that everyone will come to know, honor, and praise God.
Memory verse: Psalm 72:19, “Blessed be his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory!”
WEEK 48
Q. 75. Why do we pray, “your kingdom come”? We pray for God to destroy the devil, build his Church, and return to reign on earth.
Q. 76. Why do we pray, “your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven”? We ask God to help us obey him in every way, as the angels do in heaven.
Memory verse: James 4:7, “Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
WEEK 49
Q. 77. Why do we pray, “Give us this day our daily bread”? We ask God to give us everything we need to live and to serve him.
Memory verse: Philippians 4:19, “My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
WEEK 50
Q. 78. Why do we pray, “forgive us our sins”? We ask God to forgive us for everything that we have said, thought, or done to displease him.
Q. 79. Why do we add, “as we forgive those who sin against us”? We cannot expect God to forgive us if we do not forgive others.
Memory verse: 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
WEEK 51
Q. 80. Why do we pray, “lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil”? We pray that God would either keep us from being tempted or help us to say “no” when temptation comes.
Memory verse: Matthew 26:41, “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”
WEEK 52
Q. 81. Why do we add, “For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever, Amen”? We praise God when we pray, and look to God alone for the answer to our prayers.
Memory verse: Psalm 62:7, “On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God.”
