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TCC Catechism Definitions

What is a Catechism?
Catechism has its origin in the early church’s practice of training new believers–a practice they called catechumenate (derived from the Greek word Katēchein, meaning “to teach” or “to instruct).” This teaching tool was preserved for the first three centuries of the church and focused on instructing believers of all age groups in sound doctrine, often over a three-year span. This lengthy process was rooted in a desire to foster solid spiritual formation and to protect believers against sin, heresy, and apostasy.
Why Catechise?
  1. Historically, Catechesis has been used as a fundamental pedagogical tool for forming new disciples and maturing long-term believers. Therefore, the primary purpose of Catechesis is to lead all of God’s people to an ever-deepening relationship with God, who reveals Himself in Jesus Christ through the power of the Spirit.
  2. One of the primary responsibilities entrusted to the church is to ensure that believers are “instructed in the way of the Lord” (Acts 18:25). Shallow, wandering Christians who are not grounded in their faith are a danger to themselves and others.  It is clear that Christ intends for His Church to grow up to maturity and stability, not being easily tossed about by the latest ideas and schemes (Eph. 4:11-16).  The more grounded believers are in doctrine, the more alert they will be against error. A good catechism acts as a hedge against heresy and false teaching. As Charles H. Spurgeon once said, “I am persuaded that the use of a good Catechism in all our families will be a great safeguard against the increasing errors of the times.”
How should I start?
The Catechism we offer is meant for individuals and families to consider one question each week for an entire year. Each question is accompanied by an answer that includes Bible references to help you think about the questions in the context of what Scripture teaches. We hope that each question will become a regular part of your daily routine as we continue to build lifelong generations of faithful disciples of Jesus Christ.

One Question Per Week of the Year

Q1: What is our only hope in life and death?
That we are not our own but belong to God.
Q2: What is God?
God is the creator of everyone and everything.
Q3: How many persons are there in God?
There are three persons in one God: The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit. 
Q4: How and why did God create us?
God created us male and female in his own image to glorify Him.
Q5: What else did God create?
God created all things and all his creation was very good.
Q6: How can we glorify God?
By loving Him and by obeying His commands and law.
Q7: What does the law of God require?
That we love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength and love our neighbor as ourselves.
Q8: What is the law of God stated in the Ten Commandments?
You shall have no other gods before me.
You shall not make for yourself an idol.
You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your god.
Remember the sabbath day by keeping it holy.
Honor your father and mother.
You shall not murder.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.
You shall not give false testimony.
You shall not covet.
Q9: What does God require in the first, second, and third commandments?
First, that we know God as the only true God.
Second, that we avoid all idolatry.
Third, that we treat God’s name with fear and reverence.
Q10: What does God require in the fourth and fifth commandments?
Fourth, that on the sabbath day we spend time in worship of God.
Fifth, that we love and honor our Father and our mother.
Q11: What does god require in the sixth, seventh, and eighth commandments?
Sixth, that we do not hurt or hate our neighbor.
Seventh, that we live purely and faithfully.
Eighth that we do not take without permission that which belongs to someone else.
Q12: What does God require in the ninth and tenth Commandments?
Ninth, that we do not lie or deceive.
Tenth, that we are content, not envying anyone.
Q13: Can anyone keep the Law of God perfectly?
Since the fall, no human has been able to keep the law of God perfectly.
Q14: Did God create us unable to keep his law?
No, but because of the disobedience of Adam and Eve we are all born in sin and guilt, unable to keep God’s law.
Q15: since no one can keep the law, what is its purpose?
That we may know the holy nature of God, and the sinful nature of our hearts; and thus our need of a savior.
Q16: What is sin?
Sin is rejecting or ignoring god in the world he created, not being or doing what he requires in his law.
Q17: What is idolatry?
Idolatry is trusting in created things rather than the Creator.
Q18: will God allow our disobedience and idolatry to go unpunished?
No, God is righteously angry with our sins and will punish them both in this life, and in the Life to come.
Q19: Is there any way to escape punishment and be brought back into God’s favor?
Yes, God reconciles us to himself by a redeemer.
Q20: who is the redeemer?
The only redeemer is the Lord Jesus Christ
Q21: What sort of redeemer is needed to bring us back to God?
One who is truly human and also truly God. 
Q22: why must the redeemer be truly human?
That in human nature He might on our behalf perfectly obey the whole law and suffer the punishment for human sin.
Q23: Why must the redeemer be truly God?
That because of his divine nature his obedience and suffering would be perfect and effective
Q24: Why was it necessary for Christ, the Redeemer, to die?
Christ died willingly in our place to deliver us from the power and penalty of sin and bring us back to God.
Q25: Does Christ’s death mean all our sins can be forgiven?
Yes, because Christ’s death on the cross fully paid the penalty for our sin, God will remember our sins no more.
Q26: What else does Christ’s death redeem?
Every part of fallen creation.
Q27: Are all people, just as they were lost through Adam, saved through Christ?
No, only those who are elected by God and united to Christ by faith.
Q28: what happens after death to those not united to christ by faith?
They will be cast out from the presence of God, into hell, to be justly punished, forever
Q29: How can we be saved?
Only by faith in Jesus Christ and in his substitutionary atoning death on the cross.
Q30: What is faith in Jesus Christ?
Receivng and resting on him alone for salvation as he is offered to us in the gospel 
Q31: What do we believe by True Faith?
We 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 virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there He will come to judge the living and the dead. We 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. 
Q32: What do justification and sanctification mean?
Justification means our declared righteousness before god.
Sanctification means our gradual, growing righteousness.
Q33: Should those who have faith in Christ seek their salvation through their own works, or anywhere else?
No, everything necessary to salvation is found in Christ.
Q34: Since we are redeemed by grace alone, through Christ alone, must we still do good works and obey God’s word?
Yes, so that our lives may show love and gratitude to God; and so that by our godly behavior others may be won to Christ.
Q35: Since we are redeemed by grace alone, through faith alone, where does this faith come from?
From the Holy Spirit.
Q36: What do we believe about the holy spirit?
That He is God, coeternal with the Father and the Son.
Q37: How does the holy spirit help us?
The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin, and He enables us to pray and to understand God’s word.
Q38: What is prayer?
Prayer is puring out our hearts to God
Q39: With what attitude should we pray?
With love, perseverance, and gratefulness
Q40: What should we pray?
The whole Word of God directs us in what we should pray.
Q41: What is the lord’s Prayer?
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Q42: How is the word of god to be read and heard?
With diligence, preparation, and prayer; so that we may accept it with faith and practice it in our lives
Q43: What are the sacraments or ordinances?
Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
Q44: What is baptism?
Baptism is the washing with water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit
Q45: Is baptism with water the washing away of sin itself?
No, only the blood of Christ can cleanse us from sin.
Q46: What is the Lord’s supper?
Christ commanded all Christians to eat bread and to drink from the cup in thankful remembrance of Him
Q47: Does the Lord’s Supper add anything to Christ’s atoning work?
No, Christ died once for all. 
Q48: What is the Church?
A community elected for eternal life and united by faith, who love, follow, learn from, and worship God together. 
Q49: Where is Christ now?
Christ rose bodily from the grave on the third day after his death and is seated at the right hand of the Father 
Q50: What does Christ’s resurrection mean for us?
Christ triumphed over sin and death so that all who trust in Him are raised to new life in this world and to everlasting life in the world to come.
Q51: Of what advantage to us is Christ’s ascension?
Christ is now advocating for us in the presence of his Father and also sends us his Spirit.
Q52: What hope does everlasting life hold for us?
That we will live with and enjoy God forever in the new heaven and the new earth where we will be forever freed from all sin in a renewed, restored creation.