For centuries Christians have devised ways to teach the faith. One of those methods utilizes the question and answer catechism. Often used to instruct children, the catechisms were also used to present a testimony of the faith, during confirmation or at adult conversion.

The Disciples of Christ have an Affirmation of Faith embodied in the Preamble to our Design (1968). In fact, you find it included in our Chalice Hymnal. So I said to myself, “Self, why not create a little catechism based on the Preamble?” And so I did and here it is. My hope is that it might be a useful tool to share with children, help interpret who we are to those new among us and to make a statement about our identity at BCC as a part of the Disciples of Christ.

Here goes!

A Little Catechism

based on

The Preamble to the Design

of the

Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Q: What is our good confession?

          A: We confess that Jesus is the Christ,
          the Son of the living God,
          and proclaim him Lord and Savior of the world.

Q: What shall we do with this confession?

          A: In Christ's name and by his grace
          we accept our mission of witness
          and service to all people.

Q: What is the source of life?

          A: We rejoice in God,
          maker of heaven and earth.

Q: What makes divine and human relationship possible?

          A: God’s covenant of love

          which binds us to God and to one another.

Q: What is the sign of our entrance into the one body of Christ?

          A: Through baptism into Christ
          we enter into newness of life
          and are made one with the whole people of God.

Q: How is God with us in our living of the faith?

          A: In the communion of the Holy Spirit
          we are joined together in discipleship
          and in obedience to Christ.

Q: What symbolic action stands at the center of our worship?

          A: At the Table of the Lord
          we celebrate with thanksgiving
          the saving acts and presence of Christ.

Q: How are we called into discipleship?

          A: Within the universal church
          we receive the gift of ministry
          and the light of scripture.

Q: What is the purpose and end of Christian faith?

          A: We yield ourselves to God
          that we may serve the One
          whose kingdom has no end.

Blessing, glory, and honor
be to God forever. Amen.

©Tim Carson, June 2009