A Catechism for Boys and Girls -- Tim Phillips
I did not realize until this past Thursday that my article for the month was due on that day (the last day of a busy meeting of General Synod!). Friday was spent driving home, so here is my late effort, which is a partial response to one of the more heavily discussed topics during Synod. The topic itself was not controversial; but producing an official catechism (and whether that was necessary for a special committee to do) was the debated topic.
I reflected on this on the way home and here is my humble effort at a catechism. I am sure much more could be done or said, but perhaps this can be a launching point of instruction for little ones within our congregations.
Q. How many genders are there?
A. Only two, for God created only two. "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." (Genesis 1:27)
Q. Is this only an Old Testament teaching?
A. No, for the Lord Jesus Christ quotes this verse, and the Apostle Paul likewise points to this teaching. "Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female?" (Matthew 19:4) " "For Adam was formed first, then Eve" (1 Timothy 2:13)
Q. What is the name of this first gender?
A. It is male, for that is what the Scripture says.
Q. What is the name of this second gender?
A. It is female, for that is what the Scripture says.
Q. Are there more than two genders?
A. No, for the Scripture knows no other.
Q. Why do some claim there are more than two genders?
A. The devil has many devices and schemes whereby he wishes to distort the word of God. "Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?"" (Genesis 3:1)
Q. Should we therefore be persuaded by these deceptions?
A. No, for we are to be wise about the lies of the devil, and we are not to be shaped by the thinking of the world around us. "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil." (Ephesians 6:11) "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2)