Guest Article by Cedric A. Halvorson

In this article I offer a review and comparison of:

• My First Catechism. ISBN 978-0-7586-0790-4 (Blue Cover)
• My First Catechism. ISBN 978-0-7586-6849-3 (White Cover)
• Luther’s Small Catechism for Kids. ISBN 978-0-7586-6732-8 (Red Cover)

This is offered from my experience as a teacher and parent. I am a father of four (ages 2, 6, 9, and 12), and have taught grades K-12 for 15 years.

The original blue version has been replaced by the white and red ones. This improves the fit for different ages. Previously, a single edition attempted to cover a range of ages from two and a half years to fifth grade. Now the simpler My First Catechism is more truly a first Catechism for ages two and a half to second grade. The Catechism for Kids for grades two through five is more advanced matching the greater capacity of children of those ages.

My First Catechism (Blue Cover)

My wife and I have used this with our all our children starting around two and a half years.

Contents include: 10 Commandments, Apostles’ Creed, Lord’s Prayer, Sacrament of Baptism, Confession, Office of the Keys, Sacrament of the Altar, Daily Prayers, Tables of Duties, Christian Questions with Their Answers, Books of the Bible, Creeds and Confessions, the Church Year, and lyrics to: I am Jesus’ Little Lamb, God’s Own Child I Gladly Say It, and Lord Help Us Ever to Retain.

The book is 128 pages long. It follows a consistent format in all parts.

The first page usually states a concept, which is followed by a picture (art style varies from page to page) that depicts the Bible story at the bottom of the page. Those three elements tie into each other smoothly.

The second page deals with the “What does this mean” part of the Catechism. The top of the page states the question and answer to “WDTM”, followed by another picture and Bible illustration that ties everything together again.

A good portion of the book has two pages for each section: (1) subject, (2) What Does This Mean. In parts of the Catechism where there is no “What does this mean,” the book simply moves on to the next page with a new subject.

The format is simple, repetitive, short, and has both words and pictures for the involvement of different ages.

Repetition is great. The simple act of saying something over and again brings four year old children to saying the whole Creed. Do they completely understand what they are saying? Not at first, but the commitment to memory is a good building block toward understanding.

Using this book is simple. Just sit with your kids and read. That’s it. Sure, you could do more to supplement and enhance the readings, but if the goal is just to get parents to read and catechize their kids, then we’ve got them down within 10 yards of the goal line. The brevity of each topic is extremely helpful, I believe. Reading the two pages takes less than five minutes. If you engage and ask questions about the pictures, let your eldest child read to the youngest while you supervise, or any of the host of multi-level learning and retention processes, which can yield great benefits, sessions will take more time. But in the book’s simplest use, everyone can find the five minutes needed. Nothing says you have to use all the elements provided, but they are there so each family can tailor how they use the book.

My First Catechism (White Cover)

Contents include: 10 Commandments, Creed, Lord’s Prayer, Sacrament of Baptism, Confession, Sacrament of the Altar, Tables of Duties, What is Worship, The Church Year, Luther’s Seal, Prayers.

This book is only 32 pages long (34 if we count the two un-numbered pages of prayers).

At first I was expecting this book to replace my old “Blue Edition”. But there are significant differences. There are far fewer pages. The pages and artwork are much more colorful. There is no “What Does This Mean” section. Before long, I realized why the changes had been made. The publisher made this a true FIRST Catechism for the younger end of the age range instead of trying to continue with a single edition for the whole range. It is well suited for pre-kindergarten to about second grade.

In my experience they hit the nail on the head. While sitting on the couch and thumbing through the pages, before I knew it my two-year-old daughter had climbed up beside me and was looking. This book was for HER.

The book has a simple and clear format. Page 1, Concept: Just the facts, no frills. Page 2, Symbol: A symbol (one might see on a stained-glass window or church program for instance) that relates to the concept. Page 2 explains the symbol and even has related actions for you to do. Pages 3 and 4 have some very beautiful and vibrantly colored pictures with activities under the themes of Thinking, Saying, and Doing.

This book is designed for the little children and the children who need to move, look, and do. This book doesn’t teach the Catechism by rote or recitation but by having bite sized conversations with your child, by teaching your child how to look at pictures critically, and by answering biblically based questions.

If you simply read the text of any four-page section, it takes no more than eight minutes.

A couple things I love about this book: (1) It feels more like you are conversing with your child as opposed to just reading with them; and (2) The design. The title “My First Catechism” is in gold embossed letters which is stimulating. The colors of the pictures are bright, crisp, clear, and modern. They are visually stimulating. This is a book that a child will want to pull off the shelf to sit and look at.

Luther’s Small Catechism for Kids (Red Cover)

Contents include: Introduction, How To Use This Book, Questions and Answers about the Christian Faith, The Ten Commandments, Apostles’ Creed, Lord’s Prayer, Sacrament of Holy Baptism, Confession and the Office of the Keys, Sacrament of the Altar, Table of Duties, Catechism Glossary, Explanation of Luther’s Seal, Luther’s Morning and Evening Prayers, Apostles’ Creed, Lord’s Prayer, and the Church Year are found on the insides of the front and back covers.

This book is 128 pages, which befits the older ages at which it is aimed. Still, it is a thin book.

This version presents concepts from the 2017 Explanation of the Catechism in terms and language suited to middle to upper elementary ages.

This book follows a consistent format for each section. The first two pages generally present the main topic and then either “What Does This Mean” or material drawn from the explanation. The explanation material uses an outline format with bullet points and supporting biblical texts. Though this may sound a little intense, fret not as the language has been modified for youth.

Page three allows deeper thinking and involvement. It poses questions and scenarios; suggests conversations with parents, teachers, or others; uses hymns; lists memory verses; and concludes with a prayer that encapsulates the lesson.

The publisher says this book is for 7-11 year old children. With individuality, I expect to see some first graders able to benefit from it and some children older than 11 still challenged enough for it to continue to be beneficial for them.

Using this book will not be as simple as just reading that would take from five to eight minutes like the other two. But at the intended ages, children can understand more and we can be aiming to accomplish more. This edition has content – meat and potatoes if you will – that is up to the task.

This edition has a brief section on “How to Use This Book.” It explains using it straight through each section without additions or subtractions for older children. It suggests how to simplify areas for use with younger students. The suggestions are simple and complete enough for a parent using it for the first time.

Overall Impressions

The new white My First Catechism is a ball hit out of the park. It easily engages involvement of children of the intended ages.

The new red Luther’s Small Catechism for Kids is rich with substance yet flexible for youngsters.

The publisher has covered the bases and has done so by engaging multiple levels of cognitive learning and conversation with the parents. Luther wrote the Catechism for the head of the household to teach, and Concordia Publishing House has made this vocation much easier.