Middle School Catechism Class - submitted by Joel Brondyke
We have three students in the Middle School Catechism Class this year.
They are Courtney Clark, Angel Bista and Leah Sweetman. Our material for study
this year is titled He and Me, and is an excellent study guide for the Heidelberg
Catechism. Our first lesson was titled, The Bottom Line, which referred to
Question and Answer 1. This is such a wonderful statement of our faith and by
the time we complete our lessons this will be committed to memory. As we move
on through the next lessons, we are seeing the sections of the Catechism, and the
focus of each section, Sin, Salvation and Service. It is always exciting to field the
challenging questions from these young people as they contemplate and come to
an understanding of our doctrinal standards. Free will and unconditional election
will always ignite questions regarding who God is, and if He seems "fair" to us.
We find ultimate comfort as the truth of His choosing us sinks in deeper, and we
realize NOTHING can separate us from His love or gift of salvation. We also
discuss how relevant the scriptural truth summarized in the Catechism is to our
everyday lives. Our weekly meeting seems to go too fast. If anybody would like to
visit and join in the discussions, or share a life experience relative to our lesson,
please feel free to do so.
 

Senior High Catechism Class - submitted by John Van Dyke
Here is an overview of the High School Catechism Class, Teacher is John
Van Dyke. Students are Ariana Brondyke, Tully Groenendyk, Anna Sweetman and
Leah Vander Laan. We meet on Sunday from 11:10 am. to twelve noon. The
curriculum we are using is the Heidelberg Catechism. This is a two year study
using the book, "HC and ME" from Faith Alive resources. This year we are
covering Q & A 1 through 59. Along with this book, we are utilizing material from a
number of other resources to assist use in exploring this confession.
While this class is very informal in structure, our hope is to come to an
understanding that this catechism is a restatement of the truths of Scripture and
to help us live and defend these truths in our everyday lives. There is some
minimal memorization but no other homework.
Our prayer request is that the Holy Spirit will guide and direct us in our
time together, that we become more aware of ourselves and the precious love and
grace God has bestowed on us in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.