{"id":6449,"date":"2025-08-15T15:27:07","date_gmt":"2025-08-15T22:27:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/livingwordca.com\/?page_id=6449"},"modified":"2025-09-08T14:23:48","modified_gmt":"2025-09-08T21:23:48","slug":"youth-catechesis","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/livingwordca.com\/?page_id=6449","title":{"rendered":"Youth Catechesis"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\u201cLet the little children come to Me; <\/em>
and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.\u201d – Mark 10:14<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Our goal is the salvation of all. Children also need salvation (Psalm 51:5<\/a>). So we are serious about teaching them to observe all that Christ has commanded (Matthew 28:20<\/a>). In addition to the Divine Service, below are some of the ways we teach the Christian Faith to the children. It is our prayer that Christian instruction and piety, established early on in life, will continue throughout their lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sunday School<\/strong>
Every Sunday morning from 11:00am to 12:00pm the children of Living Word gather in their respective classrooms to learn the basic Bible stories at an age appropriate level and to create a craft project based on the lesson. These stories strengthen their faith, deepen their knowledge of salvation history, and also serve as important step into youth catechesis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acolytes<\/strong>
The boys at Living Word serve in the Divine Service as acolytes. Most begin at age eight and continue serving throughout their teens. They light and extinguish candles, participate in the processions as thurifers, crucifers, and torchbearers, and carry out other duties as needed. They are trained to carry themselves with reverence and dignity. Though young, they are silent leaders in the congregation\u2019s reverent and dignified worship. Our goal is that they grow into leaders in the parish and at home. By serving with the pastor, we pray that these young men may consider studying for the Office of the Holy Ministry and serving God\u2019s people as His pastors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Singing<\/strong>
The Lutheran Church was known as \u201cthe singing church.\u201d We sing to praise God and we praise God by confessing Him rightly. The hymns of Lutheranism drink from the depths of Scripture, yet are accessible to even the youngest. Once a month, the children sing a Lutheran hymn or stanza in the Divine Service. By it, they learn doctrine, praise our Lord, and serve the congregation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Youth Catechesis<\/strong>
This weekly instruction in the basic truths of Scripture, as laid out by Dr. Luther in his Small Catechism<\/a>, prepares the children to be accepted as confirmed members of the congregation. The goal is to firmly ground in the clear and simple teachings of Scripture so they may rightly confess their faith, live their faith, and recognize errors. Instruction begins in the 2nd grade. <\/p>\n\n\n\n