Catechism for Young Children · Question 83 of 145
What does the second commandment teach us?
A.To worship God in a proper manner, and to avoid idolatry.
What does this answer mean?
The second commandment teaches us to worship God in a proper manner and to avoid idolatry. The first commandment says whom to worship; the second says how. God shows us in his Word how he is to be worshiped. The answer keeps a young child's focus on worshiping the true God in his way.
Where Reformed churches differReformed Christians agree that God is not to be worshiped by images. They differ on whether pictures of Jesus, such as those in many children's Bibles, fall under this commandment. Follow the teaching of your own church and elders.
What can we ask our children?
- What does the second commandment teach us?
- What is idolatry?
- Where do we learn how God wants to be worshiped?
Can I print this question?
Yes. Every printable here is free for home, church and co-op use. Press Print on any of these pages for a clean sheet.
- Memory card for question 83 (fold-over card, question on the front)
- Copywork page for question 83 (trace, then copy)
- Memory cards for questions 81 to 90
- Copywork for questions 81 to 90
- All Catechism for Young Children printables
Text: Catechism for Young Children: Being an Introduction to the Shorter Catechism, Presbyterian Board of Publication (copyright entered 1840). Public domain (1840).
Checked against a second edition on November 15, 2026. Explanation and questions by Household Theology Press. Last updated November 15, 2026.