Frequently asked questions
Short answers to the questions parents ask most about catechisms, printables and this site. If yours is not here, the guides go deeper, or you can write in.
Is everything on this site really free?
Yes. Every catechism page, memory card, copywork sheet and guide is free to read and print, with no account, no email sign-up and nothing for sale. The site is non-commercial: it carries no ads and asks for no donations. The press’s own material is shared under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence.
Can I print copies for my church, co-op or classroom?
Yes. You may print and copy the printables for your home, your church, your co-op or your classroom, as many as you need. You do not need to ask. If you share them online or republish them, give credit with a link to the page you used. Scripture quotations follow their publishers’ terms instead.
Which catechism should we start with?
Start young children, about ages three to eight, with the Catechism for Young Children: its answers are short enough for a toddler. Start a confident reader, often around age eight, with the Westminster Shorter Catechism. If your church uses a different catechism, such as the Heidelberg or the Baptist Catechism, use your church’s catechism.
How are the two catechisms on this site related?
The Catechism for Young Children was published in 1840 as an introduction to the Westminster Shorter Catechism. It covers much of the same ground, from creation and sin to Christ, the commandments, prayer and the sacraments, in 145 short answers. Some answers, such as the definition of sin, match the Shorter Catechism word for word.
How long does it take to learn the Westminster Shorter Catechism?
At one question a week, with a review week after every ten questions, the 107 questions take a little over two years. Many families go faster with older children and slower with younger ones. Steady review matters more than speed: an answer reviewed every few weeks stays learned.
Why does the Shorter Catechism use old words like “hath” and “doth”?
The Westminster Shorter Catechism was written in 1647, and this site prints it in the form many Presbyterian churches still confess today, so families learn the words their church uses. Children pick up the old forms quickly. The notes for parents explain hard words in plain English.
Which Bible translation does the site quote?
All Scripture on this site is quoted from the NET Bible, because its publisher allows its verse text to be quoted freely on a free, non-commercial site like this one. The choice is about permission and ranks no translation above another. For reading and memory work at home, use the Bible your church uses.
We are Reformed Baptists. Can we use this site?
Yes. Most of each catechism is common ground for Presbyterian and Reformed Baptist families. Where they differ, chiefly on baptism, the page says so and names which catechism teaches what. The Baptist Catechism, which follows the Shorter Catechism closely, is listed in the resource directory.
Do I need to understand every answer before I teach it?
No. Many parents learn alongside their children. Read the note for parents on each question page before you teach it, look up one or two of the proof texts, and ask your pastor or elders about anything that puzzles you. Learning together is good for children to see.
Why is there no PDF download?
Every printable page prints cleanly straight from your browser, so there is nothing to download. Press Print and choose your printer. To keep a file, choose “Save as PDF” as the printer in the print dialog. Card stock works well for the memory cards.
Does this site track me?
No. The site sets no cookies and runs no analytics, advertising or tracking scripts. The fonts are served from this site, and no page loads anything from another company. The web host keeps ordinary server logs to keep the site running.
How do I report a mistake?
Email the press using the address on the contact page. Say which page and what looks wrong. Every catechism text on the site names its source and edition, so corrections can be checked quickly against the original.
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