The teenager sunday school class is currently learning about Bible Doctrine - The Shorter Catechism for young people (Year One). This is a two-year course program and is divided thematically into two parts, similar to the Westminster Shorter Catechism. Year 1 covers what man should believe about God (Q/A 1-38), and Year 2 covers what duty God requires of man (Q/A 39-107).

The summary of the progression of the Catechism as it is covered in the course is as follows:
 

Year 1

Lessons 1-4

Year 1 begins with the question, "Why study doctrine?" After showing the importance of learning correct doctrine, the course moves into the introductory section of the Catechism (Q/A 1-3), which deals with the authority of Scripture. Also included is one lesson on the use of basic Bible study tools.

Lessons 5-10

These lessons on the doctrine of God cover Q/A 4-11 in the Catechism. They deal with God's attributes, the Trinity, God's decrees and His works of creation (especially the creation of man) and providence. At the end of this section there is an optional (unnumbered) review lesson in the teacher's manual; no student paper is provided, but the review is recommended.

Lessons 11-15

These lessons (covering Q/A 12-20 in the Catechism) deal=0A with the fall and mankind's resulting sin, misery and death. The final lesson discusses the covenant of grace.

Lessons 16-21

In these lessons on Christology (covering Q/A 21-28 in the Catechism) students consider Christ's redemptive work, His deity and humanity, His offices, His humiliation and His exaltation.

Lessons 22-30

This final section of Year 1 (covering Q/A 29-38 in the Catechism) deals with the application of redemption: calling, justification, adoption, sanctification and the additional benefits received in this life, at death and at the resurrection. The final lesson reviews the whole year's work; the preparation for this review (between Lessons 27 and 28) and the review itself are an important part of this course.
 

Year 2

Lessons 1-2

Year 2 covers the second part of the Catechism, on the duty God requires of man. The first two lessons (covering Q/A 39-44 in the Catechism) deal with God's moral law and the preface to the Ten Commandments.

Lessons 3-13

This section (covering Q/A 45-81 in the Catechism) is an in-depth study of the Ten Commandments. Each lesson deals with one of the commandments, and there is an extra lesson on the fourth commandment. A class period for review of the Ten Commandments is recommended at the end of this section, and suggestions for it are provided in the teacher's manual.

Lessons 14-15

These lessons (which cover Q/A 82-87 in the Catechism) examine sin and its consequences and the believer's escape from God's wrath through faith and repentance.

Lessons 16-23

This section (covering Q/A 88-97 in the Catechism) deals with the means of salvation, especially the word of God and the sacraments (baptism and the Lord's Supper). At the end of Lesson 23 there are suggestions for a review session.

Lessons 24-30

This final section (covering Q/A 98-107 in the Catechism) deals with prayer. It features a study of the Lord's Prayer, petition by petition. The final lesson includes review.

The objectives of this course in Bible doctrine are to:

1. give the teenager a systematic understanding of Christian doctrine, as set forth in the Westminster Shorter Catechism;

2. help prepare the teenager for communicant membership in the church;

3. demonstrate to the teenager the biblical basis for church doctrine;

4. show the teenager that doctrine affects both faith and life, both knowledge and action, and both mind and will;

5. show the teenager that doctrinal matters have affected the history of the church;

6. help the teenager to develop a Christian world-and-life view;

7. equip the teenager to use Bible study tools; and

8. encourage teenager appreciation and memorization of the Shorter Catechism.