Christ commissioned the church to make disciples of all nations, by \u201cbaptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost\u201d\u009d; and by \u201cteaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you\u201d\u009d(Matthew 28:19). There is a doctrine to be learned, \u201cmere Christianity\u201d\u009d if you like, \u201cthe Creed, the Lord\u2019s Prayer, the Ten Commandments and all other things which a Christian ought to know and believe to his soul\u2019s health\u201d\u009d. In accordance with Scripture\u2019s command (Psalm 78:1-8) the Prayer Book provides a Catechism, in question and answer form, \u201cthat is to say, An Instruccion to bee learned of every childe, before he be brought to be confirmed of the bushop\u201d\u009d (1549 Prayer Book rubric in original spelling!).<\/p>\n
In his classic treatise on pastoral care, the Country Parson, the priest-poet George Herbert values Catechizing for infusing \u201ca competent knowledge of salvation to every one of his Flock\u201d\u009d: The \u201csecret\u201d\u009d benefit of this practice \u201cconsists in this, that at Sermons, and Prayers, men may sleep or wander; but when one is asked a question, he must discover what he is [i.e. awake, and alert or asleep, and wandering!]\u201d\u009d….<\/p>\n