A Handle on God's Word

As another Church Education year begins today, we will also begin another coordinated
study of the Heidelberg Catechism in our evening sermons following along with and
learning from the same Lord's Day as what the students studied that morning. Our
Catechism explains the basic truths of God's Holy Word in summary form, and it has
brought great comfort and assurance to hurting hearts all over the world for hundreds of
years. Yet we must ask, "Why do we study such an old document? Isn't God's Word
alone enough for us?" To answer these questions, this morning we must recall how:

1. The Catechism is a valuable "handle" that helps us understand God's Word.

2. The Catechism is a man-made confession that helps us summarize the
   teachings of God's Word.

3. The Catechism is intended to provide assurance to us from God's Word.