MINISTRY / Bringing the Gospel into Children's Hearts
— A GBI Student's Testimony of Learning and Teaching Luther's Small Catechism
“Teaching children has also been a learning experience for me. Seeing God's Word at work in their hearts fills me with gratitude and joy.”
These words express the heartfelt experience of Talia, a student at GBI, as she reflects on studying Luther's Small Catechism and applying what she learned to teaching children about the Christian faith.
A Learning Journey That Began with Teaching a Child
About four years ago, Talia began teaching the Christian catechism to a child in her family who was then five or six years old. To help the child understand the Christian faith, she tried several different teaching materials.
In 2025, she began teaching Luther's Small Catechism to the child, who was nine years old at the time. She even put together the Chinese and English versions to support bilingual learning. After about a year of study, the child was able to recite the Ten Commandments, the Apostles' Creed, and the Lord's Prayer in both Chinese and English.
However, as she continued teaching, Talia gradually realized that her own understanding of certain Christian doctrines was not as deep as she had hoped. She still had many unanswered questions.
Rediscovering God's Word Through GBI
In the spring of 2026, Talia enrolled in GBI's course on Luther's Small Catechism.
This systematic study not only helped her gain a clearer understanding of Christian doctrine and the confessions of faith but also answered many questions she had encountered while teaching the child.
The study of the Ten Commandments made a particularly strong impression on her. Through the Third Commandment, “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy,” she came to understand more deeply that Christians are called not only to hear God's Word on a particular day but also to treasure it in their daily lives, finding comfort, rest, and strength in it.
As she continued learning, a desire began to grow in her heart: she hoped to have another opportunity to share these precious truths with children.
From One Child to More Families
Thankfully, God opened a new door for her to serve that same summer.
Nine children from six different families joined the catechism lessons. They ranged in age from three to twelve. Some came from Christian families, while others came from families that had not yet come to faith in Christ. Several adults also participated.
Because most of the children were quite young, Talia chose shorter, age-appropriate materials as an introduction to the Christian faith. At the same time, she incorporated the biblical truths and doctrinal insights she had gained from GBI's Luther's Small Catechism course into her teaching.
The group met twice a week for a total of twelve bilingual lessons. Although some families were unable to continue through the entire program for various reasons, four children from three families completed the course.
Helping Children Know Jesus Through Questions and Laughter
Talia discovered that the question-and-answer format of the catechism was especially well suited for children.
Whenever she asked a question, the children sometimes eagerly competed to answer. At other times, they would honestly admit, “I don't know,” or curiously ask, “What does that mean?”
These innocent and sincere responses often created wonderful opportunities to introduce them to Jesus and the gospel.
She also encouraged parents and children to take turns asking and answering questions, and she included children's Christian songs to make the lessons more enjoyable and engaging.
“Teaching young children is such a joyful experience. Their hearts are tender, and it is often amazing to see the Holy Spirit at work in them.”
For Talia, this ministry provided an opportunity not only to help children from Christian families grow in their understanding of biblical truth but also to introduce children from non-Christian families to the gospel of Jesus Christ, sometimes for the very first time.
For Talia herself, every lesson was another opportunity to learn. Teaching helped her recognize her own limitations and depend more deeply on God's grace.
Letting the Truth We Learn Become a Blessing to Others
Looking back on this experience, Talia is especially thankful that God equipped her through GBI's courses, giving her greater confidence to explain biblical truths to children.
She also hopes to continue guiding children through a deeper study of Luther's Small Catechism, helping them build a stronger foundation in the Christian faith.
“No matter what teaching materials we use, what matters most is that Christ Himself is speaking to the children's hearts through His Word.”
From teaching one child at home to sharing the Christian faith with children from several families, Talia’s experience reminds us that Christian education is more than passing on knowledge. It is about God's Word reaching from one person's life into the lives of others.
This is also the beautiful fruit that GBI hopes to see through its Bible education ministry: students growing continually in God's Word and sharing the truths and the gospel they have received with those around them, so that more people may have the opportunity to know Jesus Christ.
For security concerns, a pseudonym has been used, and personal information about the children and families has been omitted.
316NOW Liaison Pastor