TEACH THEM THE FAITH

Dan and Karen Vitco. CD, 2009

$16.99, available at www.teachthemthefaith.com.

Dan and Karen Vitco of Matthews, North Carolina, have produced a CD which focuses on teaching the Catechism for Young Children (a shortened version of the Westminster Shorter Catechism) to younger children using the medium of music. Dan and Karen are professionally trained musicians with a keen sense of pleasant melodies, interesting harmonies, and tonal moods. The music fortifies, rather than fights against, the all-important textual message they are promoting.  Supporting music is performed on acoustic guitars, synthesized orchestral instruments, light percussion, and keyboards. The CD progresses in the expected dialog of questions and answers, with Karen Vitco singing the catechism questions, followed by about a dozen children singing responses, sometimes alone and sometimes as a choir. All of the voices are pleasant, and their words are easy to understand.  Liner notes include the complete text of the Catechism for Young Children, which allows for easy reading while listening. The complete text is also available on the Vitcos' website. The challenge of convincingly setting a catechism to music is daunting, but the end result of the Vitcos' work is satisfying and useful.

One could see this CD being used during drives to and from school or other events. With enough repetition, young children should be singing along with the questions and responses. Learning anything is easier when music accompanies the text, and this CD provides a great way to begin teaching your little ones the important doctrines of the faith. It is nicely produced and heartily recommended!

Reviewed by Daniel Sullivan, member of Christ Covenant OPC, Crystal Lake, Ill.

for New Horizons Magazine

Average Customer Review

5.0 out of 5 stars

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars

Mike Robinson "Mike A Robinson"

When her dog and a pet goat died, a 5-year-old girl, Lori, was told the animals might be in heaven with the Lord. All was well for a few weeks--until Lori and her mother, Ella, went for a walk. Ella explained that God made the flowers, the trees, and the bugs. "Where's God?" Lori asked. "In heaven," her mother replied. Little Lori moaned sympathetically. "What happened to Him?"

Yes, kids can say odd things and ask interesting questions, thus parents need to teach their children about God and His revealed truth. And in "Teach Them the Faith" one finds a simple, faithful, and fun way to instruct your kids about God and scripture; herei Dan Vitco provides a fun learning tool that parents can use in classical style songs.

Deu. 6:4 "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."

"Teach Them the Faith" includes Music performed on:

- Acoustic guitars

- Synthesized orchestral instruments

- Keyboards and enjoyable voices with easy to follow along lyrics

- With the text of the Catechism for young children.

Children are the most important earthy part of the lives of parents. And God has commanded His people to train our children in understanding scripture and to know what the Lord calls us to do. God's Word is the objective and absolute standard which men are to interpret human experience and our kids need to know that which God requires.

Bible truths included in this exciting yet solid catechism resource:

- God and Man

- His Word and His purpose

- The Ten Commandments

- The Lord's Prayer

- and more.

This is an outstanding tool for parents who desire to raise their children in the ways of the Lord. Entertaining, enjoyable, and instructive.

Proverbs 6:20-23 My son, keep your father's commands

and do not forsake your mother's teaching.

21 Bind them upon your heart forever;

fasten them around your neck.

22 When you walk, they will guide you;

when you sleep, they will watch over you;

when you awake, they will speak to you.

23 For these commands are a lamp,

this teaching is a light,

and the corrections of discipline

are the way to life.

Review written by Mike A Robinson author of the Children's book: "Presuppositional Apologetics for Kids" ("Who Made Truth") found at the site: Mike A Robinson.

 

December 12, 2010

Reviewer: Tony Morales from Indain Trial, NC United States

 

A Wonderful CD to help you teach your Kids the Faith.

 

December 10, 2009

Reviewer: Matthew Vaughan from Bowie, MD United States

 

This is an excellent tool for bringing up our children in the nurture and admonition of Jesus Christ.

 

December 1, 2009

Reviewer: Anonymous Person from Greensboro, NC United States

 

Don't hesitate to buy this cd!  Not only is it a great learning tool for children, it's great for adults too.  With beautiful orchestration and production, not to mention catchy melodies, what's not to like?  Highly recommended.

December 1, 2009

Reviewer: Kathleen George from Pinnacle, NC United States

 

This is a great tool for teaching young children a catechism, or if you've never used a catechism before this will make learning easier.  The music is delightful and children won't  feel the tension of just Q & A.

 

October 20, 2009

Reviewer: Barby Mouring from Bealeton, VA United States

 

This CD is a wonderful resource for helping my children learn their catechism questions and answers. They love it! The music is pleasant but not monotonous, and the words are clearly understandable. I am hoping to give many as gifts for baby showers, birthdays, or hostess appreciation. Highly recommended!

This CD is a great tool for parents. The melodies are simple yet creative, making it easy and enjoyable to memorize the Biblical truth found in the catechism. I recommend placing the CD in a player as your child goes to bed so that he or she can close the day reviewing the truth of who God is and what He has done for us.

I have been in the music ministry for 53 years. Learning words set to music is the best way to memorize. This is a fact! Teach Them the Faith enables anyone to remember the catachism with ease. The compositions are beautiful; using children's voices for the answers creates a memorable avenue with great delight. I listened to this on a long trip...what a blessing!