Geneva Catechism (1 - 10)

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Master - What is the chief end of human life?

Scholar - To know God by whom men were created.

Q. 2. What reason have you for saying so?

A. Because he created us and placed us in this world to be glorified in us. And it is indeed right that our life, of which himself is the beginning, should be devoted to his glory.

Q. 3. What is the highest good of man?

A. The very same thing.

Q. 4. Why do you hold that to be the highest good?

A. Because without it our condition is worse than that of the brutes.

Q. 5. Hence, then, we clearly see that nothing worse can happen to a man than not to live to God.

A. It is so.

Q. 6. What is the true and right knowledge of God?

A. When he is so known that due honour is paid to him.

Q. 7. What is the method of honouring him duly?

A. To place our whole confidence in him; to study to serve him during our whole life by obeying his will; to call upon him in all our necessities, seeking salvation and every good thing that can be desired in him; lastly, to acknowledge him both with heart and lips, as the sole Author of all blessings.

Q. 8. To consider these points in their order, and explain them more fully-What is the first head in this division of yours?

A. To place our whole confidence in God.

Q. 9. How shall we do so?

A. When we know him to be Almighty and perfectly good.

Q. 10. Is this enough?

A. Far from it.

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