Catechism for Young Children · Question 21 of 145

In what condition did God make Adam and Eve?

A.He made them holy and happy.

What does this answer mean?

God made Adam and Eve holy and happy. Holy means pure and without sin; happy means full of good. The words come back in question 33, where sin turns 'holy and happy' into 'sinful and miserable'. It helps to teach the two answers as a pair.

What can we ask our children?

  1. In what condition did God make Adam and Eve?
  2. What does 'holy' mean?
  3. What happened to their holiness and happiness? (See question 33.)

Can I print this question?

Yes. Every printable here is free for home, church and co-op use. Press Print on any of these pages for a clean sheet.

Text: Catechism for Young Children: Being an Introduction to the Shorter Catechism, Presbyterian Board of Publication (copyright entered 1840). Public domain (1840).

Checked against a second edition on November 15, 2026. Explanation and questions by Household Theology Press. Last updated November 15, 2026.