The oldest sector is that of catechism. It is well known that catechism, that is to say the teaching of Christian doctrines especially to the young, is a creation of the Protestant Reformation; the first catechisms are those of Luther, followed by those of Calvin and Heidelburg. The Tridentine catechism of the Roman Catholic church came much later.
In ancient times, catechetical teaching in Protestant churches was given to the whole community on Sunday afternoons, while nowadays, young people have their classes at agreed times.

What is known as the Sunday School (or, nowadays, Junior Church) has a different origine. In England during the second half of the nineteenth century, the different parishes gathered together the local children, usually the more needy ones, on Sunday afternoons to entertain them with songs, stories, games and a snack. The stories were about Bible characters and episodes. These meetings for children gradually increased and transformed into those we have today. They take place according to the different local situations, are always centred on Bible teaching and carried out by lay people(often fairly young themselves),who use modern teaching methods. The children are divided into age groups and learn by means of art, drama and play.

The material used both for the children and teachers is prepared by The Education and Teaching Division (SIE) of the Italian Federation of Protestant churches (FCEI). The Claudiana Publishing House has obtained considerable international success with material it has published for our Sunday Schools.