This past Sunday was a day of celebration at my church. Six children were receiving their first Holy Communion, and the church was packed to the seams with relatives and friends.
Our pastor always gives quite a thought-provoking homily, especially on First Communion days, but this one took an especially interesting turn.
"I am going to speak mostly to the parents of these children today," our pastor began.
I had heard my pastor say something along these lines before, so I knew that a compelling message was to follow.
He continued by saying, "When these children leave Mass, everyone is going to know that they received the Eucharist today. They're all dressed up. But how are they going to know that
you received the Eucharist today?"
I know that the idea that the Communion bread and wine are truly Christ's body and blood is a Catholic belief. But to make this question appeal to all Christians, how are people going to know that Jesus Christ lives inside your heart? How will they know about this hope that you have?
As our pastor explained, this comes from a combination of verbally sharing your faith with others, and, even more importantly, showing Christ's love through your actions.
Our pastor pointed out that it's especially important to both have an understanding of the central message of your faith and have the good works to back it up when you are raising children.
"Your children look to you as a model for everything, even when you don't realize it. So you have to be a model for them in what it means to live out your faith," our pastor advised.
He went on to say that it's not enough for children to attend religious education (or Sunday School) classes. The children attend these classes and learn about the fundamentals of their faith and Christ's love. But children tend to believe their parents' word over anyone else's. If parents don't proclaim Christ's love in word and deed, what is the point of the children's religious education?
Our pastor concluded that religious education should not be restricted to children alone. There should also be classes for parents to teach them how to bring up their children in the faith. They should be taught how to reinforce the messages that their children are learning about in their own classes, and how to serve as a steadfast model of Christ's love.
Do you think that churches should offer some kind of religious education/ Sunday school for parents in addition to the ones offered for children? Does your church offer classes like this? Do you think such a program would help parents to teach their children what it means to be Christian?
Comments (12)
The average American Christian knows little about their own faith. Not only do they need help teaching their children about the faith, they need to be taught themselves.
jephthah seemd ok to me
Regardless of your level of education or how long you have been a Christian or how deeply you have studied the Bible and your faith, there is ALWAYS still more to be learned.
Rec0mmEnd ...
Our church has always had adult sunday school classes. It is not only a way to learn more (bible study) but it is a great way to get to know other people in the church. We share prayer requests and what is happening in our lives to be able to carry each others burdens. Adult Sunday School is an important component for many reasons.
I completely agree (as usual) with Theophilis166, but at the same time, there are countless books on parenting out there, many of them are Christian in nature. I'm not sure how much of a different having another book written or another church-sponsored class will make. The issue isn't needing more facilities to educate people, it's motivating people to get educated.
If the Church wants to use parents' desire to do everything they can for their child as a source of motivation, that's fine by me, but in many ways I think that would be redundant...and it does seem to be borderline extortion by praying on insecurities, but what isn't?...
Christian education should be as ongoing as learning in life, as individuals, parents, and members of a congregation. It's the way we grow in our relationship to God, how we become more like Christ, as we are called to be. If our children see us educating ourselves as part of living our faith, they are more apt to follow where we lead. If they see it's not important to us, then it won't be important to them either.
Many churches do have a Bible Study during the Sunday school hour for parents - at least every church that I've ever attended, which numbers quite a few. They aren't specifically parenting classes, but they are there to encourage parents to live out their faith. You never stop learning! :)
@sheepthatsblack@xanga - I think the difference is humanity. I can read a book all day long, but it's not going to go into further detail if I don't understand something. It's not going to respond back to me, or give me encouragement. I can't ask it questions. I think religios education for both parents and children is great provided it's in the proper places (ie: in the home, place of worship, and religiously affiliated private schools).
@rhymeweaver@xanga - True, but at the same time, most books are fairly easy to understand and if they bring up questions, you can usually find the answers in the pages if you read closer. And even if you can't think up a satisfying answer, or you want a second opinion, I have yet to meet a pastor who isn't available to grab coffee and give answers or opinions. Religious education is great in those places, but it's not the only time and place we can learn. Neither are Church and school the only places we should be able to learn. Education at home (i.e. reading books, including the Bible, on your own and personal thought, reflection, introspection and prayer), and anywhere else you go (e.g. out to the bar with friends, work, public schools/universities, etc.) will give you an opportunity to learn about God and Christianity if your mind is open to it. I'm not trying to demean the value of Church-sponsored education programs, but please don't sell yourself short by devaluing your own ability to think, reason, and research through the questions you come across on your own.
At our church any child that wants to recieve First Communion or Confirmation has to go to like 6 Family Classes. Where the whole Family (including other children in the family) come and we do a class about different things on the sacrement. At some parts I think we break into small classes but it's important for the families to know that the faith starts at home. Some churches do this form of teaching for all grades. Just depends on the church.
A lot of churches also have adult education. My church has several adult bible studies and other topics. We just had a class on Mary and the Saints and in July we're going to have a class on the Old Testament.