This summer quarter at ALTS we’re studying catechesis with Pr. Jon Holst. Catechesis is a fancy (Greek: κατήχησις) word for teaching people the Christian faith.
In the early days of the Christian church, when Christianity was still illegal in the Roman Empire, new converts to Christianity not only needed to be taught the Christian faith, but thoroughly vetted for their intention – as there were many Jewish and Roman spies who would try and infiltrate the church to find out about meeting times and locations, key leaders, things like this.
Throughout church history, Catechesis has taken on different forms. It was one-on-one formation. It was reading the scriptures to the catechumen and having them memorize key articles of the faith like the Apostle’s Creed and Lord’s Prayer.
After the legalization of Christianity, large swathes of people began openly converting and the overwhelmed church – now suddenly above ground – shifted gears with catechesis and began teaching the converts via the Catechetical Sermon.
The shape of Christian Instruction has varied over the years, and most recently has taken the form of the Confirmation Class. In this class, our young people – often having been baptized as babies – are now being instructed in the Christian faith for a school year or two, and then are ceremonially examined on their faith before the congregation, and then confirmed as communicant members (that is, able to receive communion, something withheld to this point).
While there have always been various problems with Christian Instruction throughout the church’s history, the one we face today is very unique. It seems to me that the problem – one that is faced across denominational lines, in fact – is getting kids to take their faith seriously.
Though that’s hard to do when we constantly teach them by example that their faith isn’t actually important.
We let them skip church for travel sports – those are more important. We focus college searches on educational opportunities and not ecclesial opportunities (i.e.: This is a great school and is our number one choice, even though there are no churches nearby that we are comfortable with. After all, isn’t education the most important?).
There are numerous more examples where we, as parents, often teach our children by example that the faith isn’t important. Where we teach them that Christianity is nothing more than performative religion. It is something we do on Sunday Mornings for an hour.
I’m not sure exactly how to solve this problem.
I think, perhaps, the best starting point is for you and I to begin doing nightly family devotions in earnest, using a resource like Sacred Hours and inserting lessons from the catechism in where perhaps a sermon or reflection would go.
Anyway, what do you think? Drop into the comments and let me know!
Remy is a graduate of Liberty University and currently attends American Lutheran Theological Seminary, where he is pursuing a Master of Divinity. When he isn't podcasting, Remy spends his time playing video games with his wife Samantha, and tending to his gaggle of cats.
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