This should always be in the forefront of your mind as you teach. It is the heart of the Gospel message. With this emphasis, within an environment of welcoming and warmth, your audience of children, youth, or adults will know that they are important and valued. This disposes them to being more open to an initiation into the Christian life through catechesis.
Your work, combined with the doctrines of our faith, and the experiences of prayer and the sacraments, will foster and nourish that faith. It is a message that personally invites the hearer into the mystery of Christ. It is for each of us. It should evoke wonder in all who hear it, being offered as a beautiful treasure not to be missed. As people of God, we are made for truth. A sincere presentation communicating the truths of the Gospel message and the Traditions of the Church will, of themselves, evangelize believers and draw them deeper in their relationship with Christ.
Children at this age experience the world concretely. Involvement and engagement through their senses is key, especially using strong visuals. They will be drawn further into the faith through your invitation to understand the beauty of these enduring truths. For example, when teaching about the Eucharist, use a tangible object.
Allowing them to touch and see a chalice, or a work of art illustrating the Eucharist, will help them concretely see and remember the mystery you are talking about. Through this approach evangelization and catechesis take place simultaneously.
Why do we have a Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults? What are the qualifications for being pope? Is it OK for Christians to be rich? What is the Roman Catholic view of work? What is Baptism? What do we know about Saint Joseph? Why is there a church calendar? Why is marriage a sacrament? Where did American Catholic schools come from? What is the Anointing of the Sick?
Why do we hear scripture readings at Mass? What about the violence in the Old Testament? What is the Sacrament of Confirmation?
Why are there cults? What is Pentecost? What is the Real Presence of Christ? How can the pope resign? Can Catholic doctrine change in light of new information? Love thy extraterrestrial neighbor: Does the church believe there could be life on other planets?
What do Catholics believe about the divine inspiration of scripture? Who was John the Baptist and what was his relationship to Jesus?
What is the structure of the church and what do the people in it do? Are there other kinds of Catholics besides Roman? What does the "Word of God" mean? What are visions? What is Purgatory? What are third orders, oblates, and associates? Why sing at Mass? What about all the different gods in Hebrew scripture? Is there a place for dissent in the church? Do Catholics believe in evolution? What does the Bible say about God?
Why do we say Jesus "descended into hell"? Why does God let bad things happen? What is Wisdom? How can I understand the Holy Trinity? Why are there two Creeds? Why did American Catholicism begin in Baltimore? Do religious communities work for human rights?
Should people in discernment date? Why do Catholics wear ashes on Ash Wednesday? Where did Lent come from? Do Catholics take the biblical creation story literally? Why does the liturgy change? Which religious community is right for me? Why is it important to participate regularly in the Mass? Why pray the rosary? Why can people go to Mass on Saturday evening instead of Sunday? I feel called to be a sister, but I am not yet 18 years old Did King David compose the psalms?
Is there really a Catholic Index of Forbidden Books? What can I do about my student loan debt if I want to join a community? What are the corporal and spiritual works of mercy? Is a long or short discernment process better? Do Catholics care about animal suffering?
What does the Bible say about Judgment Day? How can I talk to my parents about my vocation and get their support? Why do Christians believe Jesus is God incarnate? What is the Triduum? Can someone change religious communities? Who chose the "Seven Deadly Sins"? What should I believe about hell? Why are there different kinds of Franciscans?
What was the Reformation? If you have a mental illness, can you still join a religious order? Why would someone want to be a priest, sister, or brother? Why do Catholics believe in the Immaculate Conception? Why are there parishes?
Do Catholics believe in ghosts? Who was Saint Augustine? Is a college degree needed for religious life? What is "sanctuary"? What is the Liturgy of the Hours? How do I discern my calling to priesthood or brotherhood? Well, there are several possible options:. You and I need to be more radical, more bold, more courageous, more Christian. We need to look and sound more like Jesus did.
The world has rejected the soft and easy idea of following Jesus. The Cross - where the bad news is defeated and Good News ultimately wins. This is where an appropriate apologetic argument comes in.
Apologetics helps to overcome objections to what Catholics may believe. It gives a formal reason for why we believe what we believe.
It is an indispensable tool of every evangelist and catechist. Still, like all tools, we can use it in the way it was intended for good or not. The goal of apologetics is to give reasonable proof about Catholic doctrine. Bishop Robert Barron has been a great advocate of what he calls a new apologetics.
One that is more robust and reaches today's people. In other words, we ought to be answering the questions people are asking, not those we think they might be asking. We also need to be doing it charitably, calmly, and clearly. While apologetics is a necessary tool, we should also know the limits of it. Generally speaking though not always , it does not compel faith, but rather removes obstacles on the way to faith.
Thus, while evangelizing someone, an evangelist may encounter a tough question from the person they are evangelizing. An apologetic argument may help remove the barrier that is preventing that person from believing. With a Master of Arts in systematic theology, concentrating in world religions, and additional graduate hours in Middle Eastern studies, Marie Baptiste possesses extensive experience writing religion and theological articles, essays and research papers.
Regardless of how old we are, we never stop learning. Classroom is the educational resource for people of all ages.
Based on the Word Net lexical database for the English Language. See disclaimer. About the Author With a Master of Arts in systematic theology, concentrating in world religions, and additional graduate hours in Middle Eastern studies, Marie Baptiste possesses extensive experience writing religion and theological articles, essays and research papers.
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