Recently, someone asked me to share some thoughts about the theological underpinnings of the four-step catechetical process employed in the Finding God program. Here is how I replied. ( I think it summarizes succinctly the soundness of this process.)
The catechetical process used in the Finding God program—engage, explore, reflect, respond—imitates how God teaches us. We call that the “Divine Pedagogy”—the method God uses to reveal himself to us.
- The process begins with God intervening in human history: he engages us in the midst of our lived experience. The Incarnation—the birth of Jesus—is the ultimate example of God engaging us, becoming flesh. Catechesis must enter into the lived experiences of people to begin the transformative process.
- From within our human experience, God reveals a new way of being human. It is this revelation that we explore and seek to integrate into our lives.
- This exploration, however, is not simply the accumulation of information. It is an encounter. The reflect step embodies the very personal encounter that is taking place in God’s revelation and fosters the growth of intimacy with God.
- Finally, this encounter leads to transformation: changed lives. We are called to respond to God’s invitation through a life of mission.
You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be
actually something that I think I would never understand.
It seems too complex and very broad for me. I’m looking forward
for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!