While at NCCL this week, I am doing a poster presentation about how to conduct a parent-child session on introducing Catholics to the Bible. The poster indicates that you can get a pdf of the outline for the session on my blog. That said, here ’tis!
Scripture
Faithfully Adapting Scripture Stories for Children
It is not unusual for catechists and publishers of textbooks to adapt Scripture stories for children. Let’s face it: the Bible was not written for seven-year-olds! When adapting Scripture stories for children, however, it is imperative that we remain faithful to Sacred Scripture and not change the essence of the stories we are relating. For example, until I was an adult, I thought that, in the story of Cain and Abel, Cain’s offering was not […]
Growing as a Catechist
Getting Ready for My First Session with Sixth Graders
Tonight’s the night! I begin teaching 6th graders (Old Testament)! I’ve put together a little video that shows you some of my catechist preparations not only for tonight but for the year…I hope you find it helpful. In the video, I mention or show a number of resources. Here are links to all of them: My Session Outline – Session One 9/10/12 My Schedule for the Year PROCLAIMING THE WORD Bookmark in Word Prayer Intentions […]
Books
Check Out a New Online Course on Bible Basics!
I was honored to write a new course for the University of Dayton Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation (VLCFF). It is called Bible Basics and the required text for the course is my book, The Bible Blueprint: A Catholic’s Guide to Understanding and Embracing God’s Word. Thanks to Richard Drabick, the Assistant Director of the Institute for Pastoral Initiatives for inviting me to write the course and to Sr. Angela Ann Zukowski, MHSH, the Director […]
This outline moves right along….a full 90 minutes of engaging the group and moving them forward.
I like the bit about revelation.
Thanks, Christian…I like the idea of de-mystifying the word “revelation.” It sounds so deeply theological and yet it’s simply what we do when we enter relationships…we reveal ourselves to others.
WOW…. Thanks So much! I am a leader in the Rite of Initation for teens. This is perfect..
Theresa…sounds like a good fit! Best wishes with it!
Oh my heavens – this is perfect. This fall, I will be teaching 5th and 6th graders. we will be doing lectionary based once Advent begins, but I plan to spend the first few weeks (this year) on the Bible. We can’t afford to give each child their own bible so we will have to modify that portion, but this is perfect. THANK YOU!!!!
Great, Maureen! I’m glad you find this helpful!
I am going to try an experiment to explain oral tradition and writing of the Bible. The first 6-7 weeks I am going to end class with a short story (I have chosen one from the 1920’s so they won’t already know it). Their homework on the last week will be to write out the story themselves from memory. when they bring it back, we will discuss.
Sounds like a good idea, Maureen…good luck with it. My only concern with an activity like that is that it might demonstrate how much of a story can get lost or distorted when passed along orally until it is written down and it might give the wrong impression that the Bible suffers from a lack of accuracy. Just a thought.
I did think of this. However, much of the Bible was passed on orally before being written down. also we continue to have Tradition that is not written down. I will emphasize that the number Jesus fed, the number of lepers cured was not what is important. I believe their own writing will give the “moral” of the story (and there is one in my choice) even if descriptions or amounts are off.
Hi Joe,
Sorry I am going to miss your presentation on Thursday in New Bedford, but fortunately I downloaded this presentation because I can have Cynthia purchase a copy of your “Bible Blueprint”. I have started doing parent child sessions with 2nd graders and now I’ll have a ready-made session for fifth graders – and early enough that it can be put on “the calendar”. I enjoyed your session last year with Margie and am really disappointed about not getting to hear you again. Thanks, too, for this doing this blog. As a 30-year veteran, I love so many of your ideas!
Pat
Thanks, Pat! Wow, 30 year-veteran! I should be reading YOUR blog!
Thank you!! searching for a Bible presentation service and while this is not exactly what I need, it give me a wonderful start.
Great, Charlene. Let me know if there’s something else I might offer you by way of help.