tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post3624036963702248946..comments2024-03-27T15:47:46.091-05:00Comments on Pastoral Meanderings: Your teens are capable theologians...Pastor Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10653554256101480140noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-32705405591714553362012-01-10T23:35:40.217-06:002012-01-10T23:35:40.217-06:00This is precisely why in the original tablets of t...This is precisely why in the original tablets of the "Ten Commandments", there are two tablets with five commandments each. That is how ancient covenants were written, a tablet for each side. Here, one tablet is God's, the other Israel's (not all Man). The five commandments on God's side all have promises attached to them, the five on our side are simply commandments. The fifth on God's side is what Gentiles generally number fourth, and abbreviate too, leaving out the promise. Honour thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long in the land I am giving you. It is on God's side because it relates to God, father and mother being His first representatives and teachers to their families.Terry Maherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17122266461403246084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-63298296208124883572012-01-10T02:02:51.782-06:002012-01-10T02:02:51.782-06:00Funny, but my copy of Luther's Small Catechism...Funny, but my copy of Luther's Small Catechism says nothing about how the Pastor or Congregation should teach a household.Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07186384126211612393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-13721686178524798972012-01-09T10:54:17.959-06:002012-01-09T10:54:17.959-06:00"If catechesis weren't allowed to dwindle..."If catechesis weren't allowed to dwindle down to nothing with adults, they might teach their own children."<br /><br /><br />Parents would be well served if they got some support in the form of expectations. Pastors need to teach parents that they need to teach their kids. Parents need to be reminded that Johnny needs to memorize x in first grade, y in second grade, z in third grade and that it is dad's responsibility to git 'er done.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-24350445525148472582012-01-09T08:13:52.022-06:002012-01-09T08:13:52.022-06:00Amen, Terry.
If catechesis weren't allowed ...Amen, Terry. <br /><br />If catechesis weren't allowed to dwindle down to nothing with adults, they might teach their own children. If they taught their own, then the pastor's job would be supplementary, not primary. If they taught their own they'd be refreshing their own memory.<br /><br />I grew up Baptist, being catechised in that sect. I could tell you all 66 books of the Bible. I could quote you verses. We did 'Sword Drill' (who can find a passage fastest from a closed Bible). <br /><br />Now that I am Lutheran, all that background has placed me in good stead. I am relearning the right doctrines and theology. However, the underpinning of the unchanging Word, and parents who took time to teach us apparently help, even if you are heterodox? (See Fr. Peters' post including Mormons' community attractiveness - Sense of Community)Janis Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02947508427040251166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-10679084823357210922012-01-09T00:27:47.207-06:002012-01-09T00:27:47.207-06:00And I say this for myself -- me bloody too.And I say this for myself -- me bloody too.Terry Maherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17122266461403246084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-17206252309540379892012-01-09T00:26:04.459-06:002012-01-09T00:26:04.459-06:00Luther had quite a bit to say about those who fanc...Luther had quite a bit to say about those who fancy themselves above or beyond the Catechism and need not bother with it.<br /><br />Which he concluded:<br /><br />Das sage ich aber für mich: Ich bin auch ein Doktor ... und muß ein Kind und Schüler des Katechismus bleiben, und bleib es auch gerne.<br /><br />This I say for myself: I too am a Doctor .. and must remain a child and student of the Catechism, and remain so happily.Terry Maherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17122266461403246084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-33545973742903732682012-01-08T22:11:16.959-06:002012-01-08T22:11:16.959-06:00Ya I do think. We stopped using the Here We Stand...Ya I do think. We stopped using the Here We Stand Confirmation from AF last year because it was expensive fluff with not a great deal of substance. We are only using the Small Catechism and the Bible now and the students have been much more engaged and inquisitive that before. Sometimes, simplifying and going back to the basics are best.Leehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13013921386098199810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-11021026807730086362012-01-08T20:37:52.576-06:002012-01-08T20:37:52.576-06:00"Because when the teenagers begin to think fo..."Because when the teenagers begin to think for themselves, any inconsistency will create a loss of confidence in the entire faith."<br /><br /><br />This is not true. Plenty of us reasoned that things we could not reconcile seemed inconsistent due to the limits of our own reason. We are limited. God is not. It does not shake our confidence but further inspires our wonder and awe. The faith of teens is not somehow inferior to that of others whether older or younger.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-73792819402183321772012-01-08T16:59:53.678-06:002012-01-08T16:59:53.678-06:00Rev. Peters: my point is that those who teach the ...Rev. Peters: my point is that those who teach the Catechism better know what it means, beyond knowing the memorized meaning. If we cannot allow ourselves to believe that there can be something wrong in the Catechism, then we cannot give our children the tools they will need for the future. Because when the teenagers begin to think for themselves, any inconsistency will create a loss of confidence in the entire faith. Whether for this reason or not, but this loss of confidence in the faith is something you yourself have pointed out on numerous occasions.<br /><br />Put another way, does the explanation of the Second Petition reflect a correct understanding of the Doctrine of the Kingdom of God and of the Doctrine of the Holy Spirit? What happens when our youth find out (some Lutherans go to their graves not knowing it) that they have only learned 9 commandments?<br /><br />Peace and Joy!<br />George A. MarquartAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-67810770640525523482012-01-08T14:04:55.694-06:002012-01-08T14:04:55.694-06:00Before you can think about stuff, you have to know...Before you can think about stuff, you have to know at least something. I agree with Haleigh, input first. That means memorizing some stuff first. For example after memorizing the Ten Commandments and what they mean, it is fine to ask questions or give situations for students to think how to apply them, but they have to know what they are and what they mean before you can start analyzing and synthesizing the application of them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-846944205454645202012-01-08T13:02:23.087-06:002012-01-08T13:02:23.087-06:00George, I do not dispute that "when given the...George, I do not dispute that "when given the opportunity" teens can become capable theologians; what I dispute is that we assume this before catechesis and we skip the questions and answers (catechism) in order to let them stumble upon the answers themselves. Theologians are schooled and schooled in the basics before anything else.Pastor Petershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10653554256101480140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-88506335953565123862012-01-08T12:48:43.093-06:002012-01-08T12:48:43.093-06:00When our children are young, we teach them to reci...When our children are young, we teach them to recite the ABC's by rote. We do not believe that these children understand in a complex fashion the alphabetic principle of the English language or how this will proceed to reading. We teach them to perform the conventions of polite behavior such as saying please, thank you, and referring to adults with deference (ma'am, sir). We do not believe that at the time of this instruction these children understand why this is done. Input always comes first, well before output or understanding. This is basic educational theory, is it not?Haleighnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-75779326282161739712012-01-08T09:06:42.335-06:002012-01-08T09:06:42.335-06:007th and 8th Grade Confirmation
Classes in the LCMS...7th and 8th Grade Confirmation<br />Classes in the LCMS are a time to<br />give our youth a doctrinal basis<br />on which to solidify their beliefs<br />as Christians who are Lutherans.<br /><br />As they enter high school and college<br />they can continue to grow on their<br />confirmation instruction foundation.<br />This happens by attending weekly<br />Sunday Bible classes as well as <br />Divine Worship services.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-44018368110273915332012-01-08T08:50:23.621-06:002012-01-08T08:50:23.621-06:00Dear Rev. Peters: When we learn the words after, ...Dear Rev. Peters: When we learn the words after, “What does this mean?” and repeat them, do we really know what it means that we are saying? I suspect very often we do not. For instance, when we memorize, “Thy kingdom come.<br />What does this mean?--Answer.<br />The kingdom of God comes indeed without our prayer, of itself; but we pray in this petition that it may come unto us also.<br />How is this done?--Answer.<br />When our heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit, so that by His grace we believe His holy Word and lead a godly life here in time and yonder in eternity.” <br /><br />So when does our heavenly Father give us His Holy Spirit? I think I can assert without fear of contradiction that, according to Scripture, this happens when we are baptized. Acts 2: 38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call." So, do we then receive the Holy Spirit each time we pray this petition, and do we “get a little more” of the Kingdom each time, or are we in the Kingdom by virtue of Baptism, as the Apostle says in Colossians 1:13, “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.“ My guess is that many adults will have difficulty answering this question. Should we insist that our children memorize this without really understanding it?<br /><br />It is absolutely true that everyone needs tools for understanding. But it is also possible to supply the wrong tools, and sometimes we may think we have supplied tools “because this is the way it has always been done”, when we have supplied no tools at all. I am not suggesting that we throw out the Small Catechism, but that we do not treat it as the unerring Word of God. If we can bring ourselves to admit that the Small Catechism is not perfect, we may come a long way toward helping our children to understand what “what does this mean” means. <br /><br />The author of the article added “when given the opportunity” to “your teens are capable theologians.” I think she has a point. <br />Peace and Joy!<br />George A. MarquartAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-74523977692311755352012-01-08T08:31:57.516-06:002012-01-08T08:31:57.516-06:00CPH has a winner in PathLight series
for 7th Grade...CPH has a winner in PathLight series<br />for 7th Grade "Faith For Life" and<br />8th Grade "This We Believe". It<br />covers Luther's Six Chief Parts with<br />meaningful application to the lives<br />of our youth. This workbooks are<br />excellent in helping youth understand<br />the basics of Christian faith from<br />Lutheran perspective.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com