Being involved in religious education has caused some difficulties in my faith

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There is definitely a distinction between childhood faith and mature faith. In childhood, the faith rightfully sets boundaries for children but as we grow after boundaries are firmly in place, it changes. Or should.
Years ago you didn’t loose believers to outside influence in formidable years. Frankly I don’t know how you overcome this dynamic.
 
Jen7 said:
I used to try to jam as much info into the 35 minutes as possible.
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midori said:
And at the end of the semester, they’re not really solid on a Hail Mary, or who the four Evangelists were, or name three of the Apostles, or whatever.
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And @Marshmallow1 …

In religious education, we need to teach some facts: the Bible, God’s covenants, commandments, sin, mercy, the teachings of Jesus, sacraments, salvation, saints, and more. To a large extent, learning about these things is a movement of the intellect.

There is something else that we need to teach: the movement of the heart toward faith, hope, and love. This cannot be accomplished by books and lesson plans alone. It requires our personal witness and example. A heart on fire can light another heart on fire, through the grace of God.

The heart’s sense of faith, hope, and love can perhaps be strengthened by reason, but I think it really is something apart from reason. In our intellect, we learn, recite, and assent to the Nicene Creed. With no words, our heart senses and cherishes the presence, mercy, and love of God.

What more can we do to pass that heart-sense on to kids?
 
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Beryllos said:
The heart’s sense of faith, hope, and love can perhaps be strengthened by reason, but I think it really is something apart from reason. In our intellect, we learn, recite, and assent to the Nicene Creed. With no words, our heart senses and cherishes the presence, mercy, and love of God.

What more can we do to pass that heart-sense on to kids?
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What a fabulous question! I think our own enthusiasm goes a long way. I also try to include personal stories to illustrate points. I think this works better or worse depending on the grade level.
 
I think it is important to get the foundation. What I think captures a Christians heart is more important.
Jesus is the most compelling story of love and mercy there is. That cannot get lost. Make the children fall in love. Then they know the obligations are for their wellbeing. They will respond in love. I am a product of a Catholic education and now my kids are.
The message is personal.
 
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