New 6th Grade Catechist needs help

[mhans5]

In our first class a child asked me how we know any of this is true and not just a lie.

If an adult asked me this I could answer it at length but these are 6th graders and only 2 out of 14 of them actually go to Church.

Does anyone have an idea on how I could answer this question so they can understand it?

 

[Myqyl]

DISCLAIMER : The following is my opinion and I am often wrong… Just ask my wife…

That said, I would answer them exactly as I would if speaking to adults (which you say you already have down so I won’t go into that). In my experiance the biggist hurdle adults have when talking to children is getting the children to listen and the only way to do that is to not treat them like “kids”. Speak to them as young people seeking the Lord and they will respond in kind. Speak down to them and they will label you as one of the countless adults that treat them like “kids”… Young sheep are kids.

At 12 Jesus was in the Temple asking questions of the elders. Keep that in mind when you hear the questions from your class.

God bless.

 

[Aelred_Minor]

DISCLAIMER : The following is my opinion and I am often wrong… Just ask my wife…

That said, I would answer them exactly as I would if speaking to adults (which you say you already have down so I won’t go into that). In my experiance the biggist hurdle adults have when talking to children is getting the children to listen and the only way to do that is to not treat them like “kids”. Speak to them as young people seeking the Lord and they will respond in kind. Speak down to them and they will label you as one of the countless adults that treat them like “kids”… Young sheep are kids.

At 12 Jesus was in the Temple asking questions of the elders. Keep that in mind when you hear the questions from your class.

God bless.

I think this is right. Either the kids will understand the answer and be intellectually stimulated, or they will not understand and hopefully be humbled. Then again I don’t have a lot of experience with kids so I could be wrong.

 

[mymamamary]

Ima first time catechist too! Grade six as well! Which book are you using. We use the “Life in CHRIST” ones.

 

[kkollwitz]

I’ve been catechizing 6th graders for 9 years, they can manage that sort of adult concept just fine. I used to teach RCIA and adult ed and have not had to lower my expectations at all for the kids.

 

[Allegra]

Explain it as you would to an adult. If they don’t understand, they’ll ask for clarification.

 

[mhans5]

Thank you all for the replies. I will explain it to them as I would an adult.

We are using the “Faith First” program.

I have a hard time getting the kids to really care about the truth because their parents don’t even seem to. I pray that the Holy Spirit will plant a seed in their hearts.

 

[PJM]

=mhans5;9853020]In our first class a child asked me how we know any of this is true and not just a lie.

If an adult asked me this I could answer it at length but these are 6th graders and only 2 out of 14 of them actually go to Church.

Does anyone have an idea on how I could answer this question so they can understand it?

I taught sixth grade too. LOVED IT:thumbsup:

Try this:

Truth is singular. Logically there can ONLY be “one truth” per precise issue

God Can’t lie [IMPOSSIBLE] because God is and MUST be Good. Lying is NOT a good thing.

The Bible is God’s “Inspired WORDS” [2nd. Tim. 3:16-17] or the bible is worthless.

Because God is Good He obligates Homself to give us a way to Know, Love and serve Him[which by the way} ONLY humanity can do, as ONLY humanity can emulate God with our minds, intellects and freewill which are a permnant attachement to our Souls and can neither die or be killed . Like God Himself these too are “spiritual Gifts”. So the Catholic Bible [we "birthed the Bible] alone can lead us to the FULLNESS, and singular Way, Truth and Eternal Life. [John 14:6] and this is the primary means God choose Jesus to make complete and provide us with.

God desires that ALL be saved, BUT sets conditions that each of us MUST choose to meet in order for this to happen.

Hope this helps you,

pat /PJM here on this FORUM

 

[fide]

In our first class a child asked me how we know any of this is true and not just a lie.

If an adult asked me this I could answer it at length but these are 6th graders and only 2 out of 14 of them actually go to Church.

Does anyone have an idea on how I could answer this question so they can understand it?

This age is a crucial but difficult one. It sounds as if this child senses the chasm dividing people of this time - the chasm between people of faith, and atheists. Especially destructive to the souls of children, I think, are the many many “practical atheists” who attend church but who live as if there were no God - these people communicate a deep cynicism and futility to the adolescent, that attacks the noble heroism so natural and beautiful in adolescence.

Church-going practical atheists can make the whole religious endeavor seem, to the adolescent, a stupid game - mere pretense - mere meaningless ritual. The adolescent needs and deserves to meet men and women who can help him or her meet Christ, who alone can bring light and truth to the young seeker. The adolescent needs, in other words, to meet a real living Christian who is vibrant with the Truth.

 

[Wildkit]

I have taught 7th grade FF for 13 years. Of course I am late, but I would bring up the issue of October 13 and Our Lady of Fatima. In 1917, how did this happen? How did 70,000 + people witness this event? How did these people turn from Muslim, Jews, Baptist, Methodist, ………, was someone trying to tell someone something? This was all reported in the “media”, so what was the question again?

Yet, what about all these other miracles that happen today? Incorrupt bodies on display, Eucharistic body and blood,……is someone making all this up? I would give them the many examples and ask them to take them back to their parents to further have them explain to them, i.e. teaching, teacheth the teacher. God bless you.

 

[aicirt]

I encourage my class to view videos of the old movies e.g. FATIMA, THE 13th DAY, FOR THE GREATER GLORY, SONG OF BERNADETTE etc. Parents will usually view them with the kids. Many have never seen them and began exploring the lives and history on their own.