Parish Apologetics Classes

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derekohachey

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Has anyone every put on an apologetics class at the parish or diocesan level? Is there a apologetics class package/format that is out there? I know about many apologetics resources out there, but I am unaware of any apologetics class materials.

Thanks & God Bless,
Derek
 
I plan on starting a class as well, so I this topic may be very fruitful for us. 🙂
 
I have been interested about this as well. I’m going through a Bible Timeline class right now, and am thinking after a Catholic knows the overview of salvation history, it would be a good time to learn apologetics…I’m thinking how the format would go etc. I’d love Ascension Press to come out with a year long study in apologetics – sort of pick up your shield and defend the faith type of class…

I think the door is open market wise for somone to prepare a good product to assit with facilitating that type of study. No reason why someone has to re-invent the wheel each time. So…is Jimmy busy lately? 😃

So in your mind what would be the topics, how would they be organized, what depth would you recommend going into each topic, what would be first, second, third, etc., in the order or teaching…there would need to be a book, and a workbook. Students would need (IMHO) a RSV-CE, a Catechism, and a basic background knowledge of salvation history through the Bible.

I googled “catholic apologietics study”…and wow there is some good and complete stuff available on the WWW. some of it would just need study questions, some type of workbook.

Also, I’ve always thought for small groups it would be important to role playing asking questions and giving answers. Catholics need practice in saying what their faith is.

Wow…look what you’ve started!

Has anyone checked to see if Catholic Scripture Study has this?

I still love the Ascension Press studies – their stuff is quality AND they make it interesting…Jeff Cavins if you’re listening – have you thought of this? (I know I know you’re busy, but I think you’re the one for this – if you can make apologetics videos half as interesting as Bible Timeline, I’d be the first to sign up).

WAIT – Hold the phone – our very own CA Tim Staples has done this:

catholicspotlight.com/66/tim-staples-catholic-apologetics-lessons/

So it’s out there, we just need to download the stuff, check out copyright laws, prepare any workbook or study questions needed, get permissions from diocese and/or parish that are needed, organize it, get some small group leaders, train them, prepare materials (bake sale if needed), prepare and be organized – that goes well with students, and pray, pray, pray for the Holy Spirit’s direction (actually that comes first!)
 
I had a thought after attending a “Toastmasters” meeting a few weeks ago. Their basic format is to have a few unrehearsed speeches on topics drawn from a hat, then 1-2 prepared speeches, etc. Then more experienced members give constructive criticizem.

What about applying the same format to apologetics? Have a person do an off-the-cuff quickie defense of some topic (i.e. ‘praying to statues’ or the ‘divinity of Jesus’). Then a prepared speech on, say, problems with Sola Scriptura. Followed by a critique from an experienced apologist.

Might be a good way to learn Apologetics and improve your delivery or it.
 
I am trying to teach my own Apologetics course for adults as well at my own parish. Right now I am teaching CCD.

I would model my format after Dr. James Dobbins. He teaches Apologetics each week at his parish in VA. He tapes them and offers them as Podcasts, free on Itunes.

He covers different topics and how the church views them or explains the Catholic view.

He has covered everything from the Eucharist, Eucharistic Miracles, 3 Days of Darkness, Faustina and the Divine Mercy, The history of the Church, The authority of the Church, Revelations, How to become a Saint, Developing a Prayer life, etc. Any topic that his class wants to know about he creates a series of lectures on it. If you email him he will send you his powerpoint slides and source material.

I just like his format and would come up with my own topics to begin with.

There are also more structured classes with texts and workbooks etc. Anything by Peter Kreeft would be good to organize a class around. Good luck with it!
 
I saw him when i did the google search…glad to hear a nice recommendation of his material
 
Junebug999 said:
I saw him when i did the google search…glad to hear a nice recommendation of his material
Click to expand...
He is the best and very knowledgeable. Makes me feel like I am in the class with them since we don’t have an Apologetics class here yet.

I’ve learned so much b/c of those podcasts and they are easy to understand. He always tells you on the podcasts what books he uses and the authors so you can read them yourself.

Give it a try 👍
 
yes our apologetics class meets weekly, and has for 4 years. We began with the Basic Apologetics series,
shop.catholic.com/product.php?productid=351&cat=10&page=1

still the best low cost source for good study materials. We alternate with Our Father’s Plan and other relevant bible studies, and enlarge the materials with John Mantagoni (sp?) CDs (can’t remember the name), EWTN interviews esp. Coming Home episodes. There are about 15 participants, from HS seniors recently confirmed to adults and retirees at any given time.

we also use books and CDs by Tim Staples and Patrick Madrid, among others, your best one stop source is the CA homepage link to shopping
don’t forget the CA library tracts and TR
 
Thanks for your (name removed by moderator)ut on this matter. I believe that Jeff Cavins, Catholic Answers or someone else may have an opportunity here to put a package together for a parish Apologetics program.

I am currently listening to James Dobbins and his series sounds good. I can’t wait to get more into it.

There are many resources on theology and apologetics, but to me there is also a practical component to apologetics. It is good to study, memorize and learn, but there is also a practical dimension to apologetics: what approaches can you use, what approaches work best in what circumstances. John Martignoni is the only apologist that I know that covers this and I think if we want to evangelize when we do apologetics, we need to consider this as a very important part of an apologetics class. I’m not sure if there should be organized scenarios in apologetics classes, but I think it would be a good idea.

Most importantly, apologetics classes would need to emphasize keeping one’s cool. Apologetics sometimes gets ugly, and we need to avoid this.

God Bless,
Derek
 
ChipF, I think you have a really good idea with using a Toastmasters format. I’ve only been to Toastmasters a few times, and I think the “off-the-cuff quickie defense of some topic” is a great idea. It’s particularly useful when frank and charitable feedback can be given and received.

Sorry that I did not mention it in my previous post!
 
I led a one-time four-week class on apologetics for Advent one year. I think it went well.

At first, I felt overwhelmed because there was so much I wanted to cover and so little time. But, in the end, I decided to really cover only one topic - authority. I wove other themes into it, but the overriding theme of each class was authority.
 
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