March 8, 2010 by admin.

Because of the importance of the Sacraments to the Christian Faith, each year I have a “Communion Workshop.” This is generally a 3 hour workshop that I hold immediately after church.

It begins with lunch with parents. Then it goes into the special materials related to the Sacraments, especially Holy Communion. There are several breaks offered.

Of course, a Communion workshop can be included in a lock-in, retreat or other opportunity suited to your ministry.

And, yes, I require it for those being confirmed this year (8th Graders) as well as those who will be confirmed the next year (7th Graders). It’s an excellent review–and an important way to provide an indepth understanding of the “Real Presence” of Christ “in, with and under” the bread and wine.

God bless!

TF

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March 8, 2010 by admin.

At two-months prior to the end of each Confirmation Year, I make sure that I urge completion of assignments. For my program, completion of these assignments is required for successful completion of the year’s program.

I urge you to encourage your students to complete…
1) New Testament Bible Summaries: Many will procrastinate. Now’s a good time to encourage completion.

2) Series II Online Quiz/Lessons: If this is a requirement for your curriculum, be sure to encourage it now.

May God bless Your Catechesis!

TF

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March 8, 2010 by admin.

I always strongly encourage parents to attend catechism with their youth.  Because of the sensitity some parents have to Sixth Commandment issues, I require parents to attend.

Given the prevalence of cohabitation without marriage, premarital sex, sex education in the schools and the easy access to immorality on the internet, I want parents to be there so that there can be a common understand of God’s calling in the Sixth Commandment.

Parents have ALWAYS appreciated my “Special” invitation to this session. It also helps to build the trust required for pastoral ministry.

TF

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March 8, 2010 by admin.

The Ten Commandments are a fundamental basis for teaching Christian living. Last week I was teaching the Sixth Commandment.

 The flexibility of Series I Materials allows for a variety of creative learning experiences. For example, whenever I teach the Sixth Commandment, I always take the students (youth or adult) on a “Field Trip”…the the church kitchen to illustrate what “adultery” is (i.e. “to make impure”).

Here’s how I do the “Field Trip”.

First, I get a clear glass out of the kitchen cupboard. I fill it with clean, clear water. As I show it to the students I ask, “Would anyone like to drink this?” I then give it to a student to take a sip. “Nice, clean water, right?” I ask.

Second, I scrounge around the kitchen and add whatever I can find–coffee grounds, salt, pepper, ketchup, mustard, etc.–and mix it into the glass. The students usually demonstrate their distaste for what I’m doing with questioning looks on their face. After stirring it well I again ask, “Who would like a drink?” Of course, no one wants one. “Why not?” I ask. “Because it’s dirty!” they reply.

Application #1: Then I share how all our bodies are like the glass of clean water. God, in the Sixth Commandment, calls us to be clean. He doesn’t want us to pollute our bodies and lives by immorality, pre-marital sex, unclean thoughts, etc. It’s a good opportunity to review Luther’s meaning to the Sixth Commandment.

Application #2: Of course the other application relates to grace. “What does God do when we make our bodies dirty and defile His temple (i.e. our bodies)?” To demonstrate this, I dump the dirty glass, thoroughly washing down all the dirt. Then I thoroughlly clean the glass, dry it off, and fill it up again asking, “Would anyone like to drink this?” For all who say, “Yes,” they affirm what God’s forgiveness is: Thoroughly washing and cleansing us from all sin. This applies not only to the Sixth Commandment, but to ALL Commandments.

That’s what Law and Gospel are all about: Showing Our Sins and Showing Our Savior.

 TF

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March 8, 2010 by admin.

In the coming weeks www.SmallCatechism.org will take on a new, updated look. This update will help improve…

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Thanks for your patience as we continue to improve this website. Your comments are always welcome.

God bless!

Thomas F. Fischer,
SmallCatechism.org

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