Continuing education
We are persuaded that around the Word of God all the people can gather as one (Nehemiah 8:1-3). Not because the Word of God flattens differences, but rather, because it knows how to meet all of them. That is why we have made the decision, however challenging, to keep children with us: during worship, during Bible studies and during all public activities of the church, trying to address them as well, to engage them with the effort to take into account their ability to understand.
In this context, "Continuing Education" or "Catechism" identifies a time in worship or Bible study when an activity is conducted for children, in the context of the whole church: either through reading Bible stories, or following the lead of an age-appropriate book. Activities change over time as the children grow older. Families are empowered to be there with their children and to take home what was said or done at church.
Conveying to the youngest children the biblical truths that we have, in turn, received is a challenge that the church considers essential to address, even considering the pregnant Catholic culture in which children grow up. Helping them, for example, to understand why unlike their friends they did not receive baptism as soon as they were born is an effort desired to give them the assurance that they have a true, reliable, historical and living identity. This requires a commitment from the church as much as from families, and we are on our way to improve the way we approach the resulting challenges.
The following activities have been carried out over time:
Stories from the Old Testament
Stories from the New Testament
Spurgeon Catechism
Taking small steps toward God
The Bible recounts Jesus