In my experience of over 10 years in parish ministry, I find that catechetical textbooks are not helping the average catechists pass on the essentials of the faith. Since most religious education classes meet for an hour and a half or less it is difficult to cover what the catechist manual recommends. In addition, the ideas in the chapter are often too scattered trying to cover too much.
What has your religious education program done in order to help better equip catechists to not only teach the lessons but to help them have clarity and focus in each lesson?
Something I’ve done in in the last two parishes I’ve worked at is to help give catechists a clear focus to their lessons. I use a version of the ecclesial method (you can find it in Msgr. Francis Kelly’s book “The Mystery We Proclaim” to help replicate God’s pedagogy – trying to give the students an understanding of what God has revealed and how to respond to it). I help outline the chapters bringing a more focused understanding of what should be covered (noting the most important points). I also provide ideas and additional activities that support the content that is being covered.
I would love to hear from anyone that is seeking ways to help catechists better use their textbook.
