needs more work. I'm teaching the 7th & 8th grade confirmation class at my church right now. We're a mainline protestant progressive church and most of these kids have been attending their entire life so I figured they would know some of the basics. Wrong assumption. Today we were talking about what Christianity is, pretty basic right. Here's some of their answers to my questions.
Name some of the various Christian denominations...
"Methodist...." (which is what we are so), then blank stares. Finally one of the youth said "Jewish". um.... no. "Islam..." um no. Then another girl, "There's one that starts with an A, it's not autism (clearly), it sounds like angel..."
"Do you mean Anglican?"
"Yes that's it I knew it".
Now if only that were the worst of it. Next question...
Name the three parts of the trinity...
"Is that another kind of church?"
"Jesus, God, the devil"
Then more blank stares.
After reading the Apostles creed and the line about Jesus being, "Born of the virgin Mary"...
"Wait a minute how could she be a virgin and have a child?" Which granted I give them that question. There are many things about our theology that are really hard to understand the trinity, the virgin birth, the resurrection. So I proceeded to talk to them about what our tradition says. I was interrupted by this lovely gem...
"So the holy spirit had sex with Mary? Is there some kind of name for ghosts who have sex with people?"
This just prompted a lot of discussion about ghosts and what they can and cannot do. Then there was some mass confusion about Joseph and what his role was in the whole thing.
Oh my we have a lot of work to do. At least they were showing some interest though as things I thought were pretty basic seem brand new to them.
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Wow! Are these kids parents never talking about anything with them?! You certainly have your work cut out for you. Hopefully they stay interested.
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