PMM 243 PARISH EDUCATION

Prof. John T. Pless
Office: Jerome Hall 13, Ext. 2271
E-mail: plessjt@mail.ctsfw.edu
Class: Loehe 10 Thursday 6:00 -8:45 pm

I. Course Description

This course will examine the biblical and confessional foundations for Christian education in the Lutheran parish and seek to assist students in acquiring skills and developing practices that are consistent with these foundations. Special attention will be given to the catechesis of the Small Catechism.

II. Course Credit

Required course, three hours

III. Course Objectives

A. In the area of knowledge and understanding

1. Understanding the biblical and confessional foundations of Christian education;
2. Understand the relationship of Christian education to Baptism and the Divine Service;
3. Understanding of catechesis as essential to the church's evangelical mission;
4. Understanding the theology of the Small Catechism;
5. Knowledge of resources for Christian education in the home, congregation, and school.

B. In the area of skill

1. Gain competence in the design, implementation, and evaluation of Christian education curriculum;
2. Grow in the ability to practice the right distinction of law and Gospel in Christian education so that pietism and moralism are avoided and students are anchored in saving Gospel of Jesus Christ;
3. Grow in competence as a catechist of the Scriptures, Small Catechism, and liturgy for children and adults.

C. In the area of attitudes

1. Appreciation for the value of the Small Catechism and its catechesis of repentance, faith, and holy living;
2. Recognize that the pastoral office is the teaching office in the church;
3. Appreciation for the function of the Lutheran school and be supportive of the work of its staff.

IV. Required Texts

Bender, Peter. Lutheran Catechesis
Harmless, William. Augustine and the Catechumenate
Kolb, Robert. Teaching God's Children His Teaching

V. Suggested Texts

Arand, Charles. That I May Be His Own: An Overview of Luther's Catechism
Harran, Marilyn. Martin Luther: Learning for Life
Pless, John T. Didache
Schalk, Carl. First Person Singular: Reflections on Worship, Liturgy, And Children

VI. Course Requirements

A. Students are expected to attend lectures and complete reading assignments. Unannounced quizzes over the readings may be given at any time.

B. A 3-5 page paper based on Augustine and the Catechumenate by William Harmless is due on April 19^th. In this paper the student will reflect on how Augustine's understanding of catechesis and his catechetical methods might enrich the teaching of the Faith in our time.

C. Each student will complete one of the following projects (15-20 pages) due on May 17^th:

A ten-session study for children, youth, or adults on the Divine Service.
A ten-session Bible study for laity based on the Large Catechism.
A ten-session "continuing education" course for Sunday school teachers aimed at helping them grow in their ability to rightly interpret and apply the Holy Scriptures.
A critical evaluation of one of the following: Faith Incubators, Crossways, or Bethel Bible.

VII. Grading

A. Class attendance and quizzes will account for 25% of the grade.
B. The review/reflection paper on Augustine and the Catechumenate will account for 25% of the grade.
C. The final project will account for 50% of the grade.

VIII. Class Schedule and Units of Instruction

March 8

Introduction/Biblical Foundations
ontemporary Approaches to Christian Education
Relationship of Divine Service to Catechesis

March 15

Assigned Readings:

Pfeiffer, Andrew. "Comparative Study of Ephesians, Colossians and First Peter: Implications for the Evangelization of Adults" Lutheran Theological Journal (August 2000), 61-72*

Wagner, Mervyn. "Luther's Baptismal Theology: Implications for Catechesis" Lutheran Theological Journal (December 1997), 105-114*

Yeago, David S. "Sacramental Lutheranism at the End of the Modern Age" Lutheran Forum (Christmass 2000), 6-16*

Guest Presentation: "History, Philosophy, and Resources for Lutheran Education"- Rev. Joel Brondos, Zion Lutheran Academy, Fort Wayne

March 22

Assigned Reading: "Catechesis for Life in the Royal Priesthood" Logia (Reformation 1994), 3-10*
Grindal, Gracia "The End is Everything" dialog (Spring 1997), 91-99*
Kolb, 5-29
Bender, 1-30

Suggested Reading: That I May Be His Own: An Overview of Luther's Catechisms by Charles Arand

Using the Catechism in the Parish
Training Sunday School Teachers
Evaluating Sunday School Curriculum

March 29

Assigned Reading:
Kolb, 30-79
Bender, 32-63

Catechesis of the Ten Commandments

Guest Presentation: "Catechism Woodcuts"- Prof. Robert Roethemeyer

April 5

Assigned Reading:
Kolb, 80-103
Bender, 65- 141

Catechesis of the Creed

Guest Presentation: "Vacation Bible School" -Dcs. Pam Nielson

April 12 Maundy Thursday - No Class

April 19

Assigned Reading:
Kolb, 104-123
Bender, 143-175

Catechesis of Our Father

Guest Presentation: "Teaching Hymnody to Children" Dr. Barbara Resch

ESSAY ON AUGUSTINE AND THE CATECHUMENATE DUE

April 26

Assigned Reading:
Kolb, 124-141
Bender, 177-198

Catechesis of Holy Baptism

Guest Presentation: "The Function of the Lutheran School" -Mr. Paul Marinko, Principal, St. Paul's Lutheran School

May 3

Assigned Reading: Bender, 198-231

Catechesis of Confession & Absolution

May 10

Assigned Reading: Bender, 233-258

Catechesis of Sacrament of the Altar

May 17

Assigned Reading:
Kolb, 142-161

Suggested Reading: Pfeiffer, Andrew. "Christ and the Catechumenate" in Mysteria Dei: Essays in Honor of Kurt Marquart edited by Paul McCain and John Stepenson (CTS Press), 207-204*

Catechesis of Daily Prayer and Table of Duties
Approaches to Adult Catechesis

*These articles are available on "closed reserve" at Walther Library.