You're probably wondering about the cartoon graphic that accompanies today's writing -- "Law of Gravity Strictly Enforced!" Well, it is just one image that I'll be using this month while teaching the junior high. I believe that Sunday school should be engaging, educational and inspirational, while at the same time challenging young people to think. I have a variety of means and methods that I implement to try and achieve those things in the 75 minutes I have with them -- some funny, some serious, some contemplative, some expressive -- all with the aim of increasing their understanding of the Bible, Church and Christianity while strengthening their faith.
The ultimate goal is for young people to grow deeper in their relationship with God and our church community through reading the scriptures, learning about the liturgical year, and building a faith-filled community.
The time my wife and I spend with the youth on Sunday is actually called "Faith Formation." Of course, education is a critical part of forming the faith of all disciples. To have our faith and life formed by God's love in Christ, we need to know about the story of God, what it means that God loves us, and how God wants us to act in our daily lives. However, Faith Formation goes far beyond the classroom. Faith is formed through any action, experience, or relationship. Education is only one part of that.
Faith (or trust, belief) is not an object or an abstract idea, but rather a relationship. Christian faith is primarily a transformative relationship of trust between ourselves and God (through Christ, by the activity of the Holy Spirit). True faith is a gift from God and transforms our lives completely. The "formation" of the Faith Formation classes takes into account the shaping (the forming) of one's faith -- deepening that faith and ultimately changing lives.
Earlier this year, I wrote in this blog about my spiritual journey. I am a 55-year-old Catholic man who holds a Bachelor's degree in religion; has taught and coached in a K-12 Christian school; has been a Sunday school teacher; and, has assisted in leading church worship with guitar playing. This year marks 50 years that I've been attending Church -- my first experience being in 1970 at the age of five. I'm looking forward to this next step on my spiritual journey and helping junior high youth learn more about God, His Church, and how they can have a stronger faith.
From Him, Through Him, For Him (Romans 11:36),
Paul J. Staso
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Visit my YouTube channel -- https://www.youtube.com/user/pacetrek
Click on any of the links below to see some of my adventure photos:
- United States in 2006 (3,260 miles solo in 108 days at age 41)
- Montana in 2008 (620 miles solo in 20 days at age 43)
- Alaska in 2009 (500 miles solo in 18 days at age 44)
- Germany in 2010 (500 miles solo in 21 days at age 45)
- The Mojave Desert in 2011 (506 miles solo in 17 days at age 46)
- Various Photos From Mileposts Gone By
- Students Worldwide Who Ran With Me Virtually
- Roadside Sights From My Running Adventures
- Some Cycling Moments From The Past
