I’ve heard that people feel about teaching middle school students a lot like they feel about broccoli – you either love it or you hate it. Well, I love them both! Yes, middle school students present a special set of challenges, but I have also found these students to be incredibly open and honest, not afraid to ask tough questions, and they have a real desire to learn about their faith.
I initially began teaching Religious Education to middle school students because in our diocese, students are confirmed at the end of the eighth grade. For many students, this is the last year that they will receive any type of formal religious education. When my own son was beginning his Confirmation preparation, I asked to be his catechist. So, I started out teaching seventh grade one year, and eighth grade the next. That way I had the same group of students for what I saw as two critical years in their faith formation. I wanted them to see that I was making a commitment to them, and I think it really worked out well.
There were some overall goals I had as a catechist. First was obviously instruction in the faith. It’s important to know what we, as Catholics, believe. Second, I wanted to focus on how what we believe affects how we live. It’s not enough to be able to rattle off a list of commandments or sacraments, or to recite a dozen different prayers, if there’s no connection between knowing and believing, and how we live our lives. I wanted to stress to these young candidates that the power of the Holy Spirit which they would soon be receiving in Confirmation is transformative, and If they are receptive to the Spirit, they will become true disciples of Jesus, following his way.
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