CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Purpose and Objectives of the Course
Second Semester, 2002
Prepared for Immanuel Lutheran Seminary
by John K. Pfeiffer
The purpose of this course is to focus on the
principles and problems of religious instruction.
The goal is to lead the student to recognize and take
advantage of every opportunity for applying the Word of God in the daily,
structured routine of pastoral work.
The course will consider the educational needs of the
various ages of man (infancy, childhood, adolescence, young adulthood, middle
age, old age). The course will examine each age group, investigating the
conscious and unconscious goals of the individual, the educational goals of the
pastor, and the principles and methods that can be used to achieve the
educational goals.
PROCEDURE:
1.
Consider the spiritual/psychological needs of the age group
under consideration.
2.
Consider the role of the pastor in meeting those needs with
the Word of God.
3.
Review principles and methods, which can be used by the
pastor.
4.
Elicit examples from the experiences of students who have
been in the vicaring program.
If possible, visit local confirmation and high school classes.
5.
Assign specific teaching tasks to the students as a part of
the classroom work.
TEXTBOOKS
Lecture notes.
ADDITIONAL
A variety of reading materials and
manuals which will be used to produce reports for classroom discussion. Manuals and teaching aids will be scanned for
evaluation.
COURSE OUTLINE
This is a one-semester course taught in each of the
three years of the seminary cycle.
Year 1 General
Introduction
Educating
infants and adolescents
I.
The pastor and the infants: bonding
II.
Teaching parents to teach
III.
Teaching teachers (Sunday/Saturday School)
Year
2 Educating the Youth
I.
Teaching confirmation class
II.
High school classes
III.
Youth groups
Year 3 Educating Adults
I.
Adult
Instruction Bible Class
II.
Ladies' Aid
III.
Men's Club