Parents as Christian Education Coaches Dialogue

The following quote indicates how a Christian School views their role and the role of parents in educating their children.

The educational philosophy of Meadowlark Christian School is based on a God-centered view of humanity and truth as presented in the Bible. The integration of faith in learning allows us to build on a foundation through which all knowledge is examined so truth may be explored. Within a framework that supports parents in their ultimate responsibility of educating and training their children, MCS becomes a contributing partner. http://www.k-9christian.com/about/mcs-history/

This quote is presented here to begin a dialogue on Christian parents coaching their children See Parents as Coaches Overview for a generic introduction to parental coaching.  To participate in this dialogue you can comment on this post or participate in a broader Christian education dialogue see Inspiring Christian Education Dialogue in Alberta

Index 2011

FACTSnet Index
Introduction to Christian Education

1. Age 4
2. Wee College

1. Kindergarten
2. Alberta Kindergarten Catholic Religious Education
3. From: Kindergarten Catholic Handbook for Parents, 2011
4. Grade 1 - Canadian Christian Education Network Grade 1
   • Welcome! You belong.
   • Jesus welcomes us.
   • We hear the story of God through Jesus.
   • God dwells among us.
   • I’ll always be with you.
   • Hallowed be your name.
   • Your will be done.
   • We belong to God’s family.
   • The Holy Spirit gathers us into God’s circle of friends.
   • We are born of the Spirit.
   • Above links from Alberta Ed. Catholic Handbook for Parents Grade 1
5. Grade 2 (See Alberta Ed. Catholic Handbook for Parents Grade 2) >>
   
   • Let’s be friends!
   • Let’s come together.
   • Let’s treasure God5E2��s word.
   • Let’s treasure God’s presence.
   • Let’s treasure God’s gift.
   • Let’s take.
   • Let’s bless.
   • Let’s break.
   • Let’s eat and drink.
   • Let’s go forth.
6. Grade 3 (See Alberta Ed. Catholic Handbook for Parents Grade 3) >>
   
   • We welcome and gather in the Spirit.
   • The Holy Spirit gathers and feeds us at Eucharist.
   • The Holy Spirit calls and anoints us in Baptism andConfirmation.
   • The Holy Spirit comes upon Advent people.
   • The Holy Spirit dwells in Jesus.
   • The Holy Spirit dwells in the followers of Jesus.
   • The Holy Spirit fills the whole earth.
   • The Holy Spirit reconciles people.
   • The Holy Spirit gives new life.
   • The Holy Spirit is alive.
7. Grade 4 (See Alberta Ed. Catholic Handbook for Parents Grade 4) >>
   
   • The Church hands on the Good News.
   • The Good News about Jesus Christ.
   • Jesus tells us about the reign of God.
   • A light shines in the darkness.
   • Jesus, “born of a woman.”
   • Jesus reveals the compassion of God.
   • Jesus says, “I am the Way.”
   • Jesus gives his life for us.
   • “My Lord and My God.”
   • Jesus’ Spirit is with us.
8. Grade 5
   
   • The Church proclaims the Good News.
   • The Church believes in the Lord Jesus.
   • The Church celebrates God’s mighty deeds.
   • The Church expects the coming of the Lord.
   • The Church welcomes all nations.
   • The Church acts justly.
   • The Church reconciles.
   • The Church loves.
   • The Church rejoices.
   • The Church witnesses.
   • Above links from (See Alberta Ed. Catholic Handbook for Parents Grade 5) >>
   • J12 Jesus at Twelve
9. Grade 6
   
   • “You are my friends.”
   • “I love you with an everlasting love.”
   • “I shall be your God; you shall be my people.”
   • “God so loved the world.”
   • “I am the way, the truth and the life.”
   • “Love your enemies.”
   • “What you do to the least of my brothers and sisters.”
   • “No greater love.”
   • “Do not be afraid.”
   • “You shall be my witnesses.”
   • Above links from Alberta Ed. Catholic Handbook for Parents Grade 6) >>
   • J12 Jesus at Twelve
10. Grade 7 (See Alberta Ed. Catholic Handbook for Parents Grade 7) >>
    
    • . . . We.
    • We believe in God.
    • We believe in God the Father Almighty.
    • We believe in God . . . the Creator of heaven and earth.
    • We believe in Jesus Christ his only Son.
    • We believe in Jesus . . . Our Lord.
    • We believe in Jesus . . . who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.
    • He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended to the dead.
    • On the third day he rose. He ascended into heaven.
    • He is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
11. Grade 8 (See Alberta Ed. Catholic Handbook for Parents Grade 8)>>
    
    • We believe in the Holy Spirit.
    • We believe in the holy Church.
    • We believe in one Catholic and Apostolic Church.
    • We believe in the communion of saints.
    • We believe in the forgiveness of sins.
    • We believe in the resurrection of the body.
    • We believe in life everlasting.
    • Amen.
12. Grade 9 (See Alberta Ed. Catholic Handbook for Parents Grade 9) >>
    
    • Be with Me.
    • Be Alive.
    • Be Faithful.
    • Be Loving.
    • Be Obedient.
    • Be Just.
    • Be Honest.
    • Be Generous.
    • Be Forgiving.
    • Be Hopeful.

Senior High (See Alberta Ed. Catholic Handbook for Parents Senior High)

1. Christ in Culture.
2. Believing.
3. In Search of the Good.

Inspiring Christian Education Dialogue in Alberta

Based on Alberta Education's initiative to dialogue with Albertans see http://engage.education.alberta.ca and FACTSnet's involvement in the dialogue see Towards Generative Community Dialogue, FACTSnet is inviting the Alberta Christian Community to get involved in the dialogue as follows:

1. Get involved in Inspiring Educational and Heritage Dialogues and Parents as Christian Educatrion Coaches Dialogue
2.  See Developing a Christian World View in the Alberta Context
3. Participate in the Alberta Christmas Network   Scripture Studies of Jesus and/or learn about Christmas and Japanese Youth (Particularily relevant to students in grade 8 -12 who have studied Japanese Worldview in Social Studies).
4. See Christian Beliefs (Creed Topics)

Although commenting to this or any other FACTSnet post is one way of participating in the dialogue,  FACTSnet advocates in person dialogue with online follow-up.


Email info@factnet.org with your phone # if you are interested in an in person dialogue.

Developing a Christian Worldview in the Alberta Context

This post is designed to open up a dialogue on developing a Christian worldview in relationship to Alberta Education curriculum.  Also see  Inspiring Christian Education Dialogue in Alberta. 

It is proposed that this  development take place by working with parents, post-secondary and secondary students from grades 7-12 and their leaders.  Ideally the work with parents would start per-marriage, as the couple develops a Christian worldview, which would be passed on to their children starting in pre-school see below.  Dialogue on formal worldview studies could initially focus on the grades 7 and 8 curriculum with specific application to other grades and post-secondary students emerging as the dialogue develops.    

It is hoped that as we look at a common formal Christian worldview in the context of Alberta values that we will come to personal worldviews that reflect active Christian faith in relationship to our Alberta culture. The following are presented to open up a dialogue on how this could happen.

Study Basic Christian Belief:

This should start in pre-school by reading Bible Stories starting with a Bible like the Toddler's Bible. Then moving to a Bible like the Young Readers Bible, then the Picture Bible and a complete Bible like the New International Readers Version (designed for beginning readers).  See Bible DVDs for Preschoolers.  Elementary students can have their own devotions as soon as they learn to read.

A more formal study of Christian Beliefs could take place using topics from the grade 7& 8 Canadian Catholic study of Christian Creeds.  The topics studied along with summaries of the Catholic catechism  and  Charles Colson and Harold Fickett's  book "The Faith" are referenced in a chart on Christian Beliefs (Creed Topics).  Colson's book is written for both Catholics and Protestants to understand basics Christian beliefs.  This is a great resource for teachers and parents and for students as they mature. Also see

• Josh & Sean McDowell's book on The Unshakable Truth
• Power Point on Teaching Truth in Today's Youth Culture 
• Christian Worldview and Alberta Grade 8 Social Studies

Research and Share Canadian Christian Heritage and Worldview studies:
Stories of how family members and other Christians have participated in their communities and our country can be told starting in preschool.  Visiting historic sites especially as they relate to the Social Studies curriculum and Christian heritage.  For example, the grades 5 & 7 Social Studies curriculum focuses on Canadian history (grade 4 focuses on Alberta), allowing teachers and parents an opportunity to help their students develop an understanding of how Christian faith has contributed to the development of Canada. 

Relate Worldview Studies to Christian Worldview:

In grade 8 Alberta students study worldview.  Teachers and parents can help students develop a Christian worldview by relating what is studied in religion and/or what is written by Colson (particularly pages 213-215) to their study of worldviews.    Parents and teachers could also connect with international students and Canadians working in the countries studied or visit those countries in person see Report on Japan/Alberta Summer 2010 Project and Christmas and Japanese Youth


Link up with others who are studying Christian worldview from a Canadian perspective.

See Joe Boot's sessions at Breakforth 2011

Joe Boot

Motivation

This column lists the individual's reasons for their belief in the particular element of the Creed. References, including scripture references, will be given.

Actions

This column describes the actions of this individual or group as they relate to the phrases in the Creed.

Believed in...

This column lists the phrases from unit headings related to Christian Creeds that are studied by grade 7 and 8 students in Canadian Catholic schools. Each phrase will be linked to a post describing  the individuals or group's beliefs regarding this element of the creed, with references to sources, see Christian Beliefs (Creed Topics)

Faith in Action Template

Believed in…?	Actions	Motivation
Grade 7
[God of the Bible]
God [Meaning of Belief]
God the Father Almighty
God the Creator of Heaven and Earth
Jesus Christ his only Son
Jesus our Lord
[Virgin Birth]
[Jesus’ Crucifixion]
[Resurrection and Ascension]
[Jesus will come to judge]
Grade 8
The Holy Spirit
The holy Church
One catholic and apostolic Church
The communion of saints
The forgiveness of sins
The resurrection of the body
Life everlasting
Amen [Being different]

*Substitute with "They," "she," "he," or the name of the individual as appropriate.