Parish Model: Goals

Add this preface as you read the following objectives:
“By the end of this study unit (or lesson), a student should be able to:”

Christian Education is a responsibility of the entire parish community. It involves all aspects of the church's life: Worship, Formal Teaching programs, and Practice of the Christian Faith through-out life: in the home, the school, the parish church, and in our service and witness to Christ in the world.

Priests, parents, teachers, singers, iconographers, workers and servers in any capacity-all members teach by how they live and act, whether their words and deeds are positive or not (Acts. 2:41-47).

Consequently, education in the church is an essential part of every Christian's life, from infancy through adulthood. We are all learners and teachers in this process as we witness to Christ and His Church, through our worship, teaching and practice of the faith.

FOCUS on Worship

Name the focus (at least one) of each day of Holy Week.
Recall and describe (at least one) liturgical event or action of each day.
Identify (at least) one Gospel reading (parable, event, etc.) of each day.
Recognize one major hymn or verse that is specific to each day.
Describe the liturgical actions and content and how they relate to our life.

FOCUS on Teaching

Locate the primary biblical references or tell the story of a Bible text for a given day (one or more) of Holy Week.
Locate and explain a key phrase in a liturgical verse, or explain a comparison between persons or attitudes described in a text.
Make a chart or a mural illustrating the major events of Christ's last days before His death on the Cross.
Compare the reasons/actions of key figures in the passion story. Compare the actions or attitudes of these persons to our own attitudes or behavior.
Match icons, pictures or symbols with events that occurred (or are remembered) during each day.

FOCUS on Practice

Establish and try to observe some basic guidelines for observing the days of Holy Week in your home (and/or at work or school).
Decide what needs to be prepared for the coming feast of Pascha (and try to do most of it before the Passion Service on Holy Thursday).
Do something thisweek to reach out to people who need help, attention or a visit, especially if they are homebound and cannot come to church.
Spend more time in prayer and reflection on what Jesus Christ did for us, by His death and resurrection from the dead.