Where possible, (i.e., most of the time) every Bible concept or story is connected to something the kids already know about Catholicism. For example, Jesus fasting in the desert precedes Lent; the Meeting Tent anticipates a Catholic church; the Loaves & Fishes provides a model of both Church administration and the Mass; and David’s confession to Nathan, and the Prodigal Son story both foreshadow the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Last week we covered the Prodigal Son, and once again I used this painting by Rembrandt…
Rembrandt’s Prodigal Son possesses emotional dimensions that aren’t available through the printed word. The kids plug into it right away. The handout of the image has the Act of Contrition at the bottom to encourage the kids (and their parents) to go to Confession. I don’t know if it works or not; all but two kids took the handout with them after class was over.
In the catechism business Hope always Springs Eternal.
