Teaching the Faith, Forming the Faithful: A Biblical Vision for Education in the Church
Digital Logos Edition
Overview
Why does the church teach? And what should it teach?
In recent years, traditional Sunday school and education programs have declined in influence and effectiveness. Education in the church is often sidelined by other competing priorities, and our efforts become haphazard and random.
As a result, many Christians have not learned the fundamental doctrinal content of the faith. As a response, a growing number of church ministries have moved toward an emphasis on Christian spiritual formation. But churches must hold together education and formation, the teaching of the faith and the forming of the faithful.
In this comprehensive text, Gary Parrett and Steve Kang attend to both the content and process of educational and formational ministries. They set forth a thoroughly biblical vision for intentional teaching of the Christian faith, with a holistic concern for what and whom is taught as well as how and why.
Fully apprised of developments in educational theory and pedagogy, Parrett and Kang propose a core curriculum for recovering the full scope of Christian proclamation and reinvigorating the teaching ministry of the church. Their vision has implications not merely for catechesis, but for preaching, worship, children’s and youth ministry, and much more.
The body of Christ can become all that God intends it to be, through intentional practices that foster personal and corporate formation. Here is guidance for individuals and congregations on that journey.
This is a Logos Reader Edition. Learn more.
- Provides a rich and nuanced introduction to Christian education well worth reading.
- Recovers the full scope of Christian proclamation.
- Reinvigorates the teaching ministry of the church.
In a well-researched and comprehensive work, Kang and Parrett provide a rich and nuanced introduction to Christian education well worth reading by all those committed to faithful teaching and formation in the third millennium. The biblical and theological connections provide a rich tapestry for thought and practice. I enthusiastically recommend this work for scholars and practitioners alike.
--Robert W. Pazmiño, Valeria Stone Professor of Christian Education, Andover Newton Theological School
This is the kind of book on the teaching ministry of the church that we have needed for some time! Parrett and Kang provide a solid biblical grounding for the purpose and practices of educational ministry, connecting it with the broader life and ministry of the church. Their ‘take and bake’ approach makes this a thought-provoking read, challenging church leaders to look more deeply into the nature of the church, its calling in the world, and the ways educational ministry can better strengthen the faith and faithfulness of God’s people. This is a must-read for everyone in vocational ministry who desires to see the church grow into a more faithful image of Christ in this world.
--Dr. Kevin E. Lawson, director, Ph.D. and Ed.D. programs in educational studies, and editor, Christian Education Journal, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University
Somewhere along the way, our ministries have become more concerned with implementing methodologies than with teaching meat. The sad outcome has been a church filled with people who have little or no idea how God’s story speaks to them, or how they are to enthusiastically live out their place in God's story in the midst of a watching world. We are nurturing generations of children, youth and adults who have little or nothing stored in the well of their faith. Gary Parrett and Steve Kang remind us that our calling is to fill wells with an understanding of God’s story that yields a church filled with stories that bring glory to God in every nook and cranny of life. Teaching the Faith, Forming the Faithful has the potential to transform our ministries, the people we minister to, the church and the world. Their diagnosis is accurate. Their practical prescriptive responses call readers to return to biblical roots that have long been forgotten. I will be recommending this book to youth workers, pastors, parents and educators.
--Dr. Walt Mueller, president, The Center for Parent/Youth Understanding, and author of Engaging the Soul of Youth Culture
- Title: Teaching the Faith, Forming the Faithful: A Biblical Vision for Education in the Church
- Authors: Gary A. Parrett, S. Steve Kang
- Publisher: IVP Academic
- Print Publication Date: 2009
- Logos Release Date: 2023
- Pages: 461
- Era: era:contemporary
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
- Subject: Christian education › Philosophy
- ISBNs: 9780830884353, 0830884351
- Resource ID: LLS:TCHNGFTHFRFTHFL
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2023-08-03T15:21:11Z