Christianity - teaching new believers

[MaryBS]

I've been assisting at Confirmation classes for the past few months.

Now for the first time next week, I am responsible for teaching one. The subject is "Living as a Christian, prayer and worship"

I have the study materials, and I have read through them, but I am in total awe at the trust that has been placed in me, to guide new Christians to Jesus. Its just hit me what a responsibility it is.

I pray that God guides me and that I do not let Him down.

They are a lovely group, so that is half the battle!

So what would you say are the non-negotiables for living as a Christian?

Sorry, only just seen your reply, not sure how I missed it! Good question! Not sure if I can think of a considered answer when I'm sitting here and its nearly 3:30am.

However, I'm trying to live my life by at the moment is "to love God and to love my neighbour as myself". Or rather love my neighbour as they ought to be loved, as I don't always love myself very much!

That's a pretty good answer! I know what you mean about self-love, it's so hard. IME because I don't love myself enough I don't love others enough, because there is always a void that needs filling or something that pre-occupies me that I'm beating myself up about, that gets in the way of me giving myself unconditionally to others. Does that make sense? Lack of true self-love is something that is so damaging in our society. People we describe as 'loving themselves', who seem to put themselves first all the time, do so because they actually aren't comfortable with who they are or have any true self-worth. That's why they have to fill the emptiness with things or sex or drugs, or the cult of celebrity, or hurting others. I don't think I really do know that many people who are so at ease with themselves that they become dead to self.

So does the class you teach concentrate on living as a Christian? Or does it require an understanding of the Creeds etc? My confirmation classes were very Anglo-Catholic, and all about the Creed and the Lord's Prayer. It was basically a crash course in what the author considered you had to sign up to in terms of belief to be a Christian. I enjoyed it from an intellectual pov (although I no longer think it's as black&white as made out) but there was nothing to inspire me to change how I lived my life.

So why were you up so early???

The session I was doing was just one session. There is a session covering the creeds. The group is working its way through a book called "Faith Confirmed". I've been quite impressed with it (and it takes a lot for a religious book to impress me!). It covers all aspects of Anglicanism and what the differences are between high and low church, as well as matters of faith. I guess you would say it is pretty high, as it goes into depth about the Sacraments, for example. It also points you to parts of the the bible that are relevant to the area of the book you are studying.

I like the book because it presents Christianity in a way I believe in, a non-judgemental Christianity. For example "Christians should show honesty, thoughtfulness, sensitivity and compassion towards others"

I'm getting a lot out of reading it too.

And I was up early, as I was having one of my regular bouts of insomnia - got a few problems in my work and personal life and it was (and is!) getting to me! It'll sort itself out eventually, God willing!

Hi, Mary, just to let you know I'm going into hospital for a few weeks until ds is born. Hope to chat soon.

Good luck! I'll be thinking of you/praying for you!

I should imagine you've found this heat a bit much....