Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (An Approach for Orthodox Sunday School Teachers to Consider)

Buy this documentary from http://www.cgsusa.org/ and also join the association and visit a parish that is running the catechesis to discuss how you can implement CGS in your Parishes.

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is an approach to the religious formation of children. It is rooted in the Bible, the liturgy of the church, and the educational principles of Maria Montessori. Children gather in an "atrium," a room prepared for them, which contains simple yet beautiful materials they use to help them absorb the most essential proclamations of the Christian faith.

You may be wondering how these materials help the religious life of children. If an adult hears a beautiful passage from the Bible, the adult might take a Bible, find the passage, and read it slowly again and again. He or she may think deeply about the words and perhaps speak to God in a thankful or hopeful prayer. A little child, too young to read, needs another way. In an atrium the child can ponder a biblical passage or a prayer from the liturgy by taking the material for that text and working with it - placing wood figures of sheep in a sheepfold of the Good Shepherd, setting sculpted apostles around a Last Supper table, or preparing a small altar with the furnishings used for the Eucharist. Older children often copy parables from the Bible, place written prayers in order from the rite of baptism, or label a long time line showing the history of the kingdom of God.

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a sensorially rich experience for children from the ages of 3 to 12 years that gives children the opportunity to grow in love and knowledge of God through the Christian tradition.

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is extremely adaptable to Orthodoxy, being the ancient church and the most Liturgical of all. It also emphasizes contemplation and quietness of heart which is at the center of Orthodox praxis and monastic life. It is a wonderful complement to The Law of God and other Orthodox catechism programs for children. Not only would CGS be an asset to any parish but a wonderful tool of evangelism for convert families, who are always looking for good church support for their home catechesis and moral training of the children.

Some more online reading of Orthodox Parishes who have implemented & adapted the Catechesis:

http://www.stathanasius.org/ministries/youth-education/catechesis/
http://www.antiochianladiocese.org/catechesis.html
http://saintanthonyreno.org/SundaySchoolCatechesisforChildren.dsp
http://www.holyapostlesorthodoxchurch.org/news_091012_1.html
http://www.orthodoxcatechesis.org/Sensitive%20Periods%20of%20Development.html
http://www.montessorimessy.com/2012/07/catechesis-of-good-shepherd.html
http://orthodoxcp.wikispaces.com/Eucharistic+Presence+of+the+Good+Shepherd
http://www.orthodoxcatechesis.org/Endorsements.html
http://www.sttheophanacademy.com/2012/03/sunday-of-orthodoxy-in-atrium.html
And old registration form http://www.stathanasius.org/site/assets/files/1053/nashli.pdf

And this excellent blog of the program implemented in an Orthodox Parish:

http://www.sttheophanacademy.com/2011/01/catechesis.html
http://www.sttheophanacademy.com/2012/06/pentecost-in-atrium.html
http://www.sttheophanacademy.com/2012/04/graduation.html
http://www.sttheophanacademy.com/2011/10/orthodox-figures-for-nativity.html
http://www.sttheophanacademy.com/2011/07/busy-week.html
http://www.sttheophanacademy.com/2011/04/felt-saints-why.html
http://www.sttheophanacademy.com/2012/04/few-more-holy-week-learning-boxes.html
http://www.sttheophanacademy.com/2011/04/revisiting-pascha-learning-boxes.html

For other ideas to express the Church's lived theology to Sunday School: http://ancientfaith.com/podcasts/raisingsaints/prosphora_and_theosis

Also is this book on Orthodox Education, http://www.amazon.com/The-Educating-Icon-Teaching-Holiness/dp/1885652283