One of the ways in which we are to love God is with our minds. We are supposed to be able to understand theology and doctrines and also develop a Christian worldview. Many think that today the church is not very intellectual and that has caused us to lose our saltiness. Do you think that this is in fact a problem? In what ways does your church or denomination help you develop your mind? (Sundayschool, Small groups, confirmation) Do you think that these tatics are effective or would you like to see more of an influence on developing the mind in your church?What kind of tatics would you like to see?
__________________ Through the power of the Holy Spirit I am resolved to fully know Christ and to serve Him as Lord and Master of my life until I am with my Father in heaven which will be my gain.
To live is Christ and to die is gain. Phil. 2:10
That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Phil 3:10-11
But when I started working with the confirmation class it kinda was strange to me that they really had no clue about who John Wesley was (the founder of Methodism) or a grasp of the days in Holy Week, what Lent was all about, what Advent was all about, etc.
And to me, I thought these things were fundamental things to learn in Sunday School...especially like the Church days (Advent, Lent, Holy Week). I mean, maybe it's because I always grew up with this stuff between my parents and grandparents.
I think maybe some sort of small group thing would work. The kids in confirmation class learned a lot...but now that it's over, I hope they don't forget what they learned and that they don't stop learning. Like maybe a youth group situation where once a month or something instead of a fun activity a serious Bible study or other study is held.
Just some thoughts...
__________________ Qui-Gon Jenn
If you want to arrange it This world you can change it If we could somehow make this Christmas thing last By helping a neighbor Or even a stranger And to know who needs help You need only just ask -"Old City Bar" by The Trans-Siberian Orchestra
I would say small discussion groups are great! The thing is that most teachers in the church do not disciple people anymore like they should. This involves teaching the deep issues to people, not just giving them a book to read. It involves putting time into the relationship in a teacher student type of way.
bible study would be pretty good, for most christians don't know much about the bible. Recently a survey was done in my church, it showed a lack of familiarity with the first and last few books of the OT and the last few books (James onward) of the NW.
groups for sharing experiences regarding interactions with the world as a Christian would help too, but it's not as popular (mostly in fellowship setting).
__________________ "Rich? More like mired in minutiae ..... In this case it was an indolence characterised by a pursuit of knowledge, a frenzied search for answers to everything, no matter the value of such answers. A civilisation can as easily drown in what it knows as in what it doesn't know."
the original question here seems concerned with knowledge and how much we know. I thinking loving God with our mind goes beyond intellect.
Loving God with my mind to me means allowing him access to it, to rule and have control. Otherwise christians without these resources/education would be unable to love God as fully as the educated...
a good point. Although, we are commanded by God to medatate on the word (ie study) because to give an account (ie more study) and through the word know him (ie even more study).
Hi, I think were all heading along the same path here anyway. In the ancient times, there was no written word so they transfered Gods word verbally, or perhaps through mentoring (parents, prophets etc) its now that we have it so freely available that we study it in a written sencemaybe too much that way? I dont know) its all going to the same place anyway: to knowing God. Yay!!
The Catholic Church has given me MORE than enough to intelectually enrich myself. There's everything from the writings of the early fathers, the scriptures, Papal encyclicals, the Catechism, and more. I have never felt a lack of interesting subjects to learn about or study whether it's Canon Law, Liturgy, Moral Theology, anything.
__________________
Do not be afraid to go out on the streets and into public places, like the first Apostles who preached Christ...This is no time to be ashamed of the Gospel. It is the time to preach it from the rooftops...It is you who must ``go out into the byroads'' and invite everyone you meet to the banquet...prepared for his people. The Gospel must not be kept hidden because of fear or indifference...It has to be put on a stand so that people may see its light and give praise to our heavenly Father.
Yeah I am not saying it is not out there. What you cited is great. But does the church really teach this anymore? Most churches are more about feelings and "pratical" things than with helping us develop a world view.
I have heard many CAthlics say that they never knew the Bible because it was never taught in the church. now I am not coming down on Catholics but this is true and is true of many denominations. Yes we do many devotionals and talk about "loving God" (at least the feely kind of love) but we do not do much to encourage the regular church goer to study the Bible.
blackhawk
__________________ Through the power of the Holy Spirit I am resolved to fully know Christ and to serve Him as Lord and Master of my life until I am with my Father in heaven which will be my gain.
To live is Christ and to die is gain. Phil. 2:10
That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Phil 3:10-11
Sadly, knowledge of the Bible is limited among most Catholics today. I'm not sure of the reason for this. Today, however, many people have been going to great lengths to encourage the laity to study the bible more. Personally, I feel the CCC is one of the more "practical" things mentioned above. It contains all the basic articles of faith along with a sections devoted to prayer, the commandments, etc.... The only thing offered at my Parish is CCD (1st - 11th grades) and in our deanery there is an RCIA program.
__________________
Do not be afraid to go out on the streets and into public places, like the first Apostles who preached Christ...This is no time to be ashamed of the Gospel. It is the time to preach it from the rooftops...It is you who must ``go out into the byroads'' and invite everyone you meet to the banquet...prepared for his people. The Gospel must not be kept hidden because of fear or indifference...It has to be put on a stand so that people may see its light and give praise to our heavenly Father.
maybe too much that way? I dont know) its all going to the same place anyway: to knowing God. Yay!! 
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