Coptic Orthodox Basic Education A simplified Discussion

Why curriculum? History : – The school of Alexandria – Patristic catechesis – Pope Kyrillos the fifth – Habib Gergis and the seminary – Sunday School – Current curricula and Education

Where to start? Our current curriculum Traditional church curricula – Orthodox – Catholic

How they do it? Starting from seminary courses/Catechism They chose fundamental subjects They simplify the language They present it to appropriate age groups In an attractive and practical way They add helpful resources and publications to both teachers, their students and student families

How they do it? Because real learning takes time, Important subjects take time to teach In learning, there is a building up work, starting from very basic and adding more and more as the student grows

What are the main building blocks? The fundamental building block is our Lord The Lord presented to us through: 1.The Church 2.In the Bible and Tradition 3.By the Holy Spirit

Bible All lessons and teaching should have an origin and root in the Word of God A student in the early years should not be taught stories without a goal (problems). Do not tell a story, teach a faith fact through a story.

Bible Servants are prepared by learning very carefully the purpose of scriptures ( St Athanasius) There should be an ongoing Bible study of specific books every year in the classes as well as a home Bible reading program

Tradition The second limb of the Revelation of God It is how to live and understand the Revelation Church liturgies, Creeds, cannons, Consensus Patria as well as written tradition A successful Orthodox curriculum would present Holy Tradition in all that it teaches A successful curriculum would show the natural harmony between the Bible and the practice of the Church in all that she does

Holy Spirit The information alone is not an orthodox concept Since the beginning the church job was to invite and entice: come & see. Therefore the curriculum should be an invitation (the Spirit and the Bride says come…) It is the spirit of the servant that would

Grade ThemeFaithScripturesChurchVirtues Spiritual Life 1 st Revelation: The TrinityGospelBaptism Obedience & Sharing Prayer & The Word of God 2 nd Adoption: Christ The Patriarchs: Abraham Eucharist The 10 Commandme nts Offering 3rd3rd Reconciliation: Salvation The Patriarchs: Jacob Confession & Liturgy forgiveness Social Justice Repentance Introduction to Agpeya 4 th The Church The Patriarchs: Joseph The visible Church Relations with Others The Agpeya 5 th Sanctification: Sanctification Moses and Exodus Baptism Chrismation Confession Eucharist Sanctity of the body Fasting and Giving