Kategese en geloofsopvoeding

Abstract

1. HYPOTHESIS The hypothesis was used in this study that there are various forms of teaching according to the Bible whereby the child may and should be guided, through the working of the Holy Spirit, towards faith. And that there is a mutual relationship between the various dimensions of teaching. Taken as a whole, all these various forms may be- described as faith upbringing. This mutual relationship may determine the place and task of cathechesis. 2. PURPOSE AND METHOD The purpose of this study was to research the various dimensions of faith upbringing and to determine what mutual relationship axists and what the meaning of this mutual relationship is for official cathechesis. The Word of God served as primary source and appropriate parts of the Scriptures were exegetically explored. literature was also examined. Other appropriate The study commenced by studying faith upbringing in the Old Testament. After this, faith upbringing was researched in the period between the Old and New Testaments. This was followed by research regarding faith upbringing in the New Testament. This research was concentrated on determining the basis, subject, purpose and manner of the teaching. After studying the various dimensions of faith upbringing, in order to determine the place and task of cathechesis; an attempt was made in the final chapter to describe the relationship of cathechesis and faith upbringing and to indicate their practical consequences for cathechesis. 3. THE CHIEF FINDINGS OF THE STUDY 3.1 The following dimensions of faith upbringing emerged: teaching by parents, teaching by those with a special calling to teach, teaching through commemorative festivals, teaching by the people of God, teaching by celebration of public worship. 3.2 The various dimensions are interdependent and each one builds upon the teaching given by the other. It is therefore particularly important that each dimension should continue to function fully in its own field. Members should be equipped to understand the task of the dimension of faith upbringing in which each is involved and be able to implement it. 3. 3 From comparative research between cathechesis and faith upbringing, the following emerged: the foundation of cathechesis is the covenant of God; the primary human subject of the cathechesis is the minister or shepard who has a calling; the pupose of the cathechesis is: the glorification of God; the establishment, maintenance and growth of God's people; living according to God's created order and the personal growth of faith in the child. oral teaching should recieve the greatest emphasis in cathechesis while teaching by example and paticipation are essential. 3. 4 Cathechesis is distinguished from the other dimensions of faith upbringing in that it imparts to people of faith who are immature, the wherewithal from the Word of God, to enable them to fully participate in the teaching provided in all the other dimensions and that they themselves may provide teaching to others. CONCLUSION Cathechesis is particularly effective when those aspects which belong to cathechesis because of its precise nature, are dealt with there and when other dimensions of faith upbringing also fulfil their particular task.