Our rationale for this method
1-Family needs and busy schedules: We are all busier, so asking for 2-3 years of classroom commitment on an additional night is hard. This new style is more flexible and allows for continuous learning and discussion in multiple formats and with different groups of people and still gives us a three year window of time.
2-Relational and applied instead of content to be learned: Following Jesus is about joining others as they are growing to understand who Jesus is and what that means for daily life. We are aiming at a three year intentional stewing process where faith can be discussed, taught, shared, explained and questioned with different, trusted people.
3-A faith step not graduation: The Christian Church has struggled with a graduation mentality. Student involvement drops off after confirmation because it has been siloed as a 'program' that you complete. Instead of isolating it we want to layer different learning in this catechism process and combine confirmation into the larger journey of faith, with New Membership and kids phasing into new Sunday School classes
4-A larger discontentment: Christ the Rock is not the only church trying something new. Many churches see the frustrating results of continuing to use the method that was developed almost 100 years ago. Many churches have contributed to the development of the 8th grade journal, and the LCMS is listening to the needs of our sister churches. The resources we plan to use represent current teaching approaches.