Catechism Curriculum Pre-Catechumen Exchange Contact Information Setup a few initial meetings to get to know him/her What notions or ideas do they have about God/Christianity/Orthodoxy Why are they seeking the Church? What are they looking for? Who is their family, what kinds of friends, school/work, family attitude about religion, about God, etc. What kind of support system do they have (if any) Give them a tour of the church Church and Chapel Church service calendar Who are the priests, bishops, etc. Attend multiple liturgies Q&A When the time is right, offer for them to start Catechumen classes and explain what that means and what that timeline looks like. REMEMBER: there is no pushiness in Orthodoxy. There is only the Truth. We are not looking for quantity, but for quality. If numbers were the main goal, to fill our pews, then we could compromise the Truth in order to obtain followers. But that is not the case. See John 6. Meeting Structure 1.5 hours Prayer (in Church/Chapel) Follow-Up Pressing Questions (Q&A) Lesson Curriculum Introduction Intro to Catechism What is it Discipleship Components Catechism Class Liturgical Experience Spiritual Canon Expectations Commitment Reverence ASK QUESTIONS Misconceptions Introduction to Coptic Church Coptic Orthodox Church Apostolic Martyrs Ascetic Modern Orthodoxy is NOT a denomination Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern US Church Calendar Recommended Websites, Apps, Books, etc. Truth Recommended Reading : The Gospel of Matthew/Mark/Luke Truth The point here is to establish a baseline... there is such a thing called Truth. And Truth is important (imperative). And discovering or knowing the Truth is the point of catechism. Some things are unknowable  Some things require faith Here, some preliminary ideas can be mentioned as the truth, to "get them out of the way" - homosexuality is sin, transgenderism is sin, abortion is sin How does God reveal the Truth to us? Nature "For since the creation of the world His invisible  attributes  are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made,  even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse" (Romans 1:20) The Church is NOT against Science or the Scientific Method but... Scripture Tradition Tradition Intro to Tradition & Orthodoxy Benefits of Holy Tradition vs. Sola Scriptura Scripture Authenticity and Reliability of the Bible Biblical Interpretation Infallibility of the Bible How to Read the Bible The Gospel Message Who is God Recommended Reading: Existence of God Trinitarian Faith Introduction Analogies Biblical Foundations Attributes of God Trinitarian Heresies Nature of Christ Christological Heresies The Holy Spirit Pneumatological Heresies Soteriology Recommended Reading:  Genesis, Romans Who is Man Fall of Man Salvation in the Orthodox Concept Sacraments: Introduction Sacraments: Priesthood Sacraments: Baptism Sacraments: Chrismation Sacraments: Eucharist Sacraments: Repentance and Confession Sacraments: Unction of the Sick Sacraments: Matrimony Church History Apostolic Fathers Gnosticism Arianism & Council of Nicaea Macedonius & Council of Constantinople Nestorianism Chalcedon Monasticism Church Rituals Introduction to Ritual & Liturgical Prayer What is Ritual Use of Matter (Icons, Candles, Incense, etc.) What is Liturgy Divine Liturgy & The Eucharist Liturgy of Time - Agpeya Liturgy of Time - Vespers & Matins Liturgy of Time - Midnight Praises Rite of Initiation: Baptism Rite of Initiation: Chrismation Crowning Ceremony Liturgical Experience Divine Liturgy Vespers & Matins Pascha Week Part of the benefit of a long catechism is the chance to experience the entirety of the liturgical year/calendar Spiritual Canon Prayer Everyone starts at a different level, but if someone is at zero, I usually go in this order: Pray the Lord's Prayer until it's memorized. Pray extemporaneous prayer after. Add the Thanksgiving Prayer Add Psalm 50 Up to twice a day (morning and evening) if not already "Come Let us Kneel Down" (with prostrations) in the mornings Add Gospel of 1st Hour in mornings, 12th Hour in evenings Scripture Use NKJV, can read one section at a time or continue through a chapter If you have any question, write it down and bring it to next meeting (or send it to Abouna) Gospel of St Luke Acts Genesis Exodus Romans Gospel Fasting