A Period of Preparation

They were to be educated for three years, and at the end of that time they were to stand before the king. 

~Daniel 1:5b


As I read these words this morning I remembered stories of how early Christians were tutored in the faith. The story goes that by the 4th century proselytes were taught the Christian faith through bible study and catechesis. The catechetical training was a form of memorization. Each student memorizes the questions and the corresponding answers to the major teachings of the faith. Here is an example from the Pictorial Catechism of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 1852.

1. Who Made you?            A: God

2. Who is God?                 A: The creator of all things

3. What is God?                A: An uncreated spirit

4. Where is God?              A: God is everywhere

The questions can be more complex like the following, but remember these were written for children. In the doctrine of the church such questions and answers appear.

63. In what two forms does the church of God exist?               A: The visible and the invisible

64. What is the visible church?       A: The visible church of Christ is a congregation of faithful men, in                                                               which the pure word of God is preached and the sacraments duly 
                                                           ministered according to Christ's ordinance.

65. What is the invisible church?     A: The whole body of God's true people in every period of time


The term catechesis is used from the New Testament onwards as a term for Christian formation and preparation for baptism and lifelong discipleship. The term is used for the period of formation beginning from first enquiry through to and beyond baptism and being established in the faith.

The gospels were written as tools for catechesis. Luke is explicitly written to Theophilus “so that you may know the truth concerning the things about which you have been catechized”. (Luke 1:4)

During the 3 years of preparation the students were taught not only knowledge about the faith, but were coached in the spiritual life, teaching them how to pray, how to read and interpret the scriptures, how to open oneself to the grace of God through a variety of spiritual practices such as meditation, fasting, and the sacraments of holy communion and baptism. 

The end of the tree years of preparation culminated in a pre-dawn baptism and reception into membership. V ows were made by the students to the church and the church made vows to its newest members in covenantal promise. 

Picture the scene. Out side the church the students gathered with their teachers and sponsors. They entered a baptismal room on the side of the church building. The soft glow of candles lit the room. Each student disrobed and descended into the baptismal pool completely naked, representing that they are leaving behind their former lives lived under the influence of sin and shame. They were trowing off the yoke of the devil and joining Jesus in death upon the cross. They were immersed in the waters of baptism in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Their submersion is symbolic of dying with Christ to their former lives as lost sinners. Their rising from the waters is symbolic of rising with Christ into newness of life. 

We have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. ~ Romans 6:4

After the baptismal immersion, the students are anointed in olive oil and given a cup of milk and honey. The oil represents the anointing presence of the Holy Spirit, health and wholeness. The cup of milk and honey represents the arrival of entering the Promised Land, that is a new life lived under the influence of the love and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

They are dressed in white robes representing their righteousness in Christ, and given a lit candle representing the presence of Christ as their guide and defender against the darkness.  As they are ushered into the sanctuary, they are welcomed with all the saints of the church gathered in joyous celebration. Each are holding their own candles as they join in songs of praise to Jesus, the Resurrected and Glorified Lord of all creation! It is Easter! The darkness is conquered. Death has no power of these gathered in Christ!

I shudder at this memory of the past. How amazing it would have been to be a part of that kind of preparation and celebration! Confirmation is our way of preparing middle schoolers to pledge their faith in Christ and to become members of the United Methodist Church./ I've seen programs that run concurrent withe the school year. I've seen as little as 6 weeks to cover major Christian doctrines as adequate preparation. These are dolefully lacking and fail to truly prepare students for a life of discipleship. But people today will not likely choose a 3 year program.

Discipling others is a journey, not a program per say. The journey will include instruction, but the key aspect to formation is a journey partner who is further along on the trk toi maturity in Christ. A mentor in the faith is one of whom you ask questions, and one who would ask questions to discern the student's comprehension and retention of knowledge and grace in the Lord Jesus Christ. Knowledge is about knowing God through Jesus Christ through scripture study, church history and theology. It would include doctrinal teachings from the tradition, in our case Methodism, the teachings of John Wesley and the hymns of Charles Wesley. And the journey would include the practice and reflection upon the sacraments and other means of grace, such as prayer, meditation, fasting, journaling, etc. 

Wesley had all those engaged in the Methodist movement organized in small groups called classes. Each group was led by a class leader, who was guided by Wesley or one of his clergy. The purpose of the class meeting was to continue the journey as disciples, fully committed followers of Jesus Christ. The class members watched over one another in love. They supported and encouraged one another in in their progress toward fullness in Christ. They listened to each other's experience, both the joys and difficulties involved in following Jesus.  Sometimes it involved confession of one's failures, or one's weaknesses that are obstacles to growth. Sometimes it involved making plans to pursue specific goals in service, personal spiritual practice, corporate worship or justice work. A member would share with the group their plan for growth and seek the group's prayers and support to achieve these goals.  Of most importance was that the class meeting was where members created deep intimate bonds of friendship.  The class meeting became their family within the larger church family.

As Roberts Park UMC continues our journey toward 200 years of ministry in downtown Indianapolis, I wonder at what level we are ready to embrace such a rich history in our formation as disciples. Church is more than a one hour worship experience on a Sunday morning. It is the kingdom of God on earth. Church is our lifestyle. 

As we think about what it means to follow Jesus, as part of Roberts Park Church, we all should ask ourselves how we will live out our Christ inspired faith. 

• What spiritual practices and holy habits will I employ to open my heart to the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit?
• Whose need will I fulfill (what people and in what place) as I serve with Christlike compassion?
• For which social issues am I passionate enough to work for justice and equity?
• Who are the people I choose to meet with regularly for mutual support in our journey as disciples?
• How am I intentionally welcoming strangers. Who will I engage in new friendships. Who are the five people I am praying for to come to faith in Christ and be a part of the Roberts Park family?