Book Description

"Finding God" for grades 1-8, serves your whole parish by offering innovative, imaginative, and practical approaches to lifelong faith formation. Something Different Young people in junior high--grades seven and eight--are beginning to sense that they are different. They no longer want to be treated like children. They want to take on more ownership in the process of learning. This also holds true for their faith formation. Finding God for junior high fulfills this need. Magazine Format The Finding God books are designed to capture the imagination of adolescents who are tired of ordinary textbooks. The full content of the Catholic faith is presented in an engaging format that carries the appeal of a popular magazine. The Catechist Guide provides parish and Catholic School catechists with directions for bringing this content to life in ways that are creative, imaginative, and effective. Working with Adolescents Young people desire to know God in a personal way in order to find meaning in their lives. The desire to share the faith is written in the heart of the catechist. The aim of catechesis as expressed in the General Directory for Catechesis is "to put people, not only in touch, but also in communion with Jesus Christ" (GDC 80). Loyola Press carefully crafted Finding God for junior high to help catechists as they invite young people and the significant adults in their lives into a deeper relationship with God and the Catholic Church in service to the world. "The National Directory for Catechesis" reminds us that "since adolescence is the age of hero worship, it is helpful to present the words and example of Jesus as well as the lives and deeds of the saints in ways that appeal to young people" (NDC 48D). Finding God for junior high appeals to young people by creating opportunities for them to deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ. Maximum Flexibility Catechists have repeatedly stated the need for flexibility when it comes to faith formation in junior high. The two Finding God books, each with five units, can be used in any sequence--as complete books or as modules. You can use one text to teach both seventh and eighth graders. Or, each unit can function separately for a modular structure. For more suggestions on various ways of using Finding God for junior high, see the Director Guide.