Christian Formation

Catechetical Instruction / Christian Discipleship

Catechesis, from the Greek word κατήχησις, meaning "instruction by word of mouth" or generally "instruction," is the word historically employed to describe the basic Christian religious instruction of children and adults. Catechesis is an ancient Christian word describing the transmission of the Christian faith from one person to another. It is what Jesus talks about in Matthew 28:20 when he tells his disciples to go to all nations, baptizing them and “teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.” In his letter to the Galatians, Paul writes, “Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches” (Gal. 6:6). The Greek word for “the one who is taught” is katechoumenos one who is catechized. Once a catechumen, always a catechumen. No one ever “graduates” from catechesis; we are life-long learners being formed into the image of Christ to enjoy deeper union with God until he returns to make all things right.

Making Disciples In The Anglican Way

Christian Formation is offered for every age and stage of Christian discipleship:

  • Kids Catechesis (5-10 yrs)

  • Youth (10-13 yrs)

  • Adults (15+ yrs)

Christian Foundations / Biblical Studies / Ascetical Theology

Past Studies

Christian Foundations

  • Getting to Know the Fathers. Selected readings from the pre and post-nicene fathers showing the patristic origins of Anglican ecclesiology, liturgy, and sacramental theology [St. Benedict’s].

  • The Outline of an Anglican Life by L. Tarsitano [St. Benedict’s adaptation].

  • A Light to Lighten the Gentiles: Historical, theological, practical understanding of the Advent Season [St. Benedict’s].

  • For the Life of the World [St. Benedict’s: Adapted from Alexander Schmemans book of the same title].

  • To Be a Christian: The ACNA Catechism [ACNA].

  • The Language of Worship: Developing a biblical-theological foundation of Anglican Worship [St. Benedict’s].

  • The Celtic Way of Evangelism [St. Benedict’s: Adapted from George Hunter's book of the same title].

  • Mere Christianity by CS Lewis [St. Benedict’s: Book Club].

  • What is a woman? Developing a biblical understanding of womanhood [St. Benedict’s].

  • The Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion: An Exposition on the 39 Articles of Religion [The Very Rev. Canon Dr. C. Camlin].

Biblical Studies

  • Old Testament Studies:

    • Genesis

    • Ruth

    • Song of Solomon

    • The Song of Solomon

  • New Testament:

    • 1 & 2 Corinthians

    • The Gospel of Mark

    • The Epistle to the Romans,

    • 1 & 2 Thessalonians

    • 1-2-3 John

    • 1-2 Peter,

    • 1-2 Timothy

    • Jude

    • Philemon

    • Titus

    • The General Epistle St. James

    • The Letter to the Hebrews

    • The Revelation St. John

Ascetical Theology

  • Abandonment to Divine Providence by Jean Pierre de Caussade  [St. Benedict’s: Book Club].

  • Every Day Monks: A Prayer Book Life. Reinforces the 1928 Book of Common Prayer as Regula; historical, theological, and practical prayer book spirituality [St. Benedict’s].

  • Enchiridion by St. Augustine [St. Benedict’s: Book Club].

  • Ashes to Ashes: On Death & Dying. Understanding mortality and death in the Christian tradition [St. Benedict’s].

  • Beholding God: In Pursuit of the Beatific Vision. Introduces the catholic teaching on the beatific vision [St. Benedict’s].

  • Confessions by St. Augustine [St. Benedict’s: Book Club].

  • Practicing the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence [St. Benedict’s: Book Club].

  • Seeking God by Esther de Waal [St. Benedict’s: Book Club].

  • The Age of Ugliness. Recapturing beauty in the Christian life [St. Benedict’s].

  • The Domestic Church. Cultivating domestic spirituality [St. Benedict’s].

  • The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis [St. Benedict’s: Book Club].

  • The Spiritual Life by Evelyn Underhill [St. Benedict’s: Book Club].

  • Theology of the Home [St. Benedict’s Wine, Women, & Psalms].