The Good Shepherd And Thomas Groome s Shared Christian...

At first glance, it may seem as if the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and Thomas Groome’s Shared Christian Praxis have nothing in common with one another, but while they do share many differences, they also share some similarities. In terms of teaching the divine pedagogy, the two catechetical approaches of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and Shared Christian Praxis have some similar and some different theological, philosophical, and educational principles, which aid in the effectiveness of their practice for their specific target age group. First, the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a specific form of catechesis aimed towards children ages 3 to 12. There are three levels involved with this form of catechesis: level one (3-6 year olds), level two (7-9 year olds), and level three (10-12 year olds). The name of the space where this catechesis occurs is â€Å"The Atrium,† and the Atrium is designed specifically for the children with small tables, chairs, and shelves. A child’s capacity for understanding God should be taken seriously, and the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd does this. In fact, it can be said that â€Å"children have an extraordinary capacity for prayer,† and â€Å"theirs is a prayer of praise and thanksgiving, which expresses the nearness and transcendence of God† (Cavalletti, 44). Through the Atrium, the children are able to build a relationship of love with the Good Shepherd, and they are able to learn and embrace the beauty of silence. The children engage