Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (Christian Education 3-12 years)
During Sunday school, Church of the Holy Trinity offers three levels of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS), a Montessori-based Christian education program. Each classroom, or “atrium,” is carefully prepared with specific materials, creating a calm and prayerful environment where children engage meaningfully with prayer, scripture, and church liturgy.
Level 1 (Ages 3-6):
Young children in Level 1 learn about God’s care and love through parables like The Mustard Seed and The Good Shepherd. John 10 forms the foundation of this level: “The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out (3) ... I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep (11).” Teaching practical life skills (e. g., pouring, sorting) and introducing core elements of faith and liturgy foster a prayerful environment.
Level 2 (Ages 6-9):
Christ’s teaching of the vine and branches shapes Level 2: “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). At this stage, children deepen their understanding of their relationship with God and others. Guided prayer strengthens their prayer lives, timelines give a sense of place in time, and moral parables like The Good Samaritan and The Insistent Friend model behavior. Children also explore the liturgy and its significance, learning to abide in Christ and grow as children of God.
Level 3 (Ages 9+):
Older children in Level 3 gain a deeper perspective on the history of the Kingdom of God and God’s salvation plan through timelines and studies of people who played roles in establishing God’s covenant. Building on their awareness of time and space, children learn about their place within God’s Kingdom. They are introduced to leading prayer and continue to study the liturgy, parables, and teachings of Jesus, equipping them to be active members of the body of Christ.