Catholic Studies Methodology by Timothy Flanders

This is the most difficult because it is the only home school subject that is a “personal experience.” In other words, teaching the faith is all about introducing your child to a Person and then the information about that Person. No other subject is like that.

Therefore, teaching the faith is subjective, in the sense that we need to grow and cultivate the personal knowledge of God begun at Baptism, but also objective, in the sense that we give the child the objective truth – known to all Catholics – about Who God Is.

Put another way, it is nurturing faith (intellectual knowledge) of God, hope (trust in Him personally) and love (union with Him) in every child, each in a way personally for him or her.

As a result, methodologies may vary widely and always have, East and West. The objective content is primarily in the liturgy, then the oral stories from the Holy Scripture and teachings from catechisms. The subjective content is also liturgical (through the Sacraments), but also helping your child connect with particular devotions and spiritualities like the Rosary, Jesus Prayer, Office, prayer books, etc. 

Suggested Resources

  • TAN Book’s curriculum page has a suggested timeline with Suggested Resources for teaching religion. Where applicable, there are both pre conciliar and post conciliar options 
  • Books by Mother Mary Loyola (especially The King of the Golden City)
  • Books by Fr. Paul O’Sullivan, OP (Gr 4-9) The Wonders of the Holy Name, etc.
  • Baltimore Catechism
  • Catholic World Culture by Dr. Anne W. Carroll (Seton – also includes art, architecture, history, and more so can be used for multiple subjects) (Gr 6-9)
  • The Year and Our Children by Mary Reed Newland
  • The Little Oratory by David Clayton
  • Memorize the Faith by Kevin Vost
  • Saints and Heroes for Kids by Ethel Pochoki
  • The Mass for Boys and Girls by Fr. Joseph Dunney
  • TLM: Treasure and Tradition: The Ultimate Guide to the Latin Mass

Books about Virtue

  • Everyday Graces: A Child’s Book of Good Manners by Karen Santorum (preschool)
  • The Book of Virtues for Young People, The Children’s Book of Virtues, by William J. Bennett