The history of religious education for young people

Abstract

Beginning this survey with the Jewish education at the time of Christ, we see that the thorough religious instruction of the Hebrew people given in the home and synagogue schools has helped them maintain their homogeneous character. Jesus used the teaching method in his work. Borrowing the idea of instruction from the Jews, early Christianity instructed its children and new converts in catechetical schools. In the cities cathedral schools grew up in connection with the church or cathedral; in these the future clergy were trained. An increasing interest in religious education is indicated by recent movements. The Y.M.C.A. and Y.W.C.A. have held volunteer Bible study classes and discussion groups and conducted great summer student conferences. In recent times the colleges and universities have provided limited courses in Bible and religious education. Graduate Departments of Religious Education have been established in several universities, and Boston University has had a department of Young People's Work since 1920. A rapid development of week-day church schools has supplemented in some places the inadequate instruction of the Sunday school. The American Youth Foundation, established in the interests of youth in 1924, is an independent organization vith a progressive program for the development of personality and training of leadership among young people.