1) Where does the discussion of bearing fruit come from?
2) What would it look like to have a children’s ministry that bears good fruit?
3) I don’t think I’ve had a conversion. What should I do?
4) I’ve had a conversion, but my child’s other parent has not. Where does this leave our family?
5) How will I know if my child has had a conversion?
6) Aren’t children too young to have conversions?
7) Where does the Church teach that conversion comes before religious education?
8) I think my child has had a conversion. Now what?
9) If my child doesn’t attend a regular Religious Education program this year, won’t they be behind?
10) My child is in 2nd grade next year. Can they receive the Sacraments?
11) My teen should receive Confirmation this year. What should we do?
12) Do you have resources for us to use at home?
13) We have questions or concerns about this. What should we do?
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1) Where does the discussion of bearing fruit come from?
The bible has a lot to say about the need for Christians to bear fruit. Nowhere is this more apparent than in chapter 15 of the Gospel of John. It is in this passage that Jesus tells his apostles that he is the vine and they are the branches. He describes God the Father as the vine dresser who cuts off the branches that don’t bear fruit and prunes the ones that do, so that they will bear more fruit (Jn 15:1-2). Then he says, “anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned” (Jn 15: 6). He goes on to assure his apostles that if they remain with him, he will help them (15:7) and that he loves them. Jesus says that “by this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples” (15:8). Finally, he tells them that he chose them “and appointed [them] to bear fruit that will remain” (15:16).
Other passages in the New Testament echo this imperative to bear fruit. We are warned that Christians who do not bear fruit are false Christians and will not enter the Kingdom of God (Mt 7:17-20). In another biblical narrative, Jesus curses a fig tree because it is not bearing fruit (Mk 11:12-25). In a similar parable, he states that a tree that is not bearing fruit should be cut down (Luke 13:6-9).
The same standards should be applied to our ministries both at the parish and in our lives. As Jesus says, if a tree is not bearing fruit, “why should it exhaust the soil?” (Lk 13:7) Instead, we should focus on pouring our time and energy into ministries that are effective and led by the Holy Spirit.
How do we know if we are bearing fruit in our lives or in our parish ministries? The bible has a lot to say on this matter too. Scripture says that Christians who bear good fruit will do good works and have a deep knowledge of God (Col 1:10). They will receive the things they ask God for (Jn 15:16). Galatians says that the fruits of the Holy Spirit are “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness and faithfulness” (Gal 5:22). And John the Baptist instructs us that in order to bear fruit, we must repent and receive the power of the Holy Spirit (Mt 3: 8-12). Likewise, ministries which bear fruit will always bring people to conversion in Jesus Christ and empower them with the Holy Spirit. Good works, answered prayers, deliverance, peace, joy, knowledge, and many other fruits will follow.
2) What would it look like to have a children’s ministry that bears good fruit?
Please contact Shannon Ausloos at mbssausloos@gmail.com or (920) 231-9782 to make an appointment. She would love to hear from you.