The Many Faces of God

AN INTERFAITH ENCOUNTER FOR YOUTH AND ADULTS

This is an introduction to various world religions compared with the theologies of the Christian faith. Participants have the chance to go deeply into some important Christian theological issues while they learn the basics about some of our interfaith neighbors.

• Explore the difference between exclusivist and inclusivist theologies and how those theologies are lived today in modern Christian congregations.
• Look at the Nicene Creed as the historic faith statement of Christianity.
• Identify the issues that arise in interfaith dialogue.
• Learn the practices of interfaith dialogue.

PROGRAM
The resource includes a Leader's Guide outlining the six sessions and lecture notes for each session for clergy or lay leaders. A Participant Guide presents a summary of the theologies of the religions and a basic introduction to important Christian resources such as the Nicene Creed and the doctrine of the Trinity. The participant guide is accessible for non-theologically trained lay people and includes questions for discussion and journaling.

WEBSITES
The resource also includes a list of web sites for many world religions. Participants can visit them in preparation for site visits to places of worship in the various religious traditions in their geographical area.

REAL OR VIRTUAL SITE VISITS
Foundational to the course are site visits with time for dialogue and question/answer sessions with people who practice a variety of different world religions. The course materials provide information for leaders to help them arrange such site visits in their local area. A DVD series is recommended for those who can not arrange site visits.

POWERPOINT PRESENTATIONS
A PowerPoint presentation is also available for each class session, designed for youth groups or middle/high school age classes. This material is also adaptable for use in the sessions with adult learners. The course can also be taught to a mixed generational group of teens and adults.

WHEN TO USE
This resource is particularly effective in ecumenical Christian settings. Local ecumenical groups will find this an excellent course for joint Lenten or Advent programs involving a variety of Christian denominations in a given town or region. It is also useful as an ecumenical youth ministry program. 

Includes Leader's Guide and handouts.

This resource is a downloadable file; after checking out, go to MY ACCOUNT to download your files. Your license grants the purchasing church (or organization) to make as many copies as needed to implement the program in your church. A PDF file is provided for printing and a WORD document file is provided for you to customize the resource.