Objectives of the HOUSETOP courses

Our courses aim at deepening one's understanding of Christian faith in an adult way.

This means:

• We give information. We don't preach.
• We respect people's doubts, search, individual pace.
• We realise the importance of people's own experiences.
• We encourage people to think for themselves, to take their own decisions when they are ready for them.
• We make our material through international co-production, and offer it in forms that can easily be adapted to other cultures and pastoral circumstances.

One of the great needs of our time is for Christians to deepen and strengthen their faith. However, this should be a mature faith that is both personal, adult, shared and scriptural. Allow me to explain these four main features.

Personal faith

Christians should not only have sufficient information about matters relating to their faith. They should also have digested that information and related it to their own lives, so that it truly becomes their own. In our secular world, faith will not endure unless it is supported by a 'personal conquest of truth'.

Adult faith

Deepening of faith should be adult in the sense that it should involve people's own discernment and reflection. Commitments should be based on personal decisions arrived at after open search and free discussion. An adult study of faith should begin as soon as youngsters start to think for themselves.

Shared faith

The deepening of faith is best achieved in groups. Reflection and discussion in a community setting greatly enhance the effectiveness of learning. The sharing of experiences and the stiumulation by others make participative group learning the ideal ambient for personal growth.

Scriptural faith

Access to the Word of God is an essential part of deepening one's faith. People should be taught how to read Scripture in a correct and relevant manner, so that they can interpret God's Word creatively within their own life and culture.