Teaching Students About Consubstantiation
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As a teacher, one of the most important goals is to help students understand complex theological concepts. One such concept is consubstantiation, which refers to a view held by some Christian denominations regarding the Eucharist or Communion. This idea can be difficult to grasp for both young and older students, but with clear teaching methods, it can be understood.
Consubstantiation is the belief that the bread and wine used in Communion remain unchanged in substance, but that Christ is present in, with, and under the elements. In other words, the bread and wine don’t become the literal body and blood of Christ, but Christ is still present alongside the physical elements. This is distinct from the Catholic view of transubstantiation, which holds that the bread and wine completely turn into the body and blood of Christ.
When teaching about consubstantiation, it’s important to keep in mind the age and background of the students. For younger children, it may be helpful to use visual aids or object lessons, such as showing a picture of a loaf of bread and explaining that it still looks like bread, but we believe Jesus is present with it. For older students, it might be useful to go into more detail about the theological differences between consubstantiation and transubstantiation.
One way to teach about consubstantiation is to use the comparison of a sponge and water. Just as water saturates a sponge, Christ saturates the bread and wine in Communion. Or, one could use the example of a flashlight. The bread and wine are like the casing of the flashlight, which doesn’t change when the light shines from within.
Another helpful way to teach about consubstantiation is through the use of Scripture. For example, in John 6:35, Jesus says, “I am the bread of life.” By understanding this Scripture and others in the context of Communion, students can better understand the concept of consubstantiation.
It’s important to note that teaching about consubstantiation doesn’t necessarily mean you’re advocating for or against it. It’s simply a way to explain a theological concept that some Christians believe in. Encourage students to ask questions and explore their own beliefs about the Communion while you teach.
Overall, teaching about consubstantiation requires patience and thoughtful explanation. With visual aids, object lessons, Scriptural examples, and open dialogue, students can come to a deeper understanding of the theological concept of consubstantiation in the context of Christian Communion.