Each packet of Friendly Defenders Catholic Flash Cards includes 50 cards covering 12 categories: Tradition, Church, Papacy, Eucharist/Mass, Salvation, Purgatory, Baptism, Mary, Saints, Confession, Statues & Holy Objects, and Holy Orders. The purpose of the cards is to assist children, ages 8 and up, and teenagers to be able to defend their faith with clear and easy explanations against the typical questions about the Catholic faith.
On the front of each card is a number and color code, category and topic, a boy or girl (with a memorable name such as Curious Connie) who offers a challenging a question or statement to Catholics. On the back of each card is another boy or girl (with a name such as Joyful Joey) giving a solid Catholic response. There is also a Bible verse and additional comments at the bottom of the card to explain the answer. Also included are Bible references with related Bible verses. For example, in the Category of "Purgatory" and the topic of "Purpose of . . .", Questioning Quincy states, "Purgatory is not necessary. You're either saved or not saved." Gracious Grace gives the reply on the back. "Purgatory is only for the saved. It's a place or state where those who died in God's friendship are made perfect so they can enter heaven of which St. John writes. . . 'Nothing unclean will enter it' (Rev. 21:27). You can view sample cards at the Friendly Defenders Website.
These cards are unique in that they are not just basic catechism questions, but questions that non-Catholics often have about the Catholic faith and these cards supply young people the tools to effectively reply to those misconceptions. Colorful and contemporary, Friendly Defenders Catholic Flash Cards offer kids a fun way to learn to defend the faith.
Friendly Defenders are now available in transparencies for classroom use. There is also a Spanish version. And you have the option of ordering them with or without a key ring that holds all the flashcards together.
Additional comments: My children have been using Friendly Defenders for years and have enjoyed them very much (and learned a lot in the process). My eight-year-old son in particular, really enjoyed the Friendly Defenders quiz on the website. There are two levels of quizzes and those who score well on them can go on to print out a beautiful "Junior Apologist Award" certificate. While the quizzes were too tough for him at first, he was inspired to more studying (using the Friendly Defenders Cards and the Catholic Bible Quiz Cards (I required him study 20 minutes before each attempt) until he earned his certificates. I thought these quizzes were a great bonus and very motivating for kids who love computers.
- A.V.H. (7-31-04)
love2learn.net
