The Revelation of Jesus Christ in Scripture - Course Notes & Review

Course Focus and Objectives

• First Semester Focus: The revelation of Jesus Christ in Scripture.
• Course Purpose:
  • Provide students with a general knowledge and appreciation of Sacred Scripture.
  • Encounter the living Word of God, Jesus Christ, through Bible study.
  • Learn about the Bible as authored by God through divine inspiration and understand its global value.
  • Learn how to read the Bible properly and gain familiarity with its major sections and specific books.
  • Pay particular attention to the Gospels to grow in personal love for Jesus Christ.
• Assessment Format: The introductory assessment consists of approximately $40$ questions covering the syllabus, notes, and study guide.

General Course Outline

• Part One:
  • A. Knowing God: Natural revelation, reason, and faith.
  • B. Divine Revelation: Divine revelation and supernatural faith.
  • C. The Church: Revelation through Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture.
  • D. Sacred Scripture: The inspired Word of God.
• Part Two:
  • A. The Old Testament: God reveals Himself to His people.
  • B. Jesus Christ: The fullness of Divine Revelation.
  • C. The Church Transmits God's Revelation.

Required Course Materials

• Spiral Notebook: Designated for note-taking using pen or pencil.
• Composition Notebook: Dedicated exclusively to theme writing.
• Folder: Used for storing handouts and worksheets.
• iPad: Required for accessing Google Classroom.

Grading System and Academic Policies

• Grading Structure: Grades are calculated using a weighted system rather than a total point system. Overall performance is determined by three main categories:
  • Participation: $25\%$ of overall grade.
  • Assignments: $25\%$ of overall grade.
  • Tests: $50\%$ of overall grade.
• Final Exam: Administered at the end of each semester and constitutes $20\%$ of the overall semester grade.
• Participation Grade Details:
  • Every student begins each new quarter with $100$ participation points.
  • Points are finalized and submitted at the end of each quarter.
  • Deductions occur when a student fails to participate. Causes for point deduction include:
    • Not taking notes during lectures.
    • Failing to work on in-class assignments.
    • Being unprepared for class.
    • Refusing to contribute to class discussions.
    • Slacking during group work.
    • Distracting other students.
  • Absent students still earn their participation points provided they make up the day's work.
• Assignment Guidelines:
  • Includes in-class work, homework, reading and writing exercises, essays, solo projects, and group projects.
  • Assignments and due dates are announced in class and posted on Google Classroom.
  • Students must independently track due dates and submit work on time.
• Test and Retake Policies:
  • Tests occur at the conclusion of each chapter. With $7$ chapters in the course, there are $7$ tests.
  • An optional test retake is offered after every test to allow students to achieve a higher grade.
• Absence and Late Work Policies:
  • Late assignments submitted after the due date are penalized.
  • Absent students must check Google Classroom to identify missed material.
  • Students receive $1$ day for every $1$ day absent to complete missed work for full credit.
  • Absent students are required to obtain notes from a fellow student.
• Academic Integrity and Device Rules:
  • Plagiarism: Results in an automatic zero and formal notification.
  • iPads: May only be used when explicitly authorized for classwork. Unauthorized use results in device confiscation for the remainder of the period.
  • Cell Phones: Must be turned off and stored inside a bag or locker at all times.

Classroom Rules and Conduct Guidelines

• Communication:
  • Email the instructor directly regarding appointments or outside scheduling conflict.
• Restroom Policy:
  • Restrooms must be used before the class bell rings.
  • Restroom use during class is restricted strictly to absolute emergencies and must not be abused.
  • No restroom breaks are permitted during tests.
• General Rules:
  • Show respect to the teacher and fellow students.
  • Raise your hand before asking questions or speaking.
  • No food or drinks permitted in class.
  • No sleeping or putting your head down on desks under any circumstances.
  • Avoid tardiness: $3$ tardies result in a detention.
  • Remain seated in desks until the dismissal bell rings; standing before the bell is prohibited.
  • Arrive to class fully prepared with all required materials and a positive attitude.

Mission and Vision Statements

• Mission Statement: Dedicated to excellence in education while making disciples of Jesus Christ in a safe and welcoming environment.
• Vision Statement: Aspires to be a school where Jesus Christ is at the center of all activity. As such, theology classes are of the utmost importance.

Core Theological Definitions and Concepts

• God: The Creator of all things; one supreme being.
• Holy Trinity: Three Persons in one God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; one divine being.
• Jesus Christ: The Son of God, who is fully God and fully man.
• Christian: A follower and believer of Jesus Christ.
• Catholic: A Christian who knows Jesus Christ specifically through the Catholic Church.
• Church Leadership: The Pope and the bishops lead the Church and agree on its divine teachings.
• The Church: All Christians in union with the Pope and bishops, existing both on Earth and in Heaven (the communion of saints).
• Saint: A holy man or woman officially confirmed to be in Heaven.
• Mass: The central act of Catholic worship where believers offer worship, sacrifice, and thanksgiving to God.
• Eucharist: The real Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ present on Earth under the appearance of bread and wine.
• Sacred Scripture: The Holy Bible; an inspired collection of books detailing the story of God and humanity.
• Gospel: Translates directly to "good news"; the good news is Jesus Christ Himself.
• Sin: A failure in genuine love for God and neighbor caused by a perverse attachment to certain material or worldly goods.
• Prayer: Communicating with God to ask for forgiveness, express thanksgiving, and seek help.
• Love: Wanting and doing what is genuinely good for others; fulfilling God's will.
• School Chaplain: Serves the student body, helps students grow closer to God, and celebrates Mass.

The Four Parts of Salvation History

• 1. Creation: God created humanity in the beginning to know and love Him. Original creation was entirely good with no evil.
• 2. Disobedience (Sin): Prompted by temptation from the devil, Adam and Eve disobeyed God, causing sin and death to enter the world.
• 3. Redemption: God the Father sent His Son into the world. Through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, sin and death are overcome, allowing humanity to be reunited with God.
• 4. Biblical Record: This overarching story is contained within the Bible.
  • The Bible is split into two major sections: the Old Testament and the New Testament.
  • The Old Testament is the larger section of the Bible.
  • The life and era of Jesus Christ serve as the dividing marker between the Old and New Testaments.

Principles and Practices of Prayer

• Types of Prayer:
  • Vocal Prayer: Praying using spoken or internal words (e.g., reciting the Our Father).
  • Meditation: Praying actively using the mind and mental reflection.
• Frequency of Prayer:
  • Daily prayer is essential. Recommended times to pray include upon waking up in the morning, before eating meals, and before going to bed.
  • Because Jesus prayed constantly, believers are called to pray as frequently as possible.
  • Nighttime prayer should include reflecting on the day before sleeping.
• First Two Steps in Prayer:
  1. Remember that you are standing in the direct presence of God.
  2. Remember that you are communicating with a real person, not merely reciting empty words.
• The Chapel:
  • Functions as a mini-church.
  • It is considered the most special place to pray because the Eucharist is physically present inside the tabernacle.

Review Questions and Class Discussion

• Question: What is our high school dedicated to standard-wise?
  • Answer: Excellence in education while making disciples of Jesus Christ in a safe and welcoming environment.
• Question: What percentage of your overall grade is participation?
  • Answer: $25\%$
• Question: What are three ways a student can lose participation points?
  • Answer: Not taking notes, being unprepared for class, and talking or distracting others.
• Question: What is the focus of this semester to know Jesus Christ primarily through?
  • Answer: Sacred Scripture.
• Question: Who is the school chaplain and what is his primary role?
  • Answer: He serves the school community, helps students grow closer to God, and celebrates Mass.