Unit 1

How to read scripture passages?

• The Catholic Book is a collection of 73 Books

• Each book is divided into Chapters

• Each chapter is divided into verses

Genesis 1:31

Scriptural Terms:

1. Christ - meaning “anointed one”

2. Resurrection - The rising of Jesus from the dead after his death on Good Friday

3. Ascension - a new life after death

4. Apostle - “one sent out” one who is  to complete the task or acts in the place of the slender

5. Disciple - meaning “student”. Any student or follower of a particular teacher (specifically Jesus)

6. Covenant - a binding agreement or promise made by 2 or more individuals

7. BC - (Before Christ) traditionally used to designate the historical time period before the birth of Jesus

8. BCE - (Before the Common Era) A new politically correct term now being used to represent the time period before Jesus’ birth

9. AD - (Anno Domini, Latin for year of the Lord) traditionally used to designate the historical time period after the birth of Jesus

10. CE - (Common Era) A new politically correct term now being used to represent the time period after Jesus’ birth.

Introduction to the Bible:

“The Books”

• The word Bible means “the books”

• Written by different people who were guided by God’s Holy Spirit. 

• The Bible is a small library of books in one.

The Old Testament

• Also known as Hebrew Scriptures

• There are 46 books in the Old Testament 

• Old Testament shows God’s love for us

• Basis of Jewish religion

• All of the apostles also followed these books 

• Western civilization has long thought and talked about God, as well as ethics, justice, and the nature of the world

The Pentateuch

• Pentateuch is Greek for “five scrolls.”

• It includes the first five books of the Old Testament: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. 

• The Pentateuch represents the most important section of biblical narrative. It explains the origins of the human race and the rise of the Israelites

Old Testament Prophetic Books

The second category of Old Testament books is the Prophetic Books. These books can be divided into two sections. 

1. Former Prophets (Historical Books)

Books: Joshua, Judges, 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings

Content: Continue the story from Moses' death to the fall of Jerusalem.

2. Latter Prophets

Books: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Twelve Minor Prophets (15 Books)

Content: Sayings and oracles about Israel's downfall and salvation from exile. Written before or during the exile.

New Testament

• Also known as Christian Scriptures

• There are 27 books in this second section of the bible

• New Testament shows Jesus’ love for us

• Covers several decades and tells the story of the early followers of Jesus, the early church, religious teachings and beliefs of Christianity

• Includes 4 Gospels, letters of Paul and the Acts of the Apostles, Revelation 

• Also included in the New Testament are seven letters, known as the Letters to all Christians.

• Finally, the Book of Revelation, written in the closing years of the first century, is an extended vision predicting the events of the end of the world and the second coming of Jesus.

The Gospels

• Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John 

• “Gospel” means “good news” 

• The “good news” is the life, teachings, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth

Letters from Paul

• Paul was an early church leader and an energetic missionary who spread the Gospel of Jesus across the Roman Empire

• Paul preached to Gentiles as well as to Jews. He wrote many letters to various Christian communities

Three Stages of Biblical Development

1. The people of Israel experienced God in their life

2. Understanding of their relationship with God developed

3. Stories about the relationship were told and passed on

Three Types of Histories Found in the Bible

1. Oral History - stories told

2. Written History - stories written

3. Edited History - Best stories saved, refined and passed on by the Church 

Christians believe..

• The Bible is the inspired word of God written by people.

• He thus gives assurance that their writings are inerrant (teach us God’s saving truth without error). 

• The Bible is God’s special revelation to all humankind. 

• The Bible is one of the many ways that God speaks to us.

Truth in Scripture:

What is the Bible saying to us?

• Special way for God to communicate with us

• The authors of the Bible were writing how they experienced God in their lives

• If the Bible is read with sincerity, then it becomes God’s special revelation to us.

• The Bible can be interpreted in many ways

• The Bible can be experienced differently for different people

What is interpretation?

1. Literalist Approach 

• Reading the Bible word for word

• Every sentence is taken to mean exactly what it says, no ifs and buts

• Literalists who studied text (textualists) believe the Holy Spirit prompted human authors to write down exactly what God wanted, with no additions or subtractions

2. Contextualist Approach

• The words we read are put into context

• Sometimes we have to “interpret” the passage to understand what the author was saying

10 Literary Forms in the Bible:

1. Myth - a traditional story focusing on the deeds of gods or heroes, often in explanation of some mysteries of life or ways of particular culture

2. List - a series of names, events, or words, usual in a set order

3. Prophecy - a prediction made under divine influence and direction to tell of future events or to warn people about the consequences of their actions

4. Law - rules telling us how to behave

5. Sermon - a speech of serious or solemn kind of pronouncement

6. History - a record or account usually written in chronological order or past events

7. Letter - a written message, usually of a personal nature or concerning a specific subject

8. Proverb - a book in the Bible that contains truths or words of wisdom

9. Parables - a story which serves to teach a lesson or provide insights into human nature

10.  Psalm - a collection of poetry attributed to King David, usually meant to be in the form of a song

Truths in the Bible:

1. Scientific Truths - observation regarding the world we live in scientifically

2. Historical Truths - records and stories of past events

3. Moral Truths - lessons and rules about good behavior

4. Proverbial Truths - short sayings of common sense wisdom

5. Symbolic Truths - Poetic language used to emphasize a lesson

6. Religious truths - belief and faith in god’s actions in our life

PP - Creation

1. Understand all 3 - Creation, De-Creation and Re-Creation

Creation: God’s Plan Unfolds

De-Creation: Sin Enter the World

Re-Creation: Establishing a Covenant with God

2. Know the stories of Book of Genesis 1 and 2

• First Story of Creation: The Creation of the Earth

       Four Truths from Creation Story #1

• There is only One God who created everything.

• God planned everything in an orderly manner.

• Everything God created is good. He was pleased with what He saw.

• The Sabbath (Sunday) is Holy day. God set it aside and rested.

• Second Story of Creation: The Creation of Sin

• To provide a closer look at the creation of human beings and to stress the intensely personal and intimate relationship between God and human beings.

• God made the earth and the heavens but there was nothing else.

• God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils to give him life.

• He created the Garden of Eden to provide everything that man would need.

• Man was expected to look after garden and follow one instruction: NOT TO EAT FROM THE - TREE OF KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD AND EVIL

• God created the animals and man named them all.

• God made a partner for man so he would not be alone.

• He took a rib from Adam and created women to be his partner so that two may become one.

3. Day by Day Creation Story

Day 1: Separate light and darkness

Day 2: Separate water (above) from water (below)

Day 3: Separate  water from land/earth

Day 4: Populate the sky with sun, moon, stars (greater and lesser light)

Day 5: Populate the air and sea with birds, and fish

Day 6: Populate the land with animals and humans

Day 7: Celebrate, bless and rest

4. Adam and Eve

• First man and woman

• Disobeyed God by eating the forbidden fruit

• Creation of Sin

5. Sin

• Humans create sin, not God. We have been made good, in the image of God. Free will is a gift that is good and must be used properly.

• The origin of evil is not simultaneous with the origin of the goodness of creation. At its essence, creation is good and evil enters into a good world through the choice of humans.

• Humans being (the woman and man) are not the origin of evil; they are tempted to evil.

• Sin leads us to feel shameful and become blameful. We lose sight of our own accountability and try to hide from the truth; this is where guilt comes in.

• Sin alienates us from: God, each other, society and the earth.

• The biblical figures of Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Noah and the people of Babylon represent us. We must all recognize temptation and look to God for guidance.

• No matter what we do, God will always look after us. God will protect and guide us and, when we are ready to accept our action and rectify them, God will forgive us.

Four Categories of Sin/De-Creation

1. Person vs God - when individuals knowingly and willingly do something that hurts their relationship with God

2. Person vs. Self - when individuals knowingly and willingly do something that hurts their relationship with themselves

3. Person vs. Others - when individuals knowingly and willingly do something that hurts their relationship with other people

4. Person vs. Nature - when individuals knowing and willingly do something that hurts their relationship with nature

         f) Tree of Knowledge

• One of the two specific trees in the story of the Garden of Eden

• “Thought to symbolize the fact that God is the sole source of moral knowledge in the Garden and the world”

• “Humans could either learn righteousness from God through patient obedience, or they could experience slavery to sin by eating the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge.”

g) Covenants - Abraham, Moses, and Noah

5 MAJOR CONVENTS: NOAH, ABRAHAM, MOSES, DAVID, COVENANT OF CHRIST:

These stories recount how God calls us to follow Him and have faith

Abraham:

• Abraham is called to leave his country and relatives and listen to God’s instructions.

• God makes a holy agreement, a covenant, with Abraham. This covenant is based on love and trust.

• God promises Abraham:

• Many descendants (Abraham means “Father of many”)

• A country for his people (Canaan)

• Abraham promise God:

• To always obey God, even when tested.

• To bear a special mark of the covenant (circumcision).

• Through this covenant, God reveals Himself to Abraham.

Moses:

• Moses was born in Egypt during a time when Pharaoh was killing all first-born Israelite boys. To save him, his mother placed him in a basket in the river. He was found by Pharaoh’s daughter and raised as an Egyption prince.

• When he learned who he was as an adult, he became distressed with the treatment of the Israelite slaves. Seeing one tortured, Moses killed an Egyptian soldier and was forced to flee from Egypt.

• He found a home in Midian, was married and lived as a shepherd for many years.

• Moses heard God calling him through a “burning bush” and returned to Egypt to free the Israelites.

•    first, Pharaoh resisted, but after many plagues and the death of his son, he agreed. The Israelites took their belongings and left.

• They crossed the Red Sea and were left wandering in the desert. Moses went to the top of Mount Sinai where he received the Ten Commandments.

Noah:

• Preservation of Life: To ensure the continuation and flourishing of life on Earth by promising never to destroy all life with a flood again.

• Divine Assurance: To provide reassurance to humanity and all living creatures of God's commitment to the stability and order of the world.

• Moral Foundation: To establish a basic moral framework, emphasizing the sanctity of life and justice.

• Universal Scope: To demonstrate that God's care and covenant extend to all of creation, not just a specific group of people.

• Symbol of Hope: To offer a visible sign (the rainbow) as a perpetual reminder of God's promise and faithfulness to all generations.

Unit 2

The Story of Moses - PP - Oppression, Hope, and Delivery

The Ten Commandments:

• The first 4 commandments discuss our relationship with God.

• The last 6 commandments discuss our relationships with others.

• These laws are based in love and have 3 purposes:

• Laws protect us 

• Laws guide us 

• Laws unite us 

Ten Commandments:

1. I am the Lord your God; you shall have no God before me.

2. You shall not make for yourself an idol; you shall not bow down to them or worship them.

3. You shall not use the Lord’s name in vain.

4. Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy.

5. Honor your father and your mother.

6. You shall not murder.

7. You shall not commit adultery

8. You shall not steal

9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour (Do not conspire, spread lies, be unjust, or deceive your neighbour)

10. You shall not covet (have a desire for or be envious of) your neighbour’s house, wife, or anything that belongs to your neighbour.

The Beatitudes:

What are they?

• The word “Beatitude” means blessing

• The Beatitudes are eight statements taught by Jesus

• They are concerned with good values and how a believer in Jesus Christ can achieve these values and what happens when you achieve these values

• The Beatitudes are a map of life, a series of directives helping us on our journey to be with God

Commandments vs. Beatitudes

• The 10 Commandments are the BIG DON’Ts you should not do and are very black and white - they are laws that if broken, there will be a punishment such as hell.

• The Beatitudes on the other hand, are statements that are much more inspirational and give us incentive to do good & be good.

• The Beatitudes are the core religious values of our faith.

Where can they be found?

• Matthew 5: 1-12 

• Luke 6: 20-23 

(Both are Gospels from the New Testament)

What does it mean to be blessed?

• Each Beatitude begins with “Blessed are…”

• Why? Because in literature, repetition emphasizes the importance and seriousness

• “Blessed are..” in sacred scripture indicates that a person will experience something heavenly & spiritually important rather than your “everyday” earthly happiness!

The List

1. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

• Happy are those who know they need God, because they will be part of God's kingdom.

2. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

• Happy are those who are sad, because God will comfort them.

3. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

• Happy are those who are gentle and humble, because they will have the earth as their inheritance.

4. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

• Happy are those who want to do what's right, because God will satisfy them.

5. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

• Happy are those who are kind and forgiving, because they will receive kindness and forgiveness from God.

6. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

• Happy are those who are pure in heart, because they will see God.

7. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

• Happy are those who work to make peace, because they will be called God's children.

8. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

• Happy are those who face hardship for doing what's right, because they will be part of God's kingdom (heaven)

3 Social Catholic Teachings:

1. Stewardship of the Earth

• Showing respect for God involves taking care of the earth as the Creator’s work.

• We are called to protect and respect both people and the planet due to ongoing global environmental issues

• We have a duty to ensure God's creations are preserved for future generations.

2. Human Dignity

• All humans are created in the image and likeness of God, making human life sacred and valuable

• Every person deserves respect and dignity, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, disability, poverty, age, or race

• Following Matthew 7:12, we should treat others as we would like to be treated. We are called to treat everyone with dignity from the moment of conception

3. Preferential Option for the Poor

• The measure of a society's morality is how it treats its most vulnerable members

•  In a society with growing inequality, Catholic tradition emphasizes prioritizing the needs of the poor and vulnerable, referencing the story of the Last Judgment in Matthew 25:31

• Vulnerable people include widows, the unborn, persons with disabilities, the ill, the homeless, and the elderly.

The Parable of Mustard Seed -

•  Jesus uses the mustard seed parable to illustrate how something small, like a mission or group of people, can grow into something significant and impactful

• We are called to take small actions towards addressing environmental issues, and collectively, our efforts will help preserve and uphold God's creation

The Good Samaritan - 

• A man was beaten, robbed, stripped, and left for dead. A priest and Levite passed by and when they saw the man, they crossed to the other side of the road. However, a Samaritan passed by and helped the man. He cleaned his wounds and took him to an Inn for further care.

• Treat others the way you wish to be treated. Love thy neighbor as you love yourself.

The Judgement of Nations - 

• At the end of times, Jesus will judge people based on whether they have shared food, drink, clothing, company, and love with those in need. Those who serve others and, in turn, serve Christ, will be welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven

• Those who do not serve others and, therefore, do not serve Christ will face eternal separation from God, joining the devil and his angels. Jesus calls us to love and care for one another

Unit 3&4

Developing Our Conscience and Decision Making Model:

Con —> means “with”

Science —> means knowledge

To act with knowledge

Role of our Conscience:

• Helps us see how our decisions affect our relationships (love of God, self and others). 

• Tells us how to do good and avoid evil in decisions we make every day.

• Our conscience is the voice of God within us guiding us towards truth and God’s plan.

• We need learning and practice to form and develop our conscience.

Developing our Conscience:

4 things that help develop our conscience.

1. Scripture - Learn from Jesus' actions in scripture and the early church's interpretations to develop guidelines for moral dilemmas in our lives.

2. The Tradition of the Church - 

• Church tradition encompasses teachings upheld throughout history, transcending cultural boundaries.

• It includes learning from the witness of people of faith who have lived holy lives, informing our conscience through their stories and experiences.

3. Magisterium

• The Pope and bishops interpret scripture and tradition, guiding us through the teachings of the Church.

• God speaks to us through the magisterium's expression of Church teachings.

• Following the Church's moral teachings leads to greater love and Christ-likeness.

• The Catechism of the Catholic Church informs our conscience when we're unsure of Church teachings.

• Disagreement with teachings prompts us to keep an open mind, seeking understanding for greater love of God and neighbor.

• Humility entails recognizing our limitations and the value of the Church's vast knowledge and wisdom in challenging and expanding our thinking.

4. Prayer -

• Prayer is essential for developing humility, moving us beyond ourselves and fostering a connection with God.

• Our conscience, our innermost space with God, enables us to discern His voice and guidance.

• In challenging decisions, prayer comforts and empowers us to choose the good and avoid evil, aligning with scripture and tradition.

See, Judge, Act, and Evaluate:

See —> Judge —> Act —> Evaluate

Virtues:

Definition: A virtue is an inherent quality of mind, behavior and character to do good. It allows us to not only perform good acts, but also to give the best of ourselves.

Building virtue requires practice so that it becomes habitual i.e., sporting muscle memory and spiritual muscle memory

The Three Theological Virtues

These virtues are the foundation of our relationship with God, and of course, Christian moral activity.

1. Faith (Fidelity to God) is the good habit of believing in God and all He has said and revealed to us. This belief involves trust and produces action. We are called to bear witness to our faith, spread it, and respond when what we believe is being challenged.

2.  Hope is the good habit of placing trust in Christ’s promises of eternal happiness in the Kingdom of Heaven

3.  Love (the cornerstone of all virtues) is the good habit of seeking out the good of another person despite difficulties. It is sacrificial. It should be the motivating power and ultimate guide of our moral actions. We are called to love God above all things and love our neighbor as God loves us.

The Four Cardinal Virtues

We acquire these virtues through our own efforts. They aid us in developing theological virtues.

1. Prudence (wise judgment): the ability to figure out what is right in a practical situation and to act on it.

2. Justice: striving to ensure the well-being of others as well as ourselves.

3.  Fortitude (courage): the ability to do what is right or good in the face of harm or the threat of injury, whether psychological or physical.

4. Temperance (wholeness): Temperance means balancing all the parts of the self to create a dynamic and harmonious order.

Jesus also demonstrated many other virtues such as honesty, respect for life, compassion, patience, and forgiveness

What does the Bible say about service?

• Throughout the New Testament Jesus served people.​

• It is our vocation to serve others just as Jesus did.​

• The Judgement of Nations

• In short, Jesus says if you serve others, you are serving him.

What does Vocation mean?

• A call from God to follow Jesus in loving God and loving our neighbor as ourselves

• A call to accept our gifts from God and to use them to spread the good word

Five Forms of Prayer

1. Blessing and Adoration - We acknowledge our dependence on God

• Holds to the highest regard (exalts) the greatness of the Lord who made us all (Catechism)

2. Petition - We ask God for physical and spiritual goods

• As we pray this prayer, we give our wants and desires over to God, and ask that God’s will be done

3. Intercession - We make requests on behalf of other people

• Intercessory prayer is the act of one person praying for or on behalf of another person or situation that requires blessing and healing (ex. the sick, our enemies, countries in need of help etc.)

4. Thanksgiving - We simply thank God for everything he does for us

• "Give thanks in all circumstances"   (1 Thess 5:18).

5. Praise - We express our love for God

• Prayer of praise gives God glory simply because of who HE IS (not what he does)

The Seven Sacraments:

What are Sacraments?

• The sacraments are signs of Jesus present in our life

• They are a means for receiving God’s grace which we need to live lives of holiness and goodness

• The Church celebrates seven sacraments

• The Eucharist is the core of our faith and of all the other sacraments

• The Eucharist celebrates God’s loving covenant with all people through Jesus.

Types of Sacraments

Sacraments of Initiation - These sacraments lay the foundation of every Christian life

1. Baptism - born intro Christian life

2. Confirmation - faith is strengthened and re-confirmed

3. Eucharist - food of ‘eternal life’

Sacraments of Healing – These sacraments celebrate the healing power of Jesus

4. Reconciliation/Penance

5. Anointing of the Sick

Sacraments at the Service of Communion – These sacraments help members serve the community through their vocation 

6. Holy Orders

7. Matrimony

1. Baptism

In Baptism we receive new life in Christ. Baptism takes away the ‘stain’ of original sin by going through the ‘burial of water’ and then being resurrected to the ‘newness of life’. 

Type: Sacrament of Initiation

Sign: Pouring of Water (to cleanse)

Symbols:

• White clothing (purity or innocence)

• Sign of the cross (child of God)

• Candle (commitment to aiding in finding the ‘light’ of Christ as parents and godparents)

2. Confirmation

Confirmation seals and re-affirms our life of faith in Jesus, on our own terms. Like Baptism, Confirmation is received only once. The sacrament strengthens the gift of the Holy Spirit (feeling of faith and Christ). 

Type: Sacrament of Initiation

Signs:

• Laying on of the hands on a person’s head (usually by the Bishop - touch says we are ‘chosen’)

• Anointing with oil (marked and sent out)

Symbols: 

• Oil (strength and holiness)

• Touch (calling upon the Holy Spirit)

• Candle (Fire of the Holy Spirit) 

3. Eucharist

The Eucharist nourishes our life of faith in Jesus. Commemorates Last Supper before his sacrifice for humanity’s sins.

Type: Sacrament of Initiation

Sign: Receiving bread and Wine (body and blood of Christ)

Symbol: Bread and Wine (God gives us the earth, the earth gives us wheat/grapes, we make something with our hands, our gift is offered back to God and transformed into HIM…so we eat His Body and become more like Him…we are what we eat! We give THANKS for this reality)

TRANSUBSTANTIATION - (Mark 14:22-25) Catholics believe that the bread and wine are miraculously transformed into the REAL presence of Jesus Christ during the Mass.

4. Reconciliation/Penance

Through Penance we receive God’s forgiveness. Forgiveness requires being sorry for our sins. In Penance we receive Jesus’ healing grace through absolution by the priest.

Type: Sacrament of Healing

Signs:

• Our words of confession (The penitent)

• Words of absolution (priest)

Symbol: Raised hand (calling upon the Holy Spirit)

5. Anointing of the Sick

This sacrament unites a sick person’s suffering with that of Jesus and brings forgiveness of sins. 

Type: Sacrament of healing

Signs:

• Oil (anointing the body because it is sacred and has dignity)

• Laying on of the hands (touch marks our humanness and the blessing of God on us)

Symbol: Oil (strength)

6. Matrimony

 When a baptized man and woman are united with each other as a sign of the unity between Jesus and his Church. Matrimony requires the consent of the couple, as expressed in the marriage promises.

Type: Sacrament at the Service of Communion

Signs:

• The couple exchange rings

• The couple gives consent

Symbols:

• Rings (a circle of wholeness and unending love)

• Embrace (two become one)

7. Holy Orders

In Holy Orders men are ordained as priests, deacons, or bishops. Priests serve as spiritual leaders of their communities, and deacons serve to remind us of our baptismal call to help others. Bishops carry on the teachings of the apostles.

Type: Sacrament at the Service of Communion

Signs:

• Laying of the hands (blessing)

• Oil (anointed, chosen and ‘sent out’ to minister to others)

Symbols:

• Oil (strength)

• Touch (calling upon the Holy Spirit)

Five Kinds of Love:

1. Companionship

• A love based on companionship and a sharing of common issues but without tied emotional closeness

• The Greek Name: “Hetaireia”

2. Friendship

• The warm and tender affection shared between friends

• It is mutual and supportive

• We don’t leave our friends in time of need

• There are emotional ties

• The Greek Name: “Philia”

3. Family Love

• Love parents have for children and children for parents

• Also shared between siblings and some extended family like grandparents

• Very deep emotional attachments

• Unearned love

• Greek Name: “Storage”

4. Sexual Love

• Passionate, Pleasurable, Spontaneous, Instinctive

• Mutual attraction

• Does not necessarily involve physical intimacy

• Greek Name: “Eros”

5. Charity

• Involves sacrifice

• We wish others well even when they do nothing in return

• Unconditional

• We don’t have to like or know this person

• Highest form of love - we can even love our enemies

• Greek name: “Agape”

Unit 5

Handout - Historical Data on Jesus

• The name Jesus means “YHWH saves”.

• Jesus was born in around 6 and 4 BC in Bethlehem and grew up in the small village of Nazareth.

• Jesus is also referred to as the son of Mary, son of Joseph and Jesus the carpenter’s son. (Also, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.)

• Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover.

• Jesus began his ministry at age 30.  His message was about how the kingdom of God was at hand (to soon repent). To help him spread this message he had the assistance of the disciples as well as the twelve apostles, the vanguard.

• Jesus is identified as having a fully human nature and a fully divine nature.

• In order to help the general population understand his unique message, Jesus used a literary device known as quotations.

• Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection is known as the Passover.

• Jesus was condemned to death by the Romans in AD 30.

• Shortly afterward the disciples claimed that they had “seen the Lord Jesus”.

• During the Pentecost, the disciples were transformed by the Holy Spirit.

Chastity and Healthy Relationships

What is Chastity?

• A call to a stronger, truer form of love

• Chastity is being in control of our physical and emotional sexual urges.

• Chastity is the process of self-mastery and self-control so that we may be truly free; free of hurt, hate and anything that could physically harm our bodies.

Intimacy & Sexuality:

• The Catholic Church teachers that in order for sexual intercourse to be love-giving and life-giving, two things must be present:

• Must be Married

• Must be open to procreation

Therefore, the church calls us to remain chaste

Why does the Church say this?

• The Church views our bodies, our emotions and our sexual selves as a precious gift from God.

• Engaging in sex without a deep and lasting commitment or for the sake of personal pleasure is a perversion. It is a misuse of a precious gift from God.

• According to God’s will, sex is part of nature which is ordered for the good of spouses and the creation of children.

• To engage in sex purely for personal pleasure is to use another human being as an object.  This is a selfish act and is therefore wrong.

Healthy Relationships

• Enables relationships to flourish to their full potential

• Allows couples to have the highest of foundations

• Has true and healthy relationships

What Is Discipleship?

• In the simplest form, discipleship is the “following of any teacher or school of thought.”

• The word “disciple” in the Scriptures has an added meaning – “a learner who endeavors to obey what he has learned.”

The Center of Discipleship

“For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we

die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the

Lord’s.” 

Romans 14:8

“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost

which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For

ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in

your spirit, which are God’s.” 

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

The Goals of Discipleship

1. Loving God with our whole being (Matthew 22:37)

2. Loving our families and neighbours (Matthew 22:39)

3. Being filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18)

4. Being holy and pure (Ephesians 1:4)

5. Bearing spiritual fruit (John 15:16)

6. Hungering and thirsting after God (Matthew 5:6)

7. Being righteous (1 Corinthians 15:34)

8. Being obedient (James 1:25)

9. Being unified with the brethren (1 Corinthians 1:10)

10. Being prepared for spiritual battle (Ephesians 6:10-20)

11. Having the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5-8) 

12. Being wise and understanding (Ephesians 5:17)

13. Being set apart (1 Thessalonians 4:3)

14. Being thankful (1 Thessalonians 5:18) 

15. Walking worthy (Colossians 1:9-12)

16. Being steadfast (Philippians 1:27)

17. Being rooted and built up in Christ (Colossians 2:6-7)

The Outline of Discipleship

1. A disciple puts Christ first place in every area of their life and is taking

steps to separate from sin.

2. A disciple has a daily devotional time and is constantly developing their prayer life.

3. A disciple demonstrates faithfulness and has a desire to learn and apply the Word of God through regular Bible study, Scripture memory, reading and meditation of the Scriptures.

4. A disciple manifests a heart for witnessing, gives out the truth and

presents the Gospel regularly with increasing skill.

5. A disciple attends a local church and maintains close ties with its

fellowship, displaying love and unity.

6. A disciple demonstrates a servant’s heart by a sincere interest in helping others.

7. A disciple is a learner – open and teachable.

8. A disciple is giving regularly and honouring God with their finances.

9. A disciple demonstrates the fruits of the Spirit by an attractive walk and

relationship to Christ and their neighbour.

Terms to Know:

Lent: 40 day season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving (begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Thursday)

Genesis: first book of the Torah / an origin, creation, or beginning

Advent: the period of preparation for the birth of Jesus Christ

Exodus: the departure of the Israelites from Egypt

Pentecost: the celebration of of the descent of the Holy Spirit on the disciples of Jesus after his Ascension: (held on the 7th Sunday after Easter)

Justice: to make right / just behaviour or treatment (fairness, etc)

Fortitude: strength of mind that enables a person to encounter danger with courage

Love: strong affection with personal ties (bonds, relationships, etc.)

Prudence: the quality of being prudent; cautiousness (wisdom)

Temperance: the quality of moderation or self-restraint

Myth: a traditional story, about the early history of people or explaining natural or social phenomenon (supernatural beings or events)

Psalm: a sacred song or hymn used in Christian and Jewish worship

Law: Rules telling us how to behave

Parable: a story which serves a lesson

Proverb:  a book in the Bible that contains truths of words of wisdom