Christ Our Life Jesus the Way, the Truth, and the Life PARISH EDITION Catechist’s Guide ® GRADE 7 SAMPLE
www.christourlife.com ii 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 VTL 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Imprimatur In accordance with c. 827, permission to publish is granted on October 17, 2022, by Most Reverend Robert G. Casey, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Chicago. Permission to publish is an official declaration of ecclesiastical authority that the material is free from doctrinal and moral error. No legal responsibility is assumed by the grant of this permission. In Conformity The Subcommittee on the Catechism, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, has found the doctrinal content of this manual, copyright 2024, to be in conformity with the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Acknowledgments Scripture texts in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition, copyright © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All Rights Reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner. The English translation of The Order of Penance © 2019 International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation (ICEL); excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 2010 ICEL. All rights reserved. Excerpt from the English translation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church for the United States of America copyright © 1994 United States Catholic Conference, Inc.—Libreria Editrice Vaticana. All rights reserved. The prayers Sign of the Cross/Signum Crucis, Glory Be to the Father/ Gloria Patri, Lord’s Prayer/Pater Noster, Hail Mary/Ave Maria, Act of Contrition, Act of Hope, Act of Faith, Act of Love, Hail Holy Queen (Salve Regina), Angelus, Regina Caeli, and Memorare come from the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. English translation copyright © 2006, Libreria Editrice Vaticana. All rights reserved. Exclusive licensee in the United States is the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The prayers Grace Before Meals, Grace After Meals, Jesus Prayer, Morning Offering, Peace Prayer, Prayer to St. Michael, and Prayer to One’s Guardian Angel come from the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults. Copyright © 2006, U.S. Conference Catholic Bishops. All rights reserved. The Prayer for Generosity comes from Hearts on Fire: Praying with the Jesuits by Michael Harter, S.J. Copyright © 2005, Loyola Press. The prayer Take, Lord, and Receive (Suscipe) is Copyright © 2004 Institute for Jesuit Sources. Loyola Press has made every effort to locate the copyright holders for the cited works used in this publication and to make full acknowledgment for their use. In the case of any omissions, the publisher will be pleased to make suitable acknowledgments in future editions. 978-0-8294-5300-3 Copyright © 2024 Loyola Press All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior permission of the publisher. Manufactured in China Art Credits Cover art: Chiara Fedele i Chiara Fedele. iv(t) Vivian Imbruglia/Iconographer; (b) kookookoo/ iStock/Getty Images. v ajt/iStock/Getty Images. vi Anni Betts. OV-3(t) Davyd Volkov/iStock/Getty Images; (b) FatCamera/ iStock/Getty Images; SDI Productions/E+/Getty Images. OV-8 monkeybusinessimages/iStock/Getty Images. OV-10(t) AzLa/ Shutterstock.com; (b) jhuting/iStock/Getty Images. OV-12 JGI/ Jamie Grill/Tetra images/Getty Images. OV-14 Capelle.r/Moment/ Getty Images. OV-15(t)) Johner Images/Johner RF/Getty Images; (b) Warling Studios. OV-16 Nongkran_ch/iStock/Getty Images. OV-18 mxtama/iStock/Getty Images. OV-21 colematt/iStock/Getty Images. OV-23 Cultura Creative RF/Alamy Stock Photo. OV-30 Anna Khomenko/iStock/Getty Images. OV-33 and2DesignInc/DigitalVision Vectors/Getty Images. OV-36 (left to right, top to bottom) Loyola Press; bubaone/DigitalVision/Getty Images; Loyola Press; Shams Suleymanova/iStock/Getty Images; bortonia/DigitalVision/Getty Images; appleuzr/DigitalVision/Getty Images; bortonia/DigitalVision/ Getty Images; TotemArt/Shutterstock.com; Nadiinko/iStock/Getty Images. OV-37 elenabsl/Shutterstock.com. OV-39 Warling Studios. OV-40 adriaticfoto/Shutterstock.com. OV-41 FatCamera/E+/Getty Images. OV-42 Warling Studios. OV-43(t) Phil Martin Photography; (b) Loyola Press. OV-44 Ariel Skelley/DigitalVision/Getty Images. OV-45 amtitus/DigitalVision/Getty Images. Continued on page T377. SAMPLE
v Jesus Christ the Way T1 Chapter 1 Jesus, the Son of God. . . . . . T2 Chapter 2 Jesus, the Son of Man. . . . . .T12 Chapter 3 Jesus, the Messiah. . . . . . .T22 Chapter 4 Jesus, the Nazarene. . . . . . T32 Chapter 5 Jesus and the Holy Family. . . . T40 Chapter 6 Jesus the Christ . . . . . . . .T48 Chapter 7 Jesus and the First Disciples. . . T56 Chapter 8 Baptism and Confirmation. . . . T66 Chapter 9 Unit 1 Review. . . . . . . . .T76 UNIT 1 Jesus Christ the Truth T85 Chapter 10 Parables: Stories Jesus Told. . . T86 Chapter 11 Miracles and Signs: Jesus the Miracle Worker. . . . T96 Chapter 12 Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick: Jesus the Healer. . .T104 Chapter 13 The Gospel of Life: Jesus the Teacher. . . . . . . T114 Chapter 14 The Beatitudes: Jesus the Light of the World. . . . . . . T124 Chapter 15 Kingdom of Justice and Truth: Jesus, King of the Universe. . . T132 Chapter 16 Kingdom of Love: Jesus the Sacred Heart. . . . .T140 Chapter 17 Unit 2 Review. . . . . . . . T148 Jesus Christ the Life T157 Chapter 18 Living Faith in Jesus. . . . . .T158 Chapter 19 Opposition to Jesus. . . . . . T168 Chapter 20 The Eucharist. . . . . . . . T176 Chapter 21 Jesus’ Final Hours. . . . . . .T184 Chapter 22 The Victory of Jesus. . . . . .T194 Chapter 23 Alive in the Spirit. . . . . . T204 Chapter 24 Matrimony and Holy Orders. . . T212 Chapter 25 Unit 3 Review. . . . . . . . T222 UNIT 2 UNIT 3 Program Overview . . . . . . . OV-1 Welcome OV-1 Program Overview OV-2 Spiral Curriculum OV-23 Scope and Sequence OV-24 Media at a Glance OV-30 The Catechist’s Handbook . . . OV-31 The Vocation of a Catechist OV-31 The Role of the Catechist OV-32 Knowledge and Skills of a Catechist OV-34 Inclusion: Diverse Learners OV-39 Multicultural Awareness OV-44 Profile of a Seventh Grader OV-45 Contents Digital Resources Easily access the robust digital resources included with Christ Our Life by visiting digitallibrary.loyolapress.com. Contact your administrator for your login credentials. SAMPLE
vi Saints and Feast Days T309 Calendar of Saints and Feast Days T310 Introduction T311 September T312 October T315 November T320 December T324 January T327 February T331 March T334 April T337 May T339 June T341 July T344 August T347 Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . T351 Index..............T367 Scripture Index . . . . . . . . . . T373 Special Seasons and Lessons T231 The Year in Our Church T233 1 Feast of All Saints T234 2 Advent T239 3 Christmas T244 4 Lent T250 5 Holy Week T258 6 Easter T264 7 Pentecost T269 8 Giving Thanks T274 9 Making Sunday Special T278 What Catholics Should Know T281 Contents T281 Prayer and How We Pray T283 Prayers We Pray as Catholics T285 The Rosary T288 Mysteries of the Rosary T290 Stations of the Cross T291 Celebrating and Living Our Catholic Faith T293 Sacraments Chart T296 Living Our Faith T298 Making Good Choices T301 The Bible T303 Showing Our Love for the World T305 Student Book Cover Prayers T307 SAMPLE
UNIT 1 GOAL • Young people will demonstrate a deeper understanding of who Jesus is. • Young people will express their desire to follow Jesus. 1 Jesus, the Son of God Young people explore their own identity. They are reminded of God’s unconditional love for them that calls them to be the best they can be. They consider the impact of Jesus on the world, reviewing the doctrine that Jesus is true God and true man. 2 Jesus, the Son of Man Young people study the basis for our faith in Jesus. They see that Jesus is completely human. They ponder the meaning of true friendship and then are led to realize that Jesus invites us to friendship with him. They are introduced to the reflection notebook as a means of growing in friendship with Christ. 3 Jesus, the Messiah Young people learn how the Gospels came to be written. They study the characteristics of each Gospel and become familiar with the books of Christian Scripture. They recognize the Bible’s importance in coming to know Jesus better. They assemble a Scripture booklet to use for Scripturebased prayer. 4 Jesus the Nazarene Young people study the culture in which Jesus lived. They learn about the land, the political and religious situations, customs, and family life. 5 Jesus and the Holy Family Young people read the Infancy Narratives as proclamations that Jesus is the Son of God who saved us. They review Catholic doctrines about Mary, the Mother of God. They are encouraged to listen to the Word of God and act on it as she did. 6 The Mission of Jesus: Jesus the Christ Young people see Jesus as a prophet, priest, and king who accepted his mission to proclaim and make present the Kingdom of God. They learn how to resist temptation and sin. 7 Jesus and the First Disciples Young people reflect on the impact Jesus had on the first disciples. They meet each of the Twelve Apostles and find out why Mary is the first and best disciple. Young people will reflect on their own call to discipleship. 8 Baptism and Confirmation Young people study the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) and learn that we accept his call to discipleship in the Sacraments of Initiation. They learn of their own call to service. 9 Unit 1 Review Young people review the main concepts of Unit 1. They participate in a celebration that leads them to reflect on what Jesus means to them and to renew their love of him. Jesus Christ the Way Media in This Unit When preparing to teach the unit, determine how you will use the media. Media that enhances each chapter can be accessed by scanning the QR codes found on the student pages. All media resources are available to you through the LP Digital Library (digitallibrary.loyolapress.com). Contact your administrator for your login credentials. T1 SAMPLE
CHAPTER Jesus, the Son of God Listening And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 Reflecting Christians believe that Jesus is the Way to the Father, to eternal happiness. We believe that he is the second Person of the Trinity, the beloved Son who exists in a community of love with the Father and the Holy Spirit. The Church tries to explain the mystery of the Trinity. It teaches that from all eternity, the Father reflects on his perfections. His infinite thoughts are the Word, a Person. This Person, the Son of the Father, is in his likeness. These two perfect Persons respond to each other with a love so powerful that their love becomes the Third Person, the Holy Spirit. The Three Persons of the Trinity are eternal and equal. They were all present at creation, and as the One God, they achieve our salvation in history. Faith Focus Jesus Christ, our Savior, is the Son of God, the second Person of the Trinity. He is true God and true man. Reflecting on the Faith Experience Take a few moments to reflect prayerfully before preparing the lesson. Responding Holy Spirit, enlighten me so that I can help young people see Jesus more clearly. Scripture for Further Reflection John 3:16 God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, Jesus. Acts 2:32–36 God has raised Jesus and has made him Lord and Messiah. Romans 8:28–30 We were chosen by God to be images of his Son and to partake in his glory. The love the Father has for us prompted him to send his Son to become one of us so we could join with them. In loving obedience, the Son became incarnate in Jesus, a man who taught us the meaning of love and saved us from sin and death. Jesus revealed God to us, and he revealed ourselves and our high calling. By his life, suffering, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension, Jesus became our Savior and Lord. Now in his humanity, he is with the Father, while we are able to share in divinity through grace and the power of the Holy Spirit. Once we know who he is, he becomes the alpha and omega, our beginning and end. We walk in his footsteps, doing good. We commit ourselves to living out his life, message, and mission. We live as an Easter people, in a community of faith and love looking forward to resurrection. However, we live Christianity never in certainty, only in hope. Jesus challenges us to decide who he is. This is the most important decision we ever make. Accepting Jesus as God and Savior is a risk that involves our whole life. What role does Jesus play in my life? 1 T2 Unit 1 Jesus Christ the Way SAMPLE
Preparing for the Faith Experience The Redeemer of Man #8 (John Paul II). Jesus is the image of the invisible God. He and the Father are one. Catechesis in Our Time #5 (John Paul II). The goal of catechesis is to develop communion and intimacy with Jesus. Media in This Chapter Determine in advance if you will have young people experience the media during class or at home. This media can be accessed by scanning the QR code with a web-enabled smartphone or tablet. Families in Mission Send home the Families in Mission pages after teaching the chapter so that families can further explore the teaching, grow in faith, and be inspired to go forth as missionary disciples. 4. Young people need assurance that it is all right to be who they are and that they are loved. 5. Faith and science are not in conflict. God is absolute truth, and God has revealed himself through the natural world. The things of the world and the matters of faith derive from the same God. Thus, in our investigation of nature, we learn about God. By studying creation, we come to know the Creator. 6. Send home Reproducible 1a, Family Letter and Reproducible 1b, Family Letter—Unit 1. Reproducible 1a contains a letter to parents concerning the course, Jesus the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Reproducible 1b concerns the study of Unit 1, Jesus Christ the Way. Enriching the Faith Experience Use the activities at the end of the chapter to enrich a lesson or to replace an activity with one that better meets the needs of your class. 7. Consider using Reproducible 1d, Pre-Test/Post-Test at the beginning and end of the year. The pre-test can help in planning your lessons for the year. The post-test can help evaluate what young people have learned. You may want to save the pre-tests to compare with the post-tests. 8. Centering #3 is an option for using Reproducible 1c to present young people with their books as part of a prayer service. This will take approximately 20 minutes. If you use this option, prepare for the prayer service ahead of time and adjust the schedule appropriately. 9. Consider preparing three young people in advance to participate in Sharing #13. Scripture in This Chapter Luke 6:40 Disciples are called to be like Jesus. Colossians 1:15 Image of the Invisible God Mark 16:15 Proclaim the Gospel to every creature. Catholic Social Teaching Care for God’s Creation Church Documents Catechism of the Catholic Church. The themes in this chapter correspond to the following paragraphs: 337–339, 464–469. Directory for Catechesis #244. Through the mediation of the Church, we can discover the personal love of God the Father and the companionship of Jesus Christ. Before You Begin 1. Device with internet access, optional 2. Download from the LP Digital Library Reproducible 1a, Family Letter; Reproducible 1b, Family Letter—Unit 1; Reproducible 1c, Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life; Reproducible 1d, Pre-Test/ Post-Test and Reproducible 1f, Chapter 1 Quiz. 3. The doctrines presented in this lesson are the foundation of Christian faith. To clear up any confusion and to instruct those for whom the material is new, teach this lesson thoroughly. Jesus, the Son of God Chapter 1 T3 Inclusion Scan the QR code for Inclusion articles or access them from the LP Digital Library. SAMPLE
Get-Ready Guide Steps Learning Outcomes Young people will be able to Action Plan Materials Centering 5–10 minutes Page 2 • explain that this year’s study is focused on Jesus. • Welcome young people. • Use an icebreaker to identify what young people already know about Jesus. • Present young people with their books. (T5) • OPTION Present young people with their books using Reproducible 1c. • OPTION Direct young people to the multimedia. (T5) • OPTION Administer Reproducible 1d. PAGE 2 • Point out that the Letter Home will be torn out and taken home at the end of class. OPTION Device with internet access. Decorated prayer table with Student Books OPTION Reproducible 1c OPTION Reproducible 1d Sharing 40–50 minutes Pages 3–6 • identify Jesus as Son of God, true God and true Man, and Savior. • discuss how they have value and are worth loving. • discuss who Jesus is for them. • define the Words to Know. eternal life Incarnation See the Glossary for definitions. PAGE 3 • Read and discuss Who Are You? and complete the activity Characteristics of Creation. • OPTION Discuss Psalm 148. (T6) PAGE 4 • Read and discuss Who You Are Called to Be and We Are Jesus’ Disciples. • Read and discuss God’s Word. PAGE 5 • Read and discuss Who Is Jesus? • Explore the meaning of eternal life and Incarnation from the Words to Know feature. • OPTION Direct young people to the multimedia. (T8) • Discuss basic concepts about Jesus. (T8) • Discuss the mysteries of faith. (T8) • OPTION Invite young people to reenact the Trinity. (T8) PAGE 6 • Read and discuss Who Is Jesus for You? • Complete the activity Knowing Jesus. • Read and discuss In the Words of the Saints. OPTION Device with internet access OPTION Three signs: God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit Acting 5–10 minutes Pages 6–8 • participate in a time of prayer. PAGE 6 • Pray A Moment with Jesus. • OPTION Develop a language of mystery. (T9) • OPTION Pray the Angelus. PAGES 7–8 • Send young people home with Reproducible 1a and 1b. • Go over the Review activities. • OPTION Do Reproducible 1f. • OPTION Direct young people to the interactive chapter review. (T10) Reproducible 1a and Reproducible 1b OPTION Reproducible 1f Families IN MISSION Remind young people to take home pages 9–10 to share what they are learning with their families. T4 Unit 1 Jesus Christ the Way SAMPLE
UNIT 1 Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, then you will also know my Father.” John 14:6–7 Jesus Christ the Way 1 A Letter Home At the beginning of the unit, have young people tear out page 2 and bring it home or send the entire Student Book home. Ask young people to read this letter with their parents and use the QR code found on the page to experience and discuss the media before your next class meeting. A Letter Home Dear Parents and Family, Jesus is fully God and fully man. Like all people, Jesus experienced emotions. He grieved and wept over the death of his friend Lazarus. He got angry and lost his temper with the money changers in the Temple. Though subject to human trials and temptations, he did not sin. Jesus showed how to remain close to the Father no matter what happened to him. Here are some ways we can imitate Christ: Jesus had priorities. Jesus did his Father’s will in all things. He taught about the Kingdom of God and turning away from sin and toward the Father. He fulfilled the words of the ancient prophets: God cares about the poor. He taught us to seek first the Kingdom of God, especially in service to those in most need. Jesus listened. Time and again, groups of people challenged Jesus. He listened calmly and completely before replying, even to those no one else would bother listening to—children, sinners, and enemies. We are called to do the same. Jesus prayed. Jesus prayed alone and with others, but he prayed often. The prayer he taught us, the Lord’s Prayer, is a wonderful prayer to guide us through our day. But Jesus also taught us to pray from the depths of our heart—as he did during his time of Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus sought time alone. Jesus often retreated from the crowds and his disciples to be alone. Purpose and patience come from being able to center ourselves, whether it means taking 10 minutes to meditate at the end of our workday or taking a deep breath when our impulse is to rant at someone. In this unit, young people learn about who Jesus is and why he is the way to the Father. They will also learn what it means for them to follow him. Young people will learn the essential chapter content, complete a Your Turn activity, and undertake an interactive chapter review. At the end of each chapter of this unit, young people will bring home the Families in Mission pages so that you can further explore the chapter content, grow in your faith, and be inspired to go forth as a family of missionary disciples. The last chapter of each unit is a unit review. There you will find a QR code to scan to play the Stump the Shepherd unit review game. LOOKING AHEAD Scan the QR code with a web-enabled device to view a video on the life and charism of Saint Mary Magdalene together as a family. You will learn more about this firstcentury saint in the Families in Mission pages for Chapter 4. 2 Unit 1 Christ Our Life® Centering 1. Introduce yourself to young people. Tell them why you are glad to be teaching them. 2. Distribute Student Books to young people. • Display Student Books on a decorated prayer table. • Call young people to the table individually and hand them their Student Book. • Offer each young person the following blessing as you hand them their book: Jesus is the way, the truth, and the light. May you come to know him better. 3. OPTION Distribute Reproducible 1c: Jesus the Way, the Truth, and the Life. • Choose two young people to take the part of readers. • Explain how young people are to come forward to receive their books. • Lead young people in prayer. • Have young people write their names in their books. 4. Invite a volunteer to read aloud Isaiah 9:5 from a Bible. • The prophet Isaiah used these titles to describe the Messiah. In what ways do these titles describe Jesus? (Possible answers: Jesus is the Son of God who brings peace on Earth.) • Share with young people which title means the most to you and why. Invite young people to do the same. 5. Have young people open their books to page 1 and read aloud the Scripture passage at the bottom of page 1. • Invite a volunteer to read aloud the Scripture passage. • In this unit, you will learn more about how Jesus is the perfect revelation of God the Father. Name REPRODUCIBLE Christ Our Life® All Rights Reserved Christ Our Life® Reproducibles w3160 www.christourlife.com GRADE 7 Chapter 1 1c Jesus the Way, the Truth, and the Life Leader: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Father, we thank you for the privilege of sharing this time with you and with one another. Prepare our minds and hearts to accept your Word with joy. is we ask through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. All: Amen. Reader: A reading from the second letter of Paul to Timothy (2 Timothy 3:15–17) From infancy you have known [the] sacred scriptures, which are capable of giving you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that one who belongs to God may be competent, equipped for every good work. (Time for quiet reflection) Leader: Christ is present in his Word of Scripture, and he is present among those called together in his name. Today you receive a copy of the Bible [or a New Testament], the record of the Good News that has changed lives, brought joy and peace, strength and courage, and most of all, love. Today you receive your copy of the religion book for this year about Jesus, our way, our truth, and our life. May all you learn and experience bring you closer to Jesus. (The students come forward to receive their books. Music may be played.) Reader: A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (John 14:6–7) Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” Leader: To the following petitions, please respond “Father, hear us.” at we may learn of you through your Holy Word . . . at we may learn of you through Jesus Christ, your Son . . . at we may learn of you through your Holy Spirit . . . at we may learn of you through the Gospels . . . at we may learn of you through one another . . . at we may meet you in your Word and in the Eucharist . . . at we may meet you in others and every day of our lives . . . Let us pray together the Lord’s Prayer. All: Our Father . . . Leader: ank you, Lord, for coming to us today in the gi of your Holy Word. (Song) All: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. 6. OPTION Direct young people to the QR code at the bottom of page 1. • Explain that you will be inviting them to access the media behind the code, whether it be in class via computer or tablet or at home via smartphone, computer, or tablet. • Explain to young people that A Letter Home will be found at the beginning of each unit. 7. OPTION Administer Reproducible 1d, Pre-Test/Post-Test. Name Score REPRODUCIBLE Christ Our Life® All Rights Reserved Christ Our Life® Reproducibles w3160 www.christourlife.com Page 1 of 3 GRADE 7 Chapter 1 1d Pre-test/Post-test—Jesus the Way, the Truth, and the Life MULTIPLE CHOICE Write the letter of the correct answer on the line. c 1. e Incarnation means that a) God seemed to be human. b) Jesus always existed. c) God the Son became as human as we are. p. 5 c 2. Scripture a) is an oral tradition. b) was dictated word for word by God and recorded by human beings. c) was written by human beings who were inspired by the Holy Spirit. p. 11 b 3. e Gospels are a) Matthew, Mark, James, and Peter. b) Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. c) Mark, Paul, Peter, and John. p. 21 b 4. e part of the Bible that tells about the life of the early Church is a) the Old Testament. b) the Acts of the Apostles. c) the Book of Revelation. p. 22 b 5. Jesus lived in a) Arabia. b) Palestine. c) Phoenicia. p. 27 b 6. During Jesus’ time, his country was controlled by a) Greece. b) Rome. c) Egypt. p. 28 a 7. e southern region of Palestine was called a) Judea. b) Samaria. c) Galilee. p. 27 c 8. e 71 Jewish men who served as a supreme council were the a) Pharisees. b) Sadducees. c) Sanhedrin. p. 28 a 9. e Jewish prayer prayed in the morning and the evening was a) the Shema. b) the Our Father. c) the mezuzah. p. 29 b 10. e greatest Christian feast is a) Christmas. b) Easter. c) Passion (Palm) Sunday. p. 35 c 11. e Infancy Narratives a) provide every detail about Jesus’ childhood. b) are not important parts of the Gospels. c) tell us that Jesus came to save us. p. 35 c 12. Christ means a) “God.” b) “Savior.” c) “anointed one.” p. 43 c 13. Jesus’ mission was a) to condemn sinners. b) to work miracles. c) to proclaim the reign of God. p. 43 a 14. e Trinity was revealed a) at Jesus’ baptism. b) at the Trans guration. c) at Pentecost. p. 45 b 15. e people expected a Messiah who would a) die for them. b) help them overthrow Rome. c) be gentle and peaceful. p. 43 c 16. e rst and best disciple was a) Peter. b) John. c) Mary. p. 56 c 17. Temptations a) are sins. b) were never experienced by Jesus. c) can be overcome by grace and self-control. p. 46 c 18. Most of the Twelve Apostles were a) town leaders. b) rabbis. c) simple shermen. p. 52 Jesus, the Son of God Chapter 1 T5 SAMPLE
CHAPTER 1 Who Are You? Everything in the universe was created by God. People, plants, animals, rocks, the stars in the cosmos, and subatomic particles all have a common Creator. God created everything out of his goodness, and everything reflects God’s goodness in its own unique way, and that includes you! You are one of God’s special gifts to the world. You are unique! You impact the world as no one else ever will. You are a mystery created to communicate God’s love to the world. You have gifts to discover and develop: skills, talents, and qualities. The words you say and the things you do affect those around you. You count! Who you think you are has a lot to do with who you are now and who you will become. That is why it is important to have a true picture of yourself. There is no better time than the present for discovering the mystery and the miracle of you. What makes you human is your soul. You are made in God’s image. He created humans to share in his truth, goodness, and beauty so someday we might share in God’s glory forever. With your intellect, you can make decisions and judgments. With your free will, you can love and sacrifice; each day you can choose God or selfishness. Because you have this freedom, you are responsible for your actions. The whole of the material world has been created for your good. What God has given you is a gift that is to be cared for and used wisely. Jesus, the Son of God The Goodness of Creation Write how each of the following aspects of creation reflects God’s goodness and beauty: 1. Water Possible answers: Water is pure. 2. Fire Fire gives us light. 3. Earth The earth provides us with food. 4. Animals Animals give us something to care for. 5. Human Beings Human beings show love. 3 Jesus, the Son of God Chapter 1 Sharing 1. Have young people read silently the first paragraph of Who Are You? on page 3. • Why do all created things reflect God’s goodness? (God created everything and God is good.) • How can science help us know God better? (We can learn about God by studying what God created.) 2. Have young people complete the activity The Goodness of Creation on page 3. • What are some characteristics that all creation has in common? (Possible answer: We all reflect God’s goodness and beauty.) • Where do you see the goodness and beauty of God in the natural world? (Possible answers: In a sunrise; in a blue sky.) • How do you reflect the goodness and beauty of God? (Possible answer: By living a moral life.) 3. Have young people read the remaining paragraphs on page 3. • What makes us human? (We are created in the image and likeness of God. We have been given a soul.) • What can we do with our intellect and free will? ( We can choose, think, judge, and love.) • Why did God create human beings? (God created us to share in his truth, goodness, and beauty.) • The gifts of intellect and free will help us discover who we are and what God will is. • All of us are different. Look around. Our differences are to be respected and cherished. 4. OPTION Invite a volunteer to read aloud Psalm 148 from a Bible. • This psalm calls all creation to praise God! By caring for the environment we ensure that creation continues to praise God. • Discuss with young people ways they can show care and concern for the environment. God’s Creation 5. Invite a volunteer to read aloud the first paragraph of Who You Are Called to Be on page 4. • What are some things we can control? (We can control our attitudes and reactions.) • We are called to change our attitudes to better reflect Jesus. 6. Invite another volunteer to read aloud the second paragraph of Who You Are Called to Be on page 4. • Direct young people to underline the six basic areas of growth from the second paragraph. Discuss how young people can be growing in each. • Mentally—reaching out for knowledge, reading, observing, asking questions, making mistakes, learning T6 Unit 1 Jesus Christ the Way SAMPLE
Who You Are Called to Be God has made you a member of a particular family. From your parents, you received certain traits. This is called heredity. You did not choose your inherited traits, such as curly hair or your height. You also live in a particular area. It is your environment. You cannot control many things in your physical environment. However, you can control your personal environment—the friends you choose, the movies you see, the books you read, and the TV programs you watch. More importantly, you can control your reactions and attitudes. You can decide to develop good habits or bad habits. You are growing in many ways—mentally, physically, spiritually, emotionally, socially, and culturally. You are responsible for what you do with your life. But Jesus is always with you, supporting you, calling you to be his disciple, and leading you to the Father. The key to knowing yourself and becoming the person God created you to be is to know Jesus. The Son of God came so that you and all people could live the life of happiness with God for which you were made. Jesus shows us that to be fully human is to share in God’s very own life. We Are Jesus’ Disciples Jesus calls us to follow him. Beginning with the first disciples until today, Jesus has revealed the Kingdom of God and teaches us to follow his Father’s will. People have devoted their lives to Jesus because he is the Son of God. Thérèse Martin lived in France in the 1800s. At age 15 she entered a Carmelite convent to lead a life of prayer and sacrifice. Some people believe so strongly in Jesus that they die for him. Thirteen-year-old Lucy lived in the fourth century, during a period when the Roman Empire persecuted Christians for their faith. The Romans killed her when she refused to give up her faith. Maria Goretti was only 12 years old when she attracted the attention of a young man. The young man stabbed her 14 times, yet Maria forgave him before she died. These people gave up their lives because Jesus told them that to be his disciple, they must follow him, wherever it leads. God’s Word No disciple is superior to the teacher; but when fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher. Luke 6:40 4 Unit 1 Jesus Christ the Way • Physically—growing, taking care of your health, exercising, sleeping, balancing your life • Spiritually—seeking God’s will for you, serving others, growing closer to Christ • Emotionally—understanding your feelings, finding healthy ways to express yourself, looking for positive ways to solve problems • Socially—learning to live with others, growing in concern for people, respecting differences • Culturally—appreciating beauty, keeping a sense of wonder, growing in interests 7. Have young people read We Are Jesus’ Disciples on page 4. • What is a disciple? (A disciple is someone who follows Jesus.) • Why do we follow Jesus? (Jesus reveals the Kingdom of God to us. He saves us and and gives us eternal life.) • We must always remember that the saints are not just people to imitate. The saints continue to pray for us and lead us toward Jesus. • Some people like Saint Lucy give up their lives for their beliefs. They are called martyrs. Why do we honor martyrs? (They refuse to give up their faith in Jesus.) • Because we have faith in Jesus, we know that he will save us from death by bringing us into eternal life. The martyrs’ faith assured them that they would share in Jesus’ eternal life. God’s Word 8. Invite a volunteer to read aloud Luke 6:40 from the God’s Word feature on page 4. • What is the goal of discipleship? (The goal of discipleship is to be like Jesus.) • How are you being trained in discipleship? (I am learning about discipleship in religion class, by going to Mass, by serving others, by praying regularly, by obeying my parents.) 9. Have several young people read aloud Who Is Jesus? on page 5. • What does the word Christ mean? (It means “Annointed One.”) • What is the main Christian dogma? (There are Three Persons in one God: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.) • Why did God send us his only Son? (God sent his only Son to give us eternal life.) • Why did God the Son share in our humanity? (God the Son shared in our humanity so that we can share in his divinity.) • To what does the Paschal Mystery refer to? (Jesus’ saving action through his suffering, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension.) • When do we proclaim and celebrate this mystery of our faith? (We proclaim and celebrate the Paschal Mystery at every Eucharist.) Jesus, the Son of God Chapter 1 T7 SAMPLE
Who Is Jesus? A fish symbol offers a clue to the answer to this question. During the persecutions of the first Christians, they used the sign of a fish as a secret means of identification. In Greek, each letter of the word fish (ichthys) begins a word in the phrase “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior.” The Christ Jesus is the Christ, which means the Anointed One and the Messiah, the great leader sent by God. He is the one the prophets foretold and the Jewish people awaited. Jesus, however, was much more than the Israelites expected. Son of God With the help of the Holy Spirit, the followers of Jesus came to realize that Jesus was the Son of God. Jesus had often referred to God as “my Father.” He even called God Abba, a Hebrew word for “Dad.” As Son of God, Jesus was God too. Like the Jewish and Muslim people, Christians believe in the one true God. What makes us different is our belief in the Trinity. This main Catholic dogma (belief) states there are Three Persons in one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These divine Persons are equal and work together. They have always existed together in a community of love, and they always will. At a point in time, God the Father sent his only Son to give us eternal life. His Son, the Second Person of the Trinity, obeyed the Father and became man, Jesus. Jesus then has both a divine nature and a human nature. He is completely God and completely human. Jesus is not only Emmanuel, which means “God with us,” but he is also our brother. The mystery of the Son of God taking on human nature and becoming man to save us is called the Incarnation (in + carn = in the flesh). God shared in our humanity so that we could share in divinity. Since Jesus is God, when we get to know Jesus, we know what God is like. God had revealed himself to us before. Creation gives clues about his power and goodness. The Old Testament also tells of God’s love through God’s words and actions in history. With the Incarnation, God has revealed himself completely to us in the person of Jesus Christ, who is fully Divine and fully human. Jesus said, “The Father and I are one.” (John 10:30) We call Jesus the Word from the Father. Despite God’s Revelation, God remains a mystery beyond words. Savior Jesus is also the Savior. Even his name, Jesus, means “God saves.” By his life, especially through the Paschal (Easter) Mystery, Jesus rescued the human race. The Paschal Mystery is the work of salvation accomplished by Jesus Christ through his suffering, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension. By taking our sins upon himself, and dying and rising, Jesus ended the power of sin and death over us. He made it possible for us to have eternal life. At every Eucharist, we, the community of believers, proclaim and celebrate this great mystery of our faith. Words to Know eternal life Living joyfully in grace and friendship with God in this world and in heaven after we die Incarnation The Son of God, Jesus, being born as a full human being in order to save us 5 Jesus, the Son of God Chapter 1 • When do we proclaim the mystery of our faith? (at the eucharistic celebration of Mass) • Have young people pick one of the three mysteries and share which truth about Jesus it proclaims. 13. OPTION Ask three volunteers to illustrate the Trinity. • Give the signs you made before class to the volunteers to wear. Have them form a triangle by facing one another with arms outstretched. • The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are a community of love. Each Person is distinct, yet together 12. Connect the mystery of our faith with the celebration of the Eucharist. • Write on the board the mysteries of faith: 1. We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again. 2. When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your Death, O Lord, until you come again. 3. Save us, Savior of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free. Words to Know Invite a volunteer to read aloud the definitions of eternal life and Incarnation from the Words to Know feature on page 5. Young people can further explore the meaning of the words in the Glossary. 10. OPTION If feasible, have young people scan the QR code on page 5 using a handheld, web-enabled device to experience the media. 11. Discuss with young people basic concepts about Jesus. • Write the word ichthys on the board. • What is the connection between a fish and Jesus? (In Greek, each letter of the word fish begins a word in the phrase “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior.”) • To identify another Christian in the early days of Christianity, a believer might draw half a fish in the dirt with a toe. If the person recognized the sign, he or she would complete it. • Divide the class into groups of three or four. Have each group come up with two or three statements based on what they have read. Examples might include the following: • Jesus is the Son of God and our Savior. • Jesus is the Messiah foretold by the prophets for whom the Israelites waited. • Our belief in the Holy Trinity is what makes the Christian faith unique. • Jesus is fully human and fully divine. • The Three Persons of the Trinity are equal. • God reveals himself in Creation and Scripture. • God reveals his plan of salvation through the Paschal Mystery. T8 Unit 1 Jesus Christ the Way SAMPLE
Who Is Jesus for You? Jesus is your Savior. Baptism gives you an identity. You are not a “nobody.” You are a beloved child of God who belongs to his Church community. You have a destiny for which the Father created you— eternal happiness. Jesus loved you enough to die a painful death so you could have this new life. And he sends his Spirit to always be with you and all of us. He is always ready to save you again from sin. As we become more familiar with people, our understanding of them deepens. You will realize who Jesus is, gradually. Sometimes one aspect of him will be spotlighted and sometimes another. He is the image of the invisible God. Colossians 1:15 A Moment with Jesus No single image of Jesus contains everything there is to know about him. Reflect on your favorite image of Jesus. What does that image of Jesus tell you about who God is? In the silence of your heart, and in your own words, ask Jesus to reveal himself to you in a deeper way this year. Then thank Jesus for teaching you about God the Father. In the Words of the Saints The Lord has turned all our sunsets into sunrises. (Clement of Alexandria) The Son is the face of the Father, for he who sees the Son sees the Father also. (Saint Ambrose) Christ is never conquered. (Saint Augustine) You are the Good Shepherd; look for me, a lamb, and do not overlook me in my wanderings. (Saint Andrew of Crete) I don’t think we could have ever loved God if Jesus had not become one of us. (Saint Teresa of Calcutta) Knowing Jesus Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Which of these titles is your favorite? Why? Possible answer: Jesus is the way, because he guides me to God the Father in heaven. How did you first come to know Jesus? Who helps you know him better? Possible answers: I first came to know Jesus through my family. My teacher and priest help me know him better today. When do you identify yourself as Catholic? How do you share your Catholic identity with others? Possible answers: I identify myself as Catholic by praying the Sign of the Cross. I talk to people about my faith. Unit 1 Jesus Christ the Way 6 they are one God. All are equal in power, and all have no beginning and no end. • Direct the “Father” to send the “Son” with words such as, “Son, go to the people I love and become one of them. Save them from sin and death.” 14. Have young people read silently Who Is Jesus for You? on page 6. • Circle the answer to the question posed by the title. (Savior) • In what ways is Jesus our Savior? (He frees us from sin and death. He leads us to eternal life. He died for us and is always ready to save us again.) 15. Have young people complete the activity Knowing Jesus on page 6. • Have young people form groups and share their answers. • Discuss with young people how their thoughts about Jesus have changes as they have gotten older. 16. Direct young people to read In the Words of the Saints on page 6. Have young people turn to the person sitting next to them and take turns sharing which of the quotations they like best and why. Acting 1. OPTION Invite young people to develop a language of mystery. • Ask young people to share a synopsis of their favorite mystery story. You may want to share one of your own too. • The word mystery refers to a kind of story. Why do you think people like mysteries? (Mysteries are good stories that involve trying to solve a puzzle. There is a lot of tension.) • The word mystery also refers to our faith, but it has a different meaning. • Mysteries of faith refer to the ways God reveals himself to us. A language of mystery allows us to talk about God without using words. • On the board, draw a table with three columns. Label the columns Signs and Symbols, Ritual Actions, and Metaphors, respectively. • Ask young people to give examples of each and write their response in the appropriate columns. Examples are as follows: • Signs and Symbols: Cross, fish, chi-rho, lamb • Ritual Actions: Genuflecting, blessing with holy water, bowing, kneeling • Metaphors: Jesus is the Lamb of God, Jesus is the Good Shepherd, Jesus is the Light of the World. • How might this language of mystery help communicate what you believe about God? (Possible answer: This language can help us praise God. This language tells us that Jesus is our Savior.) 2. OPTION Teach young people the Angelus prayer. • The Angelus is a prayer that recalls the Incarnation. It is traditionally said three times a day: in the morning, at noon, and in the evening. • The Angelus can be found on the inside back cover of your book. It is a wonderful way to pray throughout the day. Jesus, the Son of God Chapter 1 T9 SAMPLE
REVIEW Jesus, the Son of God CHAPTER 1 Words to Know eternal life pp. 5, 257 Incarnation pp. 5, 259 We Remember Who is Jesus? Jesus is the Son of God and the Savior. He is truly God and truly man. What is the Trinity? The Trinity is the mystery of one God in Three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. What is the Incarnation? The Incarnation is the mystery of the Son of God being born as a full human being. What is the Paschal Mystery? The Paschal Mystery is the work of salvation Jesus accomplished through the suffering, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension. We Respond “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” This is the Jesus Prayer, an ancient prayer popular in the Eastern Church. It is recited repeatedly. Try to pray it often. Your Turn 1. Ask some friends and relatives what Jesus means to them. Invite them to share with you how Jesus is a part of your life. 2. Create a social media post that calls attention to one of Jesus’ titles that will invite people to reflect on who Jesus is. 3. Teach someone the Jesus Prayer. Commit yourself to pray it regularly. 4. Write an acrostic prayer to Jesus in which each letter in his name or one of his titles starts a line. Example: Jesus, my God and Savior, Each day you call me to love and Serve others. Help me to Understand what I must do So that I might be with you forever. 7 Chapter Review Chapter 1 CHAPTER REVIEW 1 A Monogram If each statement is true, write T. If it is false, write F. Shade in the areas of the puzzle whose numbers correspond to the true statements. When you are finished, you should see a monogram for Christ. F 1. Everyone loved Jesus. F 2. Abba means “holy one.” T 3. Christians believe in the one true God. F 4. God the Father existed before God the Son. F 5. We can fully understand the Trinity by studying Sacred Scripture. T 6. The name Jesus means “God saves.” F 7. Our understanding of Jesus will never change. T 8. Jesus is both true God and true man. T 9. The Incarnation is the mystery of the Son of God becoming man. F 10. I do not need to know Jesus to be his disciple. F 11. God the Son only pretended to be a man. F 12. God did not give me free will. F 13. Jesus’ name means “the Word made flesh.” T 14. Jesus saved us from sin and death through the Paschal Mystery. F 15. Jesus saved only Christians by his Death. A Saving Mystery Number the events of the Paschal Mystery in the order they occurred. 2 Death 4 Ascension 1 suffering 3 Resurrection When do we celebrate the Paschal Mystery? in the Liturgy Know Yourself Fill in the blanks. 1. You are made in the image and likeness of God. 2. Some things you can control in your life are the friends you choose , books you read , movies you see , and shows you watch . 3. The key to knowing yourself is to know Jesus . 1 2 3 6 5 8 7 15 13 14 12 9 11 10 4 8 Chapter 1 Chapter Review A Moment with Jesus 1. Have young people turn to A Moment with Jesus on page 6. • Explain to young people that you are now going to share a few minutes of prayer together. • Invite young people to prepare for prayer by becoming still and taking several deep breaths. • Lead young people through the prayer, allowing sufficient time for silent reflection. 2. Direct young people to the Review activities on pages 7–8. • Lead young people through the We Remember, We Respond, and Words to Know sections on page 7. • Allow time for young people to complete the activities on page 7. • Have young people select a Your Turn activity. • Have young people tear out and take home pages 7–8 to review. 3. OPTION Distribute and administer Reproducible 1f, Chapter 1 Quiz. Use this opportunity to assess young people’s understanding of the main concepts in the chapter. 4. OPTION Have young people undertake the interactive chapter review by scanning the QR code on page 7 and send the results to you. 5. Distribute Reproducible 1a: Family Letter and Reproducible 1b: Family Letter—Unit 1 to be sent home. 6. Encourage young people to share A Letter Home on page 2 of the Student Book with their families. Name Score REPRODUCIBLE Christ Our Life® All Rights Reserved Christ Our Life® Reproducibles w3160 www.christourlife.com GRADE 7 Chapter 1 1f Chapter 1 Quiz MATCHING Write on the line the letter of the term that matches each description. Some terms will be used more than once. One description will have two terms. f 1. When we proclaim and celebrate the Paschal Mystery of Jesus p. 5 d 2. Word that means “God with us.” p. 5 b 3. e mystery of God becoming a human being p. 5 a 4. Name that means “God saves” p. 5 h 5. Person who sent God the Son to save us p. 5 c 6. e mystery of one God in three Persons p. 5 g 7. e Second Person of the Trinity who became man p. 5 e 8. e Passion, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension of Jesus p. 5 b 9. e perfect way God reveals himself to us p. 5 c 10. A community of love p. 5 TRUE OR FALSE Write T on the line if the statement is true or F if it is false. T 1. Jesus continues to call disciples to follow him. p. 4 T 2. To be Jesus’ disciple means to follow him wherever it may lead. p. 4 F 3. God the Holy Spirit has more power than God the Son. p. 5 F 4. Jesus is not really human like we are. p. 5 T 5. Jesus shows and tells us what God is like. p. 5 T 6. Jesus saved us from sin and death. p. 5 T 7. Jesus died for you. p. 6 F 8. Christians believe in three gods. p. 5 T 9. Because of Jesus, we can live forever in eternal happiness. p. 6 F 10. Jesus came to show the Jewish people how to live, not us. p. 5 a. Jesus b. Incarnation c. Trinity d. Emmanuel e. Paschal Mystery f. Eucharist g. God the Son h. God the Father Explain in a paragraph what makes you unique and special. Write your answer on the other side of this paper. (5 points) Possible Answer: I am made in God’s image. I have gifts that no one else has that I can use to serve God and others. Bonus Name 1a REPRODUCIBLE Christ Our Life® All Rights Reserved Christ Our Life® Reproducibles w3160 www.christourlife.com GRADE 7 Chapter 1 Family Letter—Jesus the Way, the Truth, and the Life As your son or daughter begins this year's program of the Christ Our Life series, we would like to acquaint you with its goals, content, and methodology. You are a vital part of this program. As you continue to respond to the call of parenting a young adolescent in Catholic Christian living, may you grow in faith and in love for your child and your God. Goals of This Year's Program The title of this year’s program is Jesus the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Through their books, young people will reflect on the person of Jesus and on their baptismal call to walk with him along the WAY to the Father. They will listen to the TRUTH of his teaching, and they will meditate on the gift of new LIFE that is theirs through the sacraments because of his dying and rising. They will be challenged to respond to Jesus by walking his WAY and encouraging others to follow him, by living according to the TRUTH he taught, and by sharing his LIFE and love with all whom they meet. They will prayerfully ponder Jesus’ words and deeds in order to know better what God is like. They will also look at their own lives and prayerfully ask what they should say or do as followers of Jesus. Making It a Family Program The Christ Our Life series recognizes that your faith makes a profound impact on your children, no matter what their age. Therefore, several features are provided that give you an opportunity to share the faith experience being lived within your family. The special features for family participation are the Family Letter you will receive as your son or daughter begins each unit of study, a Letter Home at the beginning of each unit in the student book, the sections in the book entitled Your Turn and Families in Mission, and a suggested Parent-Youth Meeting. Family Letters Family Letters accompany unit in the book Jesus the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Ideally, you will receive each letter as your son or daughter begins a new unit. This will allow you to ponder the theme of the unit and to look at the example of Jesus as recorded in the Gospels. The Family Letters also will suggest that you look to the example of Jesus for help in raising your adolescent. Jesus was the Master, leading people to develop a maturity of faith. You can learn from him how to aid your adolescent in his or her quest for the knowledge and freedom needed to be a faithful disciple. Suggestions are made for supporting his or her efforts to learn what it means to follow Jesus. Your Turn In addition to using the Family Letters, you can help your young adolescent by becoming involved in the activities listed in each lesson under the section titled Your Turn. These activities help young people carry the message of Jesus from the classroom to all facets of life. They involve prayer, family life, peer relationships, and projects that include young people in parish or civic activities. Many of the projects would be enriched by the assistance of a parent or another adult. Families in Mission The last two pages of each chapter allow young people to share what they learned with their families. These pages include basic facts about Catholic beliefs and practices that they learned about in the chapter, a brief story about a saint, and activities designed to nourish a lived faith. Name REPRODUCIBLE Christ Our Life® All Rights Reserved Christ Our Life® Reproducibles w3160 www.christourlife.com 1b GRADE 7 Chapter 1 Page 1 of 2 Your young adolescent is beginning the study of Unit 1, Jesus Christ the Way. As the young people look to Jesus, who called disciples to follow him, they will be reminded of their baptismal call to follow Jesus. Through prayer and study, they will come to know Jesus and the WAY he asks us to walk with him. Looking to Jesus Jesus is the perfect model for any family. As you thoughtfully read the Gospels, be especially alert to the interaction between Jesus and his disciples. You will find that Jesus used many skills for helping people come to maturity. He himself led them along the WAY to the Father. Let us look at one incident recorded in Luke 22:24–30. A dispute arose among the Apostles about who was the greatest. Jesus listened, recognizing the Apostles’ attitude as the opposite of what he was seeking to teach. He did not get upset with them. Instead he gave them an example of how their non-believing neighbors viewed things and allowed them to see that they were reflecting the same attitudes. He restated his teaching that the greatest is the one who serves. Then he showed the authenticity of his words by reminding them that this was the WAY he lived. This was the WAY to the father. Jesus listened. He confronted. He lived with what he taught. He invited the Apostles to begin again to walk his WAY with him. Following His Way Adolescence is a time of transition, a time of passing from one way of thinking to another. Think back to when your young adolescent was learning to walk. Remember holding your child securely, allowing his or her little legs to learn balance and movement. Recall how you let go but were close enough to hold up your child when he or she started to slip. Finally, you knew it was time to move away and encourage your child to walk on his or her own. Remember the joy you shared with your child as he or she successfully crossed the room and collapsed in your arms. These joys can be yours once more, for your children are striving to set out again. This time it is not legs and feet that are striving for independence; it is minds and wills. Young adolescents are beginning to think for themselves. This is a normal part of growth. As young people develop, they turn to every area of their lives, searching, questioning, and trying to make their own decision to respond positively to the faith of their Baptism. As they struggle toward independence, young people need love, acceptance, and encouragement more than ever. They need these signs of love from their family when they are clumsy and bungling more than when they are successful. They want and need families who will set limits and only gradually widen the horizons. Adolescents want and need mature adults who themselves are on the WAY to the Father. They want adults who will admit to the lifelong struggle of the journey, but who have found deep peace and happiness in walking the WAY of Christ with him and his people. Family Letter—Unit 1: Jesus Christ the Way Families IN MISSION Remind young people to take home pages 9–10 to share what they are learning with their families. CHECKPOINT Were the learning outcomes achieved? How well did young people participate in class activities and discussions? What attitude do the majority of your young people seem to have toward Jesus? Families IN MISSION A Catholic to Know Invite one family member to read aloud about Saint Lucy. Then discuss how her example can guide our lives. The name Lucy means “light” and, as such, Saint Lucy is the patron saint of those who are blind or visually impaired. Despite her name, Lucy lived during the dark days of Christian persecution in the Roman Empire in the 300s. Few facts are known about Saint Lucy, except that she lived in Syracuse, a city on the eastern coast of the Italian island of Sicily. She vowed her life in service to Christ, and she lost it in defense of her faith. The fact that she is still mentioned in prayers during the Mass indicates the great respect the Church has for her. Saint Lucy is remembered each year on December 13 for shining a light of courage and inspiration for countless others to follow. Witness and Share These sentences describe what Catholics believe. Invite one family member to read aloud the My Way to Faith statements. Ask yourself, “How do I live my Catholic beliefs?” My Way to Faith • I reflect God’s image by respecting myself and others. • I proclaim the mystery of faith reverently during the Mass. • I pray the Sign of the Cross frequently as a prayer to the Holy Trinity. • I believe Jesus is my Savior. • I see the world as a gift from God, and I need to care for it and use it wisely. • I believe that Jesus, the Son of God, assumed a human nature while never losing his divine nature. As a Divine Person, he is true God and true man. Share Your Faith Think about what you know about Jesus. What more would you like to know about him? Who is he? What does he mean to you? Write your ideas in your own words on the lines. Invite a trusted adult— relative, teacher, or priest—to talk with you more about his or her relationship with Jesus. Saint Lucy 10 Grade 7 Christ Our Life® Families IN MISSION Do these pages at home as a family. CHAPTER Continued on next page. 1 As Catholics we gather to celebrate the sacraments and listen to God’s Word in Sacred Scripture. “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15 Know and Proclaim Read and discuss the introduction and the chart below. As Catholics we believe that Jesus, the Son of God, became incarnate of the Virgin Mary and assumed a human nature while never losing his divine nature. As such, he perfectly expresses what it means for us to love God the Father and one another. We Know Our Faith We Proclaim Our Faith God created us in his image in that he gave us a soul. The soul gives us the ability to think and choose and love. Because everyone is made in God’s image, Catholics strive to help people feel welcome and at home (individually and through the ministry of hospitality). God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit form the Three Persons of the Trinity. When Catholics make the Sign of the Cross, they bless themselves in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Sign of the Cross is a prayer to the Holy Trinity. Through the Paschal Mystery—the suffering, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension of Christ—Jesus made it possible for us to have eternal life. When Catholics celebrate the Eucharist, they proclaim and celebrate the great mystery of faith: the suffering, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension of Jesus. Test Your Catholic Knowledge Fill in the circle that best answers the question. Then discuss the correct answer. The Three Persons in one God are: ❍ Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. ❍ priest, prophet, and king. ❍ Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. ❍ saints, angels, and Apostles. Scan the QR code for the answer to the question and to access other Christ Our Life resources for families. 9 Christ Our Life® Grade 7 T10 Unit 1 Jesus Christ the Way SAMPLE
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