Sessions 19-20: Exodus + Moses

• The descendants of Jacob, the Israelites, became enslaved by the Egyptians.
• God called Moses to free His people from slavery.
• God worked many signs and wonders through Moses to prove to the Egyptians and the Israelites that He is the one true God.
• The birth story of Moses foreshadows the birth story of Jesus.
• God called Moses and gave him the mission of freeing the Israelites from slavery, even though Moses was imperfect.
• Moses initially resisted God’s call, but eventually accepted it.
• God’s revelation of His name is an invitation to know Him and be in relationship with Him.

• Can you remember the last thing you experienced that you would call amazing or wonderful? What made it so?
• Like Moses, we often do not say “yes” immediately to what God is calling us to do. Have you ever hesitated before acting to help someone in need? Why do you think that hap pened?

Jan 10: Sessions 16-18: Isaac, Jacob & Joseph

• God called Abraham to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, as a test of his faith.
• The sacrifice of Isaac foreshadows Christ’s sacrifice.
• Isaac is a type of Christ.
• Prayer was a central part of the story of Isaac’s marriage to Rebekah. (Homework)
• Jacob and Esau were twins who were in conflict with each other even in the womb.
• Jacob tricked Esau into selling him his birthright as the oldest son of Isaac.
• Laban tricked Jacob just as Jacob had tricked his father, Isaac. (Homework)
• The stories of Jacob wrestling with an angel and God’s remembering Rachel (homework) illustrate the battle of prayer we all experience.
• Joseph’s brothers hated him and sold him into slavery.
• God blessed Joseph with success in his work despite his rejection, persecution, and suffering.
• Joseph’s God-given gift of dream interpretation allowed him to rise to the top in Egypt.
• Through Joseph’s story we learn that God can bring good out of evil.
• Joseph is a type of Jesus Christ.
• Slides used for class

• Can you think of how love is related to sacrifice? What are some things your family has sacrificed for your good? Can you remember a time when you set aside your own good out of love for a friend or family member?
• Have you ever been tricked by someone? How did it make you feel? Can you remember a time when doing the right thing was a struggle? Why do you think that was the case?
• Can you think of an example in your life when something bad happened, but good came out of it?

• Extra credit: Read the story of The Story of Isaac and Rebekah on page 114
• Read the story of Jacob and Laban on page 121 and complete questions that follow
• Read the story God Remembers Rachel on page 124 and complete questions that follow

Dec 20 Circles of Care/Netsmartz + Christmas party

• Missed Class Information

• Watch Netsmartz "You Can't Take it Back" video

• What kinds of things can we you do to be safe when navigating the internet/social media?

• Apply your Christmas gift (Bible tabs) to your Bibles given you at the start of this semester.  This will help you to find bible passages quicker.
• Compare the Books of the Bible handout (didn't realize it is Protestant list when purchased) to list of books in your actual Bible and write the names of the additional books in your Bible

Dec 13 (postponed from Dec 6): Sessions 14 & 15: God's Chosen People & God Calls Abraham
The line of Cain, which was sinful, and the line of Seth, which was faithful to God, intermarried and produced children who rejected God.

• The descendants of Noah’s son Ham tried to build a tower to Heaven in order to make themselves gods and replace God.
• In punishment, God confused the language of the human race and scattered them throughout the world.
• God called Abraham to enter into a covenant with Him and to be the father of His Chosen People.
• God made three great promises to Abraham, which would be fulfilled by the final three covenants of Salvation History.
• God raised the promises He made with Abraham to covenant status.
• God blessed Abraham and his wife in their old age with a son, from whom nations and kings would come.
• Missed Class Information - Sessions 14 & 15
• Slides used for class

• What kinds of things can we communicate without speaking? What kinds of things do words help us accomplish in life?
• What is so special about making a promise? What is it that makes us trust somebody? If you promise to do something for a friend, but then do not do it, how does that affect the trust between you?

• Read the essay of The Nephilim on page 96 & answer the questions that follow
• Read The Tower of Babel story on page 98 and complete questions that follow
• Extra credit: pages 108-109

Nov 22: The Early World of Genesis - Sessions 12 & 13: Cain & Abel + Noah & the Great Flood

• Cain and Abel both fulfilled their priestly role given to them through Adam by offering sacrifice to God. 
• Cain’s sacrifice was unacceptable as it did not represent a true spiritual sacrifice.
• God gave Cain the opportunity to repent, but he did not. God’s punishment of Cain is a
  natural consequence of Cain’s actions.
• God sent the Great Flood to cleanse the earth of wickedness and sin. 
• God entered into a new covenant with all of creation through Noah and his family. 
• God restored the roles of Adam — priest, prophet, king, son/ daughter, spouse — in Noah and his family.
• Slides used for class

• What sacrifices can we offer God? Can we give Him our time and attention
• How is Noah’s Ark a perfect image or symbol for the Church? What do they have in common?

•  Page 92

Nov 8: Creation + Adam & Eve

• The story of creation in Genesis is not meant to be science, but rather it communicates important truths about God and humanity.
• The doctrine of creation has great importance for our faith.
• Some scholars believe Genesis 1 and 2 represent two different stories of creation, while others believe they tell the same story from different perspectives.
• God made Adam and Eve in His image and likeness to live out the roles of priest, prophet, king, son or daughter of God, and spouse.
• Adam and Eve sinned because of the temptation of the devil.
• Missed Class Information - Sessions 10 & 11
• Slides used for class

• What truths does the story of Creation tell us about God and about human beings?
• We face temptations every day; how can we tell when we are being tempted? What are some tactics we can rely on that help us to resist temptation?

• • Pages 67-71
  • Pages 72-74, The Fall of Man (Note changed to this instead of pages 62-65)

Oct 25: Old & New Testaments + Salvation History 

• Both the Old and New Testaments are the equally inspired Word of God.
• In both Scripture and in Jesus Christ, the Word of God is fully present.
• Sacred Scripture is the speech of God as it is put down in writing under the breath of the Holy Spirit.
• A covenant is a sacred, permanent bond of family relationship.
• Every covenant includes a mediator, a promise, a sign, and a progression.
• The story of the Christian faith is a love story betwwen God and His people.
• Missed Class Information - Unit 2 Sessions 8+9
• Slides used for class

• What are some ways we can prepare for Mass in order to be nourished by God’s Word?
• Do you have a favorite book, or story, from the Bible? What is it? What do you like about it?

• Pages 40-42 --COMPLETED in class
• Pages 46-47, The Covenant with Noah
• Pages 48-50, Salvation History: A love Story

Oct 4: Inspiration of Scripture and Writing Styles of the Bible + Senses of Scripture

• All of Scripture is inspired by God.
• Scripture teaches solidly, faithfully, and without error that truth which God wanted written in Scripture for the sake of our salvation.
• There are many writing styles present in Scripture
• To better understand Scripture, we must consider its literal and spiritual senses.
• Typology is the study of how people, places, things, or ideas earlier in Salvation History foreshadow or point to a later person, place, thing, or idea in Salvation History
• Missed Class Information - Unit 2 Sessions 6-7
• Slides used for class

1. If you were going to record an event that you witnessed, how would you go about it?
2. What sort of problems happen when everybody interprets the Bible their own way?

• Pages 25-27
• Pages 34-35
• Lectio Divina handout (Session 4) to do as family
  • Catechist guide to Lectio Divina

Sep 27: Use of Scripture at Holy Mass &  How to use the Bible

• God speaks to His people through Sacred Scripture proclaimed at Mass.
• The Mass has two major parts: the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
• Most of the prayers of the Mass find their roots in Scripture.
• The Bible is unlike any book that has ever been written.
• To read the Bible effectively, we must first know how to read it
• Missed Class Information - Unit 1 Sessions 3+5

1. What are some ways we can prepare for Mass in order to be nourished by God’s Word?
2. Do you have a favorite book, or story, from the Bible? What is it? What do you like about it?

• Page 12, Scriptural Roots of the Mass, to do with your parents
• Pages 22-23, How to Use the Supplemental Materials in the Bible

Sep 13: Revelation of God + Purposes of Sacred Scripture

• God reveals Himself to us through Sacred Scripture and Tradition.
• Sacred Scripture is the written record of God’s revelation of Himself.
• Sacred Tradition is the mode of transmission of the Word of God as it was handed on by Jesus to the Apostles and their successors, the bishops.
• The Magisterium is the teaching authority of the Church.
• Theology is the study of God and the things of God.
• In Scripture, God has revealed Himself and His plan for our salvation.
• We meet the Person of Jesus Christ in His Scriptures
• Missed Class Information - Unit 1 Sessions 1-2

• What are some of our family traditions? How do we stop these traditions from being lost or forgotten?
• What kinds of things do we learn about God in Scripture? What kinds of things do we learn about ourselves?

• Pages 2-3, God Reveals Himself in His Word
• Pages 5-7 to do with your parents
• Get to know your new Bibles handout
• Extra credit: Complete two (or more if you can) Bible passages on page 11

In Middle and High School, we ask all of our students to assist at least once a year in at our 6 PM Mass as Lectors or Hospitality.  If your family attends a different Mass time, you can also volunteer at that Mass time. Those who are active altar servers, lectors, or hospitality ministers who serve throughout the year, do not have to sign up.

When signing up, either choose to be a Lector or Hospitality.
When serving, please arrive by 5:30 pm on that Sunday evening, dressed in your Sunday best.  

What is
       Hospitality - Greet people as they come into the Church and hand out any worship aids
                           - Help with the collection and bring up the gifts
                           - Pass out bulletins
                           - Help organize the Church after Mass
        Lector - Proclaim one of the readings - Must prepare ahead of time!  

We are looking for people to help in a number of different ways, but especially as a Core Team Member.  If you are interested or have questions, please contact Cheri'!

Contact Cheri' Andersen
Youth Minister
(603) 880-0825 x 111