Big Ideas for Catechism: Difference between revisions

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** nature" = form of
** nature" = form of
* God in the "natures" of the Creator, the Savior, and the Sanctifier
* God in the "natures" of the Creator, the Savior, and the Sanctifier
* The Word per Genesis and [https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/1:1 John 1:1]
* "The Word" per Genesis and [https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/1:1 John 1:1]
** ''“In the beginning was the Word”''


* God's existence outside of time and creation
* God's existence outside of time and creation
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*** thus Satin wants to separate us from God
*** thus Satin wants to separate us from God
*** Hell is eternal separation from God
*** Hell is eternal separation from God
* origins of sin:
** the Fall of Adam and Eve and its implications
** the Fall of Adam and Eve and its implications
* Israel breaking God's commands
*** "original sin"
 
** Israel breaking God's commands
* God's "Plan of Redemption"
** “three-fold sin” (concupiscence):
* "Dying to sin, living in Christ"
*** ''lust of the flesh''
** State of Grace
*** ''lust of the eyes''
* Sacrament of Reconciliation
*** ''pride of life''


=== 4. Thoughtful worship ===
=== 4. Thoughtful worship ===
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* praying thoughtfully and purposefully
* praying thoughtfully and purposefully
** Sign of the Cross: what do you think about when making the Sign of the Cross?
** Sign of the Cross: what do you think about when making the Sign of the Cross?
** Lord's Prayer: the Seven Petitions
** Our Father prayer & the Seven Petitions
** The Liturgy: knowing the Mass
* The Liturgy: knowing the Mass


=== 5. Sermon on the Mount and The Beatitudes ===
* role and purpose of prayer in general


* Life in Christ
=== 5. Life in Christ ===
 
* Sermon on the Mount and The Beatitudes
* Christ's New Commandments
* Christ's New Commandments
* Ten Commandments & Christ's clarifications of Mosaic Law
* Ten Commandments & Christ's clarifications of Mosaic Law
** ex. murder and adultery start in the heart
** ex. murder and adultery start in the heart
* God's "Plan of Redemption"
** dying to sin, living in Christ:
*** "''dead to sin and living for God in Christ Jesus''" ([https://bible.usccb.org/bible/romans/6:11 Rom 6:11])
** Sacrament of Reconciliation
** State of Grace


=== 6. Christ as fulfillment of the Old Testament ===
=== 6. Christ as fulfillment of the Old Testament ===


* "testament" means "covenant"
* Covenant = God's loving design and gift to mankind
** Covenant = God's loving design and gift to mankind
** Jesus fulfills the "Old Covenant" and gives us the "New Testament"
*** The History of Salvation
* The History of Salvation
** God's promises are expressed in the "Covenants"
* God's promises expressed in the "Covenants"
* Jesus fulfills the "Old Covenant" and gives us the "New Testament"
* Typology
* Introduction to Typology


=== 7. The Mysteries ===
=== 7. The Mysteries ===
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* using the Wing of Faith
* using the Wing of Faith
** recognizing the limits of Reason
** recognizing the limits of Reason
** limits of reason, senses, and subject to concupiscence
** limits of our intelligence, senses, and concupiscence


=== 8. Sacraments ===
=== 8. Sacraments ===
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* types and purposes of Sacraments
* types and purposes of Sacraments


=== 9. Lord's Prayer ===
=== 9. The Mass ===
 
* taught by Christ
* Seven petitions
* role and purpose of prayer in general
 
=== 10. The Mass ===


* Real presence of Christ
* Real presence of Christ
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* proper attire for Mass
* proper attire for Mass


== The Bible ==
=== 10. The Bible ===
 
* "testament" means "covenant"
* Divinely "inspired"
* Bible = divinely "inspired" but written by
* Student familiarity with the Bible
* Student familiarity with the Bible
** its parts and organization
** its parts and organization

Revision as of 17:24, 24 April 2024

Big Ideas for Catechism / Catechesis

see Catechism definition

In preparation for catechesis, or the learning of the Catholic faith and preparation for life in Christ, students (catechumens) may prepare for deeper understanding of the faith and its lessons by developing first a set for fundamental, or foundational ideas.

Note: these are not from the Catholic Church, but developed by a Catechist

The "Big Ideas" represent necessary concepts for students to know in order to access higher order concepts for their catechism.

  • none of these ideas are sufficient alone to understand the Catholic Faith and develop Life in Christ
  • but all of these ideas are necessary for that understanding

BIG IDEAS: Ten Fundamental Concepts

For understanding and practicing the Christian Faith, Catechumens (students of the Catechism) can use these fundamental, or underlying, ideas to apply to their general learning about the Catholic Faith and Life in Christ.

1. Jesus Christ

  • Jesus = "God saves"
  • Christ = "Messiah" = "Mission"
    • the "Mission" of "Christ" is to save us from sin
  • the God-man, mystical union, person of Christ
    • = Hypostatic Union
    • St. Anselm's formulation of salvation:
      • "For God will not do it, because he has no debt to pay; and man will not do it, because he cannot."

2. The Trinity

  • one God, three persons
    • "person" = perspective
    • God in the "persons" of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit
  • one God, three natures
    • nature" = form of
  • God in the "natures" of the Creator, the Savior, and the Sanctifier
  • "The Word" per Genesis and John 1:1
    • “In the beginning was the Word”
  • God's existence outside of time and creation

3. Sin

  • separation from God
    • the word "devil" comes from Greek diaballein, for "throw across, separate
      • thus Satin wants to separate us from God
      • Hell is eternal separation from God
  • origins of sin:
    • the Fall of Adam and Eve and its implications
      • "original sin"
    • Israel breaking God's commands
    • “three-fold sin” (concupiscence):
      • lust of the flesh
      • lust of the eyes
      • pride of life

4. Thoughtful worship

  • understanding Scripture through the "Four Senses of Scripture"
    • esp. for recognizing implications in Biblical passages beyond the literal word
      • ex. Fourth Commandment to "Honor your father and your mother"
        • extension = obey all legitimate authority
    • applying Jesus' clarifications
      • ex. “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” (Mt 22:37)
        • what implication comes from loving God with "all" your heart, soul, mind?
  • seeking God and truth through the "Two Wings" of the Gifts of Faith and Reason
  • praying thoughtfully and purposefully
    • Sign of the Cross: what do you think about when making the Sign of the Cross?
    • Our Father prayer & the Seven Petitions
  • The Liturgy: knowing the Mass
  • role and purpose of prayer in general

5. Life in Christ

  • Sermon on the Mount and The Beatitudes
  • Christ's New Commandments
  • Ten Commandments & Christ's clarifications of Mosaic Law
    • ex. murder and adultery start in the heart
  • God's "Plan of Redemption"
    • dying to sin, living in Christ:
      • "dead to sin and living for God in Christ Jesus" (Rom 6:11)
    • Sacrament of Reconciliation
    • State of Grace

6. Christ as fulfillment of the Old Testament

  • Covenant = God's loving design and gift to mankind
    • Jesus fulfills the "Old Covenant" and gives us the "New Testament"
  • The History of Salvation
  • God's promises expressed in the "Covenants"
  • Typology

7. The Mysteries

  • understanding the seen and unseen
  • identifying what is mysterious
  • using the Wing of Faith
    • recognizing the limits of Reason
    • limits of our intelligence, senses, and concupiscence

8. Sacraments

  • outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace
  • the seen and unseen: "the visible sign of the hidden reality of salvation"
  • the Holy Spirit
  • types and purposes of Sacraments

9. The Mass

  • Real presence of Christ
  • role of the Priest
  • Parts of the Mass and their purpose and implications on worship
  • The Eucharist and Holy Communion
    • Transubstantiation
  • attendance at Mass
  • proper attire for Mass

10. The Bible

  • "testament" means "covenant"
  • Bible = divinely "inspired" but written by
  • Student familiarity with the Bible
    • its parts and organization
    • actually using the Bible
      • finding passages
      • flipping through pages
      • using Biblical references
  • applying Biblical knowledge to Liturgy of the Word

The Catechism of the Catholic Church

  • Student familiarity and comfort with the Catechism
    • purpose
    • structure
    • format
    • abbreviations
  • vocabulary

Next Priorities for Catechesis

in alphabetical order, not order of importance

Church as Bride of Christ

The Creed

Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit

Magisterium of the Church

Rosary

The Saints

Typology

Key practices for Catechumens

Learning prayers

Attending Mass

Seeking mentoring