Big Ideas for Catechism: Difference between revisions

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* Christ = "Messiah" = "Mission"
* Christ = "Messiah" = "Mission"
** the "Mission" of "Christ" is to save us
** the "Mission" of "Christ" is to save us
*** from what? sin


=== 2. The Trinity ===
=== 2. The Trinity ===


* one God, three persons
* one God, three persons
* God exists outside of time and creation
** "person" = perspective
* role of the Holy Spirit , the Sanctifier
** 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 [https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/1:1 John 1:1]
 
* God's existence outside of time and creation


=== 3. Thoughtful worship ===
=== 3. Thoughtful worship ===


* understanding the Word of God through the "Four Senses of Scripture"
* understanding the Word of God through the "Four Senses of Scripture"
** esp. for recognizing implications in Biblical passages beyond the literal word
*** esp. for parables
** applying Jesus' clarifications
*** ex. “''You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.''” ([https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/22?34 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
* seeking God and truth through the "Two Wings" of the Gifts of Faith and Reason
* praying thoughtfully and purposefully
* praying thoughtfully and purposefully
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** The Liturgy: knowing the Mass
** The Liturgy: knowing the Mass


=== 4. Understand Sin ===
=== 4. 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
** the Fall of Adam and Eve and its implications
* Israel breaking God's commands


* as separation from God
* The Fall and implications
* God's "Plan of Redemption"
* God's "Plan of Redemption"
* the word "devil" comes from Greek ''diaballein'', for "throw across, separate
** thus Satin wants to separate us from God
* "Dying to sin, living in Christ"
* "Dying to sin, living in Christ"
* Sacrament of Reconciliation
** Grace
** Sacrament of Reconciliation


=== 5. Sermon on the Mount and The Beatitudes ===
=== 5. Sermon on the Mount and The Beatitudes ===
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* Christ's New Commandments
* Christ's New Commandments
* Ten Commandments & Christ's clarifications of Mosaic Law
* Ten Commandments & Christ's clarifications of Mosaic Law
** murder and adultery start in the heart
** ex. murder and adultery start in the heart


=== 6. Christ as fulfillment of the Old Testament ===
=== 6. Christ as fulfillment of the Old Testament ===
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* Jesus fulfills the "Old Covenant" and gives us the "New Testament"
* Jesus fulfills the "Old Covenant" and gives us the "New Testament"


=== 7. The Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit ===
=== 7. The Mysteries ===
 
* understanding the seen and unseen


=== 8. Sacraments ===
=== 8. Sacraments ===
* the seen and unseen
* the Holy Spirit
* types and purposes


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


=== 10. The Mass ===
=== 10. 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
== Next Priorities for Catechesis ==
=== The Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit ===
=== Church as Bride of Christ ===
=== Magisterium of the Church ===
== The Catechism of the Catholic Church ==
* Student familiarity with the Catechism
** purpose
** structure
** format
** abbreviations
* vocabulary


== Key practices for Catechumens ==
== Key practices for Catechumens ==

Revision as of 13:24, 29 January 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

The 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 what? sin

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
  • God's existence outside of time and creation

3. Thoughtful worship

  • understanding the Word of God through the "Four Senses of Scripture"
    • esp. for recognizing implications in Biblical passages beyond the literal word
      • esp. for parables
    • 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?
    • Lord's Prayer: the Seven Petitions
    • The Liturgy: knowing the Mass

4. 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
    • the Fall of Adam and Eve and its implications
  • Israel breaking God's commands
  • God's "Plan of Redemption"
  • "Dying to sin, living in Christ"
    • Grace
    • Sacrament of Reconciliation

5. Sermon on the Mount and The Beatitudes

  • Life in Christ
  • Christ's New Commandments
  • Ten Commandments & Christ's clarifications of Mosaic Law
    • ex. murder and adultery start in the heart

6. Christ as fulfillment of the Old Testament

  • "testament" means "covenant"
    • covenant = promise, agreement, contract
    • God's promises to man are expressed in the "covenants"
  • Jesus fulfills the "Old Covenant" and gives us the "New Testament"

7. The Mysteries

  • understanding the seen and unseen

8. Sacraments

  • the seen and unseen
  • the Holy Spirit
  • types and purposes

9. Lord's Prayer

  • taught by Christ
  • Seven petitions
  • role and purpose of prayer in general

10. 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

Next Priorities for Catechesis

The Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit

Church as Bride of Christ

Magisterium of the Church

The Catechism of the Catholic Church

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

Key practices for Catechumens

Learning prayers

Attending Mass

Seeking mentoring