Big Ideas for Catechism

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 is "1 x 1 x 1 = 1" (and not "1 + 1 + 1 = 3")
• 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
  • Jesus called Satan “the father of lies,” “a murderer from the beginning”
    • Jesus taught that murder starts in the heart (Mt 15:19)
• 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
• mortal v. venial sin
• idolatry = putting something above God
• Jesus taught how to avoid sin: pray and turn away from it
  • "Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test" (Mk 14:38)
  • "if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away" (Mt 5:30)
• avoiding the "occasion of sin"
  • temptation will happen: but "don't let that bird land" (advice from a priest)

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

Key practices for Catechumens