CHAPTER 1: WE RESPOND TO GOD’S LOVE

End of Chapter Test: due for completion by our next meeeting on 9/26/2022
Please complete the chapter test in the textbook. Keep this test to be turned in at our next meeting.

Chapter Goals

In this chapter the children will learn:

• To understand that we have human dignity
• To appreciate that a great sign of our dignity is our conscience, through which we can recognize God’s law and respond to God’s love
• To respond to Jesus’ call to holiness by imitating his example, accepting God’s mercy, and proclaiming the good news

Share and Discover
Share the Good News Activity
Encourage your child to share the good news of Jesus Christ with others.
Tell the child that Jesus asked his first disciples to share his good news with others.  Remind the child that we are disciples of Jesus.  As his disciples, Jesus also wants us to share the good news of God's great love for us. 

Discuss with your child ways that he or she can share the good news of Christ. Give some examples. Ask:  What can you say to tell others about Jesus? What can you do to help others learn more about Jesus?  Tell your child that we can sometimes find good news in the newspaper.  Have your child illustrate or write about what they might say or do to share the good news of Jesus on in a newspaper article or advertisment.

Scripture Discovery: What's the Word
Scripture Acitivity Download
Jesus’ first disciples gave witness by showing that they believed in him through the way they lived. Fill in the following passage from Colossians 3:12–17, choosing words from the list on the handout. Each word will be used once. Then use your Bible to look up the passage and check your answers.

CHAPTER 2: WE MAKE MORAL CHOICES

End of Chapter Test: due for completion by our next meeeting on 9/26/2022
Please complete the chapter test in the textbook. Keep this test to be turned in at our next meeting.

Chapter Goals

In this chapter the children will learn:

• To know that our conscience is our moral compass, directing us in our moral decision-making
• To care for our conscience by forming it well and also by doing what is right
• To follow Jesus not only by making good personal decisions but also by working to end unjust behaviors and conditions in society

Share and Discover
Young people are asked to make more and more important decisions as they grow. Catholic young
people have a great tool to help them make tough decisions: their conscience. Using their conscience as their moral compass gives them a point of reference to make good moral decisions.
But forming their conscience will take work and effort.

When talking to the young people, you might liken this process to training for a sport, or practicing a musical instrument, or developing another skill. Practice, reflection, and self-assessment are necessary to a well formed conscience. Staying connected to the Church also helps young people to be confident in making good personal decisions that affect others. Encourage your child to regularly participate in the Sacraments of Eucharist and Penance. Make plans to receive Reconciliation as a family. 

Scripture Discovery: What's the Word
Narrator: Two disciples listened to Jesus tell the Parable of the Lost Son (Luke 15:11–32). Now they are discussing the parts of the story that challenged them, and the parts that bring them comfort. Let’s listen to a bit of their conversation.

Timothy: What did you think of the parable that Jesus told us about the lost son? I am having some trouble understanding it. Why, for instance, does the son—who did all the wrong things—get to have a party thrown for him?

Anna: It is puzzling, but I think Jesus was trying to teach how much God loves us and is willing to forgive us. The father in the story shows how such forgiveness works, even if it doesn’t sound fair to us.

Timothy: I guess so, but I don’t think it’s right that the son runs away, has a great time, and then doesn’t face any consequences for his actions.

Anna: Oh, but he does. Do you remember how Jesus described the son’s last days on the road? He ends up in a pigsty and repents by saying, “I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, ‘Father I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son’” (Luke 15:18–19).

Timothy: I guess eating with a bunch of pigs is a pretty sorry way to end up. He must have been so relieved to return home and see his father waiting for him. It would make me want to live a much better life.

Anna: Me, too. I kind of feel sorry for the older son, though. He stayed home and worked hard. I can understand why he felt so resentful.

Timothy: Did you notice how the father came out to meet him, too, though? He told the older son, “…everything I have is yours. But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found” (Luke 15:31–32).

Narrator: The two disciples continued to discuss the parable and to consider what it has to teach them about God’s love and forgiveness.

Reflect on the conversation between the two disciples. What parts of the Parable of the Lost Son do you find challenging? What parts do you find comforting?

CHAPTER 3: WE FOLLOW GOD’S LAW

End of Chapter Test: due for completion by our next meeeting on 9/26/2022
Please complete the chapter test in the textbook. Keep this test to be turned in at our next meeting.

Chapter Goals

In this chapter the children will learn:

• To know that by following Jesus we can be faithful to God’s law and find true happiness
• To accept the commandments as the law of God’s covenant
• To love God, others and ourselves by keeping the commandments and living as disciples of Jesus

Share and Discover
Remind your child that God loves us, even when we make wrong or selfish choices, and forgives us when we are sorry.  Read or tell in your own words the story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32). 
Emphasize these key points:

1. After the son spent all of his money, he felt sorry and realized he made selfish choices.
2. The father forgave his son, even though he made selfish choices.
3. The father's actions remind us of God. God forgives us and wants us to come back to him even when we make bad or selfish choices.

Scripture Discovery: What's the Word
Scripture Acitivity Download
Complete the Beatitudes by matching the phrases in Columns 1 and 2 on the printable activity. Check your answers by looking up Matthew 5:3–10 in the Bible.

 CHAPTER 4: WE LOVE GOD AND OTHERS

End of Chapter Test: due for completion by our next meeeting on 10/24/2022
Please complete the chapter test in the textbook. Keep this test to be turned in at our next meeting.

Chapter Goals

In this chapter the children will learn: 

• To understand Jesus’ Great Commandment and the first three of the Ten Commandments
• To respect the obligations and challenges these commandments place on us
• To respond to these commandments by following them in our everyday lives

Share and Discover 
Review Jesus’ Great Commandment: “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37–39).
Discuss these Commandments as you understand them. Emphasize that the idea of honoring those you love is an obligation and a healthy challenge.

Many young people today are tuned into reality TV shows that present false or scripted encounters
and relationships. Contrast these “reality” programs to real life. Discuss with your child how they can live up to their obligation and challenge to love and honor others in their everyday lives.

Scripture Discovery: What's the Word
Use your Bible to look up the psalms below. Discuss what the psalm is praising God for.

• Psalm 9:2–4 Praises God for
• Psalm 19:8–9 Praises God for
• Psalm 34:2–5 Praises God for
• Psalm 103:8–10 Praises God for
• Psalm 148:1–10 Praises God for

CHAPTER 5: WE HONOR LIFE AND CREATION

End of Chapter Test: due for completion by our next meeetin on 10/24/2022
Please complete the chapter test in the textbook. Keep this test to be turned in at our next meeting.

Chapter Goals

In this chapter the children will learn: 

• To understand that Jesus taught us to fulfill the commandments out of love for God, others,
  and ourselves
• To express this love in the specific ways taught by the fourth, fifth, and sixth commandments
• To choose life by obeying these commandments with love and respect for God, ourselves,
  and others.

Share and Discover: Discover
Discover some examples of RESPECT. Using the letters of the word RESPECT below, list some things you can do or say to show respect for yourself and others.
R. E. S. P. E. C. T.

Share and Discover: Share
Pope John Paul II resonated with young people when he challenged them to the virtue of respect. He called young people to understand that respect flows from Jesus’ teaching and that respect of self and others is based out of love for God, others, and ourselves.

Today’s society is vague about accountability for one’s actions. Suggest specific ways people can show love and choose life: taking care of their bodies, living a chaste life, appreciating and obeying their parents or guardians, and taking care of the environment.

Scripture Discovery: What's the Word
Use your Bible to look up the psalms below. Discuss what the psalm is praising God for.

• Psalm 9:2–4 Praises God for
• Psalm 19:8–9 Praises God for
• Psalm 34:2–5 Praises God for
• Psalm 103:8–10 Praises God for
• Psalm 148:1–10 Praises God for

CHAPTER 6: WE RESPECT ALL PEOPLE

End of Chapter Test: due for completion by our next meeetin on 11/28/2022
Please complete the chapter test in the textbook. Keep this test to be turned in at our next meeting.

Chapter Goals

In this chapter the children will learn: 

• To consider seriously the obligations of the seventh through tenth commandments and to apply them to our own lives
• To focus our hearts on God as we learn to love our neighbors as ourselves
• To share our love and our gifts with others generously

Share and Discover:
Cliques are prevalent among junior high school and high school students. Students of this age group often identify themselves by their peer group with both positive and negative results. Young people want to belong to a group that they most identify with, but cliques can ostracize students and lead to labeling and exclusion. Discuss with you child who they welcome into their social network. How do they determine who is acceptable as a friend? Focus this challenge on the seventh through tenth commandments: what are the young peoples’ obligations?

The commandments can be seen as tools for young people as they learn to love and accept their
peers, sharing their love and gifts with those both inside and outside their social circles.

Remind your child that it is important to respect other people 

• Talk to your child about respect. Ask: How do you show respect for other people? 
• Discuss ways to show respect. Include examples such as listening, helping, being kind, taking good care of things that belong to others, being fair.
• Discuss ways of showing disrespect. Include examples such as being unkind, stealing, being mindless of others' feelings and things, being unfair, ignoring people who need help.
• Make a poster to hang up at home or at school that encourages people to show respect for others. Use words and pictures on the poster. Display the poster for family members and friends to see.

CHAPTER 7: WHAT CONNECTS ME TO A COMMUNITY?

End of Chapter Test: due for completion by our next meeetin on 11/28/2022
Please complete the chapter test in the textbook. Keep this test to be turned in at our next meeting.

Chapter Goals

In this chapter the children will learn: 

• To understand the history behind the spread of the early Church
• To appreciate the faith and courage of the early Christians believers
• To resolve to follow Jesus as they did, in sincerity of heart.

Share and Discover:
In today’s culture it may take courage to belong to the Christian community. Young people are asked to acknowledge the dignity of each individual they encounter which may challenge them to stand up to bullying, to accept those who may be labeled unpopular, and to resist gossiping about and labeling others. They are asked to stand up as individuals for causes they believe in. They are asked to respect their bodies, committing to the value of chastity, and resisting the pressure to conform to an unhealthy size or weight.

Remind the young people that to follow Jesus and belong to the Christian community requires true sincerity of heart and a resolve to spread Jesus’ message to others.

CHAPTER 8: CHRISTIANS OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE

End of Chapter Test: due for completion by our next meeetin on 11/28/2022
Please complete the chapter test in the textbook. Keep this test to be turned in at our next meeting.

Chapter Goals

In this chapter the children will learn: 

• To consider the people and events through which the Holy Spirit worked to define the faith
  of the Church
• To understand the various ways in which the truths of our faith have been handed down to us
• To proclaim—especially by our actions—the truths of the faith we hold as Christians.

Share and Discover: The Bible
to explain that the four Gospels are about Jesus’ life and teachings and are found in the New Testament of the Bible
Needed Materials Checklist:

• Bible

Procedure:

• Explain that there are two main parts of the Bible: the Old Testament and the New Testament.
• Tell the child that the Old Testament is about God’s people before Jesus was born. The New Testament is about Jesus’ life and his teachings.
• Point out that there are four Gospels: the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These stories are about Jesus, his teachings, and his first followers.
• Tell the child about your favorite story about Jesus.

 CHAPTER 9: CHRISTIANS OF THE EARLY MIDDLE AGES

End of Chapter Test: due for completion by our next meeetin on 12/19/2022
Please complete the chapter test in the textbook. Keep this test to be turned in at our next meeting.

Chapter Goals

In this chapter the children will learn: 

• To understand the religious and political forces at work in the world in AD 476–1054
• To treasure and focus on the enduring values lived by the faithful people of the early Middle Ages
• To reach out to all in service and love, focusing on what’s really important in this life

Scripture Discovery: What's the Word
In the Middle Ages, soldiers wore armor to protect themselves in battle. In one of his letters to the early Christian communities, Saint Paul used the image of armor to represent how they needed to stay strong in their faith and grow in love.

Use your Bible to look up the following passages. Then describe a way to grow strong in faith and love.

• Ephesians 6:10
  • To stay strong in faith, draw your strength from
• 1 Corinthians 2:3–5
  • To stay strong in faith, rely on
• Romans 12:9
  • To grow strong in love, hold on to what is
• Ephesians 4:3
  • To grow strong in love, be unified through the bond of
• 1 Thessalonians 5:18
  • To grow strong in love, in all circumstances give

Reflect on the responses that you found in the passages from the Bible. What would Paul tell young people today about growing strong in faith and love?​​​

CHAPTER 10: CHRISTIANS OF THE HIGH MIDDLE AGES

End of Chapter Test: due for completion by our next meeetin on 12/19/2022
Please complete the chapter test in the textbook. Keep this test to be turned in at our next meeting.

Chapter Goals

In this chapter the children will learn: 

• to recognize the ways that Christians in the High Middle Ages sought to live and spread the
  Gospel message
• to appreciate the great contributions that the Christians of the High Middle Ages made to the life of the Church
• to live Christ’s message of peace as we work to share his Gospel.

Scripture Discovery: What's the Word
Printable Activity Sheet
The mission of the Dominicans, a religious order founded by Saint Dominic Guzman during the Middle Ages, is to preach the Word of God. They do this not only by preaching and teaching, but also by example. Read the Scripture passages on the activity sheet. Then write one way a young person can live out the meaning of the passage in his or her life.