Big Ideas for Catechism: Difference between revisions

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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.
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.


'''Overview list'''
* for detailed view of each BIG IDEA to go [[Big Ideas for Catechism/Detailed list of the Big Ideas for Catechism|Big Ideas for Catechism/Detailed list of the BIg Ideas for Catechism]]
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=== 1. Jesus Christ ===
=== 1. Jesus Christ ===


* Jesus = "God saves"
* Jesus = "God saves"
* Christ = "Messiah" = "Mission"
* Christ = "Messiah" = "the Anointed One" = "mission" (to save us)
** the "Mission" of "Christ" is to save us from sin
* Jesus is fully God and fully man ("the God-man" = "the hypostatic union")
* the God-man, mystical union, person of Christ
* Christ is "the Word" and the "Living Word of God"
** = Hypostatic Union
** ''“In the beginning was the Word”'' ([https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/1?11 Jn 1:1])
** [https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Cur_Deus_Homo/Book_Second/Chapter_7 St. Anselm's formulation] of salvation:
** ''"And the Word became flesh"'' ([https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/1?14 Jn 1:14])
*** "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 ===
=== 2. The Trinity ===


* one God, three persons
* one God, three persons:
** "person" = perspective
** the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit
** God in the "persons" of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit
** also: the ''Creator'', the ''Savior'' and the ''Sanctifier''
* one God, three natures
* the “Godhead” =one being, one nature, one eternal existence
** nature" = form of
* Creation & God’s love
* 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]
** ''“In the beginning was the Word”''


* God's existence outside of time and creation
=== 3. Sin ===
=== 3. Sin ===


* an offence against God ([https://www.usccb.org/sites/default/files/flipbooks/catechism/456/ CCC 1850])
* disobedience to God ([https://www.usccb.org/sites/default/files/flipbooks/catechism/460/ CCC 1871])
* separation from God
* separation from God
** the word "devil" comes from Greek ''diaballein'', for "throw across, separate
** hell = eternal separation from God
*** thus Satin wants to separate us from God
* origin of sin in "free will"
*** Hell is eternal separation from God
** robots can't sin because they have no free will
* origins of sin:
** free will requires choice & God gave us reason to exercise it
** the Fall of Adam and Eve and its implications
** God wants us to choose him over sin
*** "original sin"
* "concupiscence" = our tendency towards sin
** Israel breaking God's commands
* the “three-fold sins” ''lust of the flesh'', ''lust of the eyes'', ''pride of life''  
** “three-fold sin” (concupiscence):
* mortal v. venial sin
*** ''lust of the flesh''
* Jesus on how to avoid sin
*** ''lust of the eyes''
*** ''pride of life''  


=== 4. Thoughtful worship ===
=== 4. Thoughtful worship & prayer ===


* understanding Scripture through the "'''Four Senses of Scripture'''"
* "'''Four Senses of Scripture'''": ''Literal, Allegorical, Moral, Anagogical''
** esp. for recognizing implications in Biblical passages beyond the literal word
* seeking God and truth through the "Two Wings" of Faith and Reason
*** ex. Fourth Commandment to "Honor your father and your mother"
* prayer and praying thoughtfully, purposefully and actively; humility in prayer
**** extension = obey all legitimate authority
* ''lectio divina'': meditation on Scripture
** 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
* 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 ===
=== 5. Life in Christ ===


* Catechism of the Catholic Church
* Four Pillars of Catholic faith: '''''Creed, Sacraments, Commandments, Prayer'''''
* Ten Commandments & Christ's clarifications & New Commandments
* Sermon on the Mount and The Beatitudes
* Sermon on the Mount and The Beatitudes
* Christ's New Commandments
* "Repent, and believe"
* Ten Commandments & Christ's clarifications of Mosaic Law
* ·Justification and the state of Grace
** ex. murder and adultery start in the heart
</div>
* 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


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=== 6. Christ as fulfillment of the Old Testament ===
=== 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 Covenant" (or "Testament")
** Jesus fulfills the "Old Covenant" and gives us the "New Testament"
* History of Salvation
* The History of Salvation
* Typology: ''The New is hidden in the Old, and the Old is revealed by the New''
* God's promises expressed in the "Covenants"
* Typology


=== 7. The Mysteries ===
=== 7. The Mysteries ===


* understanding the seen and unseen
* works of the Holy Spirit: "the seen and the unseen"
* identifying what is mysterious
* with a mystery, it is not so much ''what it is'', but ''that it is''
* using the Wing of Faith
* using our "Wings of Faith" and recognizing the limits of Reason
** recognizing the limits of Reason
* Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit
** limits of our intelligence, senses, and concupiscence


=== 8. Sacraments ===
=== 8. Sacraments ===


* outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace
* an "outward sign" instituted by Christ to give Grace
* the seen and unseen: "the visible sign of the hidden reality of salvation"
* the seen and unseen: "the visible sign of the hidden reality of salvation" ([https://www.usccb.org/sites/default/files/flipbooks/catechism/206/ CCC 774])
* the Holy Spirit  
* we see the Sacramental Act, but our faith reveals the workings of the Holy Spirit
* types and purposes of Sacraments
* types and purposes of the Seven Sacraments


=== 9. The Mass ===
=== 9. The Catholic Mass ===


* Real presence of Christ
* "Real presence of Christ"
* role of the Priest
* knowing the Mass & thoughtful worship
* Parts of the Mass and their purpose and implications on worship
* the "Five Precepts of the Church": ''attendance, confession, Holy Communion, Holy days of obligation, days of fasting and abstinence''
* The Eucharist and Holy Communion
* the Eucharist and Eucharistic Adoration
** Transubstantiation
* weekly attendance at Mass
* attendance at Mass
* proper attire for Mass
* proper attire for Mass


=== 10. The Bible ===
=== 10. The Bible ===
* "testament" means "covenant"
* reading the the Bible is prayer (Word of God)
* Bible = divinely "inspired" but written by
* familiarity with the Bible, its parts and organization
* Student familiarity with the Bible
* applying Biblical knowledge to the "Liturgy of the Word" at Mass
** its parts and organization
* using the Bible in daily life
** actually using the Bible
</div></div>
*** finding passages
*** flipping through pages
*** using Biblical references
* applying Biblical knowledge to Liturgy of the Word


== The Catechism of the Catholic Church ==
== The Catechism of the Catholic Church ==
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=== Church as Bride of Christ ===
=== Church as Bride of Christ ===


=== The Creed ===
=== Fear of Gog ===


=== Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit ===
=== Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit ===
=== History of the Church ===


=== Magisterium of the Church ===
=== Magisterium of the Church ===


=== Rosary ===
=== The Rosary ===


=== The Saints ===
=== The Saints ===


=== Typology ===
== Key practices for Catechumens ==
 
=== Attending Mass ===


== Key practices for Catechumens ==
=== Going to Confession ===


=== Learning prayers ===
=== Learning prayers ===
=== Attending Mass ===


=== Seeking mentoring ===
=== Seeking mentoring ===
[[Category:Catechism of the Catholic Church]]
[[Category:Catechism of the Catholic Church]]
[[Category:Religious Education]]
[[Category:Religious Education]]

Latest revision as of 12:16, 24 December 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.

Overview list

1. Jesus Christ

  • Jesus = "God saves"
  • Christ = "Messiah" = "the Anointed One" = "mission" (to save us)
  • Jesus is fully God and fully man ("the God-man" = "the hypostatic union")
  • Christ is "the Word" and the "Living Word of God"
    • “In the beginning was the Word” (Jn 1:1)
    • "And the Word became flesh" (Jn 1:14)

2. The Trinity

  • one God, three persons:
    • the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit
    • also: the Creator, the Savior and the Sanctifier
  • the “Godhead” =one being, one nature, one eternal existence
  • Creation & God’s love

3. Sin

  • an offence against God (CCC 1850)
  • disobedience to God (CCC 1871)
  • separation from God
    • hell = eternal separation from God
  • origin of sin in "free will"
    • robots can't sin because they have no free will
    • free will requires choice & God gave us reason to exercise it
    • God wants us to choose him over sin
  • "concupiscence" = our tendency towards sin
  • the “three-fold sins” lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, pride of life
  • mortal v. venial sin
  • Jesus on how to avoid sin

4. Thoughtful worship & prayer

  • "Four Senses of Scripture": Literal, Allegorical, Moral, Anagogical
  • seeking God and truth through the "Two Wings" of Faith and Reason
  • prayer and praying thoughtfully, purposefully and actively; humility in prayer
  • lectio divina: meditation on Scripture

5. Life in Christ

  • Catechism of the Catholic Church
  • Four Pillars of Catholic faith: Creed, Sacraments, Commandments, Prayer
  • Ten Commandments & Christ's clarifications & New Commandments
  • Sermon on the Mount and The Beatitudes
  • "Repent, and believe"
  • ·Justification and the state of Grace

6. Christ as fulfillment of the Old Testament

  • Jesus fulfills the "Old Covenant" and gives us the "New Covenant" (or "Testament")
  • History of Salvation
  • Typology: The New is hidden in the Old, and the Old is revealed by the New

7. The Mysteries

  • works of the Holy Spirit: "the seen and the unseen"
  • with a mystery, it is not so much what it is, but that it is
  • using our "Wings of Faith" and recognizing the limits of Reason
  • Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit

8. Sacraments

  • an "outward sign" instituted by Christ to give Grace
  • the seen and unseen: "the visible sign of the hidden reality of salvation" (CCC 774)
  • we see the Sacramental Act, but our faith reveals the workings of the Holy Spirit
  • types and purposes of the Seven Sacraments

9. The Catholic Mass

  • "Real presence of Christ"
  • knowing the Mass & thoughtful worship
  • the "Five Precepts of the Church": attendance, confession, Holy Communion, Holy days of obligation, days of fasting and abstinence
  • the Eucharist and Eucharistic Adoration
  • weekly attendance at Mass
  • proper attire for Mass

10. The Bible

  • reading the the Bible is prayer (Word of God)
  • familiarity with the Bible, its parts and organization
  • applying Biblical knowledge to the "Liturgy of the Word" at Mass
  • using the Bible in daily life

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

Fear of Gog

Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit

History of the Church

Magisterium of the Church

The Rosary

The Saints

Key practices for Catechumens

Attending Mass

Going to Confession

Learning prayers

Seeking mentoring