be my disciple se gr5

5

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“If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples,

and you will know the truth,

and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32

SCHOOL 5

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Welcome to a sample of Be My Disciples School Grade 5 — Student Edition.

Included in this sample:

Introduction of Be My Disciples Catholic School Programl Cover, Title Page, Acknowledgments, and Table of Contents l Welcome Lesson with an Enthronement Prayer for the Bible

Unit 1 including l Unit Openerl Chapters 1-4l Catholic Social Teaching lessonl Unit Review

The We Celebrate the Church Year section follows the 24 core chapters in the student book. This section contains sixteen liturgical lessons. One lesson, Exaltation of the Holy Cross, is provided in this sample.

GRADE FIVESCHOOL EDITION

Peter M. EspositoPresident

Jo Rotunno, MAPublisher

Anne P. BattesAssociate Publisher

Program AdvisorsMichael P. Horan, PhDElizabeth Nagel, SSD

AcknowledgmentsExcerpts are taken and adapted from the New American Bible with Revised New Testament and Revised Psalms ©1991, 1986, 1970, Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C., and are used by permission. All rights reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Excerpts are taken or adapted from the English translation of the Rite of Baptism for Children, ©1969, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. (ICEL). All rights reserved.

Excerpts are taken and adapted from the English translation of the Roman Missal, ©2010, International Commission on English in the Liturgy, Inc. (ICEL). All rights reserved

Copyright © 2014 RCL Publishing LLCAll rights reserved. Be My Disciples is a trademark of RCL Publishing LLC. This publication, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form by photographic, electronic, mechanical, or any other method, for any use, including information storage and retrieval, without written permission from the publisher. Send all inquiries to RCL Benziger, 8805 Governor’s Hill Drive, Suite 400, Cincinnati, OH 45249.

Toll Free 877-275-4725Fax 800-688-8356

Visit us at www.RCLBenziger.comand www.ByMyDisciples.com

20765 ISBN 978-0-7829-1638-6 (Student Edition)20775 ISBN 978-0-7829-1644-7 (Teacher Edition)

1st printingManufactured for RCL Benziger in Cincinnati, OH, USA. March, 2013

Thank you for reviewing Be My Disciples program for Catholic schools from RCL Benziger. This pre-publication electronic sample may be utilized for the product review of the Be My Disciples program grades 1–6 and Junior High levels. The contents are not intended for student, parent and family, or classroom use at this time and may not be copied for any purpose. Copyright © 2014 RCL Publishing LLC. All rights reserved. The Imprimatur and Statement of Conformity with the Catechism of the Catholic Church are pending.

For further information about the program and its support materials for teachers, students, families, and program directors, please contact your local RCL Benziger sales representative. You may also call our Customer Service Department, 877-275-4725, for contact information about your local representative.

RCL Benziger is grateful for your ministry in Catholic education. We are also grateful that you have chosen to review our newest program, Be My Disciples, to support you in sharing the faith with future generations.

Welcome to Be My Disciples. . . . . . 6

Unit 1We Believe, Part One . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Chapter 1 Speak, Lord. . . . . . . . . . . . . .11Faith ConCepts: faith, Divine Revelation,

plan of Salvation, knowledgesCripture: Deuteronomy 7:6; Psalm 148:3,

9–10, 13; 1 Samuel 3:9; John 3:16; James 1:22, 25

Faith-Filled people: Saint Anselm of Canterbury

prayer: Act of Faith

Chapter 2 The Word of God . . . . . . . . .23Faith ConCepts: inspiration of the Bible,

Gospel, reverencesCripture: Mark 4:39–41Faith-Filled people: Saint Jeromeprayer: Meditation

Chapter 3 The Holy Trinity. . . . . . . . . . .35Faith ConCepts: the mystery of the Holy

Trinity, Annunciation, Nicene Creed, wonder and awe

sCripture: Psalm 25:4–5; Matthew 28:19; John 14:26

Faith-Filled people: Saint John de Mathaprayer: Profession of Faith

Chapter 4 Great Is the Lord . . . . . . . . .47Faith ConCepts: attributes of God, Abba,

Original Sin, joysCripture: Exodus 34:6; Deuteronomy 6:4;

Psalm 33:4; 99:3; Isaiah 6:3; 40; 49:15–16; 64:7; Matthew 6:9; 1 John 3:1; 4:16; Revelations 1:8; 15:3

Faith-Filled people: Saint Thérèse of Lisieuxprayer: Prayer of Praise

Unit 1 Catholic Social Teaching . . . . . . 59Unit 1 Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Unit 2We Believe, Part Two . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Chapter 5 Jesus Christ, Son of God . .65Faith ConCepts: titles of Jesus, Second

Person of the Trinity, Virgin Mary, faithfulness

sCripture: Matthew 1:20–21; Luke 1:35; 2:10–11; 28:11; John 19:26–27

Faith-Filled people: Saints Matthew and Luke, Evangelists

prayer: Prayer of Petition

Chapter 6 The Paschal Mystery. . . . . .77Faith ConCepts: Passover; the Paschal

Mystery, eternal life, hopesCripture: Exodus 12:39; Luke 24:1–3;

1 Corinthians 15:12–14, 19Faith-Filled people: Saint Veronicaprayer: The Exultet

Chapter 7 Many Gifts, One Spirit . . . .89Faith ConCepts: the Advocate, charisms,

Sacred Tradition, couragesCripture: Matthew 28:16–20;

Luke 4:16–19; John 16:5–7; Acts 2:1–2, 4; 1 Corinthians 12:4–7; Galatians 5:22–23

Faith-Filled people: Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton

prayer: Prayer for the Spread of the Gospel

Chapter 8 Thy Kingdom Come! . . . .101Faith ConCepts: the four Marks, the laity,

the ordained, the faithful, life after death, peace

sCripture: Matthew 5:17–19; 28:19; Mark 1:15; Romans 12:4–5; 1 Corinthians 12:12–13, 27; 2 Peter 3:13; Ephesians 2:19–20; 4:4–6; 2 Timothy 1:9

Faith-Filled people: Blessed John Paul IIprayer: The Our Father

Unit 2 Catholic Social Teaching . . . . . 113Unit 2 Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115

Contents

3

Unit 3We Worship, Part One . . . . . . . . . . . .117

Chapter 9 Celebrating the Liturgy . .119Faith ConCepts: the Liturgy, the

Liturgical Year, the Seven Sacraments, perseverance

sCripture: Psalm 75:2; Matthew 28:20Faith-Filled people: Blessed John XXIIIprayer: Prayer of Praise and Honor

Chapter 10 Joined to Christ . . . . . . .131Faith ConCepts: Christian Initiation, the

Rite of Baptism, graces of Baptism, generosity

sCripture: Matthew 3:13–17; John 3:5Faith-Filled people: Nicodemusprayer: Renewal of Baptismal Promises

Chapter 11 We Celebrate the Holy Spirit . . . . . . . . . . . . .143

Faith ConCepts: Rite of Confirmation, laying on of hands, Gifts of the Holy Spirit, understanding

sCripture: 1 Samuel 16:12–13; Luke 4:18–19

Faith-Filled people: Missionariesprayer: Prayer for the Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Chapter 12 One Bread, One Cup . . .155Faith ConCepts: The Eucharist, the

sacrifice of Christ, the Mass, charitysCripture: Luke 22:19–20; 1 Corinthians

11:23–26Faith-Filled people: Óscar Romeroprayer: Praise the Gift of the Eucharist


Unit 4We Worship, Part Two . . . . . . . . . . . . .171

Chapter 13 Jesus Heals the Sinner . . 173Faith ConCepts: Sacraments of Healing,

sin, Rite of Penance, mercysCripture: Psalm 103:2–3; Matthew 6:14–

15; 18:32–33; Luke 23:24; John 20:21–23

Faith-Filled people: Blessed Charles de Foucauld

prayer: Lord, Have Mercy

Chapter 14 Jesus Heals the Sick . . .185Faith ConCepts: Jesus’ healing, the Rite

of Anointing, graces of the Sacrament, kindness

sCripture: Matthew 8:5–8, 13; 9:2, 6–8; 9:27–31; John 9:2–3

Faith-Filled people: Blessed Frances Schervier

prayer: Prayer for the Sick

Chapter 15 The Sacrament of Holy Orders . . . . . . . . . . .197

Faith ConCepts: Sacraments at the Service of Communion, Holy Orders, Rite of Ordination, faith

sCripture: Acts 20:28; 1 Corinthians 12:12–13; Colossians 3:12–15

Faith-Filled people: Father Joseph Maria Rubio y Peralta, SJ

prayer: Liturgy of the Word

Chapter 16 The Sacrament of Matrimony . . . . . . . . . . . .209

Faith ConCepts: vocation, the Rite of Marriage, domestic Church, humility

sCripture: Genesis 1:28; 2:24; 1 Corinthians 13:4–7; Colossians 3:12–17

Faith-Filled people: Saint Anneprayer: A Family Blessing


Unit 5We Live, Part One . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .225

Chapter 17 Called to Holiness . . . . .227Faith ConCepts: holiness, grace, mortal

sin, venial sin, goodnesssCripture: Psalm 25:4–5; Matthew 5:14–16;

John 15:9, 17; Ephesians 3:7–9; 1 Peter 1:15–16

Faith-Filled people: Saints Perpetua and Felicity

prayer: Praying a Psalm

4

Chapter 18 Making Moral Decisions . . . . . . . . . . . . .239

Faith ConCepts: free will, conscience, Cardinal Virtues, prudence

sCripture: Psalm 25:4; Mark 14:72Faith-Filled people: Saint Catherine

of Sienaprayer: An Examination of Conscience

Chapter 19 Living the Covenant. . . .251Faith ConCepts: Covenant, Ten

Commandments, consecration, obedience

sCripture: Genesis 7:11–12; 8:21; 15:1–16; Exodus 3:6; Psalm 108:1–2; 117:2; Jeremiah 31:31–33; Matthew 5:17–18; 22:37; Galatians 3:29

Faith-Filled people: Abraham prayer: Prayer of Commitment

Chapter 20 The Beatitudes . . . . . . . .263Faith ConCepts: Sermon on the Mount, the

Beatitudes, Kingdom of God, justicesCripture: Matthew 5:3–12Faith-Filled people: Saint Damien de

Veusterprayer: Praying the Beatitudes


Unit 6We Live, Part Two. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .279

Chapter 21 Love of God . . . . . . . . . . .281Faith ConCepts: First, Second, and Third

Commandments, meeknesssCripture: Exodus 20:2–3, 7–8;

Deuteronomy 6:1–3; Psalm 119:33–34 Faith-Filled people: Mosesprayer: Te Deum (“You Are God”)

Chapter 22 Love of Neighbor . . . . . .293Faith ConCepts: Fourth, Fifth, Sixth and

Ninth Commandments, temperancesCripture: Exodus 20:12–14, 17; Psalm 25:4Faith-Filled people: The Good Samaritanprayer: Prayer of Saint Francis of Assissi

Chapter 23 Living a Just and Truthful Life . . . . . . . . . . . .305

Faith ConCepts: Seventh, Eighth and Tenth Commandment, integrity

sCripture: Exodus 20:15–17; John 15:5, 11, 13–14; Ephesians 4:25

Faith-Filled people: Saint Stephenprayer: Psalm 19

Chapter 24 Lord, Teach Us to Pray . .317Faith ConCepts: the Lord’s Prayer, pietysCripture: Psalm 69:14; Matthew 6:9–13;

John 17:20–22Faith-Filled people: Blessed Pierre Toussaintprayer: The Lord’s Prayer


We Celebrate the Church Year . . . 333Exaltation of the Holy Cross . . . . . . 335

All Saints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337

Advent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339

Immaculate Conception . . . . . . . . 341

Our Lady of Guadalupe . . . . . . . . . 343

Christmas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345

Mary, the Holy Mother of God . . . 347

Epiphany of the Lord . . . . . . . . . . . . 349

Ash Wednesday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 351

Lent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 353

Palm Sunday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355

Triduum/Holy Thursday. . . . . . . . . . . 357

Triduum/Good Friday . . . . . . . . . . . . 359

Triduum/Easter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 361

The Ascension of the Lord . . . . . . . 363

Pentecost Sunday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 365

Catholic Prayers and Practices . . 367We Celebrate the Mass. . . . . . . . . . 375Key Teachings of the Catholic Church . 383Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 391Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 398Credits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 400

5

Jesus invites you to be his disciple. He wants you to know him better, to understand his message, and to follow his way of life. During this year, you will learn more about Jesus and what asks of you. You will learn about virtues, habits, and qualities that are the marks of a disciple. And you will learn that Catholics who follow Jesus don’t keep it to themselves. Jesus’ message is such Good News that you just have to share it!

Solve the PuzzleOn the next page you will be invited to search through your student book and get a preview of what you will be learning this year. The puzzle below is a little bit like a crossword puzzle. Begin by solving the six clues in the boxes on page 7. Then transfer the letters of your answers into the puzzle squares below that have the corresponding numbers. The solution is a sentence that tells the main theme of the Gospel.

Welcome to

9 14 20 8 5 16 1 19 3 8 1 12

13 25 19 20 5 18 25 10 5 19 21 19

16 1 19 19 5 4 6 18 15 13 12 9 6 5

20 8 18 15 21 7 8 4 5 1 20 8

9 14 20 15 1 14 5 23 1 14 4

7 12 15 18 9 15 21 19 12 9 6 5

6

1. We Believe, Part OneThis year in Unit 1 you will learn how the God speaks to us 23 15 18 4through creation, people, and himself. God speaking to us is called v v . 4 9 9 14 5 18 5 5 12 1 20 9 15 14 (See pages 14–15.)

3. We Worship, Part OneIn Unit 3 you will learn more about the Church’s , 12 9 20 21 18 7 25the “work of the people” that we do when we worship God. The yearly cycle of the Church’s celebration of the liturgy is called the

year. (See page 124.) 12 9 20 21 18 7 9 3 1 12

5. We Live, Part OneIn Unit 5 you will learn that God always keeps his promise.

’ 7 15 4 19 6 1 9 20 8 6 21 12 14 5 19 19is everlasting. (See pages 254–255.)

2. We Believe, Part TwoThis year in Unit 2 you will learn about the section of the Gospel that tells about the Suffering and Death of . The 10 5 19 21 19section is called the narrative. (See pages 82–83.) 16 1 19 19 9 15 14

4. We Worship, Part TwoIn Unit 4 you will learn about how Sacraments celebrate God’s love for us. The Sacraments of 8 5 1 12 9 14 7forgive us our sins and reconcile us to God. (See pages 188–189.)

6. We Live, Part TwoIn Unit 6 you will learn about the 7 18 5 1 20

. We are to love God and 3 15 13 13 1 14 4 13 5 14 20we are to v b 12 15 5 15 21 18 14 5 9 7 8 15 18 19as we love ourselves. (See page 296.)

7

Leader: Lord, we gather today to honor you and thank you for the gift of our Word. We want to follow the example of Mary, your Mother, and be your disciples in all we say and do.

All: We will do whatever you tell us to do.

Leader: A reading from the Gospel according the John.

All: Glory to you, O Lord.

Leader: Proclaim John 2: 1-10. The Gospel of the Lord.

All: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Leader: Lord Jesus, your Mother, Mary, was your first and best disciple. We want to be your disciples too. Help us to follow you as we learn of your words and deeds in the Gospels. We will do whatever you tell us to do.

All: Amen! We will do whatever you tell us to do!

All exchange a sign of peace.

Do Whatever He Tells You!The leader leads a procession to the prayer space, holding the Bible high for all to see. He/she places the Bible in a place of honor on the prayer table. All follow and gather around the prayer table and make the Sign of the Cross together.

8

We BelievePart One

UNIT 1

Jesus went to see his cousin John who was baptizing people at the River Jordan. Jesus asked John to baptize him.

After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened [for him], and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove [and] coming upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:16–17

The Trinity

9

What is something you already know about these faith terms?

Divine Revelation

The Old Testament

The Holy Trinity

Faith Words

Put an X next to the faith terms you know. Put a ? next to faith terms you need to learn more about.

Faith

Holy Trinity

Gospel

Lord

Annunciation

Evangelists

Abba

Inspiration of the Bible

Questions I HaveThe BibleWhat do you know about how to find passages in the Bible?

The Church

What is one thing you could tell a friend about what the Church believes?

What questions would you like to ask about the mystery of God?

What I Know

10

Speak, Lord

What are some of the ways you come to know people better?

We learn about others through many different ways. One of the ways we can learn about people is through those who know and love others. God the Father sent his Son, Jesus, so that we could know God and his love more deeply.

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son. . . . John 3:16

What is God saying to you in this passage? What are some other ways we might come to know God better?

CHAPTER

1EXPLORE how Blessed John XXIII helped us live as followers of Christ.

DISCOVER the different ways that God reveals himself to us.

DECIDE how you will come to know God better.

Looking AheadIn this chapter, the Holy Spirit invites you to →

11

Knowledge

Knowledge is a virtue and a Gift of the Holy Spirit that allows you to choose the right path to God. It encourages you to avoid obstacles that will keep you from him.

Disciple Power Blessed John XXIII

From her very beginning, the Catholic Church has had pastors who have guided the Church and other people in the search for God. These pastors have helped others grow in faith. Blessed Pope John XXIII was one of those leaders.

Angelo Giuseppe Roncali (the pope’s birth name), was born in Italy in 1881, the fourth of 14 children. His family took care of the land as sharecroppers. His great-uncle and godfather, Zaverio, was influential in Angelo’s religious education.

Angelo eventually left home to start studying to become a priest when he was just eleven years old. While in seminary, Angelo began the practice of keeping a spiritual journal. This helped him reflect on the knowledge that he was learning in school and throughout his life. Father Angelo was a caring teacher, a popular speaker, and a spiritual director throughout his life.

After Word War I, Fr. Angelo started a community called the “Student House,” which sought to meet the spiritual needs of young people. Soon after in 1921 Pope Benedict XV called him to Rome and eventually named him a bishop. Bishop Roncali’s motto was “Oboedientia et Pax” (obedience and peace), which guided him throughout the rest of his life.

On October 28, 1958, Angelo Giuseppe Roncili became Pope John XXIII. He was Pope between 1958 and 1963. The Pope knew the importance of family life. He stayed close to his family and saw them during vacations.

What do you think a Pope does to serve the People of God?

Blessed John XXIII was elected the 261st Pope.

12

Servant of ServantsPope John XXIII called the Second Vatican Council,

which began in 1962. He invited all the bishops from around the world to come to Rome for a meeting. He wanted them to talk with one another about faith and the Church. He called the Council to help the whole Church and the whole world better understand God and his plan for us. Pope John XXIII wanted the Church to be a clear and powerful sign of God’s love in the world.

Pope John XXIII strived to be “the servant of the servants of God.” For example, he visited prisoners in a Roman jail, saying, “Since you could not come to me, I came to you.” He died on June 3, 1963. Nearly forty years later, Pope John Paul II named him Blessed John XXIII. This is the final step before naming a person a Saint of the Church. Blessed John XXIII continues to inspire people to listen for God’s voice and place their faith, hope, and love in him.

What does it mean to be “the servant of the servants?”

Think of two persons who help you to live as a follower of Christ. Write the name of one person on the first line. Then describe how this person helps you. Do the same for the other person on the next lines.

Activity

PERSON

HELPS ME BY . . .

PERSON

HELPS ME BY . . .

13

Divine Revelation Each of us is born with a desire within us. This desire

makes us realize there is someone who is much greater than we are. That someone is God. This desire is part of who we are as human beings. Each of us is looking for God and he is looking for us.

Saint Augustine of Hippo was a bishop in North Africa from a.d. 396 to a.d. 430. Before he became a Christian, Augustine summarized our desire and our search for God. Finally, Augustine realized that he needed God in his life in order to be truly happy. Augustine wrote: “You, O God, have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you” (From Confessions).

God’s love for us is so great that he patiently waits for us to realize that we need him in our lives. He comes to us and invites us to know him, hope in him, and to love him. This is the reason God created us.

Why did God create us?

FAITH FOCUSHow does God help us to get to know him?

FAITH VOCABULARYDivine Revelation God making known over time the mystery of himself and his divine plan of creation and Salvation.

14

Cross out all the words that have the letter “a” in them to find the hidden message. Write the message on the line below.

God reveals creates makes

plan invites faith us

hearts learning Heaven Earth

human to Salvation Messiah

love search happy servant

invitation Revelation him peace

Activity

God Reveals HimselfHow does God help us get to know him? The answer is:

God reveals himself to us.

We cannot see God. We cannot know what is in God’s mind. We cannot, on our own, come to know who God is and his plan of goodness for us and for the world. So God, out of love, revealed himself. Divine Revelation is God making himself and his plan of creation and Salvation known.

God has revealed that he has created us. He is always inviting us to share in his life and love. Making God part of our lives, learning about him, and knowing him, brings us happiness. God wants us to be completely happy with him, not only forever in Heaven but also now on Earth. That is why God created us.

How does God’s revelation show us that he loves us?

Catholics BelieveCreated for Happiness

God created us to share in his life and love and to be completely happy with him, not only forever in Heaven but also now on Earth.

15

God Speaks through CreationOne way God speaks to us is through through his

creation. God is the Creator who tells us about himself through the world we live in. When we look at all of creation, we realize how wonderful God is.

The sky, the stars, and the galaxies sing of God’s love. The beauty of horses galloping through a field, dolphins gliding through the ocean, and eagles soaring in the skies all reflect God’s goodness and beauty. All creation gives honor and glory to God.

In the Bible, we read:

Praise [the Lord], sun and moon; give praise, all shining stars. You mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars; You animals wild and tame, you creatures that crawl and fly. . . . Let them all praise the Lord’s name, for his name alone is exalted, majestic above earth and heaven. Psalm 148:3, 9–10, 13

Psalm 148 puts into words what we sometimes feel inside. When we look at creation, we realize how wonderful and good God really is. All creation gives honor and glory to God.

How does creation inspire you? What does creation tell you about God?

FAITH FOCUSIn what ways does God reveal himself?

16

God Speaks through People One of the best ways God helps us to know him is

through people. Throughout the ages God has chosen special people through whom he has revealed himself. In the Bible, God tells us that the Israelites were the first people he chose. They would be his people, and he would be their God. The writer of the Book of Deuteronomy, the fifth book of the Bible, reminded the Israelites:

[The Lord] has chosen you from all the nations on the face of the earth to be a people peculiarly his own. Deuteronomy 7:6

God was no stranger to his people. He was always present with them.

How does creation give praise to God? How do people you know give praise to God? How do you give praise to God?

Saint Anselm of Canterbury

Anselm was the archbishop of Canterbury, England. He is honored as one of the great theologians of the Church. A theologian is a person who studies and explains the faith so we can better understand what God has revealed. Anselm described his work as “faith seeking understanding.” His feast day is April 21.

Faith-Filled People

Design a sticker that gives praise to God.

Activity

17

God Is Fully Revealed in Jesus God revealed himself most fully in his only Son, Jesus

Christ. Jesus is the Word of God. He is the Son of God, who became one of us and lived among us. Jesus spent his whole life on Earth revealing God and God’s love. Through all of his actions and words, we come to know God.

The Gift of FaithGod is always inviting us to come to know him and

believe in him. He gives us the gift of faith. God helps us listen to his invitation. Faith is a supernatural gift and power that helps us respond to God’s invitation with all our heart, our mind, our soul, and our strength.

The Holy Spirit helps us accept the gift of faith. When we accept and live the gift of faith, God works through us to help others come to know, love, and serve him. We are people of faith. We are the community of believers in Jesus Christ. We are the Church.

What can happen when we have faith?

FAITH FOCUSHow did God reveal himself most fully?

FAITH VOCABULARYfaith One of the three Theological Virtues. A supernatural gift and power from God inviting us to know and believe in him, and our free response to that invitation.

A cinquain is a five-line verse. Follow the directions and write a cinquain about Jesus.

Jesus, the Word of God

Write two words that describe Jesus.

Write three action words that describe Jesus.

Write four words that describe a feeling about Jesus.

Write another word for Jesus.

Activity

18

Place a check in the box next to the things you do to grow in your faith. Then write down other things you can do to know God better.

Reading the Bible

Learning the teachings of the Church

Praying to the Holy Spirit

Thinking about God’s gift of creation

Other things I can do to know God better include:

.

Some people who can help me grow in my faith are:

.

LEARNING MORE ABOUT GOD

MY FAITH CHOICE

Pray, Say a prayer of thanksgiving to God for the gift of knowledge. Then pray, “Oh Holy Spirit to continue to help me grow in knowing and living my faith. Amen.”

This week I will try to know God better. I will

.

Every day the Holy Spirit is helping you come to know, love, and serve God better. Learning what the Catholic Church teaches will help you understand and live what God has revealed. The Holy Spirit will help you grow as a child of God and as a disciple of Jesus Christ.

19

Chapter Review

RecallChoose three of the faith terms in the word bank. Use each term in a sentence to describe how you come to know God.

creation people Jesus Christ faith Church

1.

.

2.

.

3.

.

4. What does it mean to call Jesus the Word of God?

5. Why do we say that faith is a gift?

ReflectImagine that God said to you, “I made you to love and believe in me.” What would you say to him in response?

ShareWork with a partner to make a list of Saints and people from the Bible who lived as people of faith.

TO HELP YOU REMEMBER

1. Divine Revelation is God making himself and his plan of creation and Salvation known.

2. We can come to know God through creation, especially through people.

3. God most fully reveals himself in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who became one of us and lived among us.

20

Lord, Help Us BelievePray this act of faith. Ask God to help you come to know and believe in him better.

Leader: God gives us the gift of faith. Let us listen to God’s Word and accept that gift.

Reader: A reading from the Letter of James.

Be doers of the word and not hearers only, . . . But the one who peers into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres, and is not a hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, such a one shall be blessed in what he does. James 1:22, 25

The word of the Lord.

All: Thanks be to God.

Leader: Let us ask God to help us come to know and believe in him better.

All: Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.

Leader: Lord, help me come to know you better.


Leader: Lord, help me listen and say yes to your gift of faith.


Leader: Lord, help me love you more and more.

All: Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening. Amen. 1 samuel 3:9

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With My FamilyThis Week . . .In Chapter 1, “Speak, Lord,” your child learned:

→ Every person has been created with an innate longing and a desire for God.

→ God has revealed himself and gives us the gift of faith to know and respond to that desire.

→ Creation points to the existence of a wise, loving and all-powerful God.

→ In Jesus Christ, the Son of God who became one of us and lived among us, God has revealed himself most fully.

→ The virtue of knowledge is a gift of the Holy Spirit that allows us to choose the right path that will lead us to God. It encourages us to avoid obstacles that will keep us from him.

For more about related teachings of the Church, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, 50–67, 142–175, 185–197; and the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults, pages 11–19 and 35–47.

Sharing God’s WordInvite all family members to share their favorite Bible story. Then talk about what each story tells us about God. Emphasize that the Holy Spirit helps us to know and believe in God.

We Live as Disciples The Christian home and family is a school of discipleship. Choose one of the following activities to help the members of your family follow Jesus.

→ Invite family members to share the names of people who have helped them know about God. Share how these people have helped.

→ Watch TV, visit your favorite Web sites, or look through magazines. Talk about what the commercials and advertisements tell us about happiness. How does this compare to the happiness God created us to have?

Our Spiritual JourneyDaily prayer is vital to the Christian life. Through prayer we converse with God. He is our companion on our earthly journey. In this chapter, your child prayed an act of faith. This week as a family pray together the prayer on page 21 or simply pray, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening. Amen.”

For more ideas on ways your family can live as disciples of Jesus, visit

BeMyDisciples.com22

What is the name of your favorite book?

The Bible is the most widely read book in the world. In the Bible God tells us about his love for us. God most especially tells us about his love through the words and actions of Jesus, the Son of God. In one Gospel story, Jesus calms a storm and calls on his disciples to have faith.

[Jesus] woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!” The wind ceased and there was a great calm. Then he asked [his disciples], “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” They were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?” Mark 4:39–41

What can you learn about faith from this story?

WordThe

of God


EXPLORE why Christians show reverence for the Bible.

DISCOVER the different kinds of writings in the Bible.

DECIDE how to listen to and live God’s Word each day.

CHAPTER

2

23

Disciple Power

Reverence

Reverence is a virtue and a Gift of the Holy Spirit. Reverence helps us to respect and honor God, Mary and the Saints, the Church, and people as “images of God.”

Reverence for the Bible

Christians are strengthened by hearing and listening reverently to the Word of God. Saint Jerome reminded us of the importance of the Bible. He is famously known for having written, “Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.”

Before the printing press was invented in the sixteenth century, monks and scribes copied the Bible by hand. Artists painted pages of the Bible with colorful images and decorated

the edges of the pages with gold or silver. This type of book is known as an illustrated manuscript, often including calligraphy on papyrus, vellum, or parchment. Many famous ones of the Bible come from the Middle Ages (5th Century-13th Century), like the Lindisfarne Gospels manuscript at the British Library.

Many Christian families have a family Bible. They write down the key events of their family’s faith story in it. They record Baptisms, Marriages, and other important milestones in the faith history of the family.

What are some examples of ways we reverence a Bible?

Initial page of the Gospel of St. John from the Lindisfarne Gospels, circa 700

24

The Word of God at MassAt every celebration of the Mass, the Word of God is

proclaimed. We carry the Book of the Gospels with dignity in the entrance procession and proclaim the Word of God from a place of honor. That place is called the ambo. This liturgical action shows the faith of the Church in God’s own Word to us as revealed in Sacred Scripture.

When we gather with other members of the Church or as a family to read and listen to the Bible, Jesus is there. We listen and ask, “What is God saying to us right now? How can the living Word of God come alive in our lives today?”

When does your family listen to the Word of God? How does your school show reverence for Sacred Scripture?

Find the words in the word search and circle them. The words are all about people and places you will learn about in this chapter. Then write down one Bible story that you think you will be learning more about.

Bible Story:

Activity

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I K C T N A N E V O C H K

P Q X R D U P K Z J D F C

P W Y H H V D W L M A R Y

R K I N G D O M O F G O D

O U N Q G O S P E L S D I

V E P V P P R O P H E T S

E U A M P H A B R A H A M

R X U M O S E S H V O I W

B S L Z P R Y V V M M N I

S C O M M A N D M E N T S

K J P E O P L E O F G O D

M E A X X M F L D G Y Y O

B J W I P S U B D X H D M

Commandments

Covenant

Proverbs

People of God

Kingdom of God

Prophets

Wisdom

Gospels

Moses

Paul

Mary

Abraham

Sacred ScriptureBooks tell stories of happiness and sadness, successes and

failures. The Bible tells the story of God’s love for his people and their response to his love. The Bible is God’s Word to us. God speaks to us through the Bible.

Sacred Scripture is another name for the Bible. It is a name that means “holy writings.” The Bible is a collection of many holy writings. The Church divides the Bible into the Old Testament and the New Testament. The word testament means “covenant.”

The Holy Spirit inspired, or guided, the human writers of the Bible to faithfully and accurately communicate God’s Word. We call this truth of our faith the Inspiration of the Bible. Guided by the Holy Spirit, the Church has identified the forty-six books of the Old Testament and the twenty-seven books of the New Testament to be the inspired Word of God. We call this the canon of Scripture.

Which Scripture stories do you remember? Do you know if these stories are from the Old Testament or the New Testament?

FAITH FOCUSWhat kinds of writings are in the Bible?

FAITH VOCABULARYInspiration of the Bible The Holy Spirit guiding the human writers of Sacred Scripture to faithfully and accurately communicate God’s Word.

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Catholics BelieveLectionary and Book of the Gospels

The first two readings at Mass on Sunday are proclaimed from the Lectionary. The deacon or priest proclaims the Gospel from the Book of the Gospels.

Activity Do you know how to look up a Bible passage? Look up John 8:31–32. First decide whether the passage is in the Old Testament or the New Testament. Then follow the clues below to find the passage.

JOHN = Book of the Bible(Hint! Look at the top of the Bible page.)

JOHN 8 = Chapter

JOHN 8:31–32 = Verses

Find the following Scripture passages. Read each one silently. Write what you learned for each passage.

1 Thessalonians 2:13

Exodus 20:1–2

Psalm 103:1–3

Luke 10:27

John 8:31–32

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FAITH FOCUSWhat is the message of the Old Testament?

FAITH VOCABULARYCovenant The solemn agreement that God entered into with his people, promising that he would be their God and they were to be his chosen people.

The Old TestamentThe Old Testament tells the story of the Covenant. The

Covenant is the solemn agreement that God and his people entered into together. The story of the Covenant begins at creation. It continues with the stories of Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, and the prophets.

The Church has divided the writings of the Old Testament into four different categories of books, or writings. They are the Torah (or Pentateuch), the Historical Books, Wisdom literature, and the writings of the Prophets.

The Torah

The Torah is the first five books of the Old Testament. These books are also known as the Pentateuch, a word meaning “five containers.” The Torah contains the story of the Covenant, the Ten Commandments, and other laws that help God’s people live the Covenant. The five books of the Old Testament that make up the Torah are: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

How would you describe the Old Testament?

Samuel anointing David as the future king of Israel.

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Books of the Old TestamentThe Historical Books

There are sixteen historical books. They explain how Israel learned about God and tell about the struggle of the Israelites to live the Covenant faithfully. Some of these books are: Joshua, Judges, 1 and 2 Kings, and 1 and 2 Samuel.

The Wisdom Books

There are seven wisdom books. They teach practical ways to live God’s Law. These writings include Job, Psalms, and Proverbs.

The Prophetic Books

There are eighteen prophetic books. These books contain the teachings of the prophets. The prophets were people God chose to speak in his name. Some of these books are Isaiah, Jeremiah, Hosea, and Amos.

Why do you think the story of the Covenant is told through different kinds of books?

Saint Jerome

Jerome (343–420) translated the Bible into Latin. Jerome’s translation became known as the Vulgate Bible and was the standard Bible for the Roman Catholic Church for hundreds of years. Saint Jerome is honored as one of the four great Doctors of the Western Church. His feast day is September 30.

Faith-Filled People

The writers of the Bible told the faith story of God’s people. You are a member of the People of God. You also have a faith story. In the space below, write a table of contents for a book that would show how God has acted in your life.

My Faith Story Table of ConTenTs

Activity

29

FAITH FOCUSWhat is the heart of the New Testament?

FAITH VOCABULARYGospel The Gospel is the Good News of God’s love revealed in the life, suffering, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension of Jesus Christ.

The New TestamentThe New Testament reveals that Jesus Christ is the Son of

God, the Savior and Redeemer of the world. Jesus is the new and everlasting Covenant. He reveals God and his love for us more fully than anyone else did or will ever do.

The Gospels

The four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are the heart of the New Testament. Each Gospel shares in its own way the story and meaning of Jesus’ life, suffering and passion, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension.

The Acts of the Apostles

The Acts of the Apostles tells the story of the first years of the Church and the work of the Church in the world. Acts gives an account of the Apostles as they spread the Gospel throughout the world.

The Epistles and Letters

These twenty-one letters of Saint Paul the Apostle and other early Christian writers teach about Jesus and how Christians are to live. Longer, formal letters are called epistles.The Book of Revelation

The Book of Revelation is the last book of the Bible. In it the Holy Spirit encourages Christians who are suffering to remain faithful to Jesus Christ.

How would you describe the New Testament?

What words and symbols would you use to describe each book of the New Testament? Tell a partner.

Activity

New Testament

The Gospels

The Acts of the Apostles

The Epistles and Letters

The Book of Revelation

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GOD’S LIVING WORD

MY FAITH CHOICE

Pray, “Come, Holy Spirit, fill my heart with reverence as I listen to your holy Word. Help me live as a disciple of Jesus in my home, at school, and in my neighborhood. Amen.”

This week I will listen to and live God’s Word. I will

.

As you listen to the Word of God, the Holy Spirit helps you listen with reverence to what God says to you. His gift of knowledge helps you understand God’s Word. His gift of courage gives you strength to put God’s Word into practice and to live as a disciple of Jesus.

Design or a Web page using words and images to encourage others to live God’s Word.

GOD’S LIVING WORD

31


1. The Bible is the inspired written Word of God.

2. The Old Testament tells the story of the Covenant, or solemn agreement, that God entered into with his people.

3. The New Testament reveals that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the new and everlasting Covenant.

Chapter Review

RecallMatch the faith terms in the left column with the descriptions in the right column.

Terms

_____ 1. inspiration

_____ 2. Sacred Scripture

_____ 3. Pentateuch

_____ 4. Gospels

_____ 5. canon of Scripture

Descriptions

a. the first five books of the Old Testament

b. the list of inspired books named by the Church and collected in the Bible

c. the first four books of the New Testament

d. the holy writings of God

e. the help that the Holy Spirit gave to the human writers of the Bible

ReflectWhat is one thing you are interested in learning more about from the Bible?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

ShareWork with a partner to recall as many of the books found in the Old Testament and New Testament of the Bible as you can.

32

A Light for My PathPraying with the Bible is a form of meditation in which we spend quiet time with God. We read and reflect on his Word. We make decisions to live as disciples of Christ. Meditate on God’s Word using these steps.

1. Sit quietly. Close your eyes. Breathe slowly.

2. In your mind, picture yourself in a place where you can talk and listen to God.

3. Open your Bible and read John 8:12–16.

4. Take time to talk and listen to God. Say, “Your word, Lord, is a light for my path” (based on Psalm 119:105).

5. After a few quiet moments, ask the Holy Spirit, “What is your Word saying to me?” Share your thoughts with a classmate.

6. Silently make a faith decision to put God’s Word into action.

7. Conclude this prayer time with the following prayer together:

Leader: For revealing yourself to us in the Sacred Scriptures,

All: We thank you, Lord.

Leader: For showing us your love and calling us to be your people,


Leader: For sending us your Son, Jesus,


Leader: For sending us the Holy Spirit to help guide us.


33

→ Invite each person to share the name of a favorite person in the Bible. Share with each other the stories about these people.

Our Spiritual JourneyThe prayer of meditation helps us reflect on God’s Word and ask him to help us understand its meaning for our lives. Such a conversation with God is vital as we live our lives of faith. In this chapter, your child prayed a form of meditation called lectio divina. Read and pray together this prayer on page 33 or as a family pray, “Your word, Lord, is a light for my path. Amen.”

Sharing God’s WordRead together 1 Thessalonians 2:13 and 2 Timothy 3:16–17. Emphasize that the Bible is God’s Word to us.

We Live as DisciplesThe Christian home and family is a school of discipleship. Choose one of the following activities to do as a family or design a similar activity of your own.

→ Talk with each other about how the Bible guides your family to live as disciples of Jesus. Discuss: How is the Bible a light for our path?

→ Choose a favorite Bible story. Find it in the Bible and read it together. Pray it as a prayer of meditation.

This Week . . .In Chapter 2, “The Word of God,” your child learned:

→ The Bible contains the holy writings that the Holy Spirit inspired God’s people to write.

→ The list of writings named by the Church is called the canon of Scripture.

→ The Old Testament tells the first part of the story of the Covenant that God made with his people.

→ The New Testament tells about the fulfillment of God’s promise in the new and everlasting Covenant of Jesus Christ.

→ The virtue of reverence helps us to have and to show a deep respect for both God and the Church.

For more about related teachings of the Church, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, 50–133; and the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults, pages 11–33.

With My Family


BeMyDisciples.com34

What is an example of a mystery you might be able to solve by yourself ? What kind of mystery would you need the help of others to solve?

The words below are from the Old Testament Book of Psalms. In them, the writer longs to know more about God. Listen reverently to these words from the Bible.

Make known to me your ways, Lord; teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior. For you I wait all the long day. Psalm 25:4–5

What else do you know about who God is? What would you like to know?

The Holy Trinity


EXPLORE how Saint Augustine learned about the mystery of God.

DISCOVER the Church’s teaching about the Holy Trinity.

DECIDE how to show love for the Holy Trinity.

CHAPTER

3

35

Disciple Power Saint Augustine

When Jesus told the story of the Good Shepherd, many people at that time did not understand what he was teaching about God. Many Christians have tried to understand what Jesus meant when he said there is One God who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one. John 10:27-30

One of those who tried to understand this mystery of faith was Saint Augustine. Did you know there is a famous story about Saint Augustine and his efforts to learn more about God? Whether it really happened is not as important as the underlying truth the legend teaches.

The LegendOne day Augustine was walking on the beach. The vast

ocean inspired him to think about God. As he was walking along, he met a young boy who was taking water from the sea with a small bucket. Augustine watched as the boy kept pouring the water, one bucket at a time, into a hole he had dug in the sand.

Wonder and Awe

This Gift of the Holy Spirit encourages us to respect and be in awe of God. The mystery of faith is something that can cause us to marvel, or stand in awe, at God’s great love.

36

Augustine became very curious and asked, “Why do you keep pouring water into the hole?” The boy answered, “Isn’t it plain to see? I’m putting the ocean in the hole.”

Augustine began to laugh. “That’s impossible,” he told the boy. “The great sea is much too large for that small hole.” The boy looked up and said, “And God is too big for your little mind.” Suddenly, the boy disappeared.

Little by little, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we can come to know more about the mystery of God the Holy Trinity in whose image we have been created.

How does this story help your faith in God grow?

Pretend you are a newspaper reporter. Answer the following questions about the story as an outline for an article in the newspaper.

Where does the legend take place?

Who are the two characters in the legend?

What is the boy doing?

What is the question that Augustine asks?

What was the little boy trying to teach?

Do you like the legend’s ending? Why or why not?

Activity

37

FAITH FOCUSWhat is the mystery of the Holy Trinity?

FAITH VOCABULARYHoly Trinity The central belief of the Christian faith; the mystery of One God in Three Divine Persons—God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit.

Activity

The Holy TrinityJesus told his disciples,

“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit.” matthew 28:19

The Church follows that command today. Every time the Church baptizes a person, we name the mystery of who God is. We baptize in the name of the One God who is the Holy Trinity. We baptize in the name of the

One God who is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The mystery of the Holy Trinity is the deepest and most central belief of the Christian faith. This is a truth about God we could have never known unless God revealed it to us.

Why do you think the Holy Trinity is the central belief of our Christian faith?

Check (√) the ways you express faith in the Holy Trinity. In the space name an additional way.

q Bless myself with the Sign of the Cross.

q Pray the creeds of the Church.

q Pray the Hail Mary.

38

Catholics BelieveHoly Water

Blessing ourselves with holy water and saying, “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” is a sacramental of the Church. Each time we bless ourselves, we remember our Baptism and profess our faith in the Holy Trinity.

Complete the crossword puzzle below.Activity

The Old TestamentIn the Old Testament, we read the beginning of the story

of God’s Revelation of himself. God first revealed himself to Adam and Eve. Years later, God came to Abraham and Sarah and revealed that he alone is God. Abraham came to believe in and trust in one God. The descendants of Abraham and Sarah, the Israelites, shared through many generations their faith in the One True God.

Why do you think God wanted Abraham and the Israelites to know that he is the One, true God?

Across

2. the central belief of the Christian faith

6. man who trusted in God

7. Abraham’s descendants

Down

1. agreement between people and God

3. Three Persons in One God

4. Abraham’s wife

5. name of first man in Old Testament

8. name of first woman in Old Testament

1

2

3

4

5 6

7 8

3939

“The Annunciation,” St. Wilfrid’s Church, Burgess Hill, UK.

FAITH FOCUSWhat do the Gospels tell us about who God is?

FAITH VOCABULARYAnnunciation The announcement to the Virgin Mary by the angel Gabriel that God had chosen her to be the Mother of Jesus, the Son of God, through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Mary, the Mother of JesusMany centuries after God revealed himself to Abraham,

God invited the Virgin Mary to place her trust in him. God chose the Virgin Mary to be the Mother of Jesus, the Son of God and the Savior he promised to send. She became the Mother of Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit.

. . . he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man . . . nicene creed

This event, which is recorded in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, is known as the Annunciation. It gives us a glimpse into the mystery of the Holy Trinity. So special is Mary’s role in God’s plan that she was free from all sin, from the very first moment of her conception, and throughout her whole life. We call Mary’s birth the Immaculate Conception.

Jesus is true God and true man. The name Jesus means “God saves.” God sent his Only Begotten Son to save us from sin. Through Jesus, we can know God’s love.

Why is Mary’s role so important in God’s plan?

40

Jesus ChristThroughout his life on Earth, Jesus, the Son of God, spoke

clearly of the Father and the Holy Spirit. On one occasion he told Philip the Apostle and the other disciples:

The Advocate, the holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name—he will teach you everything and remind you of all that [I] told you. John 14:26

Christians have come to believe and understand that Jesus was speaking of One God, who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Many years after his Ascension, or the return of the Risen and Glorified Jesus to his Father in Heaven, the Church named this central mystery of our faith the Holy Trinity.

What can we learn about the Holy Trinity from Mary and Jesus?

Saint John de Matha

John de Matha founded the Trinitarians. The prayer and work of the Trinitarians proclaim the mystery of the love of the Holy Trinity for humankind. Saint John de Matha’s feast day is February 8.

Faith-Filled People

What does the Bible teach us about each Person of the Holy Trinity?

Activity God the Father

God the Son

God the Holy Spirit

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FAITH FOCUSIn what ways do we profess the Church’s faith in the Holy Trinity?

The Nicene CreedUnder the guidance of the Holy Spirit, two early councils,

or official meetings of the Church called by the Pope, taught about the great mystery of the Holy Trinity. These were the Council of Nicaea in a.d. 325 and the Council of Constantinople in a.d. 381. The Creed, which we profess at Mass, comes from these two councils.

We can never fully understand the mystery of the Holy Trinity. When our lives on Earth are completed, we will live forever with God in Heaven. We will see God in a way we have never seen or known him before.

What is one way you can explain the belief in the Holy Trinity?

Use each letter in the word TRINITY to write seven words that tell something about the Trinity.

T

THREE PERSONS

I

N

I

T

Y

Activity

42

THE MYSTERY OF GOD

You are becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ. Disciples believe there is One God in Three Divine Persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Little by little the Holy Spirit is helping you to believe this wonderful mystery of faith.

Pray, “Come, Holy Spirit, fill my heart with your gift of wonder and awe. Help me come to know, love, and serve you with my whole mind, heart, and soul. Amen.”

This week I will profess my faith in the Holy Trinity. I will

.

In the space, create a colorful symbol that expresses your understanding of what you have learned about the Holy Trinity.

MY FAITH CHOICE

43

Share In small groups, list three important things that you learned about the Holy Trinity.


1. The Holy Trinity is the central belief of the faith of the Church.

2. The mystery of the Trinity is most fully revealed in Jesus Christ.

3. We profess our belief in the Holy Trinity when we pray the Nicene Creed at Mass.

Chapter Review

RecallCircle whether each statement is true or false.

1. The Holy Spirit is the mystery of One God in Three Divine Persons.

True False

2. The Annunciation means that Mary was conceived free from all sin.

True False

3. Jesus spoke to his disciples about the Holy Spirit.

True False

4. The Book of Revelation is part of the Old Testament.

True False

5. The Advocate is a name for the Holy Spirit.

True False

ReflectExplain how the Holy Trinity is a mystery.

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Renewal of FaithIn this creed, one of the oldest creeds in the Church, we profess faith in the Holy Trinity. Each year at Easter, people who are baptized renew their faith with these words. Let us renew our faith in God now.

Leader: Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth?

All: I do.

Leader: Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary, was crucified, died, and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father?

All: I do.

Leader: Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting?

All: I do.

Leader: This is our faith. This is the faith of the Church. We are proud to profess it, in Christ Jesus our Lord.

All: Amen.

rite of BaPtism for children, Profession of faith

45


BeMyDisciples.com

→ This week when your family takes part in Sunday Mass be sure to bless yourself with holy water and pray the Sign of the Cross as you enter and leave the church.

Our Spiritual JourneyOur spiritual journey is marked by actions that express our faith in the Trinity. Almsgiving is one of those actions. When we give alms, or share our spiritual and material blessings with others, we profess our faith in God who is the source of all blessings. In this chapter, your child prayed a prayer renewing his or her baptismal profession of faith. Read and pray together as a family, this prayer which is found on page 45.

Sharing God’s WordRead together Matthew 28:16–20, the Gospel account of Jesus commissioning the disciples. Emphasize that we profess our faith in the Holy Trinity and remember our Baptism when we pray the Sign of the Cross.

We Live as Disciples The Christian home and family is a school of discipleship. Choose one of the following activities to do as a family or design a similar activity of your own.

→ The words of the Nicene Creed can be found on page 368 of this book. Make Nicene Creed puzzle pieces and assemble them with your child to help him or her memorize this important prayer of the Church.

This Week . . .In Chapter 3, “The Holy Trinity,” your child learned:

→ The Holy Trinity is the mystery of One God in Three Divine Persons—God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

→ The mystery of God the Holy Trinity is the central mystery of the Christian faith. It is a truth about God that we could never have known unless God revealed it.

→ God revealed this mystery over a long period of time.

→ We profess faith in the Trinity at Baptism.

→ Each time we pray the Nicene Creed at Mass, we renew and profess our faith in this great mystery.

→ The gift of wonder and awe encourages us to respect and be in awe of God.

For more about related teachings of the Church, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, 232–260; and the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults, pages 49–63.

With My Family

46

We use images to describe the qualities of people. For example, we might say, “She’s as fast as lightning.” What is an image you would use to describe yourself ?

The prophet Isaiah used many images to describe the relationship between God and his people. In this Scripture passage Isaiah affirms that we are created by God.

Yet, O Lord, you are our father; we are the clay and you the potter: we are all the work of your hands. IsaIah 64:7

What other images from God’s creation tell us something about God’s goodness?

Great Is the Lord


EXPLORE how the Church uses blessing prayers.

DISCOVER the attributes of God.

DECIDE how to make a quality of God known to others.

CHAPTER

4

47

Disciple Power Blessing Prayers

The Church celebrates her faith in God in many ways. When we pray, we place all our trust and confidence in God. We show that we know that he loves us and will always do what is best for us.

Blessing prayers are one of the five kinds of prayer of the Church. They remind us that God is always with us and blesses us with his love. When we pray a blessing, we are asking for God’s power and protection upon a person, a place, an object, or an activity.

Catholics use many blessing prayers. We pray grace before and after meals. Sometimes we ask a blessing before leaving home or going on a trip. We ask God to bless us at the conclusion of Mass. We ask God’s blessing on every newly married couple. Some families ask for a blessing when they move into a new home. Catholics also have religious objects such as medals blessed by a priest. All our blessings remind us that God is always with us, and this brings us a sense of great joy.

What blessing would you like to receive? Explain why.

Joy

Joy shows that we are cooperating with the grace of the Holy Spirit. We recognize that true happiness comes, not from money or possessions, but from knowing, trusting, and loving God. Joy is a Fruit of the Holy Spirit.

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SacramentalsJust as blessings remind us that God is always with us,

there are certain objects, symbols, prayers, and gestures that are reminders too. The Church gives us these to strengthen our faith. We call these symbols, prayers, gestures, and objects sacramentals.

Some sacramentals are blessed objects that call our attention to God’s love and presence in our lives. For example, a rosary is a religious object that helps us to pray. Sacramentals help us become closer to God because when we use them, we make ourselves more aware of God’s presence in our lives.

We should always use sacramentals in a respectful and prayerful manner. There are many kinds of sacramentals. Here are two:

Holy Water. This is one of the most widely used sacramentals. It is a reminder of our Baptism. When we enter or leave church, we dip our right hand into the holy water font and bless ourselves by making the Sign of the Cross. Catholics also use holy water to bless their homes, farms, businesses, and even their cars and pets.

Blessed Ashes. On Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the season of Lent, Catholics have their foreheads marked with blessed ashes. These ashes are a reminder of our need for repentance and contrition.

What are some reminders in your home of your family’s faith?

Name a sacramental. Then explain how it can help you focus on God’s love.

Sacramental:

How it helps you:

Activity

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FAITH FOCUSWho has God revealed himself to be?

FAITH VOCABULARYattributes of God Qualities of God that help us understand the mystery of God.

Attributes of GodTo help us understand who God has revealed himself to

be, the inspired writers of the Bible have used certain qualities to describe him. These qualities are called attributes of God. They help us get a glimpse into the mystery of God.

Here are a few of the attributes God has revealed about himself.

One God is One. There is only One God. No one and nothing is like him.

Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone! Deuteronomy 6:4

Lord God revealed the name YHWH to describe himself. The writers of the Bible used the name Adonai, or Lord, in place of the divine and sacred name YHWH.

Almighty God is almighty. This means that God alone can do anything.

Great and wonderful are your works, Lord God almighty. Just and true are your ways, O king of the nations. revelatIons 15:3

Eternal God is eternal. God always has been and always will be. God had no beginning and will have no end.

The Lord is the enternal God. IsaIah 40:28

How do the attributes of God help us understand who God has revealed himself to be?

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God is Holy, Love, and TruthHoly God is holy. The word holy means “without equal.” No one and no thing that God created is equal to him.

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts! IsaIah 6:3

Love God is love. God created and saved us to share in that love.

God is love. 1 John 4:16

Truth God is always faithful to his word. He always keeps his promises.

For the Lord’s word is true. Psalm 33:4a

Which is your favorite attribute of God? Why?

Read and think about these Scripture passages. Write what you think God is telling us about himself in each passage.

Thus the Lord passed before him and cried out, “The Lord, the Lord, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity. exoDus 34:6

Let them praise your great and awesome name: holy is God! Psalm 99:3

Activity

Catholics BelieveThe Mystery of God

God is a mystery whom we will never be able to fully know. No matter how much we come to know about God, there will always be more to know.

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FAITH FOCUSWhat does it mean to call God Father?

FAITH VOCABULARYAbba The name Jesus used for God the Father that reveals the love and trust that exist between Jesus, God the Son, and God the Father.

God the FatherGod has revealed himself most fully in Jesus Christ. Jesus

spoke about God in many ways. Most of all Jesus spoke about God the Father.

Jesus had a very special name for God the Father. He called God Abba, which means “dear Father” or even “Dad.” In Jesus’ time, when people used the name asbba, they showed how close they were to their father and how much they loved and trusted him. When Jesus called God Abba, he revealed how much he loved and trusted his Father.

Jesus invited his disciples to love and trust God the Father as he did. He said,

“This is how you are to pray: Our Father . . .” matthew 6:9

Jesus revealed that his Father is our Father, too. God the Father loves us and knows each of us by name. When we call God “Father,” we are saying that we are his children. We believe, trust, and love God as Abba, our Father.

How did God reveal himself most fully to us?

Jesus Teaching by the Seashore, by James J. Tissot

52

Activity

Communion of Saints panel inside Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, Los Angeles, CA.

Children of GodWhen we call God our Father, we are saying that we are all

children of God. The Bible tells us:

See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. 1 John 3:1

As his children we share God’s love with all people everywhere. So close to us is God the Father that he knows and loves each one of us by name. The Bible tells us:

. . . Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget, I will never forget you. See, upon the palms of my hands I have written your name . . . IsaIah 49:15–16

God is our Father, our Abba. How happy we are that God has shared this truth about himself and about us.

What does it mean that God has revealed himself to be our Father?

Saint Thérèse of Lisieux

Thérèse of Lisieux was born in France in 1873. She lived a simple life of trusting God. Thérèse loved nature and often used nature to explain how God’s loving care is everywhere. This filled Thérèse’s heart with joy. The Church celebrates the feast day of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux on October 1.

Faith-Filled People

Write and decorate your favorite name for God. Use that name today to tell a partner about God. Use this name often in prayer.

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God the CreatorCreation shows the great glory of God. God created the

whole universe and all creatures, visible and invisible, out of nothing and without any help. Everyone and everything God created is good. In the Apostles’ Creed, we profess:

I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth . . .

God created people in his image and likeness. He created us with a physical body and a spiritual, immortal soul. Immortal means that the soul will never die.

The writers of the Bible gave the names Adam and Eve to the first humans. In the book of Psalms we read that God has crowned human beings with glory and honor (read Psalm 8:6). No matter the color of one’s skin, the lives we live, or the languages we speak, we all belong to one family—the family of God.

Original SinSadly, Adam and Eve were not satisfied with God’s plan

of goodness and holiness for them. They preferred their own way instead of God’s plan. Sin entered into the world, when they disobeyed God. The Church calls their decision to live apart from God’s plan, Original Sin. It is called Original Sin because it is the first sin and the beginning of all evil and sin in the world.

Original Sin hurts everyone and everything God created. Each person is born sharing in the effects

of Original Sin. Even with Original Sin, God continues to invite and help everyone to

share in his goodness and love. He sent Jesus, his only Son, to redeem us and

restore our friendship with God.

What can each person do to overcome the effects of Original Sin?

FAITH FOCUSHow does Original Sin effect all God’s creation?

FAITH VOCABULARYsoul The spiritual dimension of the human person that never dies, or is immortal.

54

CREATING A MOVIEImagine you are a movie director. You are shooting a movie entitled “All About God.” In this space, illustrate or write about a scene in that movie.

MY FAITH CHOICE

Pray, “O God the Holy Spirit, you are the source of life. Help me to live with true happiness in you. Amen.”

This week I will share my faith in God by making known to others one attribute about him. I will show my joy by

.

Disciples of Jesus are people of joy. Your joy comes from your belief that God is always by your side. You show that you believe in and trust in God the Father, as Jesus did, in many ways. You can pray. You treat others and the world with respect and kindness.

55


1. One, almighty, holy, eternal, love, and truth are qualities about himself that God has revealed.

2. God is the Creator of everyone and everything, visible and invisible.

3. Adam and Eve disobeyed God and turned away from his goodness. This sin caused the beginning of all other sin in the world.

Chapter Review

RecallUnscramble the letters of the words in the word box. Then match the words with their meanings.

1. The qualities of God _____________________________________________________.

2. The spiritual dimension of the human person that never dies and lives forever

_____________________________________________________.

3. The sin committed by Adam and Eve

_____________________________________________________.

4. One of the five kinds of prayer

_____________________________________________________.

5. A word for God that means “without equal”

_____________________________________________________.

ReflectWhat do you think it means to try to overcome the effects of Original Sin? What can you do?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

teribusatt luso naligori sni

gbslseni lohy

ShareWith a partner, discuss some of God’s attributes. How do the attributes of God help us to come to know and love God?

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Lord, You Alone Are God!In a prayer of praise, we address God with a title of his greatness. Praise God using this simple prayer of praise.

Leader: God, you are Abba.

All: Amen! You alone are God.

Leader: God, you are Most Holy.


Leader: God, you are Love.


Leader: God, you are One Lord, the Almighty One.


Leader: God you are Eternal.


Leader: God, you created the whole universe and all creatures.


Leader: God, you created us in your image and likeness.


Leader: God, our Father, you called us to be your children. You love us and hold us in the palm of your hand. Help us to trust you every day of our lives. We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.

All: Amen.

57

With My Family→ This Sunday when you take

part in Mass, take time to look at the religious statues or artwork in your church. Talk about how these works of art help you honor and worship God.

Our Spiritual JourneyDid you ever notice that people who have very few material possessions, such as Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, are people of joy? This joy comes from the recognition that God is always blessing us with his presence. In this chapter your child prayed a prayer of praise. Read and pray together this prayer on page 57. Praise God for his presence within you.

Sharing God’s WordRead together and quietly think about the Scripture verses on pages 50 and 51 one at a time. Emphasize that as amazing as God is, Jesus taught us to call God a simple and familiar name, Father.

We Live as Disciples The Christian home and family is a school of discipleship. Choose one of the following activities to do as a family or design a similar activity of your own.

→ Choose one of the Scripture verses on pages 50–51. Make a banner using the verse. Display the banner where it can remind everyone how wonderful God is.

This Week . . .In Chapter 4, “Great Is the Lord,” your child learned:

→ The biblical writers used several qualities, or attributes, to describe God.

→ Jesus loved and trusted his Father, whom he addressed as Abba.

→ The story of God the Creator and the Fall of Adam and Eve reveal God’s great love for us.

→ Joy is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit.

→ Joy is a sign that true happiness comes from knowing, trusting, and loving God.

For more about related teachings of the Church, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, 199–227, 268–274, 279–412; and the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults, pages 49–75.


BeMyDisciples.com58

CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING

Reduce and ConserveThis reservoir is the main source of water for the nearby

town. A severe drought over the past five years has reduced the water level in the reservoir to dangerously low levels.

The situation is even more serious because no water conservation plan has been put into effect. Businesses and homes which rely on the water continue to use the same amounts of water that they used when the reservoir was full.

The drought has affected the ecosystem in the area, particularly the fish and animals who live downstream. The community must act responsibly and find ways to reduce water consumption.

WE CARE FOR GOD’S CREATION

God has given us this world and, with it, the responsibility to preserve its beauty and resources. Sometimes we can take the natural resources around us for granted. When we do, nature is harmed.

59

MAKING CONNECTIONS

What is one thing you can do at home to conserve water? How will this help preserve God’s creation?

.

Faith Action

with CREATIVE ARTSImagine that your family’s water supply comes from a well, but the well is not functioning. Make a list of the things that you are unable to do for one day as a result of having no water. Create a rap song that describes ways to conserve water at home. Use the phrase “Drip, Drip, Drip.”

with LANGUAGE ARTSLook at the pictures on the previous page. Imagine you are the water and write a paragraph describing what you see. In your paragraph give human attributes to the water. This is called personification. Let the water use all five senses when describing what is happening. For example, include descriptions of how water feels and what the water thinks about what is happening to it.

It is easy to take for granted God’s natural gifts, such as water. Humans and all of creation rely on water to live. Conserving water is one way we can take care of God’s creation.

with MATH AND SCIENCEMake a chart that compares the average daily water use now and when conserving. Chart daily water use tasks such as brushing teeth, watering the lawn, washing clothes, and showering. You may want to list other water use tasks on your chart as well. Begin by calculating how much water in gallons used for each activity. Next, calculate how much water in gallons you would save per day if you implemented water-conserving strategies. Then help the community in the story on page 59 understand how much water they can save.

60

A. Choose the Best WordFill in the blanks, using the words from the word bank.

Jesus Christ forty-six twenty-seven Mary attributes of God Faith

1. God revealed himself most fully in .

2. There are books in the Old Testament and

books in the New Testament.

3. God chose to be the Mother of Jesus, the Son of God.

4. The help us get a glimpse into the mystery of God.

5. is a supernatural gift and power that helps us respond to God’s invitation with all our heart, our mind, our soul, and our strength.

B. Show What You KnowMatch the words or phrases in Column A with the words or phrases in Column B.

Column A

1. Divine Revelation

2. Evangelists

3. Torah

4. The mystery of the Holy Trinity

5. Original Sin

Unit 1 Review Name

Column B

a. the first five books of Moses

b. wounded everyone and everything God created

c. the deepest and central belief of the Christian faith

d. God’s making known over time the mystery of God and the divine plan of creation and Salvation

e. the writers of the four Gospels

61

C. Connect with ScriptureReread the Scripture passage on the Unit Opener page. What connection do you see between this passage and what you learned in this unit?

D. Be a Disciple1. Review the four pages in this unit titled The Church Follows Jesus.

What person or ministry of the Church on these pages will inspire you to be a better disciple of Jesus? Explain your answer.

2. Work with a group. Review the four Disciple Power virtues or gifts you have learned about in this unit. Write down your own ideas, first. Then share with the group practical ways that you will live these virtues or gifts day by day.

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Most of the time we do not consider a sign of pain and suffering to be a symbol of Good News. The Cross, though, is a sign of our redemption. Whenever Catholics pray, we begin and end our prayer with the Sign of the Cross. We wear crosses as jewelry and may hang crosses on the walls of our homes. The Cross is the main symbol for the followers of Jesus. It is a symbol of hope.

Since the Cross is so much a part of our faith, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross every year on September 14. On this holy day we remember that

because of the Cross, we have the promise of eternal life. Now we are filled with the hope of the Kingdom of God.

The Cross has been so important to the faith of Christians. Saint Helena of the Cross traveled to Calvary and found the Cross on which Jesus had died. The Cross reminded her of Jesus’ courage and his love for her and all people. The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross may have started as early as the seventh century to remember the finding of the Cross in Jerusalem.

Today we seek to deepen our understanding of the Paschal Mystery—Jesus’ Passion, Death and Resurrection. We know that the real meaning for us is the gift of eternal life. Jesus taught his disciples to love God and others and to follow him. The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross helps us remember to follow Jesus.

Faith FocusWhat does the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross celebrate?

The Word of the LordThis is the Gospel reading for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Read and discuss with your family.

Gospel John 3:13–17

Exaltation of the Holy Cross

335

A Glorious Sign of Victory

This week I will follow Jesus by treating everyone as my neighbor. I will

.

MY FAITH CHOICE

Pray, “Lord, whenever I see the Cross, help me to be ever inspired to follow you more completely. Amen.”

Complete the statement below by entering the missing vowels.

Th Cr ss s th gl r s s gn f v ct ry.

Thr gh t’s p w r, w sh r n

th tr mph f Chr st J s s.

Read the prayer by Saint Paul of the Cross. Now write your prayer about the Exultation of the Holy Cross. Use some of the words from the prayer and the activity to help you.

The way of the Cross is the road which leads to Paradise;

it is the sure way to holiness.

The Passion of Christ is the greatest and most stupendous work of Divine Love.

–Saint Paul of the Cross

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