10-16-2013: The Existence of Jesus

Topic:

Our Faith in the Existence of Jesus

Primary Goal:

For the students to grow in their confidence in the existence of Jesus, the second person of the Trinity, that came down to Earth.

Secondary Goals:

1. Understand why critical thinking is an imporatant skill.
2. Understand that Atheists believes that God does not exist.

Lesson Plan:

Introduce Topic:

Bible reading: Matthew 1:18 - 23

Catechism: Paragraph 422 - 424

Opening Song:  Hallelujah He Is Born by Sawyer Brown

Opening Prayer:

Discussions:

Note: This topic can get a little deep at times. Don't give up...hang in there.  All of the topics listed in the index below are very good but there is not enough time to discuss them all. We will be working through this recording slowly and discussing the topics listed below with an asterisks to gain a high-level awareness of the topics.  Please listen to the other topics on your own and bring any questions you have to class.

Audio Link #1: Al Kresta - 3/22/2012 - Part 1 

* 2:00 to 8:00 - Introduction

* 11:00 to 15:50 - Introduction (Continued)

15:50 to 18:45 - Factors from a Modern World

25:00 to  27:00 - The difference between Credibility and Plausibility.

27:00 to 35:30 - A mother discusses how the Zeitgeist movie had a negative impact on her son.

* 42:40 to 47:20 - A High School teacher discusses his experiences.

* 47:30 to 52:40 - A Priest discusses his experience at a Major Theological school, the affects of original sin, and an Atheist's response to the proofs of God.

Audio Link #2: Al Kresta - 3/22/2012 - Part 2

* 10:50 to 13:16 - 8th Grade Religious Ed Teacher - Not Thinking Critically

* 26:55 to 29:11 - Atheist caller - Discusses the unbelievability of the Zeitgeist movie

41:00 to 45:33 - Mother of daughter who discusses her daughter's belief that Jesus and Mary are just stories. 

45:33 to 52:00 - A Scientist who converted to the Catholic Church talks about the confusion some people have with what is a story and what is historical in the bible.  She believes this leads to some not believing Jesus was a real person. 

Group Discussion:

Discuss and come up with answers to the following questions:

1. How does your belief in Jesus affect the decisions you make?
2. Critical thinking is a way of deciding whether a claim is true, partially true, or false. Critical thinking was brought up multiple times in the audio recordings we just listened to. Why is critical thinking important when interacting with your friends?  Why is critical thinking important when we are seeking to grow in our faith by better understanding the truth Jesus whats us to know?

Discuss Group work:

Develop an Action Plan:

1. Critical thinking is important in all areas of our life: school, work, play, and our christian faith.  How can we become better critical thinkers?
2. Trusted sources is one way to acquire knowledge that will improve your critical thinking skills. What are some trusted sources you can use for knowledge related to your Catholic Christian faith?
3. In light of what we just discussed, if a friend sent you a link to a YouTube video and the video is related to a religious topic, where could you go to check whether the video is speaking the truth as taught by our Catholic Faith?

Open Q&A

Summary

Summarize what was discussed in this class

Closing Song: Baby Boy by for King & Country

Closing Prayer


BLOG Bonus Links

Baby Boy by for King & Country (Live Video Recording)



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