11/11/2015 - Chosen - Lesson 8 - How do I get there?

Welcome & Introduction

Video: Review Game (1:48)

 How did you do with last week's challenges?

What stood out to you in reading our Class Bible Reading Challenge? John chapter 4

This week we will look at the question: How do I get there?  In particular we will be discussing the importance of the sacraments in our own lives...the very sacraments that Jesus established and entrusted to the Church by which divine life is dispensed to us.

Opening Song: "Middle of Your Heart" by for King and Country (3:21)

Bible Reading: Philippians 4:12-13

Catechism Reading: Paragraph #1210 & 1211 (YouCat - Question #193)

Chosen Opening Prayer

Chosen - Lesson 8 - How do I get there? (The Power and Purpose of the Sacraments) 

Dive In: The Doldrums

Sail boats need wind, cars need gas, and computers need electricity to function properly. We are like that too. We need an external "power source" to become who we are meant to be and to fulfill our purpose in life.  Grace is that external "power source" we need. Today, we're going to talk about what grace is and how God gives it to us through the sacraments.

Video: Seg. 1 - How do I get there? (8:16)

• Answer the "Watch It!" questions. 

• Small Group Discussion

Video: Seg. 2 - What is a sacrament? (6:01)

• Answer the "Watch It!" questions.

• Small Group Discussion 

Video: Seg. 3 - The seven sacraments (9:06)

• Answer the "Watch It!" questions.

• Small Group Discussion

To The Heart

Sister Amelia, O.P., stumbled upon the reality that without God coming to us, we truly cannot get to Him.  The sacraments are signs that not only point us where to go, but that bring God directly to us. 

Hero of the Week - St. Therese of Lisieux

Challenges of the Week (Complete at Least One)

• Do something small for God. Read a child a story from the bible. Pick up trash around your school or neighborhood. Do an extra chore. (This one works best if you're just a little "sneaky" so no one else notices!) Write about what you did...and how you felt.

• Ask God to help you to sincerely forgive someone who has hurt you. Offer something to God as a spiritual gift for this person's well-being (i.e. extra effort at school and chores, your next Eucharist, or avoid sweets for the week). Write about what you did and how you felt.

• Take advantage of the sacraments! In addition to Sunday Mass, try going to Mass during the week, and take note of the impact this has on your day.  Write about it.

Taking It Home - Wrap-Up

When Adam and Eve sinned, the connection was broken. And just as they hid when God wanted to walk in the garden with them, we often try to hide out brokenness from God and resist his efforts to reach out to us.

Grace brings us closer to God.  Without it we are spiritually died.  Grace makes it possible to live in the heroic, holy way that God calls us to live; to believe, hope, and love in ways that would otherwise not be available to us.

A sacrament is a "sacred sign" that Christ gave to the Church to deliver grace to us, share his divine life with us, and make us holy.

Closing Song: "We are Called"  by David Haas (3:42)

Closing Prayer

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Bonus Links: 

"Middle of Your Heart - Live Performance" by for King and Country

"Sacraments: The Instrument of Grace" Podcast from Catholic Answers Live

Fr. Sebastian Walshe discusses sacraments and sacramentality.

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11/4/2015 - Chosen - Lesson 7 - Where am I going?

Welcome & Introduction

Video: Review Game (1:48)

 How did you do with last week's challenges?

What stood out to you in reading our Class Bible Reading Challenge? John chapter 3

This week we will look at the question: Where am I going? The purpose of this lesson is to convey the truth about what happens after death, sometimes called the "four last things": death, judgement, heaven, and hell.

Opening Song: Hello, My Name is by Matthew West (3:49)

Bible Reading: Romans 6:23

Catechism Reading: Paragraph #1021 & 1022 (YouCat - Question #152)

Chosen Opening Prayer

Chosen - Lesson 7 - Where am I going? (A Look at the Four Last Things) 

Dive In: The Way of the Bow

Today, we're going to look at what the end goal of life is, how to stay focused on it in a healthy way, and how that end goal impacts us in the here and now.

Video: Seg. 1 - Where am I going? (15:09)

• Answer the "Watch It!" questions. 

• Small Group Discussion

Video: Seg. 2 - Heaven and Hell (9:56)

• Answer the "Watch It!" questions.

• Small Group Discussion 

Video: Seg. 3 - Purgatory (5:09)

• Answer the "Watch It!" questions.

• Small Group Discussion

To The Heart

Not everyone goes through life with a heart valve problem like Chris Padgett.  Everyone is going to die at some point in time, possibly without any warning.  In Chris's case it may likely be sooner than others. Chris does not share his story to encourage you to live in fear, but the opposite...to encourage you to live with the freedom that comes from knowing you're right with God and with the knowledge that he loves you more than you can image.  So, live your live in a way that will allow you to have no regrets in your relationships with others and no regrets when you finally see your Father in heaven.  That's a life lived to the full, every day! 

Hero of the Week - St. Sebastian

Challenges of the Week (Complete at Least One)

• This week, pray for the release of souls from Purgatory. Copy this powerful prayer and offer it on behalf of those who have died.  If you've recently lost someone dear to you, remember that person in particular.

"Eternal Father, I offer you the most precious blood of your divine son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the holy souls in purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal church, for those in my own home and within my family.  Amen." (Prayer of St. Gertrude the Great)

• Go to Confession this week. Invite your family or friends to go with you. Plan something fun to do afterward to celebrate your fresh start. Write about it.

• Just say it! Is there someone with whom you need to be reconciled, someone who needs your apology or forgiveness?  What are you waiting for?  Talk to them or write them a letter if that would be easier.  Write about your experience.

Taking It Home - Wrap-Up

Jesus was very clear that hell is a real state and that it is a real possibility for one's eternal destiny. Although God wants everyone in heaven, he will not force himself on anyone. He gave us free will so we could choose freely to live in eternal union with him.

At the end of our lives, we will experience the particular judgement of God, and we will know how our actions and life compared to what he made us to be. This judgement will determine how we spend eternity, either with God in heaven or separated from him in hell..

Purgatory is a state of preparation and purification for those who die in the state of grace but are not yet ready for heaven due to remaining imperfections in their souls.

Closing Song: Starry Night by Chris August (3:33)

Closing Prayer

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Bonus Link: Is Purgatory in the Bible? from Catholic Answer (6:48)



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