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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