10/26/2016 - Deeper Dive - God and The Real Jesus

Bible Reading: Genesis 1:1

Catechism Reading: Paragraph #31

Review, Link & Introduce:
Last week we took a look at the role Jesus should play in our lives and how Jesus and his teachings are the answers to the problems we face in our lives and in the world. Unfortunately there are people around you who at various times in your life will try to convince you God and Jesus do not exist.  Even worse is the fact that some of these people will attack your faith when you are in college and away from family and friends. So, in tonight's class we will learn several reasons that will allow us to attain certainty about the truth of the existence of God and the real Jesus.

Lesson:
  • Catholic Answers - 20 Answers - God
    • #7 - Does the universe provide evidence that God exists?
    • #8 - Does the Big Bang provide evidence for the existence of God?
    • #10 - Does evolution disprove the existence of God?
  • Catholic Answers - 20 Answers - The Real Jesus
    • #4 - Can we trust the Gospel accounts of Jesus' life? I heard they were written decades or even centuries later by anonymous authors.
    • #12 - I heard that Jesus was married and that the Church suppressed other Gospels that depict him as just an ordinary man and not the Son of God.  Is this True?
    • #20 - What should I believe about Jesus?

Class Stewardship Project:
  • Present project ideas
  • Discuss projects in small groups
  • Select project as a class
  • Preliminary Planning

Closing Song: Strangely Dim by Francesca Battistelli

Closing Prayer:

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Bonus Links:
  • The Existence of God
    • This is a post on Gary's Blog that contains a link to a very good 60-minute podcast from Catholic Answers Live.  
  • The Evidence for Jesus
    • This is a very good 60-minute podcast from Al Kresta. Al hosts a radio show called "Kresta in the Afternoon". This radio program is one of two programs Gary regularly listens to via their podcast.
  • Jesus: Sent by God? YES!
    • This is another post on Gary's Blog.  It contains links to a few of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen's recordings from his very popular "Life is Worth Living" TV show from the 50's and early 60's. If you have never heard Archbishop Sheen speak, you should checkout these recordings.

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10/19/2016 - DP - Session 3 - The Jesus Question

Bible Reading: Matthew 9:9

Catechism Reading: Paragraph #2232

Review, Link & Introduce: 

In the first class this year we talked about how you have all matured physically and mentally.  You are not the same person you were when you were five.  You expect to be treated differently and the people closest to you expect more from you. One thing that is expected of you is to start making a few more decisions on your own. This is why the first two weeks were focused on the importance of the decisions you make and some "Stinking Thinking" that will lead you to decisions that do not help you become the best version of yourself. More and more of the decisions you make will impact who you become as you move through high school and into college.

You are also expected to mature spiritually as well throughout your lifetime. Confirmation is a major milestone on your Christian spiritual growth. To reach that milestone you need to be prepared to answer "YES" in a bigger way than you ever have to the biggest question you will ever be asked to make. "Will you follow Jesus by making him a daily part of your life and doing what He expects of you? Tonight's session will help you see who Jesus is, why following Jesus gives you the best answers to problems that will help you become the best version of yourself, and how the grace you receive from God through Jesus allows you to return to God through reconciliation when you struggle to follow Jesus by not making the best decisions for your life.

Decision Point - Session 3 - The Jesus Question   
                                           (Student Workbook Link)

Decision Point Opening Prayer:







Decision Point Closing Prayer

Other Discussion Items
  • Stewardship
    • What did you do this week to help someone else?
Open Q&A

Action Items
  • Did you load the Decision Point App on your Phone or iPod Touch?
  • Re-watch the videos from session 3
  • Consider your relationship with Jesus this week...
    • Are you allowing Jesus to be part of your life by choosing to follow him and making him part of your life outside CCD class and Mass?
    • Are you thinking about what Jesus wants for you in the simple decisions you make every day? 
    • Should I spend another 15 minutes texting friends rather than reading a book or the Bible that will help me be a better ME?
    • Should I spend another 15 minutes watching TV or playing video games rather than doing something that will help Mom/Dad, other relative, or a neighbor?

Class Closing Prayer

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Bonus Videos:
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10/12/2016 - Stewardship/Service - Parent Session



Bible Reading: John 13:34-35
 
Catechism Reading: Paragraph 2447
 
Opening Song: My Own Little World by Matthew West
  • How often do we miss opportunities to help others because we are so focused on ourselves?
  • How often do we miss opportunities to be Jesus for someone around us?
Opening Prayer

 Stewardship / Service
  • Introduction
  • Expectations
  • Class Project Ideas
Other Items
  • Feedback on the "Rediscover Jesus" Book
  • Feedback on the Decision Point App & Website
  • Parent Helpers
  • SLAM Activities 
Closing Song: Do Something by Matthew West

 Closing Prayer

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10/5/2016 - Stewardship/Service - Student Session

Opening Story

  • "Are You Jesus", from Matthew Kelly's "Rediscover Jesus" book.



Bible Reading: John 13: 34-35

Catechism Reading: Paragraph2447

Opening Song: My Own LittleWorld by Matthew West

  • How often do we miss opportunities to help others because we are so focused on ourselves?

  • How often do we miss opportunities to be Jesus (like in our opening story) for someone around us?


Opening Prayer

Lesson

  • Works of Mercy

    • Spiritual Works of Mercy


    • Corporal Works of Mercy

    • Stewardship

      • Stewardship is us reflecting God's love for us to those around us so they can come to see and know God through us. 


    • Who can we serve through our stewardship?

      • Those we are in contact with in our everyday activities

      • Family

        • Small Group Exercise

          • Start to fill in Works of Mercy worksheet with ideas for daily contacts and family members.

      • Community - Church, School, City

        • Small Group Exercise

          • Add ideas to the Works of Mercy worksheet for community

      • Country

      • World



        • Introduce Catholic Relief Service (CRS)


    • Turn Words and Ideas into Actions



      • Class Project

        • Small Group Exercise

          • Brain Storm Ideas for class projects

        • Each group presents favorite

      • Family Project

        • Small Group Exercise

          • Brain Storm Ideas for family projects

    • Stewardship/Service expectations for confirmation candidates

      • Participate in planning and execution of a class project

      • Participate in planning and execution of a family project

      • Learn to be more open to stewardship/service opportunities by regularly stepping up to help people and organizations.

      • Write up two reflections using the form provided and give to Mrs. Metzger or Mr. Lauderbaugh.

      • Present one of your reflections to the class.

      • Just for Fun (optional) with your parents approval:

        • Search Twitter for: #mercyinmotion to read and hear about how others put "Mercy into Motion".


        • You and/or your parents can tweet about how you and your family put "Mercy in Motion" using #mercyinmotion and #mphmshelby

          • When you tweet to not use a person’s names. Use "a friend", "a family member", etc in place of names.

        • Search twitter for: #mphmshelby to read about others in your CCD class putting "Mercy into Motion".




Closing Song: We are Called

Closing Prayer

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