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The Baptism of Jesus
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students can read the account of Jesus' baptism and answer questions about it.
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Interview Questions about Your Baptism
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students ask the provided to questions to adults who can tell them about the details of that student's baptism. A reflection on the significance of the sacrament is done at …
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Vocabulary for Unit 3
This vocabulary list is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students may use it as a reference for key theological terms to know.
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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 3
This resource is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers project ideas for students who have recently studied the Paschal Mystery, especially the life and ministry of Jesus Christ in the Gospels.
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Hevruta: Learning Together
This article is from the Living in Christ Series. It explains the classroom discussion method of Hevruta, an ancient Jewish practice of reading aloud and discovering that each text has several layers of meaning. It can also be used with …
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The Parable of Juan and the Fishbowl Reflection
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students can answer basic, advanced, and highly reflective questions about the story.
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Using the Lectionary to Understand How God’s Ancient Promises Are Fulfilled in Jesus
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students can use this handout to explore some Old Testament prophecies that find their fulfillment in Jesus Christ.
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Training Students to Read Aloud
This article is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers a guide for helping students become comfortable with reading aloud.
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Redemptive Love: Simon Birch
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students watching the movie "Simon Birch" can use this handout to follow along and reflect on major themes in the film.
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Vocabulary for Unit 2
This vocabulary list is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students may use it as a reference for key theological terms to know.
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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 2
This resource is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers ideas for assessing students who have recently studied the Paschal Mystery and salvation history.
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Grace and Redemption in Film
This handout is part of the Living in Christ Series. It asks a series of questions about various characters and themes of grace, redemption and suffering. Suggested movies for this activity include "Amazing Grace" and "Dead Man Walking."
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Symbolic Language and Religious Truth: Genesis 1-3
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. It asks students to explore the Book of Genesis to find symbolic language and discuss its meaning with other students.
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Vocabulary for Unit 1
This vocabulary list is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students may use it as a reference for key theological terms to know.
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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 1
This resource is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers ideas for a final assessment for students who have been learning about the Paschal Mystery.
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Preassessment Statements
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers several statements with which students may agree or disagree as a preassessment tool for teaching the Paschal Mystery.
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Final Synthesis
This resource is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers ideas for final projects after students have studied various elements of the Paschal Mystery.
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Liturgy Reflection
This resource is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers reflection questions for students to use as prompts when writing papers on the Liturgy.
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Research Component - Liturgy Writing Assignment
This handout is part of the Living in Christ Series. It outlines the guidelines for a research writing assignment in which students reflect on various liturgical seasons.
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Project Overview
This assignment is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers ideas for reflection papers regarding three different liturgical celebrations.
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Semester Long Project
This project idea is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students compile a portolio of written assignments, making observations and reflecting on the Paschal Mystery through the Sacraments.
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Peter and Paul
http://www.pbs.org/empires/peterandpaul/
This link to the Web site for the PBS series Peter and Paul is the starting point for a Webquest exploration.
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Kings of Israel and Judah
https://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0197620.html
This site provides a chronological list of the kings of Israel and Judah, with links to brief articles from the Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia for each king.
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3 Week Discipleship Integration Plan
This resource is a part of the Living in Christ Series. The 3 Week Discipleship Integration Plan is a helpful tool for setting goals and charting progress in various areas of discipleship.
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Where Have Jesus, Mary, the Apostles, Disciples, and Others Modeled the Ways to Discipleship?
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students are asked to reflect on the discipleship modeled by Jesus, Mary, the Apostles, and others.
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Definitions and Application of Theological Terms
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students can use this chart to fill in the definiton of various terms, then find a practical application for their life.
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Where Are You Right Now in Your Faith Life?
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students are asked to reflect on their own habits and practices in their spiritual journey.
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Portfolio Instruction
This resource is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers instruction to students who must put together a portfolio of their readings, writings and assignments from lessons on Jesus and Christology.
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Cross the Line
This article is part of the Living in Christ Series. It introduces a method of classroom discussion that is interactive and a part of the bodily-kinesthetic learning method. Students move to indicate their responses to various questions.
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Review of Concepts for Jesus Chirst: God's Love Made Visible
This resource is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students can review key concepts about the person of Jesus Christ.
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Review of Concepts for Jesus Chirst: God's Love Made Visible
This handout is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students can review the main ideas from studying the person of Jesus Christ in the New Testament.
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Preparing a Prayer Service
This resource is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers step by step details to consider when planning a prayer service.
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Preparing a Prayer Service Sample
This resource is part of the Living in Christ Series. It is a sample for how to use another LIC resource in order to successfully plan a prayer service.
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Review of Concepts for Jesus Chirst: God's Love Made Visible
This resource is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students may use it to review key concepts about the person of Jesus Christ, his disciples, and his mother Mary.
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Review of Concepts for Jesus Chirst: God's Love Made Visible
This review is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students may use it to review key ideas from studying the person of Jesus Christ.
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A Gallery Walk - Discussion Technique
This article is from the Living in Christ Series. It is an instructional article for teachers to learn how to administer a "Gallery Walk" discussion technique.
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The Men Who Followed Jesus
This chart is part of the Living in Christ Series. It outlines the men who followed Jesus, including their names, significance in scripture, and biblical references where they are mentioned.
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The Socratic Seminar
This article is part of the Living in Christ Series. Teachers may use it as a guide to using the Socratic Method in classroom discussion.
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Review of Concepts for The Church: Christ in the World Today
This review is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students can review main ideas from studying the Church and ecclesiology.
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Student Notes for Unit 8
This resource is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students can review main ideas from studying the Bible, especially the New Testament.
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Review of Concepts for The Bible: Living Word of God
This resource is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students can review key ideas from studying the New Testament.
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Review of Concepts for The Bible: Living Word of God
This resource is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students can review key ideas about the Old Testament prophets from studying the Bible.
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The Prophets
This article is part of the Living in Christ Series. It uses Scripture to discuss the role of a prophet as a spokesperson for God in the Old Testament.
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Review of Concepts for The Bible: Living Word of God
This review is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students can review key concepts from studying the Bible.
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Kings Saul and David: The Books of Samuel
This article gives an overview of the Books of Samuel, especially the reign of King Saul - the first king of Israel - and King David.
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Compare and Contrast: Abraham and Moses
In this exercise the students compare and contrast the covenant experiences of Abraham and Moses to gain a deeper understanding of the role of covenant in the history of the Jewish people.
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The Sinai Covenant and the Ten Commandments
This article discusses the Old Testament covenants and codes, the wilderness period, and the Ten Commandments.
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Review of Concepts for The Bible: Living Word of God
This review is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students may use it to review key concepts from studying the Bible.
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Senses of Scripture and the Annunciation
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students can analyze the story of the Annunciation through the literal, moral, spiritual, anagogical, and allegorical sense of interpretation.
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Review of Concepts for The Bible: Living Word of God
This handout is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers a review of key concepts for students studying the Bible.
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Preassessment Informs Teaching
This article is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers an brief explanation behind preassessment diagnostic evaluations as ways to learn what students already know about a topic.
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Introducing Biblical Navigation
This article is from the Living in Christ Series. It offers guidelines for teachers teaching students how to navigate the Bible, including reference to other worksheet for the students.
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How to Lead a Socratic Seminar
This article is part of the Living in Christ Series. It includes information on how to prepare for, lead, assess and follow-up the classroom use of a Socratic Seminar discussion method.
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Mind Map
This resource is part of the Living in Christ Series. It is a handout for students to use the Mind Map format to brainstorm and explore relationships and associations between ideas and words.
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Learning About Learning
This worksheet is part of the Living in Christ Series. It asks students to reflect on their responses, likes, and dislikes to new learning methods.
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Pentecost
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students can read the account of Pentecost in the Acts of the Apostles and answer questions about it.
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The Ascension of Jesus
This worksheet is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students can read the account of Jesus' Ascension and answer questions about it.
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Vocabulary for Unit 8
This vocabulary list is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students may use it as a reference for key theological terms to know.
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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 8
This resource is part of the Living in Christ series. It offers various project ideas for students who are or have been studying scripture, especially the New Testament gospels and letters.
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Gospel Basics: Comparing the Four
This worksheet is part of the Living in Christ Series. It helps students identify the differences between the four gospel accounts with reference to who, what, when and where each author was writing.
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Biblical Scavenger Hunt for Events in the Life of Jesus
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. It is a biblical scavenger hunt through the New Testament in order to find various key events in the life and ministry of Jesus.
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Vocabulary for Unit 7
This vocabulary list is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students may use it as a reference for key theological terms to know.
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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 7
This resource is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers various project ideas for students who have recently studied scripture, especially the New Testament portrait of Jesus Christ.
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Messianic Prophecies Worksheet
This worksheet is part of the Living in Christ Series and goes along with the chart that contains information on the Old Testament prophecies which were fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Students can reflect on the Messianic Prophecies and answer questions.
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Ezekiel Symbolic Prophecy and Visions
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students are asked to read parts of the Book of Ezekiel and write down how Ezekiel is asked to symbolically act out the prophetic message.
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The Inner Life of the Prophet Jeremiah
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students can student learn more about the prophet Jeremiah by reading parts of his Old Testament book.
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Evaluating the Prophet Isaiah
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students are given several passages from the Book of Isaiah and asked to describe the events described in the Bible.
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Kings and Prophets Worksheet
This worksheet is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students answer questions about the kings and prophets of the Old Testament.
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The Prophetic Checklist
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students can learn key characteristics of the prophets of the Old Testament and look up Biblical citations to correspond.
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Preparation Worksheet for Prophet Research Assignment
This resource is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students can use these questions prepare for and consider several facets of a prophet that they plan to research mor extensively.
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Vocabulary for Unit 6
This vocabulary list is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students may use it as a reference for key theological terms to know.
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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 6
This resource is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers various project ideas for students who have recently studied scripture, especially the Old Testament and the prophets.
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The Best King of Israel
This handout is part of the Living in Christ Series. It outlines the research questions for students to explore while studying various kings of the Old Testament.
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The Role of a Judge in Ancient Israel
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students can learn more about important judges from the Old Testament.
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Graph for Evaluating Leadership Qualities
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students and teachers can use this to evaluation leadership qualities in the classroom and compare those qualities with various Biblical characters.
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Vocabulary for Unit 5
This vocabulary list is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students may use it as a reference for key theological terms to know.
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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 5
This resource is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers various project ideas for students who have recently studied scripture, especially Old Testament leadership qualities in the kings and judges.
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Leadership Statements
This worksheet is part of the Living in Christ Series. It includes several statesments about leadership in the Bible, including who's called, what skills are necessary, and what it takes to be a good leader.
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What Kind of Leader Is Moses?
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students are asked to look up verses and make assessments about Moses' leadership in the Old Testament.
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Leadership Quotations
This worksheet is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers quotations from several historical leaders and asks students to reflect on various styles and characteristics of leadership.
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Leadership Scavenger Hunt
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students are asked to fill out the characteristics and stories of various leaders in the Bible.
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Vocabulary for Unit 4
This vocabulary list is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students may use it as a reference for key theological terms to know.
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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 4
This resource is part of the Living in Christ Series. If offers various project ideas for students who have recently studied scripture, especially important Old Testament characters.
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Sprint Through Salvation History Scriptural Passages
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students are asked to explore the Bible for key events in the Old and New Testaments in Salvation History.
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Why Is Salvation History Necessary
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students are asked to reflect on episodes in the Book of Genesis and consider the necessity of Salvation History.
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Why Do We Study History
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students are asked to reflect on important historical documents and consider the overall significance of studying history.
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Vocabulary for Unit 3
This vocabulary list is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students may use it as a reference for key theological terms to know.
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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 3
This resource is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers ideas of assessing students who have recently studied scripture, especially original sin and salvation historys' culmination in Jesus Christ.
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Field of Dreams Reflection Questions
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. It serves as a follow up reflection on the movie, "The Field of Dreams," prompting students to think about the themes of inspiration, revelation, and vocation seen throughout the film.
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Biblical Exegesis Worksheet
This activity is related to the "Biblical Exegesis Chart" and is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students must fill in the remaining column to answer questions about the exegetical work of various methods of biblical criticism.
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Vocabulary for Unit 2
This vocabulary list is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students may use it as a reference for key theological terms to know.
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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 2
This resource is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers ideas for assessing students who have recently studied the Bible, including inspiration, divine revelation, and exegesis.
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Exegesis Online Information Quest
This resource is part of the Living in Christ Series. It helps students locate and utilize online resources for biblical scholarship and exegesis.
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Practicing Biblical Exegesis
With this worksheet, students can practice Biblical exegesis with certain well-known Bible verses.
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Biblical Scavenger Hunt
In this activity, students are asked to find various famous Old Testament stories and events by searching through Scripture.
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How to Find a Scriptural Reference
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. It is a great introduction to looking up scripture references in the Bible, and getting used to finding important stories by book, chapter and verse.
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Vocabulary for Unit 1
This vocabulary list is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students may use it as a reference for key theological terms to know.
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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 1
This is a helpful resource for coming up with final assessments for students after reviewing biblical scholarship, history, genres, and criticism.
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Vocabulary for Unit 8
This vocabulary list is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students may use it as a reference for key theological terms to know.
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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 8
This resource is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers several project ideas for students who are or have been studying christology, especially what it means to be a follower of Jesus through prayer and discipleship.
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Vocabulary for Unit 7
This vocabulary list is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students may use it as a reference for key theological terms to know.
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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 7
This resource is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers various project ideas for students who have recently studied christology, especially Jesus' suffering, death and resurrection in salvation history.
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Jesus Is Tempted
This worksheet is part of the Living in Christ Series. It is a helpful way to organize notes about Jesus' temptation in the desert - including what the temptation was, how he responded, and what students can learn from it.
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The Ministry of Jesus
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students can study various moments in Jesus' ministry and the values he embodied.
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Jesus Walks the Talk
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. The grid helps students organize and answer different aspects of Jesus' life in the New Testament.
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Vocabulary for Unit 6
This vocabulary list is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students may use it as a reference for key theological terms to know.
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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 6
This resource is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers various project ideas for students who have recently studied christology, especially the moral teachings and model of Jesus Christ.
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Matrix Summary of Jesus' Teachings
This matrix is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers a convenient and helpful structure for students to take notes about Jesus' main teachings.
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Reflection on the Greatest Commandments
This worksheet is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students can study and reflect on the Greatest Commandments: to love God with your whole mind, body and soul, and to love your neighbor as yourself.
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Core Elements of a Parable
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students are assigned a parable and use this chart to discover the core elements of any of the parables that Jesus tells.
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The Parables of Jesus
This handout is part of the Living in Christ Series. It is a helpful chart listing all of Jesus' parables in Matthew, Mark and Luke.
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Matthew's Sermon on the Mount
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students can use this chart to write down questions, thoughts, or reactions to each section of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount.
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Venn Diagram
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students can use this handout to do a Venn Diagram of Gospel comparisons.
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Vocabulary for Unit 5
This vocabulary list is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students may use it as a reference for key theological terms to know.
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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 5
This resource is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers various project ideas for students who have recently studied christology, especially Jesus' Sermon on the Mount and the fulfillment of the Ten Commandments.
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Encountering Jesus: Writing Assignment
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. It gives two options for a writing assignment that uses scripture and the imagination.
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Getting to Know Mary
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students must find various scripture passages regarding Mary and reflect on questions about her life and personality.
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Vocabulary for Unit 4
This vocabulary list is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students may use it as a reference for key theological terms to know.
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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 4
This resource is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers various project ideas for students who have recently studied christology, especially Jesus' relationships with Mary and the disciples.
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Group Review Form for Posters About Jesus
This resource is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers a review form for students or teachers to fill out after doing a poster project.
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Etymology and Understanding
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students define, associate, and find similaries among various words that a teacher or catechist assigns, in order to see the root and relationship between them.
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Research Ideas for the Life and Times of Jesus
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. Several key questions about the culture and customs in the life and times of Jesus are posed for students to investigate further.
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The Life and Times of Jesus
This handout is part of the Living in Christ Series. It serves as a guide for writing assignment students may do as an introduction to Biblical exegesis.
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Vocabulary for Unit 3
This vocabulary list is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students may use it as a reference for key theological terms to know.
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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 3
This resource is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers three different options for assessing students who have recently studied Christology, especially Jesus' fully human, fully divine nature, his historical context, and his relationship to God the Father.
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The Development of Catholic Trinitarian Theology
This handout is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students can fill in the blanks to learn or review key concepts about the development of Trinitarian theology.
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The Nicene Creed and Commentary
This resource is part of the Living in Christ Series. It includes the word to the Nicene Creed and a commentary on key phrases and lines.
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Vocabulary for Unit 2
This vocabulary list is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students may use it as a reference for key theological terms to know.
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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 2
This resource is from the Living in Christ Series. It offers three ideas for assessing students who have recently studied Christology, including core themes like monotheism, trinitarianism, and community.
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Vocabulary Review
This review is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students may use it to review key theological terms.
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Interview Questions: Personal Relationship with Jesus
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students are to interview an adult in their life whom they know that has a personal relationship with Jesus.
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Vocabulary for Unit 1
This vocabulary list is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students may use it as a reference for key theological terms to know.
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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 1
This resource is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers ideas for final assessment projects for students studying Christology, including revelation, the Church, and tradition.
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The Holy Trinity
Student handout: Activity for an unnamed section of Cath Connections Handbook (pg 35-39 ish) word puzzle
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A Place at Our Table
A class activity designed to raise awareness of the reality of hunger in our nation and world.
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Pass the Bag: A Biblical Affirmation Exercise
Class activity that familiarizes them with scriptural values, increases vocab, and ups self-esteem
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Directions for Game on! Games for Catholic Connections
Original directions to go with Game On! Cards. instructions for Baseball, Dodgeball, Identity, Jeopardy...
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Let Your Light Shine: An Overnight Retreat on Self-Esteem
This overnight retreat on self-esteem invites the young people to explore their own personal gifts and encourages them to share those abilities with others. The retreat emphasizes the light of Christ in our Life, the special people who bring us …
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I Am More Like. . .
Class strategy. Activity to help students articulate and share some of their personal characteristics and develop an appreciation for differences among people
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Giving Thanks for Special People: A Communication Activity for Thanksgiving
A thank-you card activity to give thanks for the special people in students' lives.
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Birthday Blessings
Similar to back to school blessing handout. Something you can do at home, "introduce God into your birthday celebrations at home"
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Back-to-School Blessing: A Prayer Service for the Beginning of the School Year
A resource/handout for teachers or catechists. Something fun to do on first day of class, or during the beginning of the new school year.
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The Sacraments at the Service of Communion: Holy Orders and Matrimony
This session from Catechetical Sessions on Liturgy and the Sacraments invites participants to consider the unique ways in which ordained ministers and married people serve the people of God, responsibilities that are presented in the vows they take in either …
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Play Ball
Preparation Gather the following items: * two foam balls or two beanbags * one copy of the resource A Communication Process(PDF) Secretly Ask a participant to help you with the activity. Explain that the second activity in this session is …
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Exploring the Themes in Paul's Epistles
Background for the Catechist This session invites the participants to work in small groups to research some of Paul's major theological themes and create billboard representations to "sell" their assigned theme. In this way the young people get a deeper …
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Paul's Conversion
Background for the Teacher This session focuses our attention on Paul's conversion experience. Using a hard-boiled egg and a raw egg as focusing symbols, the young people reflect on the meaning of conversion. Then two or three of the participants …
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Paul: A Unique Person
Background for the Teacher Saint Paul has fascinated Christians throughout history. The combination of his Jewish upbringing, his exposure to Greek culture, his fiery personality, and his openness to God's grace uniquely prepared him to spread the Gospel. This session …
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Paul's Missionary Journeys
Preparation Gather the following items: pens or pencils copies of The Catholic Youth Bible® or another Bible, one for each participant maps of Paul's journeys (See maps 7 and 8 from the Study Aids section in the back of The …
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Leader's Guide for The Master's Companion: A Christian Midrash
Table of Contents Beyond Scripture Helpful Hints for Using and Creating Midrash with Young People Classroom Activities Chapter 1: The Small Black Dog with the White Foot (John 4:1-30)--compassion for animals Chapter 2: A Night in the Garden (John 4:39-45)--significance …
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Leader's Guide for Coyote Meets Jesus
Stories are not just for young children. Everyone loves a good story and good storytelling is a useful tool for teaching. Using folktales as a teaching tool in a catechetical setting or a religion class can help teens understand the …
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Peace Creed
Writing a Peace Creed (15 minutes) 1. Tell the young people that as much as we might want peace to become a reality in our world, being a peacemaker takes a lot of hard work. The first steps are to …
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Scripture Search and Discussion: Living by the Spirit of Jesus
(25 minutes) Before the session. Ask one of the participants to serve as a reader. Then, write each of the four following words or phrases on a separate sheet of paper. If your group is large, you might want to …
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Family Relationships
Scripture Passage Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honor your father and mother"-- this is the first commandment with a promise: "so that it may be well with you and you may live long on …
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Assumption of Mary - Mary as a Disciple
Begin an exploration of Mary as the first disciple by explaining the word disciple, which means "follower, or one who believes in the teachings of a leader." Invite the students to examine the ways that Mary was a …
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Word-Association Exercise: Afterlife
(30 minutes) Prior to this exercise, have the all participants (including the facilitator) bring to the session a personal symbol. This symbol should be an object from among the participant's personal belongings that acts as a reminder of a much …
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Handout 1: The Walk to Emmaus
Characters: narrator, Jesus, Cleopas, second disciple Narrator: That very same day, two of the disciples were on their way to a village called Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking over all that had happened. Now as they …
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The Final Beginning: Ascension and Pentecost
Overview After Jesus' death, his followers were fearful, angry, grief-stricken, confused, and shattered. About fifty days later, at Pentecost, they were confident, joyful, determined, committed, and passionate. This topic of this session covers the time from the Resurrection until the …
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Reflection Exercise: My Least Answerable Questions
(5 minutes) 1. Introduce this exercise by reiterating the idea that death is mystery and that since the beginning of time, people of all ages, cultures, and races have asked tough questions about death. Jesus himself struggled with such questions. …
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Talking Hands--Personal Attitudes Toward Death
(10 minutes) 1. Have the participants assemble and sit in a circle. Introduce this activity as Talking Hands. Explain to the participants the signals that they will need to use. Tell the young people that each time they hear a …
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Unbound!
OVERVIEW Praying for forgiveness sets us free. In this prayer the young people experience this message through a ritual of reconciliation. This strategy, which is ideal for a retreat or as a conclusion to a session on forgiveness, allows …
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Lenten Justice Crosses
OVERVIEW Through this hands-on project, the young people help spread the Lenten message of conversion to justice. They also become familiar with the message of the prophet Micah and the traditional spiritual disciplines of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Suggested Time: …
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The Power of Song
(25-35 minutes) Preparation Bring in a recording of an African American sacred song, or invite a local gospel choir or your school or parish choir to come in and perform such a song. A good resource for music is Lead …
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Lenten Nails: A Reflection Exercise for Lent
OVERVIEW This two-part reflection exercise allows the young teens to evaluate their behaviors and attitudes and admit their faults, throughout Lent. The exercise is introduced at the beginning of Lent and concludes before Easter. Suggested Time: Approximately 10 minutes for …
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Ashes to Reconciliation: A Reconciliation Prayer for Lent
OVERVIEW This prayer can be used during the first week of Lent or any time the sacrament of Reconciliation (also called the sacrament of Penance) is discussed or celebrated. Suggested Time: 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the size of …
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February 14: Valentine Puzzles
Preparation. Purchase or make a poster board heart, about 6 inches wide, for every four or five young people. Write on each heart a different scriptural verse that pertains to love. Include the citation. Here are some possible citations: Deut. …
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January 22: Saying Yes to Life
Preparation Bring in pictures of fetal development. 1. Present a scenario in which a girl like those in your group experiences a crisis pregnancy. Then list on the board a number of options, such as these: She can keep the …
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Soup or Bowl: A Game and Service Project for Super Bowl Sunday
OVERVIEW This combination game and service project is played in relay style by teams of young people with cans of soup that they bring as donations for the local food pantry. Suggested Time: A minimum of 10 minutes, or as …
Article
Artist Appreciate Month: Finding Christian Art Resources on the Web
Teachers and catechists with the capacity for projecting computer images on a screen can find an enormous amount of Christian art on the World Wide Web. Educators are encouraged to be aware of fair use and other copyright laws, respect …
Article
December 25: Reflection on Favorite Christmas Carols
Reflection on Favorite Christmas Carols Have the students, as a class, decide on their five favorite Christmas carols. To help them, take time to actually listen to Christmas carols in class. Doing this out of season will strike some students …
Article
Advent: Saint Joseph and Jesus
This can be easily adapted to a video call. 1. Gather the group in a circle for a moment of silence. Light the candle and read these passages about Joseph in the Gospel of Matthew (1:18-21 and 2:13-15). Ask the …
Article
Advent Buddies
Advent Buddies: An Intergenerational Relationship-building Activity OVERVIEW This activity helps young people learn from an older person in the parish and establish a faith relationship with that person. Suggested Time: About 15 minutes for each meeting during Advent Group Size: …
Article
Must--Should--Can
Must--Should--Can Instructions: Check all the responsibilities you believe a pope must do in the MUST column, the responsibilities he should do in the SHOULD column, and the responsibilities he can do in the CAN column. # Responsibility MUST SHOULD CAN …
Article
The Liturgical Year
Learning Experience: The Liturgical Year (20 minutes) On a chalkboard or sheet of newsprint, draw six horizontal lines. Tell the group members that each line represents one of the Church seasons. Invite them to name the major seasons of the …
Article
Build a Meal: An Outreach Activity for Thanksgiving
Build a Meal: An Outreach Activity for Thanksgiving OVERVIEW This outreach activity invites the young people to build holiday meals and memories for families that might not be able to afford a traditional Thanksgiving meal. Suggested Time: 10 to 15 …
Article
All Saints' Day: Unmasking Saints
Unmasking Saints: A Learning Activity for All Saints' Day OVERVIEW This creative activity helps young adolescents learn a little about their Catholic heritage by exploring the life and work of their patron saint or a favorite saint. Group Size: This …
Article
A New Rock
OVERVIEW This is a youth catechetical session intended to lead young people to an understanding of Pope John Paul II's life, ministry, general papal responsibilities, and the procedure for electing a new pontiff. It can be used in a …
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