Unit 1 introducess the New Testament. It describes Jesus’ birth and will help young people grow in knowledge of how they are called to imitate Christ, and learn different ways to express devotion. Chapter 1|Chapter 2|Chapter 3|Chapter 4
		The Birth of Our Savior Refer to Get Connected, pages 3-4 in your young teen’s book to help in preparing for Chapter 1. Learning Goals This chapter will help young people • learn that the Gospel writers Luke and Matthew included different details in their narratives about the birth of Jesus because they were writing to different audiences. • understand that through the mystery of the Incarnation Jesus Christ became man while continuing to be God. • discover that Mary is our spiritual mother and role model of faith. Background Only the Gospels of Luke and Matthew record the story of Jesus’ birth. If you compare the two nativity stories, you will notice different details and points of emphasis. Luke’s aim was to show that the promise of a Messiah was coming true, whereas Matthew wanted to show that Jesus was the fulfillment of the Old Testament. While their approaches differed, both Luke and Matthew had the same message to convey: the mystery of the Incarnation. Both wrote to prove that Jesus Christ was really the Messiah and the Son of God. The word incarnation means "to take on human flesh." Jesus, the Son of God, became one of us to save us from sin and eternal death. Family Activity Explain to family members that God’s sending God’s only Son into the world to save and redeem us shows God’s immense and awesome love for us. Explain that God continues to reveal God’s own self to us each day. Invite family members to share some of the ways they experience God’s love for them, such as through family and friends, prayer, the sacraments, nature, music, and art. Back to top
		God with Us Refer to Get Connected, pages 11-12 (Parish Edition), 15-16 (School Edition) in your young teen’s book for a choice of things to do at home. Learning Goals Chapter 2 will help young people • discover the rich symbolism found in the Rite of Baptism. • understand that the gift of baptismal grace enables them to share in the mystery of Christ’s death and Resurrection. • share their experience of God’s presence by renewing their baptismal vows. Background The mystery of the Incarnation begins to touch our souls at Baptism. This sacrament introduces us to God’s own life and love, also known as grace. God, who is infinitely greater than us, now finds a home in us. God is not only with us; the Blessed Trinity is now within us. The prayers and rituals of Baptism convey two essential truths. First, God becomes one with us individually. We share in the divine life by being baptized into the death and Resurrection of Christ. We are enabled to experience Christ’s presence in our daily lives. Second, God becomes one with us commu-nally. Baptism initiates us into the Christian community as members of the Body of Christ. We become part of something bigger than ourselves, and we will find God in the action of the Church, the eucharistic liturgy. Family Activity Read aloud this passage from Isaiah 43:1...... Fear not, for I have redeemed you; l have called you by name: you are mine." Ask each member of the family to draw a picture of or write a short paragraph about his or her baptism. Arrange the finished creations in a collage titled "Called by Name." Use the collage as a springboard to discuss what it means to be a child of God and a member of the Catholic Church. Keep the collage where family members can easily see it for the next few weeks. Back to top
		Jesus! Son of God, Son of Man Refer to Get Connected, pages 19-20 (Parish Edition), 27-28 (School Edition) in your young teen’s book for a choice of things to do at home. Learning Goals Chapter 3 will help young people • grow in their knowledge of the call to imitate Christ, to follow the commandments, and to avoid sin. • understand the concept of conscience and consider ways to form a good conscience. • grow in awareness of the moral demands of a Christian life and share with others the life of Jesus Incarnate. Background Modern society would have us believe that all things are relative and that there are no absolutes when it comes to morality. The Church teaches us otherwise. Certain actions are always good; others are always evil. Once the grace of Baptism awakens us to the God within, we discover the vital connection between conscience and Christian identity. We are motivated to live and act like Jesus, always choosing what is good. God gives us the gift of conscience and the means to develop our conscience according to the values and attitudes of Christ. We discover what it means to "love God and our neighbors as ourselves" (based on Matthew 22:37-39). Family Activity Review the Ten Commandments during a family discussion. Explain that these commandments form the basis of Judeo-Christian morality. Have someone look up the word moral in a dictionary. Write the definition so everyone can see it. Then lead a brain-storming session, naming one right and one wrong action to match each commandment. Back to top
		Jesus, One with God in Prayer Refer to Get Connected, pages 27-28 (Parish Edition), 39-40 (School Edition) in your young teen’s book for a choice of things to do at home. Learning Goals Chapter 4 will help young people • learn the value of prayer, as well as the many forms of prayer within the Church. • grow closer to God through a greater understanding of Jesus Christ. • learn different remedies for difficulty in praying, such as commitment and trust. Background Many young people spend hours on the telephone or e-mailing friends. Frequent communication is a natural aspect of developing relationships and discovering one’s identity. We learn to express thoughts and feelings and to convey interest and understanding to others. Communication helps relationships thrive. The same is true for the spiritual life. Prayer is ongoing communication with God, expressing our relationship with God in Jesus through the Holy Spirit. Through prayer we express our love for God and feel God’s love in return. Prayer transforms us. It helps us participate more fully in the mystery of the Incarnation. As Christians, we are to pray as Jesus prayed—alone or with others, with words or in silence, through meditation or contemplation. Family Activity Follow up on the Get Connected pages for this chapter. • Perhaps one or more family members could visit the Web Site Spotlight: www.webdesk.com/catholic/prayers. What prayer seems to best fit your family at this time? • In Something to Do This Week, which Scripture verses did you choose for reflection? • Is anyone in the family familiar with Jeanne Cotter’s inspirational music? If so, is there a favorite selection?