Unit 2 studies Jesus' preaching about the kingdom. Young people will learn about the kingdom as presented in the gospels. They will come to understand the meaning for the individual and the church community. Chapter 5|Chapter 6|Chapter 7|Chapter 8
		The Kingdom of God Refer to pages 43-44 in your young teen’s book to help in preparing for Chapter 5. Learning Goals Participation in this chapter will help young people • explore the meaning of the kingdom of God as presented in Matthew’s Gospel. • understand the relationship between the Church and the kingdom of God. • recognize their call to help make the kingdom of God a reality by loving and serving the poor. Background The coming of God’s kingdom is a central theme of the New Testament. John the Baptizer urges people to repent from sin in order to prepare for the kingdom, and Jesus teaches that he has come to bring about the beginning of the kingdom of God. The fullness of God’s kingdom will not come until the Second Coming of Christ, when God will destroy the power of evil and resurrect the faithful to everlasting life. The parables of Jesus tell us how to prepare for the coming of God’s kingdom. As members of the Church, we are to turn away from sin and believe in the Gospel. We are to love God and our neighbors in daily life. Jesus’ parables especially call us to minister to the poor by performing the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. Family Activity Read together about the role of social justice and the Church on pages 241-252 of your young teen’s book. See the activity at the bottom of page 252. Take on the challenge to participate in one of your parish’s social concerns projects or develop ideas for ones that could but don’t yet exist there. Back to top
		Servants of the Kingdom Refer to pages 51-52 in your young teen’s book for a choice of things to do at home. Learning Goals Participation in this chapter will help young people • identify the effects and characteristics of the sacraments of Matrimony and Holy Orders. • learn about the obligations of the vocations of marriage and the priesthood. • understand that Catholics have a vocation to imitate Christ and be of service to others. Background In our society the emphasis on making money is often so strong that concepts such as volunteerism and service appear to have no value. Chapter 6 presents the call to Christian service. Each person responds to this call differently, according to his or her own vocation. God calls some people to serve the Church as deacons, priests, and bishops. God calls others to serve the Church as religious brothers and sisters, single persons, and married couples. The Church celebrates vocations of service in the sacraments of Holy Orders and Matrimony. A vocation is more than a job. A job is what we can do. A vocation, in contrast, is how we live. It is how we serve others and God, not only through our chosen job or career but through our everyday living. A vocation is essential to who we are as disciples of Christ. See also "Servants of the Kingdom," in Catechists, Unit 2. Family Activity Here are some tips for a family discussion about the sexual abuse crisis in the church. These tips were compiled by the Arch Response team, part of the Archdiocese of Louisville family counseling. These tips appeared in the June 27, 2002 edition of The Record, the diocesan weekly of the Archdiocese of Louisville, and are used with permission. • Provide accurate information without graphic details. • Limit exposure to TV, newspapers and other media. • Discuss only what is known; do not speculate. • Be mindful that children are listening for information through adult conversation. • Know, to a large degree, a child’s reaction is related to a parent’s reaction to a traumatic event. • Allow your child’s insecure behaviors and feelings such as sleeplessness, irritability and clingy behavior. • Explain to your children that they will have numerous feelings about this incident. • Explore with children whom in their lives they can trust. • Be honest about not knowing answers to certain questions. • Talk about your own feelings of shock, anger, and fear. • Reassure them that they are safe at school and that their teachers and catechists care for them and can be trusted. Back to top
		Justice in the Kingdom on Earth Learning Goals Participation in this chapter will help young people • recognize that they show love and justice by living the commandments, which call them to respect the human dignity of all people. • understand that through Jesus they are given the grace needed to witness to God’s kingdom on earth. • recognize the value of their spiritual and material contributions to society and the importance of their responsibilities as citizens. Background This chapter teaches that all people—regardless of race, nationality, gender, religion, or culture—have dignity because they reflect God’s image and likeness. Jesus’ parable about the Good Samaritan teaches that all people, especially those suffering from injustice, are the neighbors we are to love. Our conscience directs us to acknowledge our solidarity with others and to realize that our own dignity requires us to pursue the common good. Specifically, we are to share our material resources with those in need and work to improve the living conditions of all people. Every day, we are to protect human rights and promote peace. Family Activity Discuss different types of prejudice such as the following and discuss their meanings. ageism (discrimination against the elderly) anti-Semitism (prejudice against Jewish people) racism (prejudice against people of other races) sexism (prejudice against females or males) xenophobia (fear or hatred of foreigners) In your discussion, include how easy it is to stereotype people – labeling an entire group because of the actions of a few people from that group. Give examples, such as, an elderly man who shuffles along in the supermarket slowing others down. Counteract that with another elderly man who mows a busy neighbor’s lawn after mowing his own. Also consider how fortunate the man in the supermarket is to still exert some independence to do for himself instead of asking another to do it for him. Continue your discussion with other examples. Back to top
		A Prayer for the Kingdom Learning Goals Participation in this chapter will help young people • recognize the Beatitudes as a guide to living in a way that will help bring about God’s kingdom. • understand the connection between the Beatitudes and the Lord’s Prayer. • explore the Lord’s Prayer and come to know more fully the meaning of its seven petitions. Background People often think of God as being "up above." Instead, Jesus explains, "The kingdom of God is among you" (Luke 17:21). God’s kingdom becomes present whenever we love others and live in peace. Jesus tells us that God’s kingdom is like nothing we would ever expect. Citizens of this kingdom do not find favor with God by being rich, powerful, or politically savvy. Instead, God rewards those who are poor in spirit, meek, merciful, desirous of justice, and sincerely religious. These qualities describe beatitude—everlasting happiness in God’s presence. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus presented the Beatitudes as a guideline for how we can one day find beatitude in God’s kingdom. We ask God to help us follow the Beatitudes whenever we pray the Lord’s Prayer. In this prayer we ask God to give us what we need to become holy. Family Activity Explain that many people, when praying "Our Father, who art in heaven," think of heaven as a geographical location classified as "celestial." Instead, Jesus explains, "The kingdom of God is among you" (Luke 1 7:21). God’s kingdom becomes present whenever we love others and live in peace. Have on hand magazines, scissors, poster board, and glue. Work together to make a collage showing God’s kingdom among us. Set aside a special time during this week to pray the Lord’s Prayer together as a family.