Day One Introductions LEARNING OUTCOMES
Student pages v–vi, 1–2
Note to Students
The students will be able to • identify the Bible, the student book, and the class as means to know Jesus. • assess their knowledge of Jesus.
Jesus the Way, the Truth, and the Life is a tool to help you deepen your friendship with Jesus. This course will help you learn more about how to live and nourish your faith. You will learn about what life was like in Palestine when Jesus lived. By studying the Scriptures, especially the Gospels, you will come to understand how the words and actions of Jesus apply to the lives of believers today. The course will focus on the mystery of our redemption through the death and Resurrection of Jesus. We will examine the Beatitudes as a code of life that can bring us happiness and peace.
Materials • Student book • Bibles or New Testaments • BLM 1, BLM 2A–B, BLM 3, BLM 4A–B
An important part of living our faith is taking the time to pray and to celebrate the sacraments. You will learn different ways of praying, such as meditation and
• Prism (optional) • Ceremony items: candles [check fire codes], Bible, table, recorded music [find suggestions for Chapter 1 on page T517] • Bright-colored paper
the Rosary. The sacraments are sacred moments when we encounter the risen Jesus. Through our participation in them, we are empowered to continue Jesus’ mission of love in the world. Each day may you respond with an open mind and an open heart to Jesus who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Lord Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life, we pray, do not let us stray from you, Erasmus. the Way, nor distrust you, the Truth, nor rest in anything else but you, the Life. Teach us by the Holy Spirit what to do, what to believe, and where to take our rest. Prayer of Erasmus, 16th-century scholar Note to Students
Before You Begin
Dear Students,
1. BLM 1, 2A–B Prepare BLM 1
You are entering the stage of life when you begin to ask some of the hard questions such as: Who am I? How do I know what is right? What is the meaning of life and death? Why do people suffer? These are questions that we can spend our lives trying to answer, especially if we try to do it alone. They are difficult questions, but good questions, because they can help us to arrive at a deeper faith and a deeper understanding of life.
and 2A–B to be sent home. BLM 1, Family Letter, is about the entire course. BLM 2A–B is a Family Letter on Unit 1.
Fortunately, we have Jesus who shows us how to live a life of faith, hope, and love. He is the center of our human existence. Jesus is what he calls himself, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Jesus is the Way. Through his words and actions, Jesus shows us what God is like. He shows us that God is always ready to reach out to the lost, to love the forgotten, and to forgive the sinner. Jesus shows us a
2. BLM 4A–B Use BLM 4A–B
Pre-Test/Post-Test to plan your lessons for the year. Save the students’ tests to return with the post-tests.
God of unconditional love. Jesus is the way to his Father, and the way to peace and happiness. He is the way to help us fulfill the purpose of our lives. Jesus is the Truth. Jesus reveals the Father to us. By his words and actions, he shows us the truth about God. It is a truth that all people seek. By the gift of the Holy Spirit, this truth is continuing to be revealed through the work, teachings, and worship of the Church. Jesus is the Life. Throughout his life, Jesus promised to those who believe and follow him a share in his divine and eternal life. Jesus gives us this faith and continues to strengthen it through Scripture, prayer, the sacraments, the faith community, and the Church. It is faith that is alive and growing.
“. . . I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, then you will also know my Father.” John 14:6–7
vi
v
Centering
colors in a column on the board? (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet)
1. Introduce yourself to the
students. ✦✦ Tell them why you are glad to be teaching them. ✦✦
✦✦
Mention that this year’s topic is the most interesting of the whole religion program, Jesus.
2. Use a prism to explain this
year’s activity. ✦✦ What happens to pure, white light when it shines through a prism? [Demonstrate the prism.] (It is separated into the colors of a rainbow.) Can someone list all the
T4
UNIT 1
Jesus Christ the Way
✦✦
Our lives can be compared to white light. If we put them through a prism, we would find they have many aspects, such as our relationships with family members. [Write family after red.] What are some other aspects? (relationship with God, friends, learning, hobbies, jobs, health, skills, cultural activities) [Have students write each response beside a color.] Faith in Christ makes each area of our lives a true, vibrant color. This year as you learn more about
Jesus, all aspects of your lives will be enriched. His names reveal ways that he touches our lives.
3. Hold a contest to list names
for Jesus. ✦✦ Direct the students to find a partner. Give a sheet of paper to each pair. ✦✦
Explain that they will have two minutes to list names or titles for Jesus.
✦✦
When time is up, have the longest list read aloud. Let other students add to it.
✦✦
You already know a lot about Jesus, but the Bible and your books will extend your knowledge.