Thursday, November 27, 2008
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
ISU Project: Social Justice Research Project
Instructions:
Students are to prepare a minimum 12 slide PowerPoint presentation on one Christian Justice movement or a Social Justice Issue. One person/pair per topic.
Background information: Themes 17,18, 19, 23, 24, 25
Topic selection Due Date: Oct 10th
Research Due Date: Friday Dec 12th
PowerPoint Due Date: Dec 2nd to Dec 15th
Possible Topics:
Amnesty International (Erika De Jesus and Euchelle Millena)
Affordable Housing
Blood Diamonds (Devon Coutts)(Kiona Mercier-Trembly and Danielle
Devine)
Canadian Food for Children
Child Abuse (Kashaia Henderson, Paula Vargas-Samboy)
Child Care International
Child Labour (Chantel McKie)
Chocolate Slavery (Catherine Descoteaux)
Covent House (Caitin Bishop, Deirdre Wall)
CND Mission in Cameroon, Africa
Development and Peace
Genocide
Habitat for Humanity (Emma Joachim and Laryssa Halat)
Homelessness/Tent Cities
L'Arche (Sarah and Jennifer)
Native Land claims (KimberlyLim, Kaitlin Lallijee)
Out of the Cold
Poverty (Hailey Comeau, Emilie Poisson)
Rosalie Hall (Angela Glor)
Salvation Army
Save the Children (Maria MacKenzie)
Segregation based on race
Spousal Abuse (Ariana Carr, Brittany Orenchuk)
St. Vincent de Paul Society
Sweat Shops
The Kyoto Accord
3Rd World Drug sales
Trafficking of Women
Other:with teacher's approval
Your presentation will include
1. A creative title page that introduces the idea of the movement.
2. Answers to the following questions:
a) Who founded the movement/organisation?
b) When was the movement /organisation founded?
c) Where was it founded?
d) Why was it initiated?
e) How does the movement operate?
f) What issue of justice/peace does this institution address? What Principle of Justice does this movement/organisation uphold?
g) What responsibility do we have, as Christians, to address this issue?
h) What does the Catechism of the Catholic Church state about this issue which this organisation/movement addresses?
i) What bible passage (name at least one) speaks to the movement or issue being addressed?
j) How can an individual become involved in this movement?
3. Other relevant and interesting information about the movement.
4. Some creative material.
EVALUATION:
See the attached Rubric.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
This presentation should not be personalised. It is a Research Assignment on your topic, not a reflection, opinion or case study.
Slide contents and materials must be original, or where they are taken from a source, proper acknowledgement must be made. ***A mark of zero is given if any of the information is plagiarised.
This assignment is worth 10% of your final mark.
Social Justice ISU Assessment
Essay /60
Paragraph #1-3 WWWWW /10
Paragraph #4 Understanding /10
Paragraph #5 Judge /10
Paragraph #6 Act /5
Paragraph #7 Social Action /5
Paragraph #8 Reflection /5
Title /2
Length /3
Writing Style /10
Poster /20
Headings /5
Body /10
Visual /5
Presentation /20
Timing /5
Effort and Creativity /5
Content /10
Mark /100
Students are to prepare a minimum 12 slide PowerPoint presentation on one Christian Justice movement or a Social Justice Issue. One person/pair per topic.
Background information: Themes 17,18, 19, 23, 24, 25
Topic selection Due Date: Oct 10th
Research Due Date: Friday Dec 12th
PowerPoint Due Date: Dec 2nd to Dec 15th
Possible Topics:
Amnesty International (Erika De Jesus and Euchelle Millena)
Affordable Housing
Blood Diamonds (Devon Coutts)(Kiona Mercier-Trembly and Danielle
Devine)
Canadian Food for Children
Child Abuse (Kashaia Henderson, Paula Vargas-Samboy)
Child Care International
Child Labour (Chantel McKie)
Chocolate Slavery (Catherine Descoteaux)
Covent House (Caitin Bishop, Deirdre Wall)
CND Mission in Cameroon, Africa
Development and Peace
Genocide
Habitat for Humanity (Emma Joachim and Laryssa Halat)
Homelessness/Tent Cities
L'Arche (Sarah and Jennifer)
Native Land claims (KimberlyLim, Kaitlin Lallijee)
Out of the Cold
Poverty (Hailey Comeau, Emilie Poisson)
Rosalie Hall (Angela Glor)
Salvation Army
Save the Children (Maria MacKenzie)
Segregation based on race
Spousal Abuse (Ariana Carr, Brittany Orenchuk)
St. Vincent de Paul Society
Sweat Shops
The Kyoto Accord
3Rd World Drug sales
Trafficking of Women
Other:with teacher's approval
CONTENT:
Your presentation will include
1. A creative title page that introduces the idea of the movement.
2. Answers to the following questions:
a) Who founded the movement/organisation?
b) When was the movement /organisation founded?
c) Where was it founded?
d) Why was it initiated?
e) How does the movement operate?
f) What issue of justice/peace does this institution address? What Principle of Justice does this movement/organisation uphold?
g) What responsibility do we have, as Christians, to address this issue?
h) What does the Catechism of the Catholic Church state about this issue which this organisation/movement addresses?
i) What bible passage (name at least one) speaks to the movement or issue being addressed?
j) How can an individual become involved in this movement?
3. Other relevant and interesting information about the movement.
4. Some creative material.
EVALUATION:
See the attached Rubric.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
This presentation should not be personalised. It is a Research Assignment on your topic, not a reflection, opinion or case study.
Slide contents and materials must be original, or where they are taken from a source, proper acknowledgement must be made. ***A mark of zero is given if any of the information is plagiarised.
This assignment is worth 10% of your final mark.
Social Justice ISU Assessment
Essay /60
Paragraph #1-3 WWWWW /10
Paragraph #4 Understanding /10
Paragraph #5 Judge /10
Paragraph #6 Act /5
Paragraph #7 Social Action /5
Paragraph #8 Reflection /5
Title /2
Length /3
Writing Style /10
Poster /20
Headings /5
Body /10
Visual /5
Presentation /20
Timing /5
Effort and Creativity /5
Content /10
Mark /100
Culture as a "Memory box" of symbols collage
Read page 42 of Christ and Culture and using photoshop create your own "memory box" collage using images, symbols of your choice.
(Dimension:8.5X11inches and 150dpi resolution full colour)
Due date:TBA
(Dimension:8.5X11inches and 150dpi resolution full colour)
Due date:TBA
Unit One and Two Test
There will be a Unit One and Two test on Tuesday Oct 14th
Please review readings from page 6 to 46, and review questions from pg 30 and 56
Please review readings from page 6 to 46, and review questions from pg 30 and 56
Monday, October 6, 2008
Symbol Presentation
1) Bring to class the symbol which you chose to reflect on. Be prepared to tell us why it is significant to your faith. You must also be prepared to share some of your significant learnings and or closing words with the class.
This not meant to be a one or two sentence sharing, but rather a good solid 4 to 5 minutes about your own growth that has been facilitated by questions, insights and challenges shared in this learning community.
2) You will also hand in a 1 page typed (double spaced) reflection paper based on your symbol reflection.
Due date: TBA
This not meant to be a one or two sentence sharing, but rather a good solid 4 to 5 minutes about your own growth that has been facilitated by questions, insights and challenges shared in this learning community.
2) You will also hand in a 1 page typed (double spaced) reflection paper based on your symbol reflection.
Due date: TBA
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Se7en(film)
In response to the film seven, create a digital collage that represent all seven capital sins. Make sure that your collage is 8.5 X10 inches in size and resolution is set at 300dpi. Be creative!
along with your digital collage, prepare a one page summary of your collage explaining the images, symbols, and texts of your collage.
Due date Friday 19th, 2008.
along with your digital collage, prepare a one page summary of your collage explaining the images, symbols, and texts of your collage.
Due date Friday 19th, 2008.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Monday, September 1, 2008
Daily Prayers
Scared Space
We invite you to make a 'Sacred Space' in your day, and spend ten minutes, praying here and now, as you sit at your computer, with the help of on-screen guidance and scripture chosen specially every day.
Online resource click here:http://www.sacredspace.ie/
We invite you to make a 'Sacred Space' in your day, and spend ten minutes, praying here and now, as you sit at your computer, with the help of on-screen guidance and scripture chosen specially every day.
Online resource click here:http://www.sacredspace.ie/
What is the Pupose of Prayer
What is the Purpose of Prayer?
Exodus 4:1-17; John 4
Prayer is the only avenue to recognizing the reality of God’s presence. Paul writes to the Thessalonians instructing them to, "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-22 NIV). You cannot continually pray for the Spirit’s guidance in every circumstance without experiencing the reality of God’s presence.
My greatest need is to recognize God’s presence and guidance in every circumstance. I can’t do this without the avenue of prayer.
Dennis Cox says, "A good prayer life is being aware of God’s presence and being transparent with him about what I am experiencing." Too often our experiences in our circumstances are simply programmed responses. Often we have our minds set in such a fashion we only get out of things what we are programmed to get out of them. Only through prayer can we realign ourselves in our circumstances to see what God wishes us to see.
The psalmists writes, "Be still and know that I am God" (Psalms 46:10). Prayer times are the times to be still and know God. If we neglect prayer we will lose sight of God’s presence.
Psalms 18:2 2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Who Am I?
When Moses faced God in the burning bush he was told to take off his shoes for the ground he stood upon was holy ground. We may wonder if we are permitted to come to God on holy ground. Prayer brings every person to holy ground. Moses wasn’t invited to stand on holy ground because of his personal holiness, but rather because of God’s desire to make him holy. A couple of days ago I was asked, "Does God hear one man’s prayer over another, or are some people’s prayers more important than others?" God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34-35). Every person has the equal privilege of approaching God on holy ground. The only prerequisite for coming to God on holy ground in prayer is a contrite heart and a broken spirit.
Psalms 51:16-17 16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Moses came to God in the burning bush with a contrite heart and a broken spirit. God told him to go to Egypt to lead the Hebrews out of slavery. When God calls you would think that men and women would jump on their white horses and ride bravely into battle. But this is not the way we do when God calls. Most of us are like Moses.
Exodus 4:1-17 4:1
Moses answered, "What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, 'The LORD did not appear to you'?"
2 Then the LORD said to him, "What is that in your hand?"
"A staff," he replied.
3 The LORD said, "Throw it on the ground."
Moses threw it on the ground and it became a snake, and he ran from it. 4 Then the LORD said to him, "Reach out your hand and take it by the tail." So Moses reached out and took hold of the snake and it turned back into a staff in his hand. 5 "This," said the LORD, "is so that they may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers--the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob--has appeared to you."
6 Then the LORD said, "Put your hand inside your cloak." So Moses put his hand into his cloak, and when he took it out, it was leprous, like snow.
7 "Now put it back into your cloak," he said. So Moses put his hand back into his cloak, and when he took it out, it was restored, like the rest of his flesh.
8 Then the LORD said, "If they do not believe you or pay attention to the first miraculous sign, they may believe the second. 9 But if they do not believe these two signs or listen to you, take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground. The water you take from the river will become blood on the ground."
10 Moses said to the LORD, "O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue."
11 The LORD said to him, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD? 12 Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say."
13 But Moses said, "O Lord, please send someone else to do it."
14 Then the LORD's anger burned against Moses and he said, "What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on his way to meet you, and his heart will be glad when he sees you. 15 You shall speak to him and put words in his mouth; I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do. 16 He will speak to the people for you, and it will be as if he were your mouth and as if you were God to him. 17 But take this staff in your hand so you can perform miraculous signs with it."
Initially it doesn’t seem as hard to jump on at white horse and ride into completely new territory, as it is to jump on a white horse and face our old fears and failures. God is asking Moses to face his past failures and fears after spending forty years running from them. Instead of allowing our failures to build walls around us to keep God out we must face God with our failures realizing his presence.
Exodus 2:11-15 11 One day, after Moses had grown up, he went out to where his own people were and watched them at their hard labor. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his own people. 12 Glancing this way and that and seeing no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. 13 The next day he went out and saw two Hebrews fighting. He asked the one in the wrong, "Why are you hitting your fellow Hebrew?"
14 The man said, "Who made you ruler and judge over us? Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian?" Then Moses was afraid and thought, "What I did must have become known."
15 When Pharaoh heard of this, he tried to kill Moses, but Moses fled from Pharaoh and went to live in Midian, where he sat down by a well.
When Moses confronts God in the burning bush his feelings are very transparent as he contemplates going back to Egypt. Who would believe me? I am not an eloquent man. Send someone else! Behind all this Moses no doubt is thinking of his previous failure in Egypt.
Prayer doesn’t guarantee life will be easy. We will still face problems, frustrations and difficult times. God can’t refocus our lives without getting us to face our problems. When Moses went to Egypt he faced bigger problems than he could have imagined—he experienced the hardness of the world’s most powerful leader face to face. He faced the Hebrews disbelief that God was with him to make their lives better. He faced his own personal failures and his need for obedience.
Proper Prayer Focuses Our Lives
If we refuse to come to God on holy ground through prayer we will lose sight of God. We will become proud and arrogant men and women who think we don’t need God.
Prayer exerts unbelievable demands on us. This is why we feel like Moses as we say, "Please send someone else." But as we open our heart to the Lord’s rule, he will develop us in ways far beyond anything we have ever attempted on our own. Prayer is the only thing that can take us beyond ingrained behavior and rigid church tradition that confines prayer to church doctrine to be adhered to.
We have reduced prayer to an act of worship that seems necessary but often meaningless. Have we lost sight of the purpose of prayer? Human pride prevents prayer from being a natural thing. Prayer interferes with our own ambitions and our personal agendas. Prayer forces us to surrender our independence and submit to God. Prayer is not just an act of worship; it is a matter of God salvaging my life as I come to him through prayer.
The purpose of prayer is to get our lives aligned with God. Jesus taught us to pray for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. This is the most basic purpose of prayer. More specifically desiring God’s will be done on earth is tantamount to getting his will done in my life.
Often our prayers are more like the conversation the Samaritan woman had with Jesus.
John 4:7-18 7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, "Will you give me a drink?" 8(His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)
9 The Samaritan woman said to him, "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?" (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)
10 Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water."
11 "Sir," the woman said, "you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his flocks and herds?"
13 Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."
15 The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water so that I won't get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water."
16 He told her, "Go, call your husband and come back."
17 "I have no husband," she replied.
Jesus said to her, "You are right when you say you have no husband. 18 The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true."
This woman had no problem talking about religion—you are a Jew and I am a Samaritan, "How can you ask me for a drink." She was ready to debate religious practices. However, she didn’t want the conversation to focus on her personal life. Jesus directs her attention to her personal life, but immediately she shifts the focus back to religion.
John 4:19-26 19 "Sir," the woman said, "I can see that you are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem."
21 Jesus declared, "Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."
25 The woman said, "I know that Messiah" (called Christ) "is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us."
26 Then Jesus declared, "I who speak to you am he."
The woman sought to limit her conversation to the religion. Her conversation with the savior was should we worship on this mountain or that mountain. Jesus replies, "God is a spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." Jesus is not talking about the nature of a formal worship service; the remarks are focused on the heart of the woman. He refuses to turn this into a religious discussion. He is talking about the condition of that woman’s heart. He keeps the conversation focused on the woman’s innermost needs. Her personal need of the savior is manifested. She has had five husbands and is now living with a man out of wedlock. Later when she went back to town to tell others about the Messiah she says, "He told me every thing I ever did." The amazing thing is that Jesus refocused her life through his conversation with her. This is the essence of a prayerful conversation with God.
John 4:27-30 27 Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, "What do you want?" or "Why are you talking with her?"
28 Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, 29 "Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?" 30 They came out of the town and made their way toward him.
There is nothing holy about this woman, but she is standing on the same holy ground Moses stood on when he had a conversation with God. Of course she is not in Midian; there is no burning bush; but it is the same place Moses stood when he had a conversation with God.
The beauty of a prayerful conversation with God is that God helps you see yourself through his eyes. There is no other way for God to salvage our lives than to allow us to see ourselves through his eyes.
Approaching God in prayer doesn’t exempt us from dealing with our own problems, rather it forces us to face ourselves. After agreeing to go to Egypt, the Lord confronted Moses with his personal disobedience.
Exodus 4:24-26 24 At a lodging place on the way, the LORD met [Moses] and was about to kill him. 25 But Zipporah took a flint knife, cut off her son's foreskin and touched [Moses'] feet with it. "Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me," she said. 26 So the LORD let him alone. (At that time she said "bridegroom of blood," referring to circumcision.)
If we come to God on holy ground through prayer he will force us to face our personal disobedience. He does this because he must get our lives focused on him.
Moses was somewhat transparent with God when he expressed his apprehension about going to Egypt, but he was reluctant to confront God with his personal struggles with his family. Moses’ wife was a Midianite—she abhorred the thought of circumcision, but God revealed how important it was for Moses to face his personal problem. It was a matter of life or death—it was a matter of obeying God’s will. It is evident for God’s will to be done in Egypt he would first have to get his will done in Moses’ life.
There is no short cut to getting God’s will done on earth without it beginning with me. Religious questions are unimportant if God hasn’t refocused our lives on him. Jesus prayed, not as I will, but your will be done with my life. This is the focus of prayer.
Prayer Reveals God’s Provisions
Prayer reveals God’s provisions to get our lives focused on him. God revealed to Moses his provisions to help Moses get his life focused on God’s mission.
Exodus 4:6-17 6 Then the LORD said, "Put your hand inside your cloak." So Moses put his hand into his cloak, and when he took it out, it was leprous, like snow.
7 "Now put it back into your cloak," he said. So Moses put his hand back into his cloak, and when he took it out, it was restored, like the rest of his flesh.
8 Then the LORD said, "If they do not believe you or pay attention to the first miraculous sign, they may believe the second. 9 But if they do not believe these two signs or listen to you, take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground. The water you take from the river will become blood on the ground."
10 Moses said to the LORD, "O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue."
11 The LORD said to him, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD? 12 Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say."
13 But Moses said, "O Lord, please send someone else to do it."
14 Then the LORD's anger burned against Moses and he said, "What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on his way to meet you, and his heart will be glad when he sees you. 15 You shall speak to him and put words in his mouth; I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do. 16 He will speak to the people for you, and it will be as if he were your mouth and as if you were God to him. 17 But take this staff in your hand so you can perform miraculous signs with it."
When fear becomes our God, God gets angry. "But Moses said, "O Lord, please send someone else to do it." Then the LORD's anger burned against Moses and he said, "What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well." When fear prevents us from facing ourselves it becomes our god. Through prayer you can realize God’s provisions to remove your fears. There was nothing wrong with Moses understanding his limitations, but our limitations do not limit God’s provisions.
Matthew 7:7-12 7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
9 "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
What do you ask for? The things he desires to give you—a humble and contrite heart—resources to accomplish his purpose for your life.
God’s plan is for your success in accomplishing his will. Seeing ourselves through the eyes of God is the key to developing a faith that take us into the presence of God
Rubel Shelly wrote the following:
"It was poet Robert Burns who wished for humankind the power to see ourselves as others see us. My, what insights that would bring! But there is still another perspective on human affairs that is greater still.
"What if we could see as God sees? From the study of life, human nature, and Scripture, I’m convinced his perspective would set us free to really live.
"If we could see as God sees, we would know that most human fears never materialize. Most of the things most of us spend most of our time worrying over are never going to happen anyway. So we waste energy and weaken ourselves for the day’s task. Maybe this is why Jesus said, "Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today."
"If we could see as God sees, we would realize that no problem that does come is insurmountable. In our gloomier moments of financial stress, illness, or family problems, we brood over questions without answers. But the promise of Scripture stands: "God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it."
"If we could see as God sees, we would understand that no trial comes without a blessing attached. It cannot be seen in advance. In our perplexity, we doubt that anything good can come from a heartache. But the half-brother of Jesus put the divine pledge this way: "My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing."
"If we could see as God sees, we would know that pain always signals the possibility for growth. Although we sigh for a world free of stress, we know deep inside that such a world would produce calloused and unfeeling people. "Endure trials for the sake of discipline," wrote the unnamed author of Hebrews. "Discipline always seems painful rather than pleasant at the time, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."
"God has given us the certain knowledge through Jesus that the meaning of all that happens here is found in realities we have never seen. To see through his eyes and to live on the basis of his promises is the meaning of a life of faith."
The purpose of prayer is to help us see ourselves as God sees us.
When we begin to respond to what God sees in us we will begin to lead others to Christ as Moses and the Samaritan did. When God touches your life in a personal way others will be led to Christ.
John 4:39-42 39 Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, "He told me everything I ever did." 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. 41 And because of his words many more became believers.
42 They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world." NIV
Conclusion:
Your life’s struggles should be the content of prayer.
Discovering God’s mission for your life is the focus of prayer.
Accepting God’s provision is the means to living out God’s mission.
Ref:http://www.focusongod.com/Exodus-4_1-17.htm
Exodus 4:1-17; John 4
Prayer is the only avenue to recognizing the reality of God’s presence. Paul writes to the Thessalonians instructing them to, "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-22 NIV). You cannot continually pray for the Spirit’s guidance in every circumstance without experiencing the reality of God’s presence.
My greatest need is to recognize God’s presence and guidance in every circumstance. I can’t do this without the avenue of prayer.
Dennis Cox says, "A good prayer life is being aware of God’s presence and being transparent with him about what I am experiencing." Too often our experiences in our circumstances are simply programmed responses. Often we have our minds set in such a fashion we only get out of things what we are programmed to get out of them. Only through prayer can we realign ourselves in our circumstances to see what God wishes us to see.
The psalmists writes, "Be still and know that I am God" (Psalms 46:10). Prayer times are the times to be still and know God. If we neglect prayer we will lose sight of God’s presence.
Psalms 18:2 2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Who Am I?
When Moses faced God in the burning bush he was told to take off his shoes for the ground he stood upon was holy ground. We may wonder if we are permitted to come to God on holy ground. Prayer brings every person to holy ground. Moses wasn’t invited to stand on holy ground because of his personal holiness, but rather because of God’s desire to make him holy. A couple of days ago I was asked, "Does God hear one man’s prayer over another, or are some people’s prayers more important than others?" God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34-35). Every person has the equal privilege of approaching God on holy ground. The only prerequisite for coming to God on holy ground in prayer is a contrite heart and a broken spirit.
Psalms 51:16-17 16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Moses came to God in the burning bush with a contrite heart and a broken spirit. God told him to go to Egypt to lead the Hebrews out of slavery. When God calls you would think that men and women would jump on their white horses and ride bravely into battle. But this is not the way we do when God calls. Most of us are like Moses.
Exodus 4:1-17 4:1
Moses answered, "What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, 'The LORD did not appear to you'?"
2 Then the LORD said to him, "What is that in your hand?"
"A staff," he replied.
3 The LORD said, "Throw it on the ground."
Moses threw it on the ground and it became a snake, and he ran from it. 4 Then the LORD said to him, "Reach out your hand and take it by the tail." So Moses reached out and took hold of the snake and it turned back into a staff in his hand. 5 "This," said the LORD, "is so that they may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers--the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob--has appeared to you."
6 Then the LORD said, "Put your hand inside your cloak." So Moses put his hand into his cloak, and when he took it out, it was leprous, like snow.
7 "Now put it back into your cloak," he said. So Moses put his hand back into his cloak, and when he took it out, it was restored, like the rest of his flesh.
8 Then the LORD said, "If they do not believe you or pay attention to the first miraculous sign, they may believe the second. 9 But if they do not believe these two signs or listen to you, take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground. The water you take from the river will become blood on the ground."
10 Moses said to the LORD, "O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue."
11 The LORD said to him, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD? 12 Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say."
13 But Moses said, "O Lord, please send someone else to do it."
14 Then the LORD's anger burned against Moses and he said, "What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on his way to meet you, and his heart will be glad when he sees you. 15 You shall speak to him and put words in his mouth; I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do. 16 He will speak to the people for you, and it will be as if he were your mouth and as if you were God to him. 17 But take this staff in your hand so you can perform miraculous signs with it."
Initially it doesn’t seem as hard to jump on at white horse and ride into completely new territory, as it is to jump on a white horse and face our old fears and failures. God is asking Moses to face his past failures and fears after spending forty years running from them. Instead of allowing our failures to build walls around us to keep God out we must face God with our failures realizing his presence.
Exodus 2:11-15 11 One day, after Moses had grown up, he went out to where his own people were and watched them at their hard labor. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his own people. 12 Glancing this way and that and seeing no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. 13 The next day he went out and saw two Hebrews fighting. He asked the one in the wrong, "Why are you hitting your fellow Hebrew?"
14 The man said, "Who made you ruler and judge over us? Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian?" Then Moses was afraid and thought, "What I did must have become known."
15 When Pharaoh heard of this, he tried to kill Moses, but Moses fled from Pharaoh and went to live in Midian, where he sat down by a well.
When Moses confronts God in the burning bush his feelings are very transparent as he contemplates going back to Egypt. Who would believe me? I am not an eloquent man. Send someone else! Behind all this Moses no doubt is thinking of his previous failure in Egypt.
Prayer doesn’t guarantee life will be easy. We will still face problems, frustrations and difficult times. God can’t refocus our lives without getting us to face our problems. When Moses went to Egypt he faced bigger problems than he could have imagined—he experienced the hardness of the world’s most powerful leader face to face. He faced the Hebrews disbelief that God was with him to make their lives better. He faced his own personal failures and his need for obedience.
Proper Prayer Focuses Our Lives
If we refuse to come to God on holy ground through prayer we will lose sight of God. We will become proud and arrogant men and women who think we don’t need God.
Prayer exerts unbelievable demands on us. This is why we feel like Moses as we say, "Please send someone else." But as we open our heart to the Lord’s rule, he will develop us in ways far beyond anything we have ever attempted on our own. Prayer is the only thing that can take us beyond ingrained behavior and rigid church tradition that confines prayer to church doctrine to be adhered to.
We have reduced prayer to an act of worship that seems necessary but often meaningless. Have we lost sight of the purpose of prayer? Human pride prevents prayer from being a natural thing. Prayer interferes with our own ambitions and our personal agendas. Prayer forces us to surrender our independence and submit to God. Prayer is not just an act of worship; it is a matter of God salvaging my life as I come to him through prayer.
The purpose of prayer is to get our lives aligned with God. Jesus taught us to pray for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. This is the most basic purpose of prayer. More specifically desiring God’s will be done on earth is tantamount to getting his will done in my life.
Often our prayers are more like the conversation the Samaritan woman had with Jesus.
John 4:7-18 7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, "Will you give me a drink?" 8(His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)
9 The Samaritan woman said to him, "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?" (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)
10 Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water."
11 "Sir," the woman said, "you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his flocks and herds?"
13 Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."
15 The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water so that I won't get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water."
16 He told her, "Go, call your husband and come back."
17 "I have no husband," she replied.
Jesus said to her, "You are right when you say you have no husband. 18 The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true."
This woman had no problem talking about religion—you are a Jew and I am a Samaritan, "How can you ask me for a drink." She was ready to debate religious practices. However, she didn’t want the conversation to focus on her personal life. Jesus directs her attention to her personal life, but immediately she shifts the focus back to religion.
John 4:19-26 19 "Sir," the woman said, "I can see that you are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem."
21 Jesus declared, "Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."
25 The woman said, "I know that Messiah" (called Christ) "is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us."
26 Then Jesus declared, "I who speak to you am he."
The woman sought to limit her conversation to the religion. Her conversation with the savior was should we worship on this mountain or that mountain. Jesus replies, "God is a spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." Jesus is not talking about the nature of a formal worship service; the remarks are focused on the heart of the woman. He refuses to turn this into a religious discussion. He is talking about the condition of that woman’s heart. He keeps the conversation focused on the woman’s innermost needs. Her personal need of the savior is manifested. She has had five husbands and is now living with a man out of wedlock. Later when she went back to town to tell others about the Messiah she says, "He told me every thing I ever did." The amazing thing is that Jesus refocused her life through his conversation with her. This is the essence of a prayerful conversation with God.
John 4:27-30 27 Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, "What do you want?" or "Why are you talking with her?"
28 Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, 29 "Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?" 30 They came out of the town and made their way toward him.
There is nothing holy about this woman, but she is standing on the same holy ground Moses stood on when he had a conversation with God. Of course she is not in Midian; there is no burning bush; but it is the same place Moses stood when he had a conversation with God.
The beauty of a prayerful conversation with God is that God helps you see yourself through his eyes. There is no other way for God to salvage our lives than to allow us to see ourselves through his eyes.
Approaching God in prayer doesn’t exempt us from dealing with our own problems, rather it forces us to face ourselves. After agreeing to go to Egypt, the Lord confronted Moses with his personal disobedience.
Exodus 4:24-26 24 At a lodging place on the way, the LORD met [Moses] and was about to kill him. 25 But Zipporah took a flint knife, cut off her son's foreskin and touched [Moses'] feet with it. "Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me," she said. 26 So the LORD let him alone. (At that time she said "bridegroom of blood," referring to circumcision.)
If we come to God on holy ground through prayer he will force us to face our personal disobedience. He does this because he must get our lives focused on him.
Moses was somewhat transparent with God when he expressed his apprehension about going to Egypt, but he was reluctant to confront God with his personal struggles with his family. Moses’ wife was a Midianite—she abhorred the thought of circumcision, but God revealed how important it was for Moses to face his personal problem. It was a matter of life or death—it was a matter of obeying God’s will. It is evident for God’s will to be done in Egypt he would first have to get his will done in Moses’ life.
There is no short cut to getting God’s will done on earth without it beginning with me. Religious questions are unimportant if God hasn’t refocused our lives on him. Jesus prayed, not as I will, but your will be done with my life. This is the focus of prayer.
Prayer Reveals God’s Provisions
Prayer reveals God’s provisions to get our lives focused on him. God revealed to Moses his provisions to help Moses get his life focused on God’s mission.
Exodus 4:6-17 6 Then the LORD said, "Put your hand inside your cloak." So Moses put his hand into his cloak, and when he took it out, it was leprous, like snow.
7 "Now put it back into your cloak," he said. So Moses put his hand back into his cloak, and when he took it out, it was restored, like the rest of his flesh.
8 Then the LORD said, "If they do not believe you or pay attention to the first miraculous sign, they may believe the second. 9 But if they do not believe these two signs or listen to you, take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground. The water you take from the river will become blood on the ground."
10 Moses said to the LORD, "O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue."
11 The LORD said to him, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD? 12 Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say."
13 But Moses said, "O Lord, please send someone else to do it."
14 Then the LORD's anger burned against Moses and he said, "What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on his way to meet you, and his heart will be glad when he sees you. 15 You shall speak to him and put words in his mouth; I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do. 16 He will speak to the people for you, and it will be as if he were your mouth and as if you were God to him. 17 But take this staff in your hand so you can perform miraculous signs with it."
When fear becomes our God, God gets angry. "But Moses said, "O Lord, please send someone else to do it." Then the LORD's anger burned against Moses and he said, "What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well." When fear prevents us from facing ourselves it becomes our god. Through prayer you can realize God’s provisions to remove your fears. There was nothing wrong with Moses understanding his limitations, but our limitations do not limit God’s provisions.
Matthew 7:7-12 7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
9 "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
What do you ask for? The things he desires to give you—a humble and contrite heart—resources to accomplish his purpose for your life.
God’s plan is for your success in accomplishing his will. Seeing ourselves through the eyes of God is the key to developing a faith that take us into the presence of God
Rubel Shelly wrote the following:
"It was poet Robert Burns who wished for humankind the power to see ourselves as others see us. My, what insights that would bring! But there is still another perspective on human affairs that is greater still.
"What if we could see as God sees? From the study of life, human nature, and Scripture, I’m convinced his perspective would set us free to really live.
"If we could see as God sees, we would know that most human fears never materialize. Most of the things most of us spend most of our time worrying over are never going to happen anyway. So we waste energy and weaken ourselves for the day’s task. Maybe this is why Jesus said, "Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today."
"If we could see as God sees, we would realize that no problem that does come is insurmountable. In our gloomier moments of financial stress, illness, or family problems, we brood over questions without answers. But the promise of Scripture stands: "God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it."
"If we could see as God sees, we would understand that no trial comes without a blessing attached. It cannot be seen in advance. In our perplexity, we doubt that anything good can come from a heartache. But the half-brother of Jesus put the divine pledge this way: "My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing."
"If we could see as God sees, we would know that pain always signals the possibility for growth. Although we sigh for a world free of stress, we know deep inside that such a world would produce calloused and unfeeling people. "Endure trials for the sake of discipline," wrote the unnamed author of Hebrews. "Discipline always seems painful rather than pleasant at the time, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."
"God has given us the certain knowledge through Jesus that the meaning of all that happens here is found in realities we have never seen. To see through his eyes and to live on the basis of his promises is the meaning of a life of faith."
The purpose of prayer is to help us see ourselves as God sees us.
When we begin to respond to what God sees in us we will begin to lead others to Christ as Moses and the Samaritan did. When God touches your life in a personal way others will be led to Christ.
John 4:39-42 39 Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, "He told me everything I ever did." 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. 41 And because of his words many more became believers.
42 They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world." NIV
Conclusion:
Your life’s struggles should be the content of prayer.
Discovering God’s mission for your life is the focus of prayer.
Accepting God’s provision is the means to living out God’s mission.
Ref:http://www.focusongod.com/Exodus-4_1-17.htm
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Class Activity 1
Activity 1: Who Is My Neighbour?
Time: 75 minutes
Description
The purpose of this activity is to provide students with an opportunity to review the course content, evaluation scheme, and assignment expectations. The second part of the activity intends to allow students to get to know each other and to create a positive learning environment in the classroom, based on the understanding that we are neighbours. Lk 10: 25-37
Planning Notes
The teacher will need to prepare an opening prayer which contains both a formal and informal component in order to model prayer leadership for the students (Appendix 1: Student Prayer Leadership). The teacher needs to be conscious of the importance of setting a welcoming and positive tone for the course. For the name card activity only positive descriptions will be accepted. The teacher needs to present to students the outline of the overall project that they will complete for the unit. (See Appendix 2: Summary Chart of Newspaper Assessment/Evaluation.)
Teaching/Learning Strategies
1. The teacher leads the class in prayer and assigns students to prayer leadership beginning the sixth day of class. The teacher reviews the course expectations with the students.
Prayer:
Under thy patronage, dear Mother, and calling on the mystery of thine Immaculate Conception, I desire to pursue my studies and my literary labors: I hereby solemnly declare that I am giving myself to these studies chiefly to the following end: that I may better contribute to the glory of God.
I pray thee, therefore, most loving Mother to bless my labors in loving-kindness. Moreover I promise with true affection and a willing spirit, as it is right that I should do, to ascribe all the good that shall come to me in God's holy presence.
Amen.
Class activity:
2. In Pairs: Students interview each other asking general questions about likes and dislikes and family makeup. Students keep brief notes on their interview for reference when they introduce their partner.
3. Individually: Students make a name card folded in half and include on it their own name and one talent they have or an accomplishment that they are proud of.
4. In Pairs: Students introduce their partner (limit the number of comments to four) to the class using their reference notes. After each pair has finished they display their name cards in the classroom (either on a bulletin board or a string across the front of the class).
5. The teacher reads Lk 10: 25-37 and facilitates a discussion about Who Is My Neighbour? and the diversity that exists within the classroom:
25 And behold a certain lawyer stood up, tempting him and saying, Master, what must I do to possess eternal life? 26 But he said to him: What is written in the law? How readest thou? 27 He answering, said: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart and with thy whole soul and with all thy strength and with all thy mind: and thy neighbour as thyself. 28 And he said to him: Thou hast answered right. This do: and thou shalt live.
29 But he willing to justify himself, said to Jesus: And who is my neighbour? 30 And Jesus answering, said: A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell among robbers, who also stripped him and having wounded him went away, leaving him half dead. 31 And it chanced, that a certain priest went down the same way: and seeing him, passed by. 32 In like manner also a Levite, when he was near the place and saw him, passed by. 33 But a certain Samaritan, being on his journey, came near him: and seeing him, was moved with compassion: 34 And going up to him, bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine: and setting him upon his own beast, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 And the next day he took out two pence and gave to the host and said: Take care of him; and whatsoever thou shalt spend over and above, I, at my return, will repay thee. 36 Which of these three, in thy opinion, was neighbour to him that fell among the robbers? 37 But he said: He that showed mercy to him. And Jesus said to him: Go, and do thou in like manner.
Resources:http://www.catholic.org/clife/prayers/prayer.php?p=197
Bible:http://www.catholic.org/bible/
Prayer:http://www.ewtn.com/Devotionals/prayers/index.htm
Assessment/Evaluation Techniques
· Assessment is done at the end of Activity 2.
Accommodations
Students who have serious trouble verbalizing in large groups may be allowed to find another way to introduce their partner: through a tape recording, on video, or as a pictorial chart.
Resources
New Revised Standard Version Bible. Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1989. (K,T)
Appendices
Appendix 1: Student Prayer Leadership
Time: 75 minutes
Description
The purpose of this activity is to provide students with an opportunity to review the course content, evaluation scheme, and assignment expectations. The second part of the activity intends to allow students to get to know each other and to create a positive learning environment in the classroom, based on the understanding that we are neighbours. Lk 10: 25-37
Planning Notes
The teacher will need to prepare an opening prayer which contains both a formal and informal component in order to model prayer leadership for the students (Appendix 1: Student Prayer Leadership). The teacher needs to be conscious of the importance of setting a welcoming and positive tone for the course. For the name card activity only positive descriptions will be accepted. The teacher needs to present to students the outline of the overall project that they will complete for the unit. (See Appendix 2: Summary Chart of Newspaper Assessment/Evaluation.)
Teaching/Learning Strategies
1. The teacher leads the class in prayer and assigns students to prayer leadership beginning the sixth day of class. The teacher reviews the course expectations with the students.
Prayer:
Under thy patronage, dear Mother, and calling on the mystery of thine Immaculate Conception, I desire to pursue my studies and my literary labors: I hereby solemnly declare that I am giving myself to these studies chiefly to the following end: that I may better contribute to the glory of God.
I pray thee, therefore, most loving Mother to bless my labors in loving-kindness. Moreover I promise with true affection and a willing spirit, as it is right that I should do, to ascribe all the good that shall come to me in God's holy presence.
Amen.
Class activity:
2. In Pairs: Students interview each other asking general questions about likes and dislikes and family makeup. Students keep brief notes on their interview for reference when they introduce their partner.
3. Individually: Students make a name card folded in half and include on it their own name and one talent they have or an accomplishment that they are proud of.
4. In Pairs: Students introduce their partner (limit the number of comments to four) to the class using their reference notes. After each pair has finished they display their name cards in the classroom (either on a bulletin board or a string across the front of the class).
5. The teacher reads Lk 10: 25-37 and facilitates a discussion about Who Is My Neighbour? and the diversity that exists within the classroom:
25 And behold a certain lawyer stood up, tempting him and saying, Master, what must I do to possess eternal life? 26 But he said to him: What is written in the law? How readest thou? 27 He answering, said: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart and with thy whole soul and with all thy strength and with all thy mind: and thy neighbour as thyself. 28 And he said to him: Thou hast answered right. This do: and thou shalt live.
29 But he willing to justify himself, said to Jesus: And who is my neighbour? 30 And Jesus answering, said: A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell among robbers, who also stripped him and having wounded him went away, leaving him half dead. 31 And it chanced, that a certain priest went down the same way: and seeing him, passed by. 32 In like manner also a Levite, when he was near the place and saw him, passed by. 33 But a certain Samaritan, being on his journey, came near him: and seeing him, was moved with compassion: 34 And going up to him, bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine: and setting him upon his own beast, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 And the next day he took out two pence and gave to the host and said: Take care of him; and whatsoever thou shalt spend over and above, I, at my return, will repay thee. 36 Which of these three, in thy opinion, was neighbour to him that fell among the robbers? 37 But he said: He that showed mercy to him. And Jesus said to him: Go, and do thou in like manner.
Resources:http://www.catholic.org/clife/prayers/prayer.php?p=197
Bible:http://www.catholic.org/bible/
Prayer:http://www.ewtn.com/Devotionals/prayers/index.htm
Assessment/Evaluation Techniques
· Assessment is done at the end of Activity 2.
Accommodations
Students who have serious trouble verbalizing in large groups may be allowed to find another way to introduce their partner: through a tape recording, on video, or as a pictorial chart.
Resources
New Revised Standard Version Bible. Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1989. (K,T)
Appendices
Appendix 1: Student Prayer Leadership
Course outline
Course Overview
Religious Education, Grade 10, Open
Identifying Information
Course Title: Christ and Culture
Grade: Ten
Course Type: Open
Ministry Course Code: HRE2O
Credit Value: 1
Description/Rationale
This course examines the relationship between the person and message of Christ and the dominant attitudes of contemporary culture. Central to this course is the sacramental nature of Jesus and through His incarnation, the sacramentality of the Catholic Church, persons, and all of creation. Beginning with students’ own life experiences, seen in light of the Gospel narratives, students acquire a deeper and more systematic knowledge of Christ, his message, and his Church. Connections between the Church and contemporary culture are explored in terms of what it means to be a responsible adolescent developing as a member of a Catholic, Christian community while living within the context of a secular society. In the Family Life Education strand, students explore a variety of topics related to the themes of person-hood, interpersonal relationships, and sexuality. Students have the opportunity to experience first-hand the call and response to Christian Community Service.
How This Course Supports the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations
The fundamental premise of this course is that both teacher and students are discerning believers formed in the Catholic faith tradition, intent on participating in the transformation of society. Understanding that the students operate from, and yearn to deepen their spirituality, this course encourages students to articulate Catholic beliefs, and to continue to journey as reflective, creative thinkers. By raising important questions about their faith, this course leads students to a deeper understanding of their relationship with God and neighbour. The students are called to be caring family members and responsible citizens who respect and understand the history, cultural heritage, and pluralism of today’s contemporary society.
Unit Titles (Time + Sequence)
Unit 1
Called to Jesus
27.5 hours
Unit 2
Called to Be Church
21.25 hours
Unit 3
Called to Be and Relate
21.25 hours
Unit 4
Called to Be Holy
16 hours
Unit 5
Called to Be Just
24 hours
Unit Organization
Unit 1: Called To Jesus
Time: 27.5 hours
Description
Through the study of the Gospels as an extension of their Judaic roots in Hebrew Scriptures, students come to know the Jesus of History and the Christ of Faith. Understanding Jesus as the Sacrament of God leads students to an appreciation of their call to live a sacramental life. This knowledge forms the basis for students to begin to think critically about their world.
Unit 2: Called To Be Church
Time: 21.25 hours
Description
Students enter into a three-way conversation about their own life experience, their experience of parish life, and their encounters with Church teaching in order to answer the core question for this unit: What does it mean to be Catholic? Students first explore their personal faith journey. This experience, along with an investigation of an aspect of parish life, provides the experiential basis for exploring the core question. Then a study of the notion of sacramentality is undertaken. At this point students investigate the Sacrament of Anointing. This core understanding is then applied to particular aspects of Catholicism, namely: prayer, the communion of saints, Mary, and the Church. Finally, students are challenged to come to an understanding of the Eucharist as a life-giving sacrament. Throughout the unit, students write a journal that traces their explorations of each of the topics. Students compile an artistic response to their experiences and insights throughout the unit. In the culminating activity students integrate their learning by means of an artistic response to the core question of the unit question.
Unit 3: Called to Be and Relate
Time: 21.25 hours
Description
Steeped in Jesus’ call to love God with one’s whole body, mind and soul, students come to know the sacredness of the human person. Students are challenged to examine the quality of their relationships in light of the profound example of Jesus’ inclusive love. Acknowledging the impact of culture on the lives of individuals but with a focus on youth, students compare cultural priorities with the Gospel imperative. A culminating activity is the production of a media campaign, which promotes a Christian vision of personhood, relationships, and sexuality for teens.
Unit 4: Called to Be Holy
Time: 16 hours
Description
Informed by Christ’s life and the teachings of the Church, students apply Christian moral principles to the relevant moral issues in their lives. Students are given opportunity to illustrate maturity in their understanding and practice of Catholic moral decision making methods. In addition students examine the virtue of holiness in the Scriptures and apply insights gleaned to their own faith lives.
Unit 5: Called to Be Just
Time: 24 hours
Description
Through this unit students grow in their understanding and appreciation of the gospel call to live justly. In light of social justice teachings found in Scripture and Catholic Church Tradition, students explore local and global social justice issues. Students carry out a research project on global issues. As a culminating activity, students develop and begin to implement a plan of action that addresses a local social justice issue. Time is allotted at the end of this unit for review of the course material in preparation for a final exam.
Religious Education, Grade 10, Open
Identifying Information
Course Title: Christ and Culture
Grade: Ten
Course Type: Open
Ministry Course Code: HRE2O
Credit Value: 1
Description/Rationale
This course examines the relationship between the person and message of Christ and the dominant attitudes of contemporary culture. Central to this course is the sacramental nature of Jesus and through His incarnation, the sacramentality of the Catholic Church, persons, and all of creation. Beginning with students’ own life experiences, seen in light of the Gospel narratives, students acquire a deeper and more systematic knowledge of Christ, his message, and his Church. Connections between the Church and contemporary culture are explored in terms of what it means to be a responsible adolescent developing as a member of a Catholic, Christian community while living within the context of a secular society. In the Family Life Education strand, students explore a variety of topics related to the themes of person-hood, interpersonal relationships, and sexuality. Students have the opportunity to experience first-hand the call and response to Christian Community Service.
How This Course Supports the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations
The fundamental premise of this course is that both teacher and students are discerning believers formed in the Catholic faith tradition, intent on participating in the transformation of society. Understanding that the students operate from, and yearn to deepen their spirituality, this course encourages students to articulate Catholic beliefs, and to continue to journey as reflective, creative thinkers. By raising important questions about their faith, this course leads students to a deeper understanding of their relationship with God and neighbour. The students are called to be caring family members and responsible citizens who respect and understand the history, cultural heritage, and pluralism of today’s contemporary society.
Unit Titles (Time + Sequence)
Unit 1
Called to Jesus
27.5 hours
Unit 2
Called to Be Church
21.25 hours
Unit 3
Called to Be and Relate
21.25 hours
Unit 4
Called to Be Holy
16 hours
Unit 5
Called to Be Just
24 hours
Unit Organization
Unit 1: Called To Jesus
Time: 27.5 hours
Description
Through the study of the Gospels as an extension of their Judaic roots in Hebrew Scriptures, students come to know the Jesus of History and the Christ of Faith. Understanding Jesus as the Sacrament of God leads students to an appreciation of their call to live a sacramental life. This knowledge forms the basis for students to begin to think critically about their world.
Unit 2: Called To Be Church
Time: 21.25 hours
Description
Students enter into a three-way conversation about their own life experience, their experience of parish life, and their encounters with Church teaching in order to answer the core question for this unit: What does it mean to be Catholic? Students first explore their personal faith journey. This experience, along with an investigation of an aspect of parish life, provides the experiential basis for exploring the core question. Then a study of the notion of sacramentality is undertaken. At this point students investigate the Sacrament of Anointing. This core understanding is then applied to particular aspects of Catholicism, namely: prayer, the communion of saints, Mary, and the Church. Finally, students are challenged to come to an understanding of the Eucharist as a life-giving sacrament. Throughout the unit, students write a journal that traces their explorations of each of the topics. Students compile an artistic response to their experiences and insights throughout the unit. In the culminating activity students integrate their learning by means of an artistic response to the core question of the unit question.
Unit 3: Called to Be and Relate
Time: 21.25 hours
Description
Steeped in Jesus’ call to love God with one’s whole body, mind and soul, students come to know the sacredness of the human person. Students are challenged to examine the quality of their relationships in light of the profound example of Jesus’ inclusive love. Acknowledging the impact of culture on the lives of individuals but with a focus on youth, students compare cultural priorities with the Gospel imperative. A culminating activity is the production of a media campaign, which promotes a Christian vision of personhood, relationships, and sexuality for teens.
Unit 4: Called to Be Holy
Time: 16 hours
Description
Informed by Christ’s life and the teachings of the Church, students apply Christian moral principles to the relevant moral issues in their lives. Students are given opportunity to illustrate maturity in their understanding and practice of Catholic moral decision making methods. In addition students examine the virtue of holiness in the Scriptures and apply insights gleaned to their own faith lives.
Unit 5: Called to Be Just
Time: 24 hours
Description
Through this unit students grow in their understanding and appreciation of the gospel call to live justly. In light of social justice teachings found in Scripture and Catholic Church Tradition, students explore local and global social justice issues. Students carry out a research project on global issues. As a culminating activity, students develop and begin to implement a plan of action that addresses a local social justice issue. Time is allotted at the end of this unit for review of the course material in preparation for a final exam.
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