S4 Unit

I have considered the Catholic vision of what it means to be human.


I have explored and can understand that, through its teaching
on Creation, the Christian faith reveals the mystery of God in
answering the ultimate questions:
is relational (S5)
Who am I/are we?
Where do we come from?
Where are we going?
What is our origin?
What is our end?
Where does everything that exists come from and where is it going?
(CCC 282)

I have explored the creation of man and I can explain the ways in
which man occupies a unique place in Creation: (cf CCC 355)
is rational (S4)
is creative (S4)
has free-will. (S6)

I have explored what it means for humanity to be rational and
creative and I can describe how these gifts can be utilised to bring
me closer to God and to others.

I have read and reflected upon the account of the Fall in Genesis 3
and I can explain what this figurative language is intended to
describe.

I have had the opportunity to re-examine the Biblical stories of
Creation and to consider different viewpoints as to the meaning of
these - i.e. literal interpretation, as narratives which reveal truths
about the nature of God.

I can explain why an understanding of our communal identity is
essential to an understanding of the doctrines of original sin and
salvation through Christ.

I am beginning to understand the meaning of key Christian
theological terms: Redemption, Atonement, Salvation
He is made in the image of God.
In his own nature he unites the spiritual and material worlds.
Man is created male and female.
God established Man in his friendship.
I understand that the human person, being made in the image and
likeness of God,:
 Redemption
 Atonement
 Salvation
Lesson Objectives:
•
To consider the question ‘What is the meaning of my life?’
•
To explore the difference between spiritual and material goals in life
 Watch the video before deciding
what one question you would like to see answered?
Is there anything you think which should remain a mystery?
 List 5 goals in your life that are most important to you at the moment
 How do you think these will change over your life?
 The Meaning of Human Life from Differing Perspectives
 Your teacher will give you a hand out outlining three different perspectives on
the meaning of life
 Discuss in your group and write down the main point from each perspective
 From the list made earlier identify three most important goal in your life
Dear God, help us to love you, and each other, more
and more. Help us to have spiritual goals in life and
not be people addicted to money and material
possessions. Help us to be happy and at peace with
ourselves, bless the relationships we have with each
other, and make us all more aware of your great love
for us.
Amen
Lesson Objectives:
 Consider the Catholic vision of what it means to be human
We are all members of the human race, living in
human bodies and experiencing the world as human
beings. However, this common ‘humanity’ can be
understood and interpreted in many ways.
Understanding of what it means to be human can differ
according to race, religion, culture, context, situation
and time. Before we look at Christian answers to the
question of the human condition it may be helpful to
consider our own ideas of what it means to be human.
Try to gather newspaper articles which give some idea of what it is to be a human
being and make a collage under the heading
“Being Human”
Discuss
1.
Do the human beings in these stories have anything in common with you? If so
what?
2.
What do these stories tell us about human beings?
In your groups imagine that you are the captain of a
lifeboat which can carry a maximum of four
passengers.
You are called to an emergency situation.
Unfortunately, when you arrive at the sinking vessel,
you become aware that there are seven people
waiting to be rescued.
 Read the profiles of the people and decide which
four people you will rescue.
 Write a response for each of the characters
a) What is the basis for deciding that some people should go into the lifeboat and
others not?
b) Do human beings have a responsibility to care for others, particularly the
vulnerable?
If so, why? If not, why not?
c) And what does this say about the meaning of human life?
The Church says that we, as people, are willed by God; we
are made in God’s image. Our dignity doesn’t come from
the work we do but from the people we are
.
 Adapted from Centesimus Annus, The Hundredth Year, John Paul II, 1991, #11
Questions
Dignity = the quality of
being worthy of honour or
respect
1. What does the Church mean by “Our dignity doesn’t come from the work we do but from the people
we are”?
2. Is it ever alright for people to be treated as if they are not as good as others? Why? Why not?
Lesson Objectives:
 I have explored and can understand that, through its teaching on Creation, the
Christian faith reveals the mystery of God in answering the ultimate questions:
There's much
more meaning
in life once you
know your
purpose.
Is it possible to be
like this when we are
older?
What happens to us
as we get older?
 Your teacher will give you a list of
activities. In your group decide which
order you should place the
corresponding number on your
diamond 9 card
4
3
7
5
12
6
14
9
17
Do you agree?
Learning Objectives
 To explored the creation of man
 To explain the ways in which man occupies a unique place in Creation
Lets Recap what you remember about the Creation stories in Genesis
Write down as many points as you can about the creation stories.
Chapter 1
Chapter 2 & 3
 Can you find the passage that corresponds to anything you have written down?
Differences
Complementarity:
 Genesis 1 vs. Genesis 2-3
 1: humanity is made in the image and
 Humans created last vs. first
 Animals created before humans vs.
Animals created after humans
 Impersonal vs. personal
 Focus on Creation vs. Focus on creation
of man
likeness of God, 2-3: man and woman
struggle to live out that calling
 1: humanity is the pinnacle of creation on the
sixth day, 2-3: humanity is the most loved of
creation being made first
 1: humanity is to take care of all of creation,
2-3: man and woman are punished for
abusing their care for creation
 they both show the love God has for his
creation
 they both show the goodness of creation (and
humanity)
Similarities in
the two accounts
 I understand that the human person, being made in the image and likeness of
God,:
is relational (S5)
is rational (S4)
is creative (S4)
has free-will. (S6)
Genesis 1:27
“God created man in the image of himself,
in the image of God he created him,
male and female he created them.”
1.
What is this verse from Genesis telling us?
2.
What value do you think God gives to each of us?
3.
What does this say about our own lives and our own dignity?
4.
How does this call us to live?
relational
rational
creative
has free-will
I am made in God’s image.
Like Royalty.
I am a sign of God to others.
 What does it mean to be rational and creative?
Rational= having the ability to reason or think about things clearly
Creative= having or showing an ability to make new things or think of
new ideas
Either
A.
Write a poem about being made in the image of God.
B.
Make a mask which shows all the ways in which humans are made
in the image of God
My job is to mirror God to
the world.
 I am made in God’s image.
 Like Royalty.
 I am a sign of God to others.
 My job is to mirror God to the world.
 Lesson Objective
 To re-examine Genesis 3
 To understand and explain key theological truths
 Watch the video.
 Tell your partner what you think Adam and Eve did wrong
WHAT “THEOLOGICAL TRUTHS” COULD THIS
STORY BE TEACHING US?
A.The story explains that there is a
place called Eden which has been
lost in time
B.The story describes how Adam and
Eve were the first people who sinned
and lost paradise with God
C.The story explains that the devil is
really an animal who can talk
D.The story explains that there is a
force of evil that tries to separate us
from loving and following God.
Write out 2 theological truths
that the story teaches us
Draw the diagram. add
4 ways how their Sin
made things go wrong
for Adam and Eve
Question
Do you think it is true
that humans find it too
easy to be bad? Is it a
struggle to be good?
 “The Creation stories in Genesis are not useful to know.” Discuss.
 They ARE NOT useful:
 Describe 2 things about Genesis 1 or Genesis 2 that cannot be scientifically true
 Explain why this means the stories are not useful to know
 They ARE useful:
 Explain 2 messages that either Gen 1 or Gen 2 teaches us about God/ us. Include the quotes you
are discussing.
 Conclusion:
- Explain your overall view. Are the stories useful to know or not? Give a reason for your opinion.
 Lesson Objectives
 To define Original Sin
 To describe the consequences of Original Sin
 To reflect on how Original Sin affects us
 Copy the passage bellow filling in the blanks with the correct word from the box
The story of the Fall _______ how Adam and Eve were the first people who sinned and lost
________ with God.
We are all the spiritual _______ of Adam and Eve. We too are _________ of God’s paradise,
with a bad _______ against God. This bad attitude is called having ________ SIN .
 What sort of things would having Original Sin make people do,
in general?
Attitude
Cast out
Paradise
Original
Children
Describes
Have you tried rowing a boat with
one oar? What happens ?
Have you tried pushing a dodgy
supermarket trolley where one
wheel doesn’t turn properly?
What happens ?
After The Fall Adam and Eve
•
•
•
•
•
Hid from God
Blamed each other
Felt ashamed of themselves
Found nature was not on their side
Have to work hard now in life
Questions
1. Give an example of having a bad relationship with others,
God, and creation
2. Which of the effects of Original Sin do you think is the
worst? Why?
S All life forms are made out of carbon atoms.
T God loves us, and made the world with us in mind.
S The sun emits radiation which travels to the earth as light and heat.
T We are tempted to do evil, because we are all born with a bad attitude to God, called Original Sin.
S We are mammals, like many others species on earth, and quite similar genetically to some of them.
S Creatures evolved slowly over time, to become more sophisticated.
T God loves everything that He has made, and wants to enjoy it as well and look after it.
S We can use and control many things on earth through science.
T Man is special – made in the image of God – and man and woman were made for each other.
Write down your own theological truths
1.
Who is God? What is He like?
2.
What does God want us to do in our
life?
3.
What is the point of our life?
4.
What does God want us to care
about?
5.
What sort of people does God want us
to be?
Lesson Objectives
To understand the concepts of Atonement and Salvation
To understand that only through Jesus can we achieve this
 God decided to do something about us having
Original Sin.
 So He came down in a sinless human body. After his
death and resurrection, He gave us the spiritual
power of his sinless human body, to defeat Original
Sin.
 So now you can be a spiritual child of Jesus, and not of
Adam and Eve. And He will give you His Holy Spirit, to
battle against your bad attitudes, and defeat the
Original Sin in you.
Atonement
The action of making amends for a wrong. Christ through his suffering and death he
provided atonement to God for the sins of the whole human race.
Salvation
means to heal, the healing of the relationship between God and man is reconciled
through Jesus Christ
Redemption
The salvation of humanity by Jesus Christ. Literally, to redeem means to free or buy
back.
Heaven, The Garden of Eden, Existence with God, Eternal
life (Can eat from the tree of life)
Copy the diagram as your teacher explains
Heaven, The Garden of Eden, Existence with God, Perfect relationship with God, Eternal
life (Can eat from the tree of life)
Earth, Existence without God, broken relationship with God, Death (Can’t
eat from the tree of life).
Heaven, The Garden of Eden, Existence with God, Perfect relationship with God,
Eternal life (Can eat from the tree of life)
Original
Sin
Redemption
The Fall
Salvation
through Christ
Earth, Existence without God, broken relationship with God, Death (Can’t
eat from the tree of life).
Watch the video clip
Do you think this sums up this unit?